Zhang Hao is at the free-throw line. Kevin Johnson does a step-back to just inside the top of the arc, shooting a long two. Isn't he asking to get blocked?
If he had stepped back a bit more to shoot a three, Zhang Hao might not have been able to block it—at most he'd only manage to threaten or interfere. But Kevin Johnson's career, into his 10th season now, has only seen him make 60 three-pointers in regular-season games with a 21% success rate.
Seeing Kevin Johnson's step-back move, Barkley knew it was risky and rushed forward immediately. Sure enough, Kevin Johnson's three-point shot was not just interfered with—Zhang Hao actually tipped it.
As George Lynch and Zhang Hao both rushed towards the ball, Barkley, with his heft, leapt high and knocked away the closer George Lynch to snatch up the offensive rebound that had been tipped and was falling in the middle!
