NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is perhaps best known for his signature hook shot. Dubbed the skyhook, it allowed the center to become one of the league's most efficient scorers.
However, the art of the skyhook may be dying. In recent years, scoring in the NBA has instead become focused on the 3-pointer. Adbul-Jabbar, though, argues that the hook shot is ultimately more effective.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says he's "very surprised" more of today's players haven't integrated the skyhook into their game. #GameTime pic.twitter.com/IlxayxIjYo
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 3, 2019
“I'm very surprised because it works, it's effective, it's a high percentage shot, you will raise your field goal percentage if you shoot it often, and I don't get it. The young man that's playing for the Clippers right now, he's doing very well and he uses the hook shot.”
In his response, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is likely referring to young LA Clippers center Montrezl Harrell. The 25-year-old has been incredibly successful in a bench role for Los Angeles. Despite starting in only four of the 64 games he has appeared in this season, Harrell is averaging 16.2 points and shooting an incredible 62.5 percent.
The hook shot defined Abdul-Jabbar's career. In 22 NBA seasons, he made 19 All-Star appearances, won six championships and was a six-time MVP. He averaged 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists and is the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points.
He was also very efficient, shooting 55.95 percent — the 14th-highest rate in NBA history. Atop that list is another noted user of the hook shot, New York Knicks center DeAndre Jordan. Over his 11-season career, Jordan has made an absurd 67.1 percent of his field goal attempts.
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