What causes stone hands?

[Surfitall]

Just thinking about players who have a difficult time hanging onto the ball when rebounding, receiving passes, going up for a shot, Etc. Samaki Walker comes to mind, so does Kwame.

Is it a lack of coordination? Is it strength in the arms, forearms, hands, fingers? Is it small hands? (Don't even go there!) Is it desire? Can it be improved?

Just wondering.

[karlmalonefan]

I think 1.Fear (performance anxiety) and 2. Thinking too much (because of #1.) I think it's mostly psychological, although lack of coordination is also a factor...some people just aren't good with their hands and don't have good hand/eye coordination...

[Surfitall]

Ah yes, fear! I didn't think of that. Nerves. Jitters. Yes, makes sense. That's a tougher one to overcome.

[akula]

hand eye coordination. it cannot be taught.

[angrypuppy]

[dgrynch]

I don't understand Kwame. He has a perfect basketball body and looks as strong as an ox. He plays so soft. Maybe he plays basketball because of his height and doesn't really have a passion for the sport. He damn sure plays like it.

[Ozendorph]

1. Underdeveloped nervous system (Similar to my beagle).

2. Chi flow blockage (His kung fu is very not good).

3. Epidermis Granitus (Hands are actually made of stone).


In the case of our boy Kwame, I'd have to say it's #2. His brain is clearly not in direct contact with his extremities, and this is likely the result of improper tension and a confused mindstate.
_________________
Dumbledore closed his eyes and slowly lowered his head before Kupchak. "Teach me," he whispered.

[thumpinghead]

[TEEGUNN]

[msb212]

making 30 million before you are 25

[Ozendorph]

[Surfitall]

[quote="Ozendorph"]

3. Epidermis Granitus (Hands are actually made of stone).
[quote]

[karlmalonefan]

I thought I read somewhere in a kareem interview that he hasn't worked much with kwame because kwame sees himself as a 'facing the basket' type player and so has no use for what kareem is teaching...someone on the coaching staff (phil) or on the team (kobe) needs to slap him upside his head and tell him to wake up and learn from the master while he has the chance if he ever wants to improve...truly moronic of kwame, if true... :roll:

[Ozendorph]

[Smel Counts]

Restrict what little softness he already has in his hands. Go through endless catching/layup drills w/ swim paddles or modified ping-pong paddles attached to his hands. Practice w/ a giant ball. Catching drills w/ very dark glasses/ or in a darkened room to help improve hand/eye coordination. I'm serious, all these things/drills exist.

He also needs to become game-time automatic from 15-18 feet and FT line (ala Karl Malone-he really has a Malone type of body and quickness, which should be cultivated in a similar manner). This only comes w/ thousands of jumpers in practice and a PG who's looking to improve his confidence.
IMO a big mistake was publicly making the playoffs our goal this year. It should have been learning the triangle as a group so we can begin to kill next year. We would have been close to the playoffs either way.
Phil also should have come aboard last year to begin teaching when they knew he was coming back. What the hell was that? (I know it's easier said than done but Kobe cannot simultaneously improve his teammates tri-skills while single-handedly trying to win games-And don't give me that Magic/Stockton didn't improve their teammates BS ).

[karlmalonefan]

With Kwame, it's mostly mental...it has to be, because he shows flashes of brilliance, it just doesn't last...i liked the suggestion of a shrink...phil, get him an appointment with yours asap...

[Smel Counts]

I read about the Kareem thing too, but Kwame cannot ever be a hook-shot guy w/ those flippers he calls hands. He's too easily stripped in the post as well.
He has to be a Karl Malone type of PF/offensive player (face-up/catch and shoot/get to the line) to ever be considered a good player. As his jumper improves, defenders will crowd him and he'll blow by them. Just like Malone, people aren't gonna take charges from this speeding truck, not more than once at least. A Malone like mean streak wouldn't hurt either.

[bambam]

[karlmalonefan]

I agree...I'm not saying he needs to develop a hook shot, but he does need some instruction about how to play around the basket, without getting stripped...you know, like making point blank layups and dunks...things kwame has helped mihm develop. Things that will boost his confidence...then he can go on to those fancy up and unders and spin moves...he's trying to walk before he can crawl...baby steps and fundamentals is what kwame needs...

[postandpivot]

[RJBaca]

stone heart

[orwell]

[unggoy]

Hand-eye coordination certainly can be improved on, as a couple of posters have pointed out. As well as the drills already mentioned, a lot of WRs are turning to a 'small ball' approach to receiving. Getting tennis balls fired at you from close range is something a lot of guys are doing. Also, the 'speed receiving' drill (which you may have seen this weekend in the college FB skills competition), where balls are shot of machines in a rotating, 12-3-6-9 format. All of these most definitely help your receiving skills, but it's up to the athlete to actually want to put in the work to improve.

[eniq 0x00]

[turbulent]

in kwames's case, it is not directly related to him having big stones....