i guess my criteria is it takes a lot of practicel (disqualifying Shaq bulling over people), unblockability (or separation/creating lanes wrt small guards) combined with reliability, with a nod to common moves but you do it better than anyone else...and, of course, extra points for the move being named after you. My top five, in no particular order (i'm missing a lot of moves in my list): Dreamshake, which includes the Spin Move that set up the Dreamshake Jabbar's Sky Hook Bird's Step-back J McHale's Up and Under (including all 101 variations) AI's crossover honorable mention: Jordan's stab dribble one way, dribble back elavate fadeaway J the other way, but it's needs a shorter description or name. What is that move called? dishonorable mention to: Karla's knee to the groin layups Karla's flying elbow turnaround Karla bear-hugging Barkley Ginobody's flops to the FT line Anything move involving Nitwitz sticking his tongue out
I love the Dreamshake, and far more beautiful than the Sky Hook...but man, you just can't beat the hook. It was unstoppable, so in my opinion the best.
I basically agree, but I'd put Reggie Miller's jab-step above AI's cross-over. Reggie Miller made more great defenders look stupid than any other player. I don't know what it was about that move, every fan in the building could see it coming, but the defender would bite every time.
I like all the ones you mentioned except Bird's. I don't know, maybe it's because Bird had SO much variety that I can't even try to put him in a box like that. Even as much variety as Dream had, he went back to the Dreamshake a ton. (btw, the Dreamshake *has* to involve the spin move..that's not a setup to it, that IS half of it. Unless you're talking about something that I can't imagine) I was definitely thinking of AI. Dream. Kareem. McHale is a great one since so many have borrowed his technique since then. For a 5th.. well you hafta love Duncan's general bankshot, but I wouldn't call it a signature move (though it is a signature something). So I guess I'll go with.. Tim Hardaway's cross? UTEP 2 step was in fashion way before AI was around, and it was pretty ridiculous in his younger days. The fact that no one has used Kareem's technique since him makes his the best. Yao has his variation of the Dreamshake (though it's far inferior, I know). But no one can even try the skyhook. Ridiculous.
im gonna say tmacs ill advised 3 point attempt from 30 feet after he hits two jumpers and a layup and he feels he is on fire
As much as I love Dream and his shake, I think Kareem's sky hook was the single most devastating signature shot I have seen in the last 25 years. With his height, body position, and form, it was basically unguardable.
Kareem's Sky hook is number #1 Dream shake #2 Jordan's fadeaway later in his career was money #3 Larry's stepback IMO is the hardest shot of them all #4 Honorable mention: Dwyane Wade's patented "I got shot with a shotgun" flop to get three throws Dirk's trip over his own feet and get a trip to the line
Before I clicked the thread I said Dream Shake. lol But like Apollo, that Sky Hook was just freaking amazing. Like "how the hell did he do that that far out?" amazing!
Shawn Marion's jumpshot Yao's hook. Jordan's one-hand pumpfake(T-Mac is the only other player I see to use it) Antione Walker's shimmy Mutombo's finger wag Sprewell two-hand jam Melo's two-hand "i don't touch the rim" jam
Yeah. Hands down the the dream shake looked awesome. That move alone made dream "graceful". But yeah, Yao never did hooks before until the last two years. He needs to keep it up. It's hard as hell to guard. Too bad he still has trouble getting the ball when people front/double team him.
In no particular order: Hakeem - Dream Shake Kareem - Jump Hook Iverson - Crossover Jordan - Fade away jumper Tim Hardaway - Crossover Ray Allen - Jump shot (not a signature move, but one of the prettiest jumpers in basketball history) Dominique Wilkins -showtime dunks in traffic Dishonorable Mention: Reggie Evans - Ball grab Bruce Bowen - sliding foot under shooters on their way down from jumpers
1. Hakeem - Dream Shake: basically undefendable. You just have to hope he misses it (which he didn't that often). 2. Kareem - Sky Hook: Much like the Dream Shake, a shot you can't stop (unless you're 10' tall) that he made more often than not. 3. Tim Hardaway - Killer Crossover: made some really, really good defenders look really, really stupid on the court. HONORABLE MENTION: Rick Barry - Free throw. So ugly, yet so money.
