Perhaps it’s because we’re on the precipice of a week-long All-Star break and the NBA season is already past the midway point, but things seem to be getting sloppy. One recent example from tonight came courtesy of the Phoenix Suns when they messed up an inbounds after the Rockets scored two of their 41 first-quarter points.
Above we have P.J. Tucker stepping out of bounds after Eric Bledsoe already tossed it in to him. Tucker thinks Bledsoe was just giving him the ball to then inbounds, but he’s actually passing the ball in to get a quick return pass — in play — and sprint the other way.
Pretty much the exact same thing happened with the Heat last week between Norris Cole and Hassan Whiteside after the T-Wolves scored a bucket in a much bigger moment of the game. It happened with inside of a minute to play, and it played a big role in a one-point Heat loss.
This first-quarter blunder was less excruciating for Suns fans, since there’s plenty of basketball left to play, but we know Bledsoe was ticked off and we’re guessing coach Jeff Hornacek was equally as miffed.
It’s not vacation time just yet, even if some players are already dreaming of the beach they’ll be sipping cocktails at next week.
Follow Spencer on Twitter at @SpencerTyrel.
Follow Dime on Twitter at @DimeMag.
Become a fan of Dime Magazine on Facebook HERE.
