Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says he needs to “slap Steph Curry” for changing the game
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook is one of the most recognizable moves in NBA history. Rarely has the league seen a big man with such an unstoppable move. According to the six-time champion, however, the kids of today have no interest in learning his skyhook.
With the NBA collectively shifting towards a 3-point-dominated league since the rise of Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, the skyhook is a lost art.
During a recent interview in Oakland, the two-time NBA Finals MVP jokingly took some shots at Curry for changing how the game of basketball is played:
“They’ve forgotten about anything that doesn’t say 3 points on it. I’ve got to go across the Bay and slap Steph Curry for him changing everyone’s mind about how to play the game.”
Now this is gold 😂😂 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says he needs to “slap Steph Curry” for changing the game when asked about his advice for youngsters on the skyhook. He says they don’t think about the skyhook, it’s all about the three ball now. #DubNation https://t.co/SyH8YHLuk6
Of course, as fans may recall, this isn't the first time Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has opened up on the death of the skyhook. Heading into the season, he questioned why it had seemingly gone out of style.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's question to the modern NBA
Before the start of the season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appeared on Byron Scott's podcast where he discussed the skyhook. He questioned why it wasn't popular anymore, given how easy of a shot it is to learn.
"It's not a hard shot to learn. You can do the George Mikan Drill and that will give you all the fundamentals, give you the footwork. How to use either hand and how to use the backboard. It teaches you everything about using that shot. It's a great drill.
"There's not too many guys that are using it, and they don't try to get the shots off in a game. So, it's kind of gone out of style and out of the game."
Modern centers are capable of consistently hitting shots from deep. From veterans like Brook Lopez, who developed a 3-point shot late in their careers, to up-and-coming stars like Victor Wembanyama, there is no dearth of big men capable of knocking down 3-pointers.
But as Abdul-Jabbar has continued to point out over the years, there are next to no players using the skyhook.
Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins was pretty honest about the skyhook earlier this year as well. During an interview with NBA.com, the Atlanta Hawks legend was quoted as saying that the skyhook is "dead."
As Abdul-Jabbar pointed out, he used it to set the league scoring record — proof that the shot works.
Although LeBron James has been seen practicing the shot frequently during warmups with the LA Lakers, he's seldom used it in a game.
Whether or not future generations of NBA players take note, only time will tell.
You can see Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's comments in the video below, beginning around the 20:30 mark.