If Perkins develops a sky hook, are we good for a generation?

[TitleMaster]

Here's the story of Kareem's patented play...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlB8X101kME

Now let's say that Perkins is able to develop a sky hook, effective anywhere from 8 to 12 ft from the hoop. Since most shake 'n bake moves (see Howard's game) around the block require a lot of great footwork, would this complex but simple maneuver make our team completely unstoppable?

[Fafnir]

I don't understand your obsession with the Sky Hook/Dream Shake.

The Sky Hook and the Dream Shake aren't what made Hakeem and Kareem so good. They're overall brilliance was, they just had "signature shots" that got a name.

Perkins isn't as athletic as either of those players, nor does he have their excellent hands or touch around the hoop. Heck he can't even rebound like they could. If Perk gets a good hook shot that'd be nice. But it wouldn't make him that much better of a player.

[TitleMaster]

The Sky Hook and the Dream Shake aren't what made Hakeem and Kareem so good.

It's not about whether or not one distinct shot makes a one a franchise player. It's pretty clear that that's never going to be the case.

The key is that the Sky Hook is relatively unstoppable and I suspect, given Perk's lack of overall lateral speed, that Wilt would be able to time his block against Kendrick. Now, given the fact that Perks is the Celt's scoring option number 4, on the floor, would the opponent's best shot blocker be huddled around Perks when either KG or Pierce are the bigger fish to fry?

[GKC]

One of the most important components of a sky hook is to have great lift, speed in the turn, and the extended arm.

Perk has none of those things. His spin is so slow it becomes overly predictable, as seen by how many times he got stuffed by Dwight Howard.

Even in todays game, both his blocks came on his hook shot (one by Bosh and another by Bargnani that was down right embarassing). He even had Bosh goaltend one of his hookshots, which was a fraction of a second away from being a block. Until he gets the speed, he should not use that unless there's a mismatch.

[Bahku]

The hook shot is rarely taught or used anymore, and it's a shame. As many veteran players and coaches have said, it's the "Perfect Shot" in basketball, meaning it's practically impossible to defend it. I would LOVE to see Perk rivive it and show the rest of the league what an amazing tool it is. Perk is still very young, and can and will improve a great deal ... a solid hook shot would be a great thing for him to add to his repertoire. Great post. (TP)

[Roy Hobbs]

Well, if Perk becomes as good as Kareem, I guess we're good for a generation. 

[Fafnir]

The Sky Hook and the Dream Shake aren't what made Hakeem and Kareem so good.

It's not about whether or not one distinct shot makes a one a franchise player. It's pretty clear that that's never going to be the case.

The key is that the Sky Hook is relatively unstoppable and I suspect, given Perk's lack of overall lateral speed, that Wilt would be able to time his block against Kendrick. Now, given the fact that Perks is the Celt's scoring option number 4, on the floor, would the opponent's best shot blocker be huddled around Perks when either KG or Pierce are the bigger fish to fry?

Perk is the 5th option on the floor.

And no, it wouldn't make the C's any better really. Perkins needs to defend, rebound, help, and dunk the ball when the C's are at our best. We don't need him to post up all that often.

Four to eight post touches should be all that he gets.

[Bahku]

The Sky Hook and the Dream Shake aren't what made Hakeem and Kareem so good.

It's not about whether or not one distinct shot makes a one a franchise player. It's pretty clear that that's never going to be the case.

The key is that the Sky Hook is relatively unstoppable and I suspect, given Perk's lack of overall lateral speed, that Wilt would be able to time his block against Kendrick. Now, given the fact that Perks is the Celt's scoring option number 4, on the floor, would the opponent's best shot blocker be huddled around Perks when either KG or Pierce are the bigger fish to fry?

Perk is the 5th option on the floor.

And no, it wouldn't make the C's any better really. Perkins needs to defend, rebound, help, and dunk the ball when the C's are at our best. We don't need him to post up all that often.

Four to eight post touches should be all that he gets.

Actually, the better any player gets, the better it makes the team as a whole. Perk has the gifts and talents to become a force in the NBA, and if he sets his mind to it, (and adds an effective hook shot), he can accomplish just that, and raise the level of this team as well.

[Rondo_is_better]

If anybody developed an unstoppable shot that they hit all the time, we'd be set for a generation.

If Rondo learned how to shoot AT ALL, we'd be set for a generation. This question applies to any player on any team; it can be rephrased as: if a player gets way better, does the team get better?

So the answer is yes.

[GKC]

I'd rather Perk develop a good low-mid range 10-15 foot shot. Stretch the D a little.

[Jon]

I'd say that if Perk develops an offensive game, we may be able to be good for another generation.  Rebuilding will be much easier after the Big Three are gone if we already have an elite point guard and center under contract.  Elite point guards and centers are very tough to come by.  The C's will have a much easier time signing swingmen and power forwards. 

[dmopower]

I think Perk is progressing fine.
He is still young and you can see progress every year in the league.
Last year he started to hit that fadeaway some and while a little flat, he showed nice touch when he did get if off.
He also showed some hook last year and improved upon it all year.
Towards the end of the year he was starting to hit the 10 to 14 foot jumper with good sucess and nice touch on the shot.
He even showed some of the ball fakes that jefferson uses, and to some degree sucessfully.
The fact that he is using these in games now shows that he has been working on them on his own.
I expect his instinctics to improve with more use of these different shots.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't want him taking 15 shots everygame or in very many for that matter, but his offense is comming around, and he is still learning.
So until I see him level off, I have expectations of him being a top 5 center in his future and a defensive force as well. There are matchups where going to him will make things easier.
He will be nice to have when the big 3.57 retire, to go along with Rondo.

[BrickJames]

No

[xmuscularghandix]

I feel like we're fine at center for a generation as long as he continues on the path he's on.

[Bahku]

I feel like we're fine at center for a generation as long as he continues on the path he's on.

Had you said this a year ago, I would have emphatically disagreed, but the more I see of Perk this year, the more I'm leaning that way. I would say at this point, it's looking very positive!