To double-team, or not to double-team — that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the heat of battle to suffer the stepback jumpers and reverse layups of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a mighty scorer and, by calling for a help defender, end the run of scoring.
Yep, it's August, so the worlds of William Shakespeare and pickup basketball are colliding because what else are we going to talk about?
During a recent offseason run, Suns guard Devin Booker complained about double-team protocol, saying there's no "doubling in open gym." Booker's comments sparked a debate and forced NBA players and fans to pick a side: double-team or straight up?
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“Hey bro we not doubling in open gym. I get that s--t all season. Come on man. Let’s work on our game.” - Devin Booker at an open run. 🗣🗣🗣 (via @swishcultures_) pic.twitter.com/8hgKFLo4ak
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) August 20, 2019
Nets forward Kevin Durant weighed in Wednesday night, firmly aligning himself with Booker on Team Don't Double Me.
So you need another man to help u check your matchup?
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 21, 2019
You matchup with your position. U need double teams all game? In pickup? Cmon now, what we doing?
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 21, 2019
While some Twitter users argued Booker should accept double-teams because he will see plenty of them during the 2019-20 season, Durant countered by saying other players should be focused on improving defensively against one of the NBA's top scorers.
GUARD UP! It’s pickup, if u weak defensively then work on it in the summer cuz if u need a double during the season then coach sittin u on the yine
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 21, 2019
Defensive rotations?? In pickup 😐. Give it a brake
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 21, 2019
Stop him. If u can’t then come back tomorrow.
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 21, 2019
Durant's former teammate Andre Iguodala had a different take on the subject, though he referred to an in-season practice as opposed to a summer workout. Do double-team rules change depending on the month?
I remember me and @Money23Green kept doubling @KDTrey5 the practice after all star break... he was mad shit!!! We was tryna win fam!!
— andre (@andre) August 21, 2019
If we would’ve did that shit at Rico Hines run I would’ve went back to Malibu.
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 21, 2019
Booker took it all in stride, joking that he set aside time to work on "passing out of doubles" the day after the video went viral.
Birthday work with pops. 30 minutes of passing out of doubles today 😂😂 Naw for real thou, Appreciate your grind and realness🙏🏼. pic.twitter.com/4yXP1cu6ZZ
— Devin Booker (@DevinBook) August 20, 2019
We desperately need the real games to begin.
