Odd Looking Play in Duke Game

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Spence

Duke big man has the ball at top of key. Duke guard coming to get the ball behind the big man but he's being pressured by Purdue defender. He stops to try to get away from his defender. Duke big man thinks he's coming behind him and "drops" the ball to the floor. Duke big man then realizes the Duke guard is not there and picks it up.

Would the "drop" constitute a dribble? He didn't push it or tap it. He literally (intentionally) dropped it. He had not used his dribble prior to this pass/drop.

Anything?

Consider it a dribble, it's exactly why I say a ball does not have to be pushed, batted, or thrown to the floor to start a dribble. It can also be dropped.