NBA: 30 most unguardable moves in league history
By Dylan Carter
30 most unguardable moves in NBA history: 2. Michael Jordan, pull-up jumper
Like so many of the incredible players on this list, it was hard to pick just one unguardable move for His Airness, Michael Jeffrey Jordan. Once you reach a certain level of greatness, it becomes more difficult to gauge the difference between an unguardable shot and an unguardable player. Through all of the high-flying antics, acrobatic lay-ins, groundbreaking dunks and iconic fadeaways, we’re giving credit to Jordan’s unstoppable pull-up jumper.
Despite being a more traditional mid-range shooter than a 3-point specialist, there’s nowhere on the court that I’d be okay with seeing Jordan pull-up for a jumper. Everyone on the court knew exactly what moves were coming and where they’d come from, but no one could stop Michael Jordan’s pull-up.
Whether he took it from the triple-threat position, the post, on the fastbreak or after breaking down his defender with a dribble, it was nearly impossible to stop Jordan from getting to his spots. Even when contested with a hand in his face and a defender in his personal space, Jordan’s mid-range pull-up jumper was easy money for the G.O.A.T.
When Jordan found space, his pull-up jumper was automatic. That mid-range scoring threat made Jordan one of the most devastating pick-and-roll ball-handlers the game has ever seen. As he matured, Jordan learned the value of trusting his teammates and using himself as a decoy to create easier looks for others. Even so, the pick-and-roll usually resulted in a pull-up jumper from the man himself and with the space from a well-timed screen, there was nothing an opposing defense could do about it.
The fadeaway and the pull-up jumper are similar shots in that they’re both off-balance jumpers. Michael Jordan’s fadeaway was one of the most reliable shots in basketball and remains a shot that would strike fear in an opponent’s eyes. However, the edge is going to the pull-up because Jordan’s ability to levitate in the air and let his beautiful shooting form fly might just be the most iconic shot in league history.
If I asked you to summarize Jordan’s greatness in one play, I promise that a good percentage of the readership would answer with his iconic game-winning pull-up jumper in the 1998 NBA Finals. Jordan’s pull-up game was undeniable and for that, it ranks as the second greatest move in hoops history.