Kobe's Possible New Hook A Class Act

Kareem has leukemia.  Not the bombshell that Magic's announcement that he was HIV positive was years before but startling nonetheless.  The center known  during his playing days as "Cap" is battling chronic myeloid leukemia.  Thankfully, his prognosis is good.

Kobe is at the top of his game.  He is arguably the best player in the game today and at 31 not showing signs of slowing down.  The self-anointed "Black Mamba" leads the league in points and is second in steals.  In addition to being basketball's present he is keenly aware of its past.

It's Kobe's connection to and appreciation of the past that will have me in front of the TV tonight to watch his Lakers take on the Suns.  Sure, it's a battle of two of the top teams in the league early into the season; but that doesn't pique my interest.  The game will showcase the aforementioned leading scorer and a two time League MVP in Steve Nash... yawn.  No, I will be watching the game tonight for one reason and one reason only, the skyhook.

The Lakers of the 80's were amazing to watch.  The rebound would come to one of the Laker's forward who would quickly find Magic and the race was on.  Sometimes, the fastbreak wasn't there however and instead of enjoying one of Magic's look-here, pass there assists we got to wait for the inevitable.  The break stalled and in time Kareem came into view.  He would position himself just left or right of the basket, it didn't really matter which side, and wait for the entry pass.  The crowd knew what was coming, Chick Hearn knew what was coming, heck even the defender knew what was coming but there was nothing he could do to stop it.  Chick said it best, "They give it to Kareem. He'll swing left, shoot right. He swings left, shoots right … the 12-foot skyhook is good!"

We were so spoiled as Laker fans back then.  If Magic didn't awe us, Kareem did.  Have you ever tried a skyhook?  It's not easy.  The shot is mostly powered by the wrist.  It's not a hook shot that uses the momentum of your arm swinging to power the ball to the rim; the skyhook is wrist powered.  Try to throw a basketball at the rim from twelve feet away with just your wrist.  Now, do it while your arm is stretched high over your head.  Finally, do it with Bill Walton, Artis Gilmore or the 7 foot 250 pound person of your choice trying to stop you!  Not easy but Kareem made it look effortless.

Now, before I go on and on about the wonder of days gone by I want to reiterate my love for the game today.  Specifically, my admiration for today's best player.  Kobe has hinted that he might throw some love Kareem's way by tossing up his version of the skyhook tonight.  "I stole it from him when I was a kid," Bryant said when discussing Abdul-Jabbar's illness and referring to tonight's game against the Suns. "I've used it in games a couple times. I might use it the next game, just because."

I'm counting on it.

In addition to the competitiveness we haven't seen on the court since MJ, the knack for getting that last shot to go more often than not and his willingness to always grow as a player, I love Kobe's appreciation for those that came before him.  I was in Chicago one night when Michael Jordan went off for 50 plus against the Blazers.  He was amazing to watch.  Kobe seems to share MJ's passion to win that drives him to dominate in November against the Warriors as well in Game 7 of the Finals.  ESPN recently asked its SportsNation who they would rather see take the last shot in an NBA Game.  The options were Kobe and three others.  SportsNation said Kobe in a landslide.  Duh.  All that aside however, if he swings left and shoots right tonight as he said he might Kobe will have climbed a level higher in the iconic-classy-player category.  One area he has left MJ way behind in.

Will he or won't he?  Man, I wish I knew.  But the possibility of it happening is whats driving me to the couch tonight.  He might because he respects all that Kareem did for the game and the Lakers.  He might not if the game is tight and the opportunity doesn't present itself.  Of course, word that Kareem has officially trademarked "skyhook" may dissuade him. OK, probably not.  Either way if he does do it I'll be watching and my respect for number 24 will move up.

Too bad Chick won't be there to call it.