Mlive fluff on Zavier and his Hook Shot
Let's get out of the BPONE and talk about our favorite sport, shall we?
Mlive wrote an article about Simpson and his hook shot - I found it interesting he actually started using it on accident.
In case you were wondering, Clark Kellogg is still rather excited about it.
January 10th, 2019 at 11:08 AM ^
Has he tried mastering it from the free throw line yet?
January 10th, 2019 at 11:13 AM ^
Simpson was 2 for 2 from the line for Indiana. Both were swishes as I recall. I am hoping he has turned the corner.
January 10th, 2019 at 12:15 PM ^
This ^
January 10th, 2019 at 12:17 PM ^
And that ^
Seriously though, I’m hoping to see X to the Z throw one sky hook from the stripe, before his time here ends.
January 10th, 2019 at 11:18 AM ^
You may be somewhat joking here, but if I were him I would honestly try it out in practice. Hell, he just has to make 60% of them to be better than his normal shooting motion.
January 10th, 2019 at 11:50 AM ^
I used to play with a guy who was psyched out on free throws, so he started dribbling around the half circle and taking jumpshots off the dribble instead of a set shot. Definitely hit more that way, so it might not be that crazy.
January 10th, 2019 at 11:56 AM ^
I don’t understand why more players don’t jump on FT. When on any other shot in basketball do you not jump when you shoot? It’s awkward and totally different than everything else. Makes no sense to me. Just back up so you don’t go over the line.
January 10th, 2019 at 4:20 PM ^
Actually the more you jump when you shoot the higher you increase the chance of missing due to increasing the chance something will go wrong with your form whilst in the air
Case in point Steph Curry and Lebron James amongst others are starting to shoot more shots with their feet barely off the floor. Almost a set shot basically. Thus why you are seeing a lot of higher shooting percentages from distance.
I assume this is why free throws are taken with your feet on the ground in a fluid motion. I doubt having someone shoot a jump shot would be beneficial to a poor free throw shooter.
January 10th, 2019 at 11:09 AM ^
I usually enjoy Clark's comments. For what it's worth, Kellogg is also an OSU Trustee. I wonder how he voted on Urban Meyer last year?
January 10th, 2019 at 11:10 AM ^
That's a really fun shot to watch. He's pretty damn consistent with it, but I'm always amazed when it goes. Hook free throws would be quite something.
January 10th, 2019 at 11:34 AM ^
I have a feeling this shot will be imitated by a lot of players in the next few years.
January 10th, 2019 at 11:47 AM ^
I mean, I would mimic Kareem's hook shot as a kid. As short as I was, I became an expert at hitting the bottom of the net with that shot. If only that actually counted for points, I might have been picked sooner for teams in gym class.
January 10th, 2019 at 11:57 AM ^
Generally, his finish around the rim is one of the best I’ve ever seen.
January 10th, 2019 at 2:56 PM ^
That's what she said.
January 10th, 2019 at 11:39 AM ^
In Beilein's presser for Illinois yesterday he said that it came about because he had X doing "Mikans," going up with his left hand, then his right around players in front of the glass. That they glimpsed he could be doing it on the regular and began practicing. I don't quite see the accidental part. (Somewhat natural, yes.)
As a short player I used to sometimes do it in street ball; my HS coach took one glimpse of me doing it in a game and warned me to never do it again!
January 10th, 2019 at 12:03 PM ^
Hook shot good.
January 10th, 2019 at 12:17 PM ^
Given he's bringing back the running hook shot, maybe he needs to watch some clips of Rick Barry and bring back another oldie but goodie at the FT line.
January 10th, 2019 at 12:18 PM ^
Love his Kareem hooks.
January 10th, 2019 at 12:22 PM ^
Magic should be mentioned. Kareem was out in a playoff game and magic started at center. Used the “baby hook” all game.
January 10th, 2019 at 12:41 PM ^
Magic with those hookers, but it wasn't just that game.
January 10th, 2019 at 12:31 PM ^
Given that Xavier is co-captain (w/ Charles Matthews), has anyone started calling him:
Captain Hook ???
January 10th, 2019 at 12:47 PM ^
It's not fluff. It's a glorious sweeping (narrative) arc.
January 10th, 2019 at 12:55 PM ^
I love Z. Despite his lack of an accurate, reliable jump shot, he does everything he can to help the team win - defense, assists, analyzing and picking apart defenses, quick "blow bys" for layups, and now hook shots he is hitting at a 70% clip. And just overall leadership.
He is the toughest, hardest working hoops player I think Michigan has ever had.
So happy we get another season and a half w Z running the show, while he helps develops Dejulius.
Go Blue!
January 10th, 2019 at 6:42 PM ^
I wouldn’t call this a fluff piece. It provides some good insight into the mechanics of the shot and why it is used versus other shots.