Basketball is often considered an art form on the court. Over the game’s history, stars have contributed their basketball signature moves. When kids practice on playgrounds, they will probably try to execute these maneuvers on their own.
From the nearly unblockable Kareem Abdul-Jabbar skyhook to the ankle-breaking Tim Hardaway crossovers, these moves help define the player, entertain fans, and leave an indelible mark on the game.
Delving into the rich tapestry of basketball signature moves, let’s explore the evolution and impact of each iconic technique.
1.) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — The Skyhook
The Shot: Kareem’s skyhook was a marvel of precision and finesse, soaring gracefully toward the basket with an almost ethereal touch. He typically would catch an entry pass with his back to the basket. Frequently, but not always, he would begin the shot with a dribble or two. He’d extend his shooting right arm to its height while using his body to shield the ball from defenders. He would release the shot at its highest point.
History: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar worked on the shot while playing for John Wooden at UCLA. His teammate, Bill Walton, encouraged him to continue working on the shot. George Mikan originated the shot in the 1940s, but Kareem perfected and popularized the skyhook to unprecedented effectiveness. Its unblockable nature enabled Kareem to get off his shot easily.
2.) Tim Hardaway — Crossover Dribble
The Move: Hardaway’s crossover was a blur of agility and deception, leaving defenders grasping at thin air. It entailed a dribble to one side and then shifting the ball to the other hand – a crossover – with a hard dribble and acceleration to move past the defender.
History: Tim Hardaway’s mastery of the crossover set a new standard for ball-handling finesse, influencing countless players who sought to emulate his mesmerizing moves. Before Allen Iverson, there was Tim Hardaway.
3.) Kiki VanDeWeghe — Step-Back Jumper
The Move: Creating space with a step-back move has been the bread-and-butter shot for James Harden, Luka Doncic, and Michael Jordan. But the originator of the move was Kiki VanDeWeghe. It was called the “Kiki Move.” In this move, VanDeWeghe and others take a hard step forward, then really step back, before shooting a jump shot.
History: VanDeWeghe had traditionally been a driver to the basket. As he grew older, driving to the basket and absorbing the hard fouls took its toll. KiKi had slowed down and hurt his back. To contribute to the offense, he began the step-back jumper. The German-born Canadian played college basketball for UCLA and with the Nuggets, Trail Blazers, Knicks and Clippers in the NBA. In some way, the step-back jumper has been one of the most influential basketball signature moves.
4.) Wes Unseld — Long Outlet Pass
The Move: At 6’7″ tall, Unseld was short for an NBA center but played tall. After securing a rebound, he would launch a precise, full-court pass to ignite a fast-break for the Bullets. Unseld wasn’t the first to do it, but he made it famous.
History: As a Rookie of the Year and MVP in his first season, Unseld knew his team would be at an advantage with a quick and long outlet pass. He frequently used both hands and tomahawked to ball a long distance to an open teammate for a lay-up. Court vision, strength, and precision made Unseld’s outlet pass a game-changer.
5.) Kevin McHale — The Up-and-Under Move
The Move: The up-and-under move is a deceptive post move executed near the basket. It starts with a shot fake. Then, with the defender off-balance, McHale would cross-step around them and finish with a lay-up or short shot.
History: McHale developed his up-and-under at Hibbing High School. In the early hoops days of high school, McHale stood only 5’10” tall. He needed a move to get around taller defenders. Combined with McHale’s quick drop-step moves, McHale was an artist around the basket. The skill and deception to pull off these moves contributed to many Celtics’ victories.
6.) Manu Ginobili — Eurostep
The Move: The Eurostep entails the dribbler gathering the ball off the dribble and stepping laterally rather than straight. Ginobili’s Eurostep was a dance of deception, a sidestep wizardry that befuddled even the most tenacious defenders. It’s a maneuver used by ball handlers to evade defenders while driving to the basket. It involves a quick change of direction during a single step.
History: Ginóbili, known for his creativity and flair, popularized the Eurostep in North America. He honed this move while playing on playgrounds in his native Argentina. His fluid execution and ability to confound defenders made it a staple move. Other NBA stars like Dwyane Wade and James Harden quickly embraced the effective move. Elgin Baylor, a hall of fame from the 1950s and 1960s, used a similar move.
7.) Michael Jordan — Fadeaway Jumper
The Move: Jordan’s fadeaway is a mid-range shot where he jumps away from the defender while releasing the ball. He created separation by leaning back, making it difficult for defenders to block it.
History: His Airness honed his fadeaway at the University of North Carolina, and he continued practicing the move as he moved to the Chicago Bulls. While his dunks won the PR war, it was the fadeaway where he scored most of his points.
8.) Pete Maravich — Behind-the-back Pass
The Move: The behind-the-back pass involves a ball handler swiftly moving the ball behind their own back to pass it to a teammate. Pistol Pete elevated the move to an art form.
History: Pete’s showmanship began in high school. In one game, he unleashed an electrifying behind-the-back pass through his legs. Maravich was also known for the distance of his behind-the-back passes—sometimes 30 feet plus.
9.) Rick Barry — Granny-Style Free Throw
The Move: NBA All-Star Rick Barry shot his free throws granny-style. With the ball in both hands, he executed a half-squat and moved the ball between both knees. He brought the ball up and tossed it underhanded to the basket in one motion.
History: Barry was an amazingly effective free-throw shooter, making almost 90% of his shots. Interestingly, his shooting motion was not frequently copied. It was believed that most pros were embarrassed to shoot in this fashion. Barry is the fourth-best free-throw shooter in the NBA’s history. Stephen Curry has the top free-throw shooting percentage.
10.) Stephen Curry — The Deep Three
The Move: The electrifying Golden States Warrior guard is known for consistently making three-pointers from well beyond the three-point line. Steph Curry launches from distances that frequently leave defenders stunned. His range extends nearly to half-court, so he can be considered a shooting threat when he crosses mid-court.
History: Curry’s career-high is 13 three-pointers in one game. “Curry Range” is a term synonymous with his accurate shooting from anywhere behind the arc. In 2021, he surpassed Ray Allen as the all-time 3-point leader.
Three more basketball signature moves to finish—let’s go!
11.) Hakeem Olajuwon — Dream Shake
The Move: The Dream Shake is an Olajuwon post-move primarily used in the low post. It involved a series of fakes, spins, and pivots to create separation from Hakeem’s defender. Olajuwon’s footwork was so strong that it enabled him to move around defenders precisely and get his shot off easily. The move’s name pays tribute to Olajuwon, known as Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon.
A typical sequence involved Olajuwon catching the ball with back toward the basket. He’d fake a baseline spin, causing the defender to move. Instead of spinning, he’d pivot back toward the center, creating space. He’d then shoot a soft jump hook.
History: Hakeem worked on his post-moves at the University of Houston. His head coach, Guy Lewis, encouraged him to work on creative moves. The Dream Shake evolved and was perfected when Hakeem moved to the Houston Rockets.
12.) George Gervin — Finger Roll
The Shot: Gervin’s finger roll was a balletic masterpiece, a testament to his smooth and effortless scoring ability. It was a graceful layup technique in which “The Iceman” released the ball in a gentle, underhanded fashion.
History: Gervin was influenced by Connie Hawkins, Wilt Chamberlain, and Julius Erving. Gervin played most of his career with the San Antonio Spurs and led the league in scoring four times. The finger roll was his trademark move.
13.) Larry Bird — Fake Pass Overhead
The Move: In Bird’s crafty fake pake overhead, Larry would simulate a high pass to a teammate, encouraging his defender to look the other way. But Larry Bird would keep the ball and then frequently shoot it. With impeccable timing, he’d catch defenders off-guard.
History: He executed the move during the 1985 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers and the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons. The move reflected Bird’s genius with the ball and the game. In addition to his smack talk, Bird is known for the intelligence and artistry he brought to the game.
These basketball signature moves defined the players who mastered them and left an enduring legacy that has inspired generations of basketball enthusiasts worldwide.
By Mike O’Halloran
Founder and Editor, Sports Feel Good Stories
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