ESPN NBA

TrueHoop reader Ray says that over the last ten games Brevin Knight has 43 assists and one measly turnover.

It's true, as it happens.

Over 10 games, that's an assist/turnover ratio of 43. That is a mighty, if obscure, accomplishment. On the season, the best in the league is Jose Calderon, who is a little over six. Knight himself is second, a little under five.

I looked up the one turnover. It came during a loss to the Mavericks. It was a moment almost everyone who was there has probably forgotten already. But if and when Knight allows himself to be absorbed in individual statistical accomplishments, it's a moment that I'm sure he'd love to do without.

And it went like this: Corey Maggette rebounded a Nowitzki miss and handed it to Knight. At this moment, there is not much potential for a fast-break.

But Chris Kaman has a lot of energy, and I'll bet you my high-speed internet connection that Coach Dunleavy's staff told Kaman to beat Erick Dampier down the floor for easy buckets.

David Thorpe says that if you want to be a good fast-breaking team, you don't have to run. You have to race. As in, players on your team have to make it their business to not just be speedy, but to beat opponents down the floor.

Chris Kaman races. He has Dampier on his hip, and he turns himself into Carl Lewis, flying right down the middle of the floor. It's some stellar effort, especially coming from an All-Star quality big man.

Everyone knows that when the big man runs like that, you just give him the ball. It's a rule. And Kaman has his hands out calling for it. Knight will hear about it from someone -- Kaman, Dunleavy, fans, all of the above -- if he doesn't make this pass.

The problem is that there is not much of angle. Knight, the ball, Dampier, Kaman's hungry hands, and the hoop are all practically in a straight line.

And Dampier is wise to it. As Knight lofts the pass, Dampier leaps with one arm extended high over his head. Even though Dampier doesn't get the ball nor enough of Kaman to cause a foul, he makes a tough catch nearly impossible, especially as Kaman is big man on the move (always dangerous, from a ball-handling point of view). Ball sails out of bounds.

(Photo: Wendi Kaminski/NBAE/Getty Images)