The story behind Luka Garza's unorthodox signature move

Anyone who’s watched Luka Garza play for the Celtics this season would tell you one of two things if you asked them what the big man’s signature move is -- either battling for any and every offensive rebound and scoring the putback, or his crafty decel step on drives to the cup.

The latter is a fairly unique tool for a player his size.

Most NBA centers use their size, strength, and athleticism to power through opposing defenders with loud dunks or contact layups as they glide to the rim. Garza utilizes a rare guard-like finesse style when he drives or rolls through traffic.

As a player who lacks the traditional other-worldly athleticism found in most professional basketball players, the former Iowa standout has used creativity to bridge the gap and give himself his own advantage.

“I've always been a guy who shot fakes around the rim. Obviously, I’m not a guy who dunks on people very often, if at all,” Garza explained after his 20-point, nine-rebound performance against the Hawks. “So I think it's all about just finding creative ways to finish below the rim.”

The 27-year-old often throws off shot blockers’ timing by changing speeds and pump-faking as he gathers for layups -- a motion similar to the Pinoy step which was popularized in the Philippines.

It’s something Garza spent a lot of time working on in his three seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He credited his player development coach, Joseph Boylan for teaching him the slow step.

“He was the one that really taught me the slow step originally. With him, [in] all my workouts, there was a certain sense of creativity that was given to me to kind of figure stuff out. And that's where I kind of figured out, you know, slowing on two [feet] and then shot faking and that kind of stuff. Through his workouts, [I was] able to figure out how I can use the decel [step] the best.”

Consistent opportunity has helped Luka Garza thrive in Boston

Garza, a player who was notably dedicated to his craft in Minnesota, wasn’t able to find many minutes with the Wolves due to their strong center rotation.

Now, after joining the Celtics as a free agent last summer, Garza’s hard work is finally paying off. He’s thrived in every opportunity, despite spending extended stretches glued to the bench. No. 52 didn’t see real playing time until mid-December, yet showed no signs of rust when his number was finally called.

The same can be said of his transition back to the bench when the Cs traded for Nikola Vucevic in February. Once Vuc broke his right ring finger, Garza seamlessly stepped back into his backup role.

Under Joe Mazzulla, who Garza showed appreciation for Monday, the big man is averaging career-highs across the board at 7.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game on efficient 58.6%/43.9% shooting splits.

“You go through stretches where you're not playing or whatever, and that sucks,” he said. “But to have a coach always gives you back that chance, gives you an opportunity at a different point... that kind of helps you with the mindset of staying ready, staying locked in.”