3 Comments

Is there any way to get permission from the Boston Celtics to use a picture of Kenny Sailors from the 1950's?

Expand full comment

Another classic deep dive from Mr. Harris. I often see Paul Arizin credited as the player who made the jump shot popular. Is there any noteworthy connection between Arizin and Sailors to your knowledge?

Expand full comment
author
Jan 15, 2022·edited Jan 15, 2022Author

No direct connection. Like I mentioned, many players were independently developing the jumper. Sailors in Wyoming, Arizin in Philly, etc. Considering Sailors was pretty much retired when Arizin broke into the NBA and then played until 1962, Pitchin' Paul would get a little more attention for his contributions.

A notable difference between the two was the frequency of jumpers. Sailors was exclusively a jump shooter, whereas Arizin would take the jumper only when on the move. If he was in a catch-and-shoot situation he'd use a one-handed push shot.

Also their jumpers operated muuuuch differently. Sailors pretty much had a "textbook" taught form while Arizin's was almost like a spasm with his legs flailing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yxQtJ2FIT8

Expand full comment