About This Quiz
Are you a real basketball fan? Do you know what it means to take the rock and go to the hole? Find out if you can perform in crunch time with this basketball lingo quiz!This is typically done with a crossover. Allen Iverson was a master at doing this, amongst other things.
If you've ever played basketball, someone has inevitably told you to "pass the rock." Thankfully the basketball isn't actually like a rock, or it wouldn't be as fun to play.
Peach baskets were used for hoops in the game's early days. While the first professional league was founded in 1898, peach baskets were still used until about 1905.
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Basketball is a game of runs, which is why contests can swing back and forth between two teams in the NBA. Teams that can finish games on a run will typically win that game.
The "-esque" ending means "like," thus it's Jordan-like. Fadeaways and creative layups can be seen as Jordanesque.
The swish is such a beautiful thing to witness. Nothing is prettier than hitting nothing but the bottom of the net.
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This is one of the more widely used basketball lingo terms. A successful shoe and apparel company was even named after this term.
Going to the hole can often create easier points, whether it be shots close to the basket or long-range shots by unguarded players who are open, thanks to a drawn-in defense.
Usually teams will have each position guard its counterpart. However, sometimes better defenders are called upon to guard a specific player.
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LeBron James, also known as "King James," is a perfect example of a franchise player. The most successful franchise players make the players around them better, also.
When he isn't kicking people in the groin, Draymond Green can really D-up. Sadly the game has gone away from defense a bit in this day and age.
Buzzer beaters have been a source of both extreme joy and terrible sadness for basketball fans over the years. There is no more exciting way to win - or more devastating way to lose.
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Some of the greatest players ever to play the game had to be able to create their own shots. Think Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
Most players who are called for a foul on a block attempt will say "all ball." Of course, they're always right.
Reggie Miller made a career out of making big shots in crunch time. The term "Miller Time" was coined when Miller would take over and make big shots at the end of games.
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As if losing wasn't enough, teams have to endure a big shot that helps close out a game. Steph Curry has delivered some daggers during his time in the NBA.
From Larry Bird to Dirk Nowitzki, great shooters have been making longer shots look easy for years. Every team needs a deep threat to help space the floor.
A "floater" can also be called a "teardrop." This shot is normally taken by a point guard or smaller player who is looking to avoid the reach of bigger defenders.
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You can also say "rejected" or "denied" as other forms of "blocked." Some blocks can be downright embarrassing for an offensive player.
Legend has it "dropping a dime" comes from urban slang and is used for someone who "snitches" to the cops, with the ten cents being what it used to cost to make a pay phone call.
Fouls and subsequent free throws will often lead to free points for one team, thus the charity reference. Unless, of course, you have Shaquille O'Neal or DeAndre Jordan shooting the free throws.
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The elbow is a popular spot where players love to shoot from. Carmelo Anthony is an example of a player who likes to shoot from the elbow.
An enforcer certainly doesn't specialize in scoring points, but his physical presence can throw opposing players off their game. His primary job is to be tough and get under people's skin.
Michael Jordan made the fadeaway what it is today. During the '90s, kids all over the world tried to shoot it like Mike.
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If you make a lot of money, you can also be considered a baller. The term is probably more appropriately used in the basketball context.
"Posterize" and "facial" are truly classic terms. Announcer Marv Albert was the one who really brought "facial" to the NBA consciousness.
You won't see a finesse player dunking over anyone, but these types of players can still make things happen in other ways. Every team needs finesse players.
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By sinking the free throw, a player completes a four-point after being fouled while making a three-pointer. This type of play doesn't occur very often.
There are several ways to describe a monster jam. Thanks to Shaq, we were also introduced to destroying the backboard and hoop.
Not many players use the bank shot anymore. A legend like Tim Duncan was great at hitting bank shots on a regular basis.
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The most infamous use of the word hack to describe fouling was in the days of "Hack-a-Shaq." This occurred when teams would intentionally foul Shaquille O'Neal, a terrible free-throw shooter, rather than giving his team a normal offensive possession.
The NBA officially calls it the "free throw lane," but nobody ever calls it that. You'd be correct using any one of the terms listed above.
It's one thing to grab an offensive rebound, but it's an entirely different thing for the rebounder to be able to put it back in. Usually under the hoop is crowded, so this type of shot is harder than it looks.
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This is normally reserved for big men, however some smaller players specialize in posting-up. This style of play isn't as widely used as it was in the past.
If a bigger, slower defender finds himself guarding a smaller, faster player on the perimeter, it is considered a mismatch. Setting picks is a great way to create mismatches.