Would like the groups thoughts on this situation.

A3 in on the endline in the frontcourt for a spot throw. B2 is standing with his back to A3, inbounds. A3 is given the ball for the throw-in and throws the ball off of B2's back, steps inbounds, catches the ball before the ball hits the floor, takes one dribble and shots a lay-up for a basket. Is this legal?

Yes, Legal.

Yes. Throw-in ends when the passed ball touches another player. As long as the thrower is inbounds when he catches the ball, score the hoop.

....touches <b>ANY </b>another player

Did you have reason to think it wasn't legal?

Just an unusual looking play when it happened. I thought it was perfectly legal too. The defender was stunned and I wonder if it wasn't done intentionally by the throw-in team as a way of confusing the other team into inaction. hmmmmm.

Scottie Pippen used this play several times over the course of his career.

I have seen this play several times over the years in college and the Pros. This is nothing new.

Thanks for your replies. First time I had seen that play. My favorite was one where I had already handed the ball to A1 for a throw-in under A's basket and A2 walked toward him saying "No, I'll take it out" and A1 tossed it in to him and A2 quickly shot the ball and scored as team B players looked on in amazement. Seems a bit unsporting to me.

Only in the same way that "fishing" with dynamite is unsporting. :)

I saw a home video taken at a high school game (on Fox TV, of course) where, as A1 was about to inbound ball to A2, A3 (on the opposite side of the basket) threw himself on the floor and began barking like a dog. Needless to say, A2 got an easy basket (for the win, I think). Definitely a bit unsporting...but funny as hell.

LOL! Guess you could say "that game's goin' to the dogs"!