While perusing the internet I noticed that TheSportingNews.com had done an article on some of the most effective offensive moves in the game today. There are several Rockets references. TSN got five former players, Archie Clark, Earl Monroe, Calvin Murphy, Sam Jones and Bill Walton to rate the best players in the game today at using, respectively, the crossover dribble, the turnaround jumper, the stop-and-pop jumper from midrange, the bank shot and the jump hook. There were five players ranked in each category, though the players involved only ranked the best for each move. The remainder were compiled by The Sporting News. Archie Clark rated Allen Iverson as the owner of the league's best crossover. Steve Francis came in 4th : 4. Steve Francis, Rockets.Like Iverson, Francis uses the crossover to get to the hole. Down at No. 4 only because he still likes to pass and rebound as much as score. Earl Monroe ranked the best turnaround jumper in the game, it belongs to Kobe Bryant. Alas, no Rockets finished in the Top 5. Sam Jones stated who had the best bank shot in the league. I'm sure we all know who it is. Maurice Taylor did finish 5th though : 5. Maurice Taylor, Rockets. A poor man's Duncan in terms of post moves, Taylor knows the glass well. Calvin Murphy judged that Terrel Brandon had the leagues best stop-and-pop jumper. No Rocket ranked in the top 5, though there was a snippet from Calvin that was interesting : "That's why I keep telling Steve Francis to exploit that area. Right now, he's able to go over people (with the dunk), but there comes a time when those legs go, and you have to figure out other ways to score. I'm always telling him to take that 15-footer because it's the easiest shot in the game. Why do you think they put the free-throw line there?" Bill Walton said that a tie existed between Duncan and O'Neal as far as the best jumphook goes. Hakeem Olajuwon ranked 3rd : 3. Hakeem Olajuwon, Rockets. The discovery of a blood disorder last week ended Olajuwon's season and might confine this move to highlight reels. Bill Walton had more to say concerning Hakeem : "Hakeem Olajuwon had the best jump hook, but he doesn't use it as much now that he's at the end of his career. Duncan and Olajuwon use the shot on the baseline and coming across the middle. . . " The complete article could be found here : http://www.thesportingnews.com/nba/bestmoves/ ------------------ The Rockets will be the NBA champions. Believe.
Does anyone know why Hakeem stopped using the jump hook? I can't remember him taking one after his knee surgery in 97 or 98. ------------------ Respect Hakeem's legacy. A championship in the hand is worth two in the bush!!
It was bad for his health ------------------ "Repression never did me any harm (I finally ceased to include "stop masturbating" as one of my guilt ridden New Year's resolutions, but that's a different topic)." Achebe - programmer by day, Mrs Palmers Husband by night
