What defines greatness?
Well, that’s subjective but one common thread through every great NBA player is a go-to move. Something that your opponent knows is coming yet has no power to stop it.
Throughout it’s 71 years of existence there have been a multitude of unstoppable moves that have dominated the hardwood. Here’s the best of the best.
[restabs alignment=”osc-tabs-left” responsive=”false” tabcolor=”#000000″ tabheadcolor=”#1e73be” seltabcolor=”#ffffff” seltabheadcolor=”#dd3333″] [restab title=”Honorable Mention” active=”active”]These moves weren’t good enough to make the countdown but still deserve a shoutout.
Paul Pierce‘s Step Back Elbow Jumper: Pierce’s midrange game has been highlighted many times but his step back at the elbow is deadly.
Tony Parker‘s Floater:Â How does a 6’2″ 185 guard play 10+ years in a league of giants? A move that keeps him out of the lion’s den.
LeBron James‘ Fast Break Dunk:Â Ask Jason Terry about The King taking flight. You can either watch a highlight or be a highlight.
Kevin McHale‘s Up and Under:Â This is where things get hard. McHale is an all time great and every great big man since has an up and under move. McHale’s post game overall was great but this was the bread and butter.
[/restab] [restab title=”Number 10″]Kevin Garnett‘s Turnaround [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et5iEZUSgDg[/embedyt]The Big Ticket was known for his trash talk but his game backed it up. His turnaround is a thing of beauty.
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This might be foreign to the younger crowd but George Gervin was one of the smoothest players to ever lace them up. His finger rolls were smoother.
[/restab] [restab title=”Number 8″]Steph Curry‘s Pull Up 3 [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYFrQ4B91XE[/embedyt]Curry is the best shooter to ever walk this earth, period. His ability to finish at the rim makes this shot effective, though. If Curry couldn’t finish then defenders could run him off the three point line, like Kyle Korver, and force him to make a play. That split second where the defender decides to give him breathing room is all he needs.
[/restab] [restab title=”Number 7″]Allen Iverson‘s Crossover [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNIN1364XAU[/embedyt]Iverson is responsible for a lot of hurt ankles. Only Tim Hardaway‘s crossover can be mentioned in the same breath as The Answer.
[/restab] [restab title=”Number 6″]Dirk Nowitzki‘s Flamingo Fadeaway [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdNjSe_Wxus[/embedyt]Dirk’s one legged fade became popular during the Mavericks 2011 title run. Since then it’s taken the league by storm. Other stars like Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge have added the move to their repertoire.
[/restab] [restab title=”Number 5″]Tim Duncan‘s Bank Shot[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcZLLZU0OzI[/embedyt]
The greatest power forward ever has to have a signature shot, right? Duncan moonlights as a teller because the bank was always open.
[/restab] [restab title=”Number 4″]Shaq‘s Black Tornado [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLDXw5lC-LM[/embedyt]Here’s the thing about the Big Diesel; he’s going to back you down and he’s going to yam on you. Just accept it.
[/restab] [restab title=”Number 3″]Jordan/Kobe Fadeaway [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs9lN_AwlC0[/embedyt]It was hard to choose between two greats so I cheated and added them both. I’m sure you don’t mind.
[/restab] [restab title=”Number 2″]The Dream Shake [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J-WJ5739Tg[/embedyt]The Dream Shake is an iconic move that Hakeem Olajuwon made famous throughout his career. It’s often imitated but no one does quite like The Dream.
[/restab] [restab title=”Number 1″]The Sky Hook [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxm88cFu6UM[/embedyt]Could it be anything else? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made the Sky Hook the most unstoppable shot ever. So unstoppable that it propelled Kareem to number one on the all time leading scoring list. A title he still holds today.
[/restab][/restabs]Tweet Me: @mattgarrett41
As always, thanks for reading.
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