By Cleavon Steele
Over the years, the NBA has seen its share of players who captivate us with their superior athletic ability while performing the signature moves they use to dominate their opponents and score the majority of their points. The NBA’s greatest signature moves have often been perfected by exceptional players utilizing their unique physical attributes. Others have mastered a specific technique to define their moves.
As the NBA game has evolved, the league no longer has a place for players who have perfected a singular, unstoppable approach to scoring buckets and imposing their will. Teams now prefer players who can score in multiple ways and shoot the three-pointers effectively to spread the court for optimal scoring opportunities. As a tribute to the legends of yesteryear, here is a list of the NBA’s seven most notable signature moves in the history of the game.
7. During the Showtime era for the Los Angeles Lakers of the mid-eighties James Worthy‘s baseline spin was unstoppable. At 6’ 9″, the North Carolina native’s cat-like quickness and precision often left defenders standing still while Worthy followed through with a tomahawk slam. The Worthy spin was a big reason the Lakers won three championships during his playing career.
6. George Gervin‘s finger roll is probably the prettiest move on this list and a big reason the San Antonio fans affectionately refer to him as the “Iceman.” The 6’ 8″ swingman from Eastern Michigan could get to the hoop and finger-roll on his opponents with relative ease. Whether from the free throw line or driving down the lane, the George Gervin finger roll resulted in instant scoring.
5. Consistently shooting 90% from the free-throw line shouldn’t be overlooked. Who cares if it may look a little goofy, but if it’s that effective more players should do it. Rick Barry, the Elizabeth, New Jersey native, aided the Golden State Warriors to an NBA championship in 1975, mainly due to his production from the charity stripe. If Shaq or Dwight Howard perfected this shot in their career, they may have averaged 45 points a game.
4. Before Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant there was Tim Hardaway of the Golden State Warriors. Hardaway, a native of Chicago, possessed the most devastating crossover in the history of the NBA. Had it not been for a horrible knee injury in the early nineties, there would be an hour-long highlight reel dedicated to the ankle-breaking exploits of Hardaway’s UTEP 2 step.
3. No one has ever abused the backboard like Tim Duncan. This move was as basic, fundamental, and bland as the personality of this Virgin Island native. Duncan’s off-the-glass shot from either side of the rim earned him two NBA MVPs, three NBA Finals MVPs, and five NBA championships during his career with the San Antonio Spurs. Duncan’s “off the glass” shot was such an effective shot, why every post player in the league isn’t required to practice this move an hour each day remains a mystery.
2. I got to sit on the baseline and watch Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon execute his signature move for the Houston Rockets in person. His Dream Shake is much more impressive to watch in person than on television. I don’t fault big men for not trying to duplicate this one. Only one in 10,000 have the coordination to pull it off. This legendary Nigerian shook his way to 12 All-NBA honors, two NBA Finals MVPs, and two NBA championships as a member of the Rockets.
1. Imagine someone 7’ 2″ who can score from either hand on either side of the court. Without question, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar‘s hook shot was the most devastating shot the NBA has ever seen. There was no stopping the Kareem Sky Hook, which led to the Milwaukee Buck’s first championship (The only one of Oscar Robertson’s career) and five more with the Los Angeles Lakers. Abdul-Jabbar, a New York City native, tried to pass his knowledge and expertise on to the next generation, yet the response was less than favorable in this dunk-happy era. As Kareem’s sky hook is not very SportsCenter friendly.
