Alright, so I decided to really focus on my defensive game for a bit, specifically shot blocking. You know, I’d been watching a bunch of Kenny Wooten highlights. Man, that dude can fly. Especially his blocks, just out of nowhere. So, I thought, yeah, let’s try to add a little bit of that to my own, very amateur, game.
First thing I did, obviously, was watch more of his clips. Not just the flashy dunks, but really trying to see how he gets those blocks. It’s not just jumping high, though that’s a huge part of it, for sure. His anticipation is nuts. He seems to know where the shooter is going before the shooter does.
So, the “practice” started. Went down to the local court. Told myself, “Okay, channel your inner Wooten.” Sounds cool, right? Well, the reality was a bit different. My first few attempts to “aggressively contest” shots mostly resulted in me either A) fouling the shooter, B) jumping way too early and looking like an idiot as the ball sailed over my flailing arms, or C) jumping way too late and getting a face full of ball. Humbling stuff, man.
I realized pretty quick that just wanting to block shots like Kenny Wooten doesn’t magically give you his athletic gifts or his years of playing at a high level. Shocking, I know. It’s one thing to see it on YouTube, slowed down, with hype music. It’s another to try and react in real-time when some dude is actually trying to score on you.
So I tried to break it down. What could I actually work on?
- Footwork: Tried to stay lighter on my feet, be ready to explode up. Wooten is quick off the ground.
- Timing: This was the killer. I started just trying to stay between my man and the basket, and then really focus on the release point of the shot. Less wild lunges, more controlled jumps. Still mostly failed, but hey, baby steps.
- Using my (limited) vertical: I ain’t Wooten. Not even close. So it was about maximizing what I had, trying to jump straight up, not into the shooter.
Spent a few sessions just focusing on this. Did I turn into a shot-blocking menace overnight? Absolutely not. Not even close. But I did get a tiny bit better at contesting shots without fouling as much. And I gained a massive appreciation for what guys like Wooten do. It’s not just raw talent; it’s skill, timing, and an insane amount of practice honed over years.
The biggest takeaway from my “Kenny Wooten project”? It’s that trying to emulate the pros is a good way to understand just how good they are. And maybe, just maybe, you pick up a small thing or two that makes your own game a tiny bit better. But yeah, I won’t be appearing on any highlight reels for my blocks anytime soon. It’s mostly just me, trying not to get scored on, and occasionally getting a hand on the ball without sending someone to the free-throw line. That’s the real win for us regular folks, I guess.
