Which players can palm the ball like MJ?

[Ancient Legend]

Or basically, which players (non-centers) have Jordan-sized hands?

Rajon Rondo?
LeBron James?

[StroShow4]

Walter Herrmann

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82iihDAxDLA

[The_Yearning]

Wade..Walter Hermann...

[Rockbttm88]

Vince Carter

[32jazz]

Or basically, which players (non-centers) have Jordan-sized hands?

Rajon Rondo?
LeBron James?

Was MJ the first player to have the abiltity to palm a ball:rolleyes:



DR. J was the absolute best with his huge hands. Been there done that.:confusedshrug:

[DuMa]

yes palming the ball is a underutilized skill in the nba.

[DLeagueWannabe]

Vince Carter

/thread

[KeylessEntry]

I dont think modern NBA players palm the ball as often as MJ did, but most NBA players should be able to palm a ball pretty easily. I am barely 6' tall and I can palm a ball (obviously not like MJ could, but I can definitely palm it)

[tastystaci]

Dwayne Wade...no doubt.

Edit: My bad, didn't read thread close enough. Thought you were asking who "palmed" the ball, or carried like MJ during his dribble penetrations. That would no doubt be Wade.

[ProfessorMurder]

Wilt had some nasty palming abilities.

[DonDadda59]

MJ and Dr. J had million dollar hands, extremely rare to find any swingmen who can control the ball as easily as they did, that's why they pulled off such spectacular moves. The ball was like a grapefruit in their hands.

[KenneBell]

Only person close today would be Vince but he doesn't really operate like MJ or Dr.J.

[nbastatus]

T-mac

[NBA4EVER]

nate robinson said he can't even palm a women's basketball

[OneMoreSucka]

I dont think modern NBA players palm the ball as often as MJ did, but most NBA players should be able to palm a ball pretty easily. I am barely 6' tall and I can palm a ball (obviously not like MJ could, but I can definitely palm it)
This. Seriously, any player in the league can palm it, hell even high school kids can palm the ball. Just because you don't see it a lot doesn't mean that MJ has magical massive hands. Watch when there's a dead ball, most players will palm the ball and toss it to an official.

[GiveItToBurrito]

Was MJ the first player to have the abiltity to palm a ball:rolleyes:



DR. J was the absolute best with his huge hands. Been there done that.:confusedshrug:

Exactly. MJ's hands were just huge, too; every shot he took seems to be just him flicking his wrist at the basket.

[JJ81]

Shannon Brown can

[DonDadda59]

This. Seriously, any player in the league can palm it, hell even high school kids can palm the ball. Just because you don't see it a lot doesn't mean that MJ has magical massive hands. Watch when there's a dead ball, most players will palm the ball and toss it to an official.

If we're just talking about palming- holding the ball with one hand, then yes pretty much every NBA player with the exception of a few can do it. But I haven't seen any swingman with hands that allow him to do this:

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_PFOAp-SgQ&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i6zkozjF4g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT1yNyRwd7w

[clayton]

Tayshaun Prince

[DuMa]

brandon roy?

[KenneBell]

If we're just talking about palming- holding the ball with one hand, then yes pretty much every NBA player with the exception of a few can do it. But I haven't seen any swingman with hands that allow him to do this:

I like said, I think Vince can, he just doesn't. Look how he palms the ball on this dunk. That isn't possible with average sized hands. Neither are his crazy windmills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Lu-hrramo&feature=related

[DonDadda59]

I like said, I think Vince can, he just doesn't. Look how he palms the ball on this dunk. That isn't possible with average sized hands. Neither are his crazy windmills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Lu-hrramo&feature=related

I agree w/ you, Vince has been the closest. He has great hands, which allows him to pull off some sick other-worldly dunks and shots(or at least used to). He's in the second tier when ball control/hands are being discussed.

[OneMoreSucka]

I realize the point of this thread is exclude bigs, but when Denver throws it over the top to Nene he catches it one handed.

[tastystaci]

Tayshaun Prince

:applause: This ends the thread. He does it all the time in game situations.

[Erathia]

If we're just talking about palming- holding the ball with one hand, then yes pretty much every NBA player with the exception of a few can do it. But I haven't seen any swingman with hands that allow him to do this:

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_PFOAp-SgQ&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i6zkozjF4g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT1yNyRwd7w

Seen Kobe do the last 2 videos, the other two are never going to be duplicated.

[bleedinpurpleTwo]

NOBODY can palm the ball as well as MJ.
he is the GOAT palmer.
pretty sure he INVENTED palming.

all others are mere imitators.

MJ...he even palms better than anyone else!

:wtf:

[KenneBell]

Seen Kobe do the last 2 videos, the other two are never going to be duplicated.
I don't think he's done any of them. I watch a lot of KB and that is definitely not something he can do, he even admits to it.


NOBODY can palm the ball as well as MJ.
he is the GOAT palmer.
pretty sure he INVENTED palming.

all others are mere imitators.

MJ...he even palms better than anyone else!

:wtf:
:roll:

[DonDadda59]

NOBODY can palm the ball as well as MJ.
he is the GOAT palmer.
pretty sure he INVENTED palming.

all others are mere imitators.

MJ...he even palms better than anyone else!

:wtf:


http://mediaoutrage.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/juliusdoryserving.jpg
Dr. J's a bad mutha-shut yo mouth! :pimp:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7njB1T-Xjk

[Younggrease]

This. Seriously, any player in the league can palm it, hell even high school kids can palm the ball. Just because you don't see it a lot doesn't mean that MJ has magical massive hands. Watch when there's a dead ball, most players will palm the ball and toss it to an official.

well for one try palming an NBA ball and then not only palming it but moving it around like MJ did to intiate moves. Im 6"5 and can palm a ball but no where near how MJ was doing stuff...

[gts]

This. Seriously, any player in the league can palm it, hell even high school kids can palm the ball. Just because you don't see it a lot doesn't mean that MJ has magical massive hands. Watch when there's a dead ball, most players will palm the ball and toss it to an official.that's true, but it's one thing to palm the ball, it's another to have the strength to hold onto it when everyone and their mother is trying to knock it out of your hands... kobe can palm the ball but he doesn't have the size to hold onto it when it gets swiped at

[jrong]

Dwayne Wade...no doubt.

Edit: My bad, didn't read thread close enough. Thought you were asking who "palmed" the ball, or carried like MJ during his dribble penetrations. That would no doubt be Wade.

I love Wade, and I find it amusing how much you can't stand him. But, I have to admit you're dead-on about this. Wade does carry the ball like nobody's business.

[NBASTATMAN]

I dont think modern NBA players palm the ball as often as MJ did, but most NBA players should be able to palm a ball pretty easily. I am barely 6' tall and I can palm a ball (obviously not like MJ could, but I can definitely palm it)



Mj was able to palm the ball off of a dribble and go up with it and get bumped and still make the shot... I can palm the ball and I six feet tall but I can't palm it off the dribble and if my arm is hit I will lose it.. Mj could get hit and hold the ball.. Big mittens is a huge advantage in basketball...

[Diesel J]

D Wade, Lebron, Rondo, Vince, Walter Herman, Webber (when he played)

[Diesel J]

If we're just talking about palming- holding the ball with one hand, then yes pretty much every NBA player with the exception of a few can do it. But I haven't seen any swingman with hands that allow him to do this:

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




Damn, that's sick!!!:eek:

[DonDadda59]

D Wade, Lebron, Rondo, Vince, Walter Herman, Webber (when he played)

Webber had some oven mit hands, just perfect for basketball.

[OneMoreSucka]

NOBODY can palm the ball as well as MJ.
he is the GOAT palmer.
pretty sure he INVENTED palming.

all others are mere imitators.

MJ...he even palms better than anyone else!

:wtf:
Yeah but he was palming in a weak palm era. It's impressive but I'd like to see him do it in today's league.

[OldSchoolBBall]

If we're just talking about palming- holding the ball with one hand, then yes pretty much every NBA player with the exception of a few can do it. But I haven't seen any swingman with hands that allow him to do this:

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_PFOAp-SgQ&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i6zkozjF4g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT1yNyRwd7w

Here are a few more:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUZt7qaT2Ks#t=3m53s (make sure to watch the replay of the pass at 4:10 - insane control)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ4ZgGT8ltg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpqEoocKN5I#t=3m20s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9ch835Zi1E#t=3m23s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHwhLbW08_8 (at 3:46-3:50)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yquE3cYl91U (at 4:00-4:15)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7Z-UGvVGfc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIPuYNz7RZk&feature=channel_page (1:28-1:42, check the replay)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdDb32m2EsM (2:08)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=strS0G2PCBk#t=2m53s (2:53-3:00)


There are literally dozens of other examples I could post if I had the time to find the videos. Hanging one-handed shots, fake passes, shot fakes, ridiculous one-handed catches. You name it, MJ did it. Fantastic hands.


Seen Kobe do the last 2 videos

No, you haven't.

[halffttime]

the first time i ever palmed the ball was in 6th grade.. i'm only 5'10 at best and my hands aren't that big.. and yes, i could do those mj pass fakes.. gimme my cookie

[Younggrease]

the first time i ever palmed the ball was in 6th grade.. i'm only 5'10 at best and my hands aren't that big.. and yes, i could do those mj pass fakes.. gimme my cookie

Thats a plain lie...there is literally no way that statement is true...So I dont think people get cookies for lying on the internet

[OldSchoolBBall]

the first time i ever palmed the ball was in 6th grade.. i'm only 5'10 at best and my hands aren't that big.. and yes, i could do those mj pass fakes.. gimme my cookie

The first one I just posted? At full speed? I call shenanigans. :oldlol:

[Younggrease]

The first one I just posted? At full speed? I call shenanigans. :oldlol:

people also have to realize is a lot different palming a solution, jet or other wilson ball then it is to palm a NBA game ball. Two different textures

[DonDadda59]

Here are a few more:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUZt7qaT2Ks#t=3m53s (make sure to watch the replay of the pass at 4:10 - insane control)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ4ZgGT8ltg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpqEoocKN5I#t=3m20s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9ch835Zi1E#t=3m23s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHwhLbW08_8 (at 3:46-3:50)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yquE3cYl91U (at 4:00-4:15)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7Z-UGvVGfc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIPuYNz7RZk&feature=channel_page (1:28-1:42, check the replay)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdDb32m2EsM (2:08)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=strS0G2PCBk#t=2m53s (2:53-3:00)


There are literally dozens of other examples I could post if I had the time to find the videos. Hanging one-handed shots, fake passes, shot fakes, ridiculous one-handed catches. You name it, MJ did it. Fantastic hands.




Unreal, can't teach that :eek:

Yeah, there's way too many examples of his crazy ball control to post here. And he even showcased it while dunking... double pumping. with one hand. after jumping from the free throw line :bowdown:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Mn1KSpLGsY

[Lodi Dodi]

the first time i ever palmed the ball was in 6th grade.. i'm only 5'10 at best and my hands aren't that big.. and yes, i could do those mj pass fakes.. gimme my cookie

I didn't know you still played with a Fisher Price basketball even in the 6th grade.
:eek:

[DonDadda59]

the first time i ever palmed the ball was in 6th grade.. i'm only 5'10 at best and my hands aren't that big.. and yes, i could do those mj pass fakes.. gimme my cookie

You do realize you're not impressing anyone, don't you? If you post a video of you doing the same things MJ did I'll personally go to where you live and hand you a box of chocolate chip cookies... **** that, doesn't have to be chocolate chip. You choose.

[andgar923]

MJ used to SNATCH the ball with one hand like most people catch a baseball.

Nobody his size can do that today.

*re-read*

[andgar923]

1:29 of this vid.... he SNATCHES the ball with one hand http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLReV2291Vc&feature=channel_page

He's grabbed rebounds in traffic with one hand plenty of times:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj7b6XmNluU

[xtn5021]

A lot of people except for Kwame... :D

[bleedinpurpleTwo]

Yeah but he was palming in a weak palm era. It's impressive but I'd like to see him do it in today's league.

:roll:
repped

[shawbryant]

T-mac
Right. Dude always palms the ball before he starts his first step.

[imdaman99]

nate robinson said he can't even palm a women's basketball
Its alright. He can dunk on most the WNBA players.

[imdaman99]

MJ used to SNATCH the ball with one hand like most people catch a baseball.

Nobody his size can do that today.

*re-read*
Dude tell me, I really need to know. Whats Michael Jordans underwear size? How does his ass taste? Does it taste like champagne because he was always dosed with it? He must of drank a lot because he won 232142 rings. Now imagine out of those 232142 championships he won, he was doused with at least 1 champagne bottle per championship, and we estimate that he drank at least 8 ounces from each bottle. What does that come out to? I know you know this. Please get back to me thanks

[andgar923]

Dude tell me, I really need to know. Whats Michael Jordans underwear size? How does his ass taste? Does it taste like champagne because he was always dosed with it? He must of drank a lot because he won 232142 rings. Now imagine out of those 232142 championships he won, he was doused with at least 1 champagne bottle per championship, and we estimate that he drank at least 8 ounces from each bottle. What does that come out to? I know you know this. Please get back to me thanks

*looks at thread title*

Do you have a problem with my post?

Now..... Kobe stans on the other hand..........

[Da_Realist]

Otis Thorpe :pimp:

[bleedinpurpleTwo]

Otis Thorpe :pimp:

you bumped this lame ass thread?
weak.

[Diesel J]

That dude Mcgee from the Wizards

[Sir Charles]

Otis Thorpe...I Remebmer Him Palming the Ball like it was an Orange..

[Bush4Ever]

Connie Hawkins had the biggest hands I have seen live, or on a clip for a ball player.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Regardless of who "could" palm the ball like (or better than) Jordan, nobody used the palm to greater effect in games than Jordan. Fake shots, fake passes, one-handed rebounds, one-handed catches, palming off the dribble into a layup/dunk, switching hands in midair, waving it around in midair while contorting etc. Some players (e.g. Dr. J )did some of this, but not all of it.

[zay_24]

Dr J

[Diesel J]

Rondo just played with ball in mid air like MJ:eek:

[miniharrison37]

Kobe and LeBron can palm the ball. And why does it make a difference?

[phoenix18]

Larry Nance could palm a watermelon.

[plowking]

Kobe and LeBron can palm the ball. And why does it make a difference?

It makes a huge difference depending on how easily you can palm the ball.

[hayden695]

palming the ball is an amazing skill to have in ball, Walter hermann can do some sick stuff and i think all the othewr guys from todays game have been mentioned.

But, i can do a few of those things MJ did in those vids like the shot fakes, pass fakes but i have trouble with the catching the ball off the dribble and palming and i havent tried to palm it from a rebound but that seems hardest.

Also i dont think it is as much size as maybe shape, strength or how you hold it because one of my friends has bigger hands than me and he cant do any of the **** i listed. Also when i said i could do some of those MJ things i obviously dont mean as good but i did them in games and faked people out.

Oh and Dr.J gets my vote for other than jordan

[NBA4EVER]

ya like rajon rondo is 6'2 (i think) and pretty much every time he dunks the ball he has to palm the ball because his hands are huge for a guy his size. Plus being able to palm the ball makes it easier to dunk thats why rondo dunks so easily.

[NBA4EVER]

Sun Ming Ming can palm the ball better than MJ

http://www.villiard.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/ballon1.jpg

[OldSchoolBBall]

Sun Ming Ming can palm the ball better than MJ

http://www.villiard.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/ballon1.jpg

I've always been amazed by this pic. There was a life-size picture of the hand of the supposed tallest man in the world (from the Ukraine or somewhere), and it couldn't even fit on my monitor. I have pretty big hands for my size (6'1") and when I lined the bottom of my palm up with his, the tip of my middle finger barely reached where his middle finger STARTED. To say nothing of the enormous size/girth difference of the hand.

Makes me believe those stories about Wilt being able to touch all 5 fingers together when he put two hands around a basketball.

[momo]

This. Seriously, any player in the league can palm it, hell even high school kids can palm the ball. Just because you don't see it a lot doesn't mean that MJ has magical massive hands. Watch when there's a dead ball, most players will palm the ball and toss it to an official.

Dude. MJ had MASSIVE hands. Watch when there's a dead ball and you can see MJs hands....


~~~


Connie Hawkins.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Dude. MJ had MASSIVE hands. Watch when there's a dead ball and you can see MJs hands....


~~~


Connie Hawkins.

There was a gif posted on another board that rapidly switched between two photos of MJ and Kobe each doing a fadeaway, and the first thing that people were going crazy about is the difference in their hand size. MJ's guide hand virtually covers the entire ball, and when the pic switches, you can clearly see that it's MUCH bigger than Kobe's (since they're in literally the same exact position). There was a life-size pic of MJ's hand online. I think it was like 10"+ from bottom of palm to the tip of the middle finger, and the size of the mitt was just enormous.

[Abraham Lincoln]

Wilt had some nasty palming abilities.
Indeed.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x48zv5_nba-vault-the-1967-sixers-rick-kaml_sport (Two fake passes at 4:30 mark)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTRjFYwF_RQ#t=2m55s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kocq3D4zd-U#t=4m44s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycO_MYuF89k#t=7m08s



Regardless of who "could" palm the ball like (or better than) Jordan, nobody used the palm to greater effect in games than Jordan. Fake shots, fake passes, one-handed rebounds, one-handed catches, palming off the dribble into a layup/dunk, switching hands in midair, waving it around in midair while contorting etc. Some players (e.g. Dr. J )did some of this, but not all of it.
Elgin Baylor as well.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcRpTMOGGHc#t=5m12s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcRpTMOGGHc#t=4m23s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycO_MYuF89k#t=2m57s (If James or Bryant were to make a shot like this over a Hondo type defender they'd be hailed as the greatest men who ever lived.)





Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & his patented hook.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qykYkdcw_Dg#t=7m15s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37cciGqUikM#t=8m54s

[LA_Showtime]

A lot of players can palm the ball, but when MJ or Dr. J decided to palm the ball it looked like the ball stuck to their hands.

[6thManOfTheYear]

i wish i could palm a basketball

[thejumpa]

I used to think I was the shit when I palmed a ball at 14. Fast forward 9 years, and my hands haven't grown at all. I would kill to have MJ-sized hands. They are HUGE.

[halffttime]

I used to think I was the shit when I palmed a ball at 14. Fast forward 9 years, and my hands haven't grown at all. I would kill to have MJ-sized hands. They are HUGE.

soft. first time i palmed a ball was in 6th grade... i could only do it for like a good 5-10 seconds though lol. of course now i can do it forever.

:pimp:

[Abraham Lincoln]

I think it was like 10"+ from bottom of palm to the tip of the middle finger, and the size of the mitt was just enormous.

This makes his hands slightly bigger than Wilt Chamberlain's (9 1/2 inches from middle finger to wrist break.)

But one doubts if Jordan could wrist curl (http://kbierek.powweb.com/shapefit-pics/forearms-exercises-palms-up-dumbbell-wrist-curls-over-bench.gif) 250 lb barbells (125 lb dumbells) with ease as Chamberlain could.

[thejumpa]

soft. first time i palmed a ball was in 6th grade... i could only do it for like a good 5-10 seconds though lol. of course now i can do it forever.

:pimp:

Weakkkk. You gotta be able to palm it and throw that shit down on fastbreak to have it count:D

[GovernmentMan]

Kobe and LeBron can palm the ball. And why does it make a difference?

Kobe can palm the ball but he can't "palm palm the ball" (his own words) like Dr J or MJ can.

it makes a huge difference. Kobe said his hands are what he would change if he could change anything about his game

[Fatal9]

Thread should be titled "Which players can palm the ball like Dr. J?"...he used his palming abilities far more frequently than MJ, and nearly on every drive to the rim. He could do the same show and go fakes like MJ could, and often in midair. I wish I saved clips of some of the Dr. J moves, but it shouldn't be too hard to find examples with a simple search on youtube. It's comical seeing Jordan fans in this thread making claims like "no one could palm the ball to a greater effect in games than MJ"...typical "only MJ did this" or "MJ did it the best" nonsense from them.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycO_MYuF89k#t=2m57s (If James or Bryant were to make a shot like this over a Hondo type defender they'd be hailed as the greatest men who ever lived.)
very similar to this Kareem shot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImkE0Uxw3lk&#t=7m49s both one handed.

[Abraham Lincoln]

Indeed a very nice touch, much like Chamberlain's attempt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTMfGVjfwbM#t=1m46s) (blocked by Russell at 1:46 mark).


http://i43.tinypic.com/mhe81.jpg





While Chamberlain may have had the strongest control of the basketball in one hand of any player, Jabbar had the softest touch perhaps of any position in the history of professional basketball. At a height of a good 7'3. I have stated that while he is the 2nd best offensive player in NBA history and top 3 pivot man after Russell & Chamberlain, he would adjust to the modern NBA better than Russell, Chamberlain, or O'Neal. In large part because of his several skyhook variations and his method of play which was not as subjective to referee interpretation as the powerful Chamberlain or O'Neal mainly being loose ball fouls under the rim & offensive fouls. Kareem was very strong, but did not physically overwhelm opponents as Wilt or Shaq. All he'd need is a tiny bit of leverage as opponents would be less likely to flop against him.

We would be seeing plays like this quite a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHmrCGzAinU#t=3m20s

[Fatal9]

^ good post


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1kgHXG_Ot8&#t=1m52s

Dr. J palms the ball off the dribble while driving hard to the basket, and then gathers the ball comfortably for a finger roll. this is not even that spectacular for him, it's what he did regularly on most drives to the rim. what's even crazier is, that he could do this on fast breaks too when it's even more difficult to get control of the ball. I'm trying to find this insane ball fake he pulled mid-air in I think '84 season highlights I remember seeing a while ago, one of the best Dr. J moves that never gets any love.

again, :roll: at the Jordan fan in here saying "no one could palm the ball to a greater effect in games than MJ". There probably isn't a perimeter player who made use of palming the ball as frequently and as effectively as Dr. J.

[Wukillabeez78]

Some of you guys are really dense, especially the ones saying they can palm a ball when you don't even have big hands. "Palming" a basketball is different from "gripping a basketball". To palm a basketball you do have to have large hands. Palming a basketball means your hand is so large that you can cup the ball in your hand by exerting pressure on it with your PALM. If you can truly palm a basketball your fingers don't really come into play and aren't what is used to exert pressure on the ball. Gripping a basketball means your fingers are strong enough that you can hold the ball with your fingers exerting the pressure on the ball. Many people can do this. However, if you contrast the two (palming vs gripping) you can see why someone who can truly palm a ball has a huge advantage as opposed to someone who can only grip it with their fingers. Palming the ball is much more effective because you are holding the ball with your palm and then you can use also use your fingers for additional support to hold it and give you a rock solid grip. You don't see many players waving the ball around or doing all the fancy one-handed fakes Jordan used to because their palms aren't large enough. If you only can grip the ball with your fingers it's much easier for defenders to knock away and it's much easier for the ball to slip out of your grip.

Jordan truly did have very large hands(in his book Rare Air their are life size photos of his enormous hands), even for someone his height. Phil Jackson has said that Jordan's hands were a big advantage he had on many other players because he could palm it easily with either hand and this is why he was such a good finisher at the rim with all the reverse layups, etc... Latrell Sprewell couldn't palm the ball (his hands were average sized and he could only grip it with his fingers) and Tim Hardaway once said Sprewell could have been just like Jordan if he could have. And like someone else mentioned Kobe can't palm the ball and has said this before. He can grip it like many other players but the palm of his hand isn't large enough for him to truly palm it.

I hope what I explained will clear up the confusion over "palming" a basketball versus "gripping" a basketball. It's a big difference and not many basketball players (even at the NBA level) can truly palm a basketball outside of the larger/taller ones (centers/forwards). You would think that Vince might have the ability to do it but I'm not entirely sure. Dr. J had enormous hands and could truly palm it. Someone mentioned Larry Nance and I'd agree because i've seen him wave the ball around a la Jordan. It'd be a much shorter list than most of you think though. Even for someone who is tall your hands still have to be larger than what is normal for your size for you to be able to palm it.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Thread should be titled "Which players can palm the ball like Dr. J?"...he used his palming abilities far more frequently than MJ, and nearly on every drive to the rim. He could do the same show and go fakes like MJ could, and often in midair. I wish I saved clips of some of the Dr. J moves, but it shouldn't be too hard to find examples with a simple search on youtube. It's comical seeing Jordan fans in this thread making claims like "no one could palm the ball to a greater effect in games than MJ"...typical "only MJ did this" or "MJ did it the best" nonsense from them.


very similar to this Kareem shot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImkE0Uxw3lk&#t=7m49s both one handed.

Dr. J did not use his palming abilities nearly as frequently or to as great effect as MJ. Please be serious. Whether he could palm the ball better than MJ is a different matter, as I believe he may have been able to -- but in game situations, he did not use palming in as many situations as Jordan did, or to as great effect. Jordan grabbed one handed rebounds, faked one handed passes, grabbed passs out of the air with one hand, picked the ball up off the dribble with one hand, and shot fakes with one hand. You can find Dr. J performing maybe 2-3 of these things, no more.

[Fatal9]

Dr. J did not use his palming abilities nearly as frequently or to as great effect as MJ. Please be serious. Whether he could palm the ball better than MJ is a different matter, as I believe he may have been able to -- but in game situations, he did not use palming in as many situations as Jordan did, or to as great effect. Jordan grabbed one handed rebounds, faked one handed passes, grabbed passs out of the air with one hand, picked the ball up off the dribble with one hand, and shot fakes with one hand. You can find Dr. J performing maybe 2-3 of these things, no more.
uh, that's because every single highlight from Jordan's career is up on youtube, while barely any in game highlights of Dr. J are up. Watch Doc play a single game, and you will see he picked the ball off the dribble with one hand way more than MJ ever did, and while in the air used his palming abilities to a) cockback dunks so they wouldn't get blocked and b) perform show and go fakes and other adjustments to evade defenders. You really think Dr. J never grabbed a one handed rebound? Or is it because he doesn't have stans who've looked through hundreds of games for a highlight that is pretty insignificant. You are familiar with one guy's career and not so much with the other one.

palming the ball off the dribble: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1kgHXG_Ot8&#t=1m52s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMIC4zKK_nE&#t=30s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DebtVv87jDc&#t=3m13s

he did this literally anytime he had room to drive baseline right, and yet I'm supposed to think MJ used his palming abilities more frequently? I have doubts if MJ could ever pull off "the move" like Dr. J in game (pick ball off dribble, and have the control to swing it around and finish). and yes, you're right, Dr. J had legendary palming abilities but he probably never did a show and go pass one handed in his life :oldlol:

regardless...your claim "no one could palm the ball to a greater effect in games than MJ" is a joke.

[KoRn]

dr. J wins. those who don't agree haven't seen him play. he did so many sick moves against my lakers.

[DCL]

if you attempt a one hand fake pass and the ball flies outta your hand, you ain't got the ability to palm it.

[momo]

Connie Hawkins was blessed with enormous hands...

Shaq has great hands and can catch and palm in one motion no problem.

[Fatal9]

you asked for it so...

Dr. J one handing a rebound:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHG4O324pJQ&#t=5m15s

not only does he one hand it, but swings it around like a baseball afterwards.

[Abraham Lincoln]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cls7E3yUlKE

Note Doc's pass at 1:54 as well as teammate Dr. K's one handed rebound at 2:10.

[Sticks]

Anthony Parker albeit less of a star than the guys mentioned very oftenly palms the basketball on the perimeter and uses that abillity to make a move. He also uses his palming abillity to throw up 1-handed hooks, flips and floaters.

[50inchvertical]

well for one try palming an NBA ball and then not only palming it but moving it around like MJ did to intiate moves. Im 6"5 and can palm a ball but no where near how MJ was doing stuff...
You have girl hands then dude.

But it should be noted NBA Official basketballs are full grain leather and not sticky composite like Wilson Jets, Wilson Wave, Spalding Top Flights, and the other balls generally used on high school, college, and recreational level and harder to grip.

I still can, but it's not as easy and definitely can't do as much as far as swinging the ball around and not losing it, pass faking, palming it straight out of the air, etc. with the Official NBA ball. I can palm any other ball with 2 fingers like Walter Hermann did in that video. It's not even only a function of how big your hands are but you can overcome that by having strong hands

edit: player's hand size comparison from NBA Store in NY
http://media1.dashwire.com/media/aRzQpwd0Cr3z9eadbimNyZ/dlaPVoyqKr3RO6adbiFTTI.jpg

[imlmf]

shaq

[chitownsfinest]

^ good post


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1kgHXG_Ot8&#t=1m52s

Dr. J palms the ball off the dribble while driving hard to the basket, and then gathers the ball comfortably for a finger roll. this is not even that spectacular for him, it's what he did regularly on most drives to the rim. what's even crazier is, that he could do this on fast breaks too when it's even more difficult to get control of the ball. I'm trying to find this insane ball fake he pulled mid-air in I think '84 season highlights I remember seeing a while ago, one of the best Dr. J moves that never gets any love.

again, :roll: at the Jordan fan in here saying "no one could palm the ball to a greater effect in games than MJ". There probably isn't a perimeter player who made use of palming the ball as frequently and as effectively as Dr. J.
Was watching game 1 of the 1980 finals and check this play out at 5:22 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DKZhUNQ3wU&feature=related), dude just blows by Wilkes and palms the ball on his way on the rim like it's nothing :eek: .

[PHILA]

Was watching game 1 of the 1980 finals and check this play out at 5:22 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DKZhUNQ3wU&feature=related) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DKZhUNQ3wU&feature=related%29), dude just blows by Wilkes and palms the ball on his way on the rim like it's nothing :eek: .

:applause:

[bada bing]

bosh.

[DC Zephyrs]

Connie Hawkins

[dove-7]

This makes his hands slightly bigger than Wilt Chamberlain's (9 1/2 inches from middle finger to wrist break.)

But one doubts if Jordan could wrist curl (http://kbierek.powweb.com/shapefit-pics/forearms-exercises-palms-up-dumbbell-wrist-curls-over-bench.gif) 250 lb barbells (125 lb dumbells) with ease as Chamberlain could.

Meh,

Wilt's hands are huge compared to Jordan. Jordan's hands are large indeed, but people tend over exaggerate the number size.

[SinJackal]

This. Seriously, any player in the league can palm it, hell even high school kids can palm the ball. Just because you don't see it a lot doesn't mean that MJ has magical massive hands. Watch when there's a dead ball, most players will palm the ball and toss it to an official.

MJ does have massive magical hands. See: Phil Jackson interview when he talks about MJ and Kobe. Phil specifically points out that MJ had huge hands, and that they gave him a big edge in the NBA.

[dove-7]

Only person close today would be Vince but he doesn't really operate like MJ or Dr.J.


Not true, most of the players in the NBA today, during those player's era had big hands where they can palm the ball. What's interesting and funny to me is people are constantly comparing players to MJ both past in present is some areas that me make smh. You'd swear that he was the only player with big hands by reading some replies on here and other pages. MJ is one of many before and after with the ability to palm a ball and palm while being passed him with one hand.

The thing is, there are players at his height that have small hands for their height and some of those players can't palm the ball. Air flyer ex NBA player Skywalker David Thompson is an example. He was creative, high slammer with a serious leaping ability, but he couldn't palm the ball.

Julius is the extreme, for his height, his hands are bigger than players his height where they rival a center. The only player around his height that have hands bigger is Connie Hawkins. Connie hands are beyond a center's hands.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Meh,

Wilt's hands are huge compared to Jordan. Jordan's hands are large indeed, but people tend over exaggerate the number size.

Jordan's hands were like 10-10.5" from base to the tip of the middle finger. I read that Dr. J's were 11-11.5". I'm almost positive Wilt had the biggest hands of all of them.

[dove-7]

Was MJ the first player to have the abiltity to palm a ball:rolleyes:



DR. J was the absolute best with his huge hands. Been there done that.:confusedshrug:


Thank. Doc makes Jordan hand size look like a toddler. And Connie Hawkins was even longer.

[dove-7]

Jordan's hands were like 10-10.5" from base to the tip of the middle finger. I read that Dr. J's were 11-11.5". I'm almost positive Wilt had the biggest hands of all of them.

Word. Wilt hands I think were more the length or closer to Connie Hawkins. BUT, I think that Julius hands were bigger than 11.5. I read that they were 13.

[KobeDaMamba]

:oldlol: at the length Jordan stans would go to in worshipping their childhood hero.

[L.Kizzle]

Connie Hawkins

[dove-7]

MJ does have massive magical hands. See: Phil Jackson interview when he talks about MJ and Kobe. Phil specifically points out that MJ had huge hands, and that they gave him a big edge in the NBA.

Yes that's true that he does. But keep in mind, Kobe has small hands for his height and can't palm the ball. Most guys Jordan's height in the game can palm the ball. Kobe mentioned that if he had one thing that he lack, it's Julius Erving's hand size. He talked about the length and size of his hands. Now that's a player who's hands are big for his height. Both him and Connie Hawkins did a interview back during the early 90's that I had read in a book store discussed their hand sizes because that was their trademark. Both of these men were palming basket balls in elementary school.

[dove-7]

Connie Hawkins

Ditto. Connie hands look like a cartoon. I use to and get teased on and off for my long hand size.

[dove-7]

I dont think modern NBA players palm the ball as often as MJ did, but most NBA players should be able to palm a ball pretty easily. I am barely 6' tall and I can palm a ball (obviously not like MJ could, but I can definitely palm it)

If I recall they had made a rule against that. I forget the details, but MJ got called in a game for palming the ball. And yes indeed, most of them can palm the ball easily and many have hands bigger than MJ.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Word. Wilt hands I think were more the length or closer to Connie Hawkins. BUT, I think that Julius hands were bigger than 11.5. I read that they were 13.

Not sure if this is real or not, but it's been floating around the internet forever. I think someone traced his hand or took an impression and got it online. Supposedly this is Jordan's hand:

http://www.duke.edu/web/pfs/lessons/grade4math/math%204th/Goal%202/Michael%20Jordans%20Hand.jpg

[Kblaze8855]

Connie Hawkins and dr.J no doubt.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxjuWT4PzXU

The passes Doc does around 4:20 take some serious ball control to do mid air.


And ive seen Wilt hold a ball between two fingers.

[The_Yearning]

^can't be. My hands are almost as big as that.

[dove-7]

Not sure if this is real or not, but it's been floating around the internet forever. I think someone traced his hand or took an impression and got it online. Supposedly this is Jordan's hand:

http://www.duke.edu/web/pfs/lessons/grade4math/math%204th/Goal%202/Michael%20Jordans%20Hand.jpg

I think that is real. I remember the actual real image of his hand in a magazine. We're pretty close in length, fingers.

[dove-7]

^can't be. My hands are almost as big as that.

it maybe. keep in mind, it's on your monitor and not the actual print out.

[Batz]

Not sure if this is real or not, but it's been floating around the internet forever. I think someone traced his hand or took an impression and got it online. Supposedly this is Jordan's hand:

http://www.duke.edu/web/pfs/lessons/grade4math/math%204th/Goal%202/Michael%20Jordans%20Hand.jpg
He`s gay...? :oldlol:

[SinJackal]

^can't be. My hands are almost as big as that.

Do you have a small monitor? Maybe that's why it seems small. If not, then you have huge hands too then.

I have pretty big hands, and his are an inch and a half longer than mine at least.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Do you have a small monitor? Maybe that's why it seems small. If not, then you have huge hands too then.

I have pretty big hands, and his are an inch and a half longer than mine at least.

Yeah, you may have to click on properties of the image, get the image url, and paste it into a separate browser window, then click the magnifying glass that appears if you hover over the lower right-hand corner of the image to get it to display in its actual size.

I dont have a ruler handy, but eyeing it out, it should be roughly 10" from bottom of palm to tip of the middle finger. If it's displaying as significantly less than 10" on your monitor, it's not displaying in full size.

[32jazz]

:oldlol: at the length Jordan stans would go to in worshipping their childhood hero.

:roll: Borderline gay when they start getting that 'dreamy' mancrush sound to their posts & talking about "MAGICAL HANDS":wtf:


Dr J did this with great effect probably more often than any other 'perimeter' player in history along with Connie Hawkins(Connie I never saw play only on a few highlights). The announcers barely take note of it in the Dr J videos because Doc did it so routinely.:confusedshrug:

And probably the announcers weren't gay/fanboys obssessed with a man's MAGICAL 'friggin' HANDS:rolleyes:

[gilalizard]

the first time i ever palmed the ball was in 6th grade.. i'm only 5'10 at best and my hands aren't that big.. and yes, i could do those mj pass fakes.. gimme my cookie

I don't think nerf balls count.

[Draz]

nate robinson said he can't even palm a women's basketball


HAHA that made my dayy!! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[Batz]

and his are an inch and a half longer than mine at least.
:roll:

[hateraid]

Was MJ the first player to have the abiltity to palm a ball:rolleyes:



DR. J was the absolute best with his huge hands. Been there done that.:confusedshrug:

This for sure. Doc did carzy things while palming the ball, also cradling it.

[New York Knicks]

:roll:
Lol, Kobe fans jealous that Kobe has tiny little girl hands.

[DaRkJaWs]

surprised nobody mentioned it, but Wilt could palm bowling balls. BOWLING BALLS!

Oh, and this thread is/was a massive fail, all this talk about palming and whose hands were the biggest and nobody bothered to try to find measurements. *disappointed*

[Smoke117]

There are lot of players that could palm the ball like Jordan. Pippen had bigger hands than Jordan and could easily palm it.

[La Frescobaldi]

Connie Hawkins had the biggest hands I ever saw