Basketball from a
fan’s perspective
Published Monday through Friday weekly
Has this occurred in the
past?
On Wednesday evening the Clippers played the Bucks, Thursday evening they served as hosts to the Blazers. If you read the headline you might ask the question what’s the big deal, NBA teams have played back to back games since…. forever? Both Clipper games were played at Staples Center, we are unsure if a back to back has ever occurred in this manner. Generally, the home team is on the road for a back to back game. We are unsure if there is any method to determine if this type of scheduling ever occurred in the past, is this a first time or an anomaly.
On Wednesday evening the Clippers played the Bucks, Thursday evening they served as hosts to the Blazers. If you read the headline you might ask the question what’s the big deal, NBA teams have played back to back games since…. forever? Both Clipper games were played at Staples Center, we are unsure if a back to back has ever occurred in this manner. Generally, the home team is on the road for a back to back game. We are unsure if there is any method to determine if this type of scheduling ever occurred in the past, is this a first time or an anomaly.
Okay show me
Anytime a player moves from one level to another we always want to see. We want to determine if a player is as good as advertised. That’s the case for Tyrese Maxey, the youngster had plenty of accolades leading to his decision to choose Kentucky. This Dallas native was a McDonalds All American and a noted 5-star prospect by Rivals, 247 Sports and ESPN.
Anytime a player moves from one level to another we always want to see. We want to determine if a player is as good as advertised. That’s the case for Tyrese Maxey, the youngster had plenty of accolades leading to his decision to choose Kentucky. This Dallas native was a McDonalds All American and a noted 5-star prospect by Rivals, 247 Sports and ESPN.
Maxey committed to Michigan State over SMU
and several other schools. If you arrive
highly touted basketball fans might be anxiously looking toward your collegiate
debut. They were not disappointed; Maxey
lead the way to a 69-62 win over number one Michigan State? Yes, it’s only a single game and this is
Kentucky basketball however the 6-foot 2-inch point guard has gotten off to a
good start.
Incarnate Word
If you live in San Antonio or attend the school, you might be alumni maybe you were past or present administration you know. If you fit any of those mentioned the its familiar to you, Incarnate Word. Don’t worry if you are unfamiliar with this school most of us including yours truly was also unknown until last year.
If you live in San Antonio or attend the school, you might be alumni maybe you were past or present administration you know. If you fit any of those mentioned the its familiar to you, Incarnate Word. Don’t worry if you are unfamiliar with this school most of us including yours truly was also unknown until last year.
The actual name is University of Incarnate
Word, the school is a member of the Southland Conference which includes Sam
Houston State and McNeese State and several other names who might be more
familiar. Incarnate Word was a Division
II program but moved to D-I in 2013.
Incarnate Word was the first contestant Mizzou faced on Wednesday
evening. To no one’s surprise Mizzou was
an 82-42 winner over the Cardinals, next up for Mizzou is Northern Kentucky on
Friday evening.
The hook shot
I’ve often wondered why players especially post players no longer favor the hook shot. The shot was practically impossible to block, the only method was to push the opposing player out of position. That method of guarding the opposition could often lead to a foul call. Lew Alcindor as a high school player began shooting a hook in high school. He carried it on to UCLA and into the NBA with the Bucks and Lakers. A Bucks broadcaster gave it a trademark name, Sky Hook. The broadcaster stated “Back in those days we sat high above the action on the court unlike today.
I’ve often wondered why players especially post players no longer favor the hook shot. The shot was practically impossible to block, the only method was to push the opposing player out of position. That method of guarding the opposition could often lead to a foul call. Lew Alcindor as a high school player began shooting a hook in high school. He carried it on to UCLA and into the NBA with the Bucks and Lakers. A Bucks broadcaster gave it a trademark name, Sky Hook. The broadcaster stated “Back in those days we sat high above the action on the court unlike today.
After Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) took
the shot, it appeared to be coming out of the sky.” Despite the shot becoming Kareem’s go to
weapon he wasn’t the first to shoot it.
Research indicates a player named Pranas Talzunas a Lithuanian American
first used the shot. In the 1937 Euro
basketball championship Talzunas scored a basket utilizing this never seen
shot. Others claim the honor belongs to Globetrotter Goose Tatum who would take
the shot without looking at the basket.
Later George Mikan would use it aiding the
Minneapolis Lakers to several successful winning seasons. The hook shot was generally utilized by
centers although point guard Magic Johnson once used it to great success. With seconds remaining in Game 4 of the 1987
NBA Championship, his shot which he dubbed the “junior, junior skyhook” sealed
the Laker victory over the Celtics. The
hook shot has been utilized throughout college and NBA history, just when you
think you know it all about basketball you discover one more thing, the hook
shot is just that.
ADDEDUM: As this was
completed, we discover additional information.
I’m unfamiliar with most soccer (football) players however there is a
connection. Retired MSL player Frankie
Hejduk claims his father taught the hook shot to Alcindor. His dad was an assistant coach at Alcindor’s
junior high and today the Laker captain says his memory has faded who taught
him the shot
