Joined: May 2010 Gender: Male Posts: 4,904 Location: San Diego, CA
Kareem and "The Skyhook" « Thread Started on Mar 1, 2012, 1:57am »
The all-time NBA leading scorer had a patented move called "the Skyhook." Sure, it's not the coolest looking move, but was obviously effective. How come you never see modern day kids learn this move? Does it only work if you are over 7 feet tall?
Re: Kareem and "The Skyhook" « Reply #1 on Mar 1, 2012, 1:07pm »
I believe that the skyhook was invented because, at the time, you could not dunk the ball. Also, because the ball was released above the rim and in the "cone", anyone blocking it would be guilty of goal tending.
Re: Kareem and "The Skyhook" « Reply #2 on Mar 4, 2012, 1:55pm »
Extremely difficult to master. Kareem could do it with both hands. Duncan and Gasol, two of the most skilled big men can do it occasionally, but they can't rely on it.
I believe that the skyhook was invented because, at the time, you could not dunk the ball. Also, because the ball was released above the rim and in the "cone", anyone blocking it would be guilty of goal tending.
Sorry, but this is wrong on all accounts. The dunk wasn't made illegal until '67, after Kareem had already mastered the skyhook. The skyhook was also generally from 5+ feet away from the basket, nowhere near dunking range.
If you look at clips from when the dunk was illegal, they would just use a layup, or go up with two hands and drop the ball through the rim, basically dunking it without touching the rim.
It also untrue that it would be goaltending. The skyhook had an upward arch. No matter how tall the player, or how high they jump, they aren't throwing a ball downward from 5+ feet away. It was just difficult to block because he would have his off shoulder between him and the defender and get immediate loft on the ball.
The reason it isn't used more often now? My guess is that there aren't very many big men who have the agility to pull it off, and those that do are able to dominate high school and college without having to learn such a "soft" technique. That Kareem spent so much time as a kid learning it is a rarity.
I also think modern coaches have a problem anytime a big guy puts the ball on the court. With the current style of defense the guards cheat off of their man to try to deny the post and to also be in a position to strip the ball if the post pass is successful. The overreaction to this has been that centers have basically been trained to either immediately go to the rim, or kick it out to the perimeter.
Re: Kareem and "The Skyhook" « Reply #4 on Mar 8, 2012, 9:03pm »
The hook shot is one of the easiest shots to learn. I still use it from as far out as the three point line and shoot left and right hand hook shots.
The young players always have to stop and say, "DUH", and look at me like where the hcal did you come from, and I always try to say, "I taught Lu" which only the non-clueless basketball players get.
The fact the hook shot isn't used, anymore, is stupid, totally. Maybe the female players don't like to be called, "hookers" and stay the hcal away from the shot.
The shot is taken with your pivot foot perpendicular to the basket and your shot arm must move directly over your head. The reason the hook shot is the best shot in basketball is because you can hold your non-shooting arm out and keep your opponent a full body length's away from the ball.
Remember that reverse layups are mini-hook shots, also.
Re: Kareem and "The Skyhook" « Reply #5 on Apr 21, 2012, 7:55pm »
Correct, and I think it is the only shot you can do without the defender in front of you having any chance to block it. Because your body is between him/her turned sideways with your arm outstretched and the ball.
I used to use it quite frequently in high school, and could shoot it with both my left and right hand banking it off the backboard. Usually a sure two.
The only way you can defend it effectively is to have two defenders on you, but that then leaves one man open in a 5 person game, and then you can pass off to the open man.
I am really suprised that in today's game it is not used more by some of the top players, or even taught by coaches. It is a great shot!
I believe that the skyhook was invented because, at the time, you could not dunk the ball. Also, because the ball was released above the rim and in the "cone", anyone blocking it would be guilty of goal tending.
Re: Kareem and "The Skyhook" « Reply #7 on Apr 22, 2012, 12:57am »
It is a great shot. It is just not stylish anymore. I watched a local high school coach trying to teach it to some players. They just did not want to learn it. Notwithstanding that he was shooting over them and they were all taller than him.
How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it except the pleasure of seeing it. Adam Smith
Joined: May 2010 Gender: Male Posts: 4,904 Location: San Diego, CA
Re: Kareem and "The Skyhook" « Reply #8 on Apr 23, 2012, 11:01am »
This is a great read about the Sky Hook, including some quotes from Shaq who basically confirmed that players don't want to use it because it isn't "very cool."
Re: Kareem and "The Skyhook" « Reply #9 on Apr 24, 2012, 8:01pm »
Just shows how dumbed down the NBA has gotten...you can understand how a female basketball player wouldn't like to hook, but a male NBA with all that money? A male should relish all the hooking they could get...
This is a great read about the Sky Hook, including some quotes from Shaq who basically confirmed that players don't want to use it because it isn't "very cool."
Gee, I suppose the hook Magic made over the opposing Celtic players in the 1986 NBA Finals game was not cool. It just won the game!
I don't care what others may say about the hook shot. One on one no one can stop it, and it becomes a sure shot that you can get off without being blocked, and if you practice it well it can be a very effective weapon in your arsenal. That to me makes it more cool!
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