Become Your Neighborhood Pro
In the basketball junkie's mind, the transition to warm weather means one thing--street ballin'.
A significant part of every Michigan summer is spent on blacktop courts from Berkley to Warren. The street baller knows that you must bring your best to the court or risk embarrassing yourself worse than Chris Andersen at the 2005 dunk contest.
And sure, taking it to the hoop is the way to go on the streets, but anyone can do that. An accurate jump shot, on the other hand, is a rare skill.
The key to the jump shot is repetition. NBA players didn't make it to where they are without an enormous amount of practice. The whole routine must stay the same with every shot, or else inconsistency and inaccuracy will rear their ugly heads.
Let's start with the jump itself. It is extremely important to jump high and straight, the same exact way every single time. Yes, Michael Jordan could hit fadeaway jumpers all day long. You can't.
Secondly, you must release the ball at the peak of your jump. This will give you the best look at the basket. Releasing it high, at your jump's peak and with your arms extended, will make the shot nearly impossible to defend. When's the last time you saw Rasheed Wallace have a jumper blocked?
The final thing to pay attention to is your grip on the ball, and what your hand actually does when it releases the ball. Keeping your shooting hand steady is crucial. Don't use your thumb for anything other than a guide. Use just your four fingers to actually shoot the ball, and make sure to follow through after releasing.
A perfect jump shot is a gorgeous thing. It's a wondrous mix of aim, timing and rhythm. With these tips, you can be well on your way to making basketball beautiful yourself.
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