Offensive players want to attack the defender’s high foot, making them switch their hips - which takes time to do and gives the offensive player a step while the defender is opening their hips to then slide. Max is flipping his hips as Mitchel is trying to gain an advantage - this clip is less about sliding vs stepping, and more about the ability to flip your hips to negate an advantage . Most nba players might be able to flip their hips once but after that they’ll get beat by another change of direction - it’s impressive that Max was able to flip his hips at every change of direction.

Sliding is a bit outdated though; it’s unnatural, you’ll get to any stop faster by stepping sideways.