Alright, let’s talk about this guy, Markquis Nowell. I kept seeing highlights pop up, especially those crazy passes he makes. You know, the flashy ones, but they actually work. So, I thought, hey, maybe I can pick up a thing or two. Not to play pro or anything, just for fun, maybe impress the folks down at the local court.
Getting Started: The Observation Phase
First thing I did was just watch. A lot. Found a bunch of his game clips, highlight reels, whatever I could find. Didn’t really focus on the scoring at first, more on how he moved the ball. His court vision is something else, right? It feels like he knows where everyone is going to be before they do.
I spent maybe two evenings just glued to the screen. Paused, rewound, played it in slow-mo. Tried to track his eyes, his body language before the pass. It’s tricky because the broadcast doesn’t always show the best angle, but you get the idea.
- Watched full game possessions where possible, not just highlights.
- Focused on no-look passes and long outlet passes specifically.
- Tried to notice the setup – the dribble before, the look-off.
Hitting the Court: The Trying Phase
Okay, watching is one thing, doing is another. Grabbed my old basketball and went down to the park. Felt a bit silly at first, trying these flashy passes with nobody else around.
I started simple. Just basic chest passes and bounce passes, but trying to add that little ‘look-away’ Nowell does. Man, it’s harder than it looks. My first few attempts? Ball went nowhere near the imaginary target. One almost hit a poor pigeon minding its own business.
Then I tried practicing the dribble-drive and kick-out pass, trying to mimic his quick decision-making. The key thing I noticed from the videos was how low he stays and how he uses his body to shield the ball. So, I worked on that. Lots of dribbling drills, trying to keep my head up, scanning the (empty) court.
Here’s what I focused on practically:
- Keeping the dribble alive while scanning.
- Practicing the quick snap pass off the dribble.
- Trying (and often failing) the no-look pass towards different spots.
- Working on faking one way and passing another.
What I Learned (Mostly About Myself)
After a few sessions, did I turn into Markquis Nowell? Ha! Not even close. But I did get a tiny bit better at anticipating where a pass should go, even if executing it was still rough.
The biggest takeaway wasn’t really about mastering the passes. It was appreciating the skill level. It’s easy to watch guys like Nowell and think, “Oh, cool pass.” But trying to even replicate a fraction of it? It gives you a whole new level of respect. The coordination, the vision, the confidence to even attempt those passes in a real game situation… it’s crazy.
So yeah, my little Markquis Nowell experiment. Didn’t become a passing wizard. Mostly just ended up with sore arms and a greater appreciation for the game. It was fun, though. Good way to spend an afternoon, trying something new, even if you just end up laughing at yourself. That’s what it’s all about sometimes, right?
