Helena Frye
The fadeaway, or fall-away, is a challenging basketball jump shot that is executed by jumping backwards, away from the basket. This technique creates space between the shooter and the defender, making the shot harder to block. The shooter must have excellent accuracy and strength to counteract the backward momentum. While some coaches and players consider it one of the worst shots to attempt due to its low shooting percentage and difficulty in grabbing the rebound, it is also one of the most challenging methods for defenders to block when mastered. This introduction sets the context for discussing the players with the longest fadeaway shots, including notable names such as Dirk, Jordan, Kobe, and Kareem, each known for their iconic and unguardable fadeaways.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best fadeaway shot in history | Dirk, Jordan, Kobe, Hakeem Olajuwon, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem |
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What You'll Learn
Hakeem Olajuwon's signature 'dream shake'
Hakeem "the Dream" Olajuwon is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player who played center in the NBA from 1984 to 2002. He played for the Houston Rockets and, in his last season, the Toronto Raptors. Olajuwon is widely considered to be one of the greatest centers and players in NBA history. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 and the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2016.
Olajuwon established himself as an unusually skilled offensive player for a big man, perfecting a set of fakes and spin moves that became known as his trademark Dream Shake. The Dream Shake was executed with uncanny speed and power and is still regarded as the pinnacle of "big man" footwork. Shaquille O'Neal said:
> Hakeem has five moves, then four countermoves – that gives him 20 moves.
Olajuwon himself traced the move back to his soccer-playing days:
> The Dream Shake was actually one of my soccer moves which I translated to basketball. It would accomplish one of three things: one, to misdirect the opponent and make him go the opposite way; two, to freeze the opponent and leave him devastated in his tracks; three, to shake off the opponent and give him no chance to contest the shot.
Olajuwon described the Dream Shake in vivid detail:
> When the point guard throws me the ball, I jump to get the ball. But this jump is the set-up for the second move, the baseline move. I call it the 'touch landing.' The defender is waiting for me to come down because I jumped but I'm gone before I land. So he's frozen, he doesn't know which way I'm going to go. That is the shake. You put him in the mix and you jump stop and now you have a choice of pivot foot. He doesn't know where you're gonna turn and when.
Olajuwon's Dream Shake was very difficult to defend, much like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's sky-hook. One notable Dream Shake happened in Game 2 of the 1995 Western Conference Finals against the Spurs. With David Robinson guarding him, Olajuwon performed a cross-over, drove to the basket, and faked a layup. Robinson, an excellent defender, kept up with Olajuwon and remained planted. Olajuwon then spun counterclockwise and faked a jump shot. Robinson, who was the 1995 NBA MVP, fell for the fake and jumped to block the shot. With Robinson in the air, Olajuwon performed an up-and-under move and made an easy layup.
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Dirk's unguardable fadeaway
Dirk Nowitzki's fadeaway is considered one of the most unguardable shots in the history of the NBA. Standing at over seven feet tall, Nowitzki's signature move involves releasing the ball from well over his head while jumping backwards, making it incredibly difficult for defenders to block. This iconic shot, often accompanied by a leg kick, has helped him become one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.
Nowitzki's fadeaway is a testament to his innovation and dedication to the sport. He created this unique shot because he struggled to create traditional shots off the dribble: "I was never the fastest guy beating somebody off the dribble, so I had to come up with something else." The result was a step-back jumper, where he leans back at a steep angle, jumps off one foot, and shoots over the defender. This move creates a significant amount of space between Nowitzki and his defender, making the shot much harder to block.
The difficulty of guarding Nowitzki is further emphasised by LaMarcus Aldridge, who commented on the shot, "When he shoots it, he's leaning back so far that you can't block it." Lamar Odom, another NBA player, added, "He's so good... As soon as he gives you that hard dribble, he gets you kind of leaning one way, and then he just steps back." Nowitzki's ability to manipulate his defender's position and then quickly create space with his step-back makes him incredibly challenging to guard.
Nowitzki's fadeaway has been crucial to his success, and in 2011, it helped him lead the Dallas Mavericks to their first franchise title. While some may argue that other players, such as Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant, had more unstoppable scoring abilities overall, Nowitzki's fadeaway is specifically recognised as exceptionally challenging to defend. His height, combined with his precision and technique, make his fadeaway an iconic and feared move on the court.
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Jordan's fadeaway: an 'unstoppable scorer'
Michael Jordan's fadeaway is one of the most iconic shots in NBA history. A fadeaway or fall-away is a jump shot taken while jumping backwards, away from the basket, creating space between the shooter and the defender, making the shot much harder to block. Jordan's fadeaway was just one weapon in his arsenal, and his efficiency remains astounding to this day. Jordan had so much hang time and such a high release that it was almost as hard to guard as Dirk's. Jordan's elevation on jumpers, especially when he was younger, was incredible. The release point on his shot was so high it was as if he were 6'10".
Jordan's fadeaway was his signature move for three titles. It was unstoppable, and if you put a big man on him to block it, he would simply go around or under and dunk. You may have stopped the fadeaway, but only by giving him an easier way to score. Jordan's fadeaway was just one of many weapons in his arsenal, and it is one of the reasons he is considered one of the greatest scorers of all time.
Jordan's fadeaway is also notable because of the difficulty of the shot. The shooting percentage is typically lower in fadeaways due to the difficulty of the shot and the reduced chance of grabbing the rebound. Despite this, Jordan made it look easy, showcasing his incredible talent and skill.
In conclusion, Michael Jordan's fadeaway is an iconic and unstoppable shot that showcases his incredible scoring ability. His mastery of this challenging technique is a testament to his talent and cements his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
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Kareem's shy hook
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook, also known as Kareem's shy hook, is considered one of the deadliest shots in the history of the NBA. The skyhook was a signature move of Abdul-Jabbar, who played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. The shot was so effective that it led to college basketball banning the dunk in 1967, largely due to Abdul-Jabbar's dominance while playing for UCLA.
The skyhook is a type of hook shot, which is a play where the offensive player, usually turned perpendicular to the basket, gently throws the ball using a sweeping motion of the arm farther from the basket in an upward arc. The hook shot is typically performed with only one hand, while the other arm is used to create space between the shooter and the defender. This makes the shot quite difficult to block, especially when executed from a greater distance, as Abdul-Jabbar often did.
The term "skyhook" was coined by Milwaukee Bucks announcer Eddie Doucette during Abdul-Jabbar's early years with the team. The shot got its name because of the greater distance and resulting higher arc, which made it seem like the hook was coming out of the sky. This unique ability to shoot the skyhook from a greater distance gave Abdul-Jabbar a significant advantage over his defenders, as they struggled to block his shots.
Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook was so effective that it became the primary weapon in his assault on Wilt Chamberlain's all-time NBA scoring record. His mastery of the shot allowed him to consistently get clean looks at the rim, even against tough defenders like Chamberlain himself. In fact, it was a hook shot that ultimately broke Chamberlain's scoring record on April 5, 1984.
Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook was not just a signature move, but also a testament to his skill and impact on the game. He rode his unblockable shot to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer, solidifying his place as one of the greatest players in the history of the league. Today, Abdul-Jabbar continues to share his knowledge as an assistant coach with the Lakers, passing on his expertise to the next generation of players.
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Kobe's consistent form
Kobe Bryant's fadeaway is renowned for its consistent form. The fadeaway is a difficult shot to master, requiring a high level of accuracy and strength to counteract the backwards momentum. Kobe's fadeaway was a thing of beauty, with a smooth and balanced approach that made him one of the game's most unstoppable scorers.
Kobe's fadeaway technique involved planting his left foot hard, allowing his right leg to move freely, and then jumping and shooting. This approach ensured he was always square to the basket, a key aspect of his consistent form. His ability to create space between himself and the defender made his shot incredibly hard to block.
Kobe's fadeaway was so effective that it became a signature move, enhancing his playing abilities and making him an even stronger and more versatile player. His mastery of the fadeaway shot was a testament to his dedication and skill, as it is a challenging move that requires a high level of comfort and consistency in one's jump shot.
Kobe's fadeaway was not just about the physical mechanics, but also the artistry and finesse that he brought to the move. His smooth footwork and elegant form made him a fan favourite, with many admirers of his style and grace on the court. Kobe's fadeaway was an integral part of his offensive arsenal, and it is no wonder that he is considered one of the greatest players of all time.
Kobe's fadeaway has inspired a generation of players, with many seeking to emulate his iconic move. His influence can be seen in the numerous TikTok videos and Reddit threads dedicated to deconstructing and understanding his technique. Kobe's fadeaway will forever be etched in the memories of basketball fans, a testament to his enduring legacy in the sport.
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Frequently asked questions
A fadeaway, or fall-away, is a type of jump shot in basketball where the player leans their body backward while jumping away from the basket to create space between themselves and the defender, making the shot harder to block.
The fadeaway is considered one of the most difficult shots in basketball due to the higher accuracy and strength required to counteract the backward momentum. The shooter also has a lower chance of grabbing their rebound due to the backward movement.
Multiple players have been renowned for their fadeaway shots, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Durant.
Some tips for shooting a fadeaway include focusing on balance and footwork, creating separation from the defender, and practicing a higher arc to compensate for the power needed in the shot.
