I see it all the time in 3-on-3 pickup games. A player drives baseline, takes an un-tipped, errant shot that hit's the backboard but never strikes the rim. His momentum carries him under the rim so he catches the ball on the other side and lays it in.

Maybe I'm misinformed but I thought that that was illegal. It happened yesterday and someone reminded us all that McGrady did it in the All-star game. He passed the ball to himself off the backboard and dunked it... an amazing thing of beauty! I countered that the only reason it wasn't called a travel is because he did it in the All-star game.

They weren't convinced, nor was I.

But I'm sure you guys know. Can you legally pass the ball to yourself off the backboard?

Thanks for the advice. You'll satisfy many with your answer.

yes. it is a legal move.

thanks Tony
 

now I'll go eat some crow.

This is not consdered a pass, it's a shot, which is why
it's legal. It's a dribble if you did this off your opponents basket. Depending on the play you could
then double dribble, or travel.

(Edit to change travel to dribble, thanx Tony!)

[Edited by Dan_ref on Jun 7th, 2002 at 03:50 PM]

Hmmm...is it a travel or a dribble?

Oops. Hey, pass that crow!

Actually, it wouldn't be either until you landed, would it?

Not really, all you need to do is maintain possession after
the ball hits the backboard, by catching it or dribbling it again...

How many players do you know who have never landed? :p

Throwing the ball against the opponent's backboard consitutes a dribble. It's what you did previously or next that determines whether a violation has occurred or not.

Hey, what about that guy from the "Flubber" movie??! :)