Downtime for N.B.A. players is a study in relaxation techniques. After a practice or before a game, many indulge in video games, a movie, a book or the ever-popular nap. A day off might include all of the above.
But Pat Connaughton, a rookie with the Portland Trail Blazers, has a method all his own. On a nice day, he slips on a baseball glove, goes outdoors and plays catch with his father.
It is no ordinary catch, though, and it is not solely for relaxation or familial bonding. Connaughton, a lithe 6-foot-6 shooting guard with a smooth jump shot and a rocket arm, throws with a purpose.