Studying

Not academics, basketball.

Today I’ll be filling you guys in on how I studied the game and how I applied what I saw to my game as well as who I watched and why.

Apart from watching YouTube highlights and going crazy at the sight of dunks or ankle breakers I’ve actually watched so much post move film and studied so much game film of the following: Hakeem Olajuwon, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Tim Duncan, Dennis Rodman, Ben Wallace, Dwight Howard, Karl Malone and many other bigs who have had decent careers and equally decent footwork.

Basically what I would do (no court space needed) is watch the move a whole bunch of times and then just replicate it or try replicate it on the spot whether I’m in my room or in the lounge or even in a shopping center. At first its really difficult because you are forcing your body to do movements which you are not familiar with. This even applies to things excluding post moves, sometimes ill see a highlight play and just try replicate it on the spot. Whether its watching Kawhi Leonard and Paul George play their outstanding two way defense or even Iso Joe/Joe Johnson, Allen Iverson, Kobe (RIP), MJ and other great scorers. More often than not I get funny looks from my Family and friends because they will see me standing somewhere just moving about working on a move trying to figure it out.

My favourite thing about studying film and practising it briefly in a small space is when you finally get onto the court and use a move on someone they have never seen you use and the shock on their face.

To Wrap up this article ill let you guys know who I modelled some of my moves after or rather who I watched to try and get better at some moves.

-My baseline spin I studied none other than our very own Craig Gilchrist. Even today he can and will dominate in a game and with a wealth of experience and renowned spin this is a given choice.

-Hook shots I studied Hakeem “the dream” and Tim Duncan, I would highly recommend these to Legendary post players to anyone studying to better their game in the low block be it face up or backing down. Hakeem was super smooth Face up and attacking the rim from mid range and Tim Duncan is arguable the best back to the basket player in NBA history. His ability to get those hook shots and post shots up and place them wherever he wanted on the backboard made it easy to see why he was called “the big fundamental”.

-Shot block timing and ability, this is a weird one because Hakeem was also known for being the leading shot blocker in NBA history but its also something you have to TIME really well and for this I studied Dikembe Mutombo. Personally the greatest shot blocker in NBA history.

I’ll leave you guys with that for now. I have another exciting article coming later this week. But for now let me know what you think by getting hold of me through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Feel free to head over to the forums section and strike up a debate or start a discussion.