But isn't that when palming happens most, when you take that final step (and dribble) before the drive? Palming (carrying the ball) is of course almost never called today, and that has changed the game....for better and worse. It's made it a lot easier to get that first explosive step and allowed players (maybe starting with the inimitable Dr. J) to do amazing things while elevated. It's also made playing man-to-man defense a lot harder. A more exciting game, but, like the 3 point shot, it further stretches the defense which, certainly in the men's game, has generally speaking (exceptions like the Spurs) made for sloppier basketball.