What Makes Curry's Shot So Good?

Summary

The video script breaks down the unique shooting mechanics of NBA star Steph Curry, highlighting his one-motion shot that differs from traditional two-motion techniques. It compares Curry's shooting angles and release with other greats like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Durant, emphasizing Curry's extraordinary tight arm angle and early release that allows him to maintain accuracy with increased power. The analysis also touches on Curry's versatility and the nuances of his shooting form, concluding that his ability to execute such a shot under high-pressure situations sets him apart.

Takeaways

• 🏀 Steph Curry is considered the greatest shooter of all time, with a unique shooting style that deviates from traditional methods.
• 🔄 Curry employs a one-motion shot, which is different from the two-motion shots used by 99% of NBA players.
• 📐 The traditional shooting form, as exemplified by Michael Jordan, involves a clear 90° angle between the upper and lower arm at the release point.
• 🚀 Curry's release angle is significantly more acute, allowing him to generate more power without sacrificing accuracy.
• 🌐 The script compares Curry's shooting mechanics to other great shooters like Kobe Bryant, highlighting the differences in their release timing and motion.
• 🤔 The video transcript suggests that Curry's extraordinary shooting ability is due to both his one-motion shot and his early release technique.
• 🎥 The 2017 NBA Finals shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers is used as an example of Curry's high-arcing shots that defy the recommended entrance angle.
• 📈 Despite being shorter and lighter than LeBron James, Curry's shot angle can be 15° higher, showcasing his shot versatility and power.
• 🔍 The transcript delves into the nuances of Curry's shot, including his stance, body rotation, and the slight thumb flick at the end of his shot.
• 👀 Few players in the NBA have perfected the one-motion shot like Curry, with Trey Young, Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Darius Garland mentioned as exceptions.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The challenge of executing a one-motion shot effectively in the NBA is emphasized, especially under defensive pressure and physical exertion.

Q & A

Who does the video transcript claim to be the greatest shooter of all time?

The video transcript claims that Steph Curry is the greatest shooter of all time.

What is a one motion shot in basketball?

A one motion shot is a basketball shot where the player releases the ball as they jump upwards, combining the bring up and release into one fluid motion.

What is the difference between a one motion shot and a two motion shot?

A two motion shot involves bringing the ball to a set point and then releasing it at the top of the jump, whereas a one motion shot combines the bring up and release into one motion, releasing the ball as the player jumps.

According to the transcript, what percentage of NBA players have two motion shots?

The transcript states that 99% of NBA players have two motion shots.

What is the recommended entrance angle for a basketball shot?

The recommended entrance angle for a basketball shot is between 43 to 47 degrees.

How does the video describe Steph Curry's release angle compared to other players?

The video describes Steph Curry's release angle as significantly more acute than other players, allowing him to get more power on his shot without sacrificing accuracy.

What is an early release in the context of a one motion shot?

An early release in the context of a one motion shot refers to the timing of the bring up and release being so quick that it appears as a single motion, executed during the jump for added power.

What are some nuances of Steph Curry's shooting form mentioned in the transcript?

Some nuances of Steph Curry's shooting form mentioned in the transcript include a slight tilt in his stance, body rotation as he shoots, and a slight thumb flick at the end.

Who are some NBA players mentioned in the transcript as having a quick release similar to Steph Curry?

The transcript mentions Trey Young, Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Darius Garland as players with a quick release similar to Steph Curry.

What makes Steph Curry's shooting ability unique according to the video script?

According to the video script, what makes Steph Curry's shooting ability unique is his ability to perform a one motion shot with extraordinary power and accuracy under high-pressure situations like being double-teamed and running off screens.

Outlines

00:00

🏀 Steph Curry's Unique Shooting Mechanics

This paragraph delves into the distinctive shooting technique of NBA star Steph Curry, who is considered the greatest shooter of all time. Unlike the traditional two-motion shot prevalent among 99% of NBA players, Curry employs a one-motion shot, releasing the ball as he jumps. The video compares Curry's shooting form with that of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Durant, highlighting the acute angle of Curry's release which allows him to generate more power without sacrificing accuracy. The paragraph also discusses the versatility of Curry's shot, exemplified by a high-arcing shot from the 2017 NBA Finals, and touches on the early release technique characteristic of one-motion shooters.

05:02

🔥 The Rarity and Mastery of One-Motion Shooting

The second paragraph emphasizes the rarity of Curry's one-motion shooting style in professional basketball. It points out that while shooting a one-motion shot is not inherently difficult, executing it under the pressure of professional games, against taller and stronger defenders, and while maintaining accuracy, is what sets Curry apart. The paragraph also mentions other NBA players like Trey Young, Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Darius Garland who have quick releases similar to Curry's. The summary concludes by reiterating the uniqueness of Curry's shooting ability and the difficulty of replicating his performance under the demanding conditions of the NBA.

Keywords

💡Steph Curry

Steph Curry is a professional basketball player known for his exceptional shooting skills. He is the central figure in the video script, being referred to as the 'greatest shooter of all time.' The script analyzes his shooting technique, emphasizing his uniqueness among NBA players.

💡One Motion Shot

A one motion shot in basketball is a shooting technique where the player releases the ball as they jump upwards. It is contrasted with a two motion shot, which is more common among NBA players. The script highlights that Curry's one motion shot is a key element of his shooting style, setting him apart from other players.

💡Two Motion Shot

The two motion shot is a traditional shooting technique where the player brings the ball to a set point before releasing it at the peak of their jump. The script explains that 99% of NBA players use this method, contrasting it with Curry's one motion shot to illustrate the uniqueness of his approach.

💡Release Angle

The release angle refers to the angle at which a basketball player releases the ball during a shot. The script discusses how Curry's release angle is more acute than traditional shooters, allowing him to generate more power without sacrificing accuracy.

💡Early Release

Early release is a technique used in one motion shooting where the player begins the release of the ball during the ascent of their jump. The script explains that this technique is a hallmark of one motion shooters and contributes to the power and speed of Curry's shots.

💡Textbook Jumper

A textbook jumper refers to a shot that is executed with perfect form and technique, often used as a model for others to learn from. The script uses this term to describe the shooting form of players like Michael Jordan, comparing it to Curry's unconventional but equally effective method.

💡Shooting Coach

A shooting coach is a specialist who trains basketball players to improve their shooting skills. The script mentions that a textbook jumper would delight a shooting coach, indicating the high standard of shooting form that is typically sought after.

💡Power and Accuracy

Power and accuracy are two critical elements of a successful basketball shot. The script discusses how Curry's shooting technique allows him to maintain both power and accuracy, which is a rare combination in the NBA.

💡Versatility

Versatility in basketball refers to a player's ability to perform effectively in various situations. The script uses the term to describe Curry's ability to make high-difficulty shots from different angles and under various conditions, showcasing his adaptability.

💡Recommended Entrance Angle

The recommended entrance angle is the ideal angle at which a basketball should enter the hoop for the highest probability of scoring. The script mentions that Curry's shots often exceed this recommended angle, demonstrating his ability to make shots that defy conventional wisdom.

💡Three-Point Demon

A three-point demon is a colloquial term for a player who is exceptionally skilled at making three-point shots. The script uses this term to describe Curry, emphasizing his prowess in long-range shooting.

Highlights

Steph Curry is considered the greatest shooter of all time, breaking traditional shooting rules with his unique one-motion shot.

A one-motion shot is a technique where the ball is released as the player jumps upwards, contrasting with the two-motion shot.

99% of NBA players use the two-motion shot, making Curry's one-motion shot exceptional.

The video showcases three of the greatest shooters of all time, comparing their shooting mechanics at the moment of ball release.

Michael Jordan's shooting form is described as a textbook example, with a near 90° angle between his upper and lower arm.

Clay and Durant's jumpers are more acute due to shooting from further out, but still maintain a textbook form.

Curry's release angle is significantly more acute than other shooters, allowing for more power without sacrificing accuracy.

Curry's shot is compared to a spring, with his arms forming an extraordinarily tight angle, maximizing power and distance.

A shot Curry made against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals is analyzed for its high release and angle.

The shot made against the Cavaliers demonstrated Curry's versatility and ability to generate power effortlessly.

Curry's shot surpasses the recommended entrance angle of 43 to 47°, showcasing his extraordinary shooting mechanics.

The video discusses the importance of early release in one-motion shooting, a technique Curry excels at.

Kobe Bryant's shooting form is contrasted with Curry's, highlighting the difference in timing between the bring up and release.

Curry's mechanics involve bending his legs while keeping the ball down, then quickly bringing it up and releasing during the jump.

Other nuances of Curry's shot, such as stance, body rotation, and a slight thumb flick, contribute to his unique shooting style.

Trey Young, Lillard, Harden, and Darius Garland are mentioned as other players with quick releases like Curry's.

The transcript emphasizes the difficulty of executing a one-motion shot under the pressure of professional basketball.

The video concludes by reiterating what makes Steph Curry's shooting ability so special and unique.

Transcripts

Steph Curry is the greatest shooter of

all time but he doesn't follow many of

the traditional rules of shooting I'm

going to break down his shot for him to

help you guys understand just how

special of a player he

is so Steph's greatest difference in his

shot is that he has a one motion shot if

you don't know what a one motion shot is

it's basically a shot where you release

the ball as you jump upwards on the

other hand the two motion shot is where

you bring the ball to your set point and

then release it at the top of your junk

now 99% of NBA players have two motion

shots so let's break this down at a

mechanical level here are three of the

greatest Shooters of all time now I've

paused this video at the precise moment

when all three of them are about to

release the ball you're going to see

here that the angle between MJ's upper

and lower arm is at nearly a 90° angle

if you want a textbook jumper then look

no further than Jordan now play the

video a couple more seconds and that

jumper is about to put an end to an

entire

franchise

now both clay and Durant's jumpers are a

bit more acute than Jordan's but this is

mainly because they're shooting from

further out either way you'll notice

that there's a fair amount of separation

between those lower and upper arms each

of the shots are relatively textbook

jumpers and would make any shooting

coach squeal and Delight meanwhile let's

move to

Curry so here Curry's going to come

around his screen and receive the ball

but you see this right here this is what

separates Curry from the rest he's going

to begin his release at this point in

time and the angle his arms are going to

form is extraordinarily tight almost to

the point where he can't bend his upper

arm back any further if you compare

curage release angle with the other

Shooters you're going to find that it's

significantly more

acute if you imagine it as a spring then

it's the equivalent of compressing the

spring much further and if you've ever

taken physics then you'll know that more

distance equals more power and more

power means that Curry doesn't have to

sacrifice accuracy

he made that shot by the way but let's

take a look further here's a shot that

Curry sunk against the Cleveland

Cavaliers in 2017 NBA Finals now take a

minute to just Revel on how insane the

shot is but what makes this one

interesting is how high the shot ared I

mean for a brief moment the shot isn't

even in the frame in fact when you look

at the shot as it goes inside the basket

it makes a perfect 60° angle with the

hoop to put that in perspective this is

a shot LeBron made from a similar

distance the angle between the ball and

the hoop 45° on the dot despite being 6

in shorter and 65 lbs lighter than

LeBron he's getting an additional 15° on

his shot in fact this shot was so high

that it absolutely shattered the

recommended entrance angle of 43 to

47° now in reality Steph shot without a

6'8 250 lb Kevin Love chasing him while

the buzzer phed to zero is around 46°

which makes much more sense but what

this shot here demonstrates is one that

step shot is extraordinarily versatile

and two that he's able to get

extraordinary amounts of power on his

shot Without Really

Trying now part of this is due to that

tight angle of his arms but there's

another Factor coming into play here

which is a staple of what one motion

Shooters do the early release you see

technically there is no such thing as a

pure one motion shot because every shot

has two parts the bring up and the

release but the timing of each of these

movements is what's important here's a

look at Kobe Bryant considering that

he's shooting free throws it's about as

good of a look you're going to get on

this form you're going to notice that as

he brings the ball up his legs are going

to bend then after he gets to his set

point he's going to jump off with his

legs to release the ball in fact his

legs are almost synchronized with his

two motions on the bring up he bends and

then on the release he jumps but step

mechanics are going to work completely

differently rather he's going to start

off by bending his legs while keeping

the ball down then the entire process of

bringing the ball up and releasing it is

going to occur while he's jumping by

executing both motions of his shot so

quickly that it essentially turns into

one motion and doing it during the jump

he's going to get far more power on his

jumper now considering that Kobe

operated largely within the mid-range

makes sense why this shot worked for him

because bringing the ball up before the

jump allows him to make shots like this

but for a three-point demon like Steph

it's the other way around now there's a

lot of other nuances within Steph shot

that makes him so interesting the slight

tilt in his stance the way he rotates

his body as he shoots that slight thumb

flick at the end and if you want to get

a deeper analysis there are many videos

out there that take the science between

Steph's game to an

extreme but each of these things are

really just variations on that class

classic soy smooth one motion jumper

that so few players in the world have

truly perfected to give you some

perspective on this the only players I

can think of who have a release as quick

as steps is Trey young and maybe Lillard

Harden and Darius Garland meanwhile the

list of NBA players who shoot like this

is pretty extensive you see shooting one

motion is not hard go to any local LA

Fitness and there's a ton of people who

will pull up to the NBA line and drain a

three but doing it against 6' 10

behemoths while being double teamed and

running off two screens and no

oxygen well that's what makes Steph

Curry anyways that's all I got for today

I hope you enjoy and thanks for

[Music]

watching