I was always a big Kiki fan. He’s from the gilded age of the small forward. He wasn’t nearly the same player he used to be, here in New York, but I loved watching him play. The full-extension, one hand layup is Kiki’s legacy to me. Thanks, Kiki!
Although people like James Harden, Larry Bird and Kiki VanDeWeghe have been credited with inventing the step back move or the fadeaway move, I remember a childhood friend of mines in Puerto Rico doing it back in the mid 70’s. At first guys would say he was running with the ball but then we all got used to it. His style of shooting the ball, the way he held the ball right before shooting, was very similar to Larry Bird's, before there was a Larry Bird in the NBA.
@@mattbailey7049 I literally formed my game in the mid '80's in H.S. basketball around the Kiki move. off the bench. if I hit like 2/3 or 3/4 I stay in, if not I was done for the quarter.
When we think of all time best shooters Kiki is forgotten. He was one of the best shooters in history and during his prime years shot it at an incredibly high fg%. Nice vid I was 12-16 when he was in Portland.
For a guy that never won a title but was in the playoffs almost every year and every time i see his numbers and he definitely underrated as a basketball this is guy is like an early dirk before he played the heat in 2011 great play baller and great video.
Yes Kiki is a very underrated star player these days , but he wasn't during his playing days, he was always in the top ten in scoring until 1992. I always mention his name in my basketball discussions or heated debates on how if he stayed healthy all year every year during his 13 year career , he would've gotten more love or that he was as good as any top 5 -10 players to a point when he played. Great shooter/scorer , ft% , fg% passer , and very athletic going to the basket and would slam dunk the ball at least once a game , he had ups and was as smooth as silk. Kiki , English , Issel , fat lever and the crew were scoring nightmares. One of the best teams of all time for sure. But yes Kiki was that guy.
Those Doug Moe Nuggets of the 1980s were the definition of the passing game. They were averaging 120 points per game without many 3s outside of Michael Adams.
Skid Denver, I LOVE your videos! From my birth YEAR, you can all see why your videos are SO up my alley! I was born in Seattle in 1973, where I grew up. Sonics and Blazers fan. Japanese-American and male. I actually think about Kiki's DENVER season, when I think about him at his best: He was second in the NBA to teammate Alex English in scoring! In 1991, The Pro Basketball Handbook said, "Kiki still owns the explosive first step, for a drive and dunk. Not what it used to be, though." I'm going to attach The Kiki Vandeweghe Song. Sing it, "It's pretty much lettering I can't see. My eyesight simply isn't what it used to be!" (when my eyesight went bad in 11th grade) Or, when Ken Griffey Jr returned to Seattle in 2009: "Those 40-plus home runs, we will not see. His bat speed simply isn't what it used to be!" "Those great diving catches we will not see. His defense simply isn't what it used to be!" Go to 0:13-0:16 in this: th-cam.com/video/a_Luvr-kasE/w-d-xo.html
Dear Mr Skid Denver, I grew up in LA, one year ahead of Kiki. I saw him play while he was at Palisades, I attended Westchester High School. I developed the step back move in my backyard in 1973, just thought of it on my own as nobody I saw on TV had it back then. This is verified by my friends who I played basketball with back then. I remember Kiki having this move in the mid to late 80’s. Kiki didn’t invent the step back. Yeah, I see him do it only once in your video. I use to create a lot of separation from me and my defender using the stepback cuz it was so unexpected and nobody else had “my move”!!! 😁🙏❤️🏀
I'm 1smoothdocs father. I learned the step back directly from the 12th US president Zachary Taylor before his untimely demise from the cursed cherries that took him from this earth.
I'm 3 minutes in and I have NOT seen ONE step back. It just seems like that should be the FIRST highlight shown, him doing a step back. Or at least 1 within 3 whole minutes. Now I will NEVER know because I'm so frustrated I can't watch another second of this shit👎🏾. Just change the title and do a regular Documentary on this man.
He was a fun player to watch. Could score from anywhere, and the fact that he was 6-8 and could jump through the roof (he was a VERY underrated dunker), he could drive on anybody. However, he really didnt do much else on the court. He was an AWFUL rebounder, especially for his size and position. On top of that, his subpar rebounding was topped by his nearly non-existent defense. He could score on anybody, but opposing players also cooked him. Still, a fun player.
I didn't know that Kiki invented the Step Back. Anyways, Kiki would have been the bigger star had he not injured and he was one of the great scorers in his time.
I think Kiki Vandeweghe developing the step-back is a myth. I have watched every youtube video of his highlights, including the ones that say he invented the step-back and there is only ONE clip of him shooting a step-back jumper. He was a heck of a scorer though.
Damn I always knew Kiki was pretty nasty but htf did he only get 2 all star nods??I mean this dude was hight 20's flirting with 30 per GM for a handful of yrs and even after that was still 22 plus per gm,WOW put him in a bigger market and he would have been at least a five time all star probably a couple more even,why kind of unbelievable imo
Listen: Are you kidding? No defense? You got your head knocked off back then. No, they could #shoot like a mf back then. Scores back then were regularly in the 130s. Today's players are hyper-athletic but have little real skill. Those guys could flat shoot and score.
I agree defense was great back then. I should have worded myself better. I meant to highlight that Denver's defense was poor at the time. But the Nuggets offense was next level.
Ball movement and moving without the ball was at an all time best in the 1980s. Back door, cutting and kick out plays were just amazing to watch in those days.
@shhmatdelski8386 Players today can't shoot, mostly. They handle the ball better as a whole, but they don't use it to get easy scores. They dribble the air out of the ball at 25 feet and then try to go one on 5 and dunk or throw up threes they mostly don't make. Today's players are infinitely more athletic, but they are far less efficient players. Positionless basketball is mostly bs, except for a hand full of players.
I use watch him in high school theJames Wilks of Dorsey won player the year and the championship put watching,I thought He should have player ,He was making a lot of noise,He had game
During that time period KiKi was as dangerous of scorer as Larry Bird, He just didn't play on as good teams. Kiki on Boston may have been almost as good, Kiki just wasn't a killer like Larry though.
Nah Bird avg 10 reb and around 6.5 asst per GM for his career and was arguably the most clutch guy in NBA history with only MJ there to debate that,but Kiki was damn good,but I would say definitely a tier below Bird
His defense was suspect, too. However, his shooting ability would mean that by today’s standards, he would flourish. His style would fit perfectly in today’s game, in my opinion.
@@smoothALOE The year Golden State broke the record for offense (since broken by Dallas) they also had the NBA's top defense. The best teams play both ways. Ryan Anderson was one of the NBA's best shooters, who actually did rebound for his position. Still he was run out of the NBA because of his defense. I don't believe Kiki could play today. I'm happy he invented the step back, though.
Kiki so underrated such a good player in his prime absolute legend
Kiki and Alex English was my favorite forwards growing up i would always check their stats in the paper it was always 20 plus points for both of them
Over Bird?
I would check their stats also. Dan Issel also averaged over 20 per game.
I was glad when Portland got him but it’s like they didn’t let him score as much. He was good.
Too bad the Nuggets were allergic to playing defense
Kiki and tom Chambers, underrated 🎉
Also Detleff,Schrempff!!
Chambers was a beast
It's because they were white. But yes they were grossly under rated.
I was always a big Kiki fan. He’s from the gilded age of the small forward. He wasn’t nearly the same player he used to be, here in New York, but I loved watching him play. The full-extension, one hand layup is Kiki’s legacy to me. Thanks, Kiki!
you had me watching this whole thing and I didn't see ONE step back shot. You aint right!
why do i feel like i have overlooked this dude my whole life. he's a certified bucket
The real architect behind Kiki's success (and countless others)?
Pete Newel.
The greatest coach that no one talks about.
Kiki was THAT dude!!!!!
Although people like James Harden, Larry Bird and Kiki VanDeWeghe have been credited with inventing the step back move or the fadeaway move, I remember a childhood friend of mines in Puerto Rico doing it back in the mid 70’s.
At first guys would say he was running with the ball but then we all got used to it. His style of shooting the ball, the way he held the ball right before shooting, was very similar to Larry Bird's, before there was a Larry Bird in the NBA.
Kiki was a bucket for real 🏀
Should have showed more of his step back shot
I know right? I kept thinking, “where’s all the step backs?”
I didn’t even see a step back the whole video
@@mattbailey7049 I literally formed my game in the mid '80's in H.S. basketball around the Kiki move. off the bench. if I hit like 2/3 or 3/4 I stay in, if not I was done for the quarter.
8:55 I AM Japanese-American, don't forget! And, because of that, THIS is one of my favorite Mark Olberding highlights!
I don't understand...does Olberding have Japanese heritage? After all he DOES belong in the Hall of Fame 😅
❤❤❤my guy Kiki
When we think of all time best shooters Kiki is forgotten. He was one of the best shooters in history and during his prime years shot it at an incredibly high fg%. Nice vid I was 12-16 when he was in Portland.
How about a segment on Kelly Tripuka?? Or Fred Roberts??
thanks I was waiting for you to upload him
For a guy that never won a title but was in the playoffs almost every year and every time i see his numbers and he definitely underrated as a basketball this is guy is like an early dirk before he played the heat in 2011 great play baller and great video.
Yes Kiki is a very underrated star player these days , but he wasn't during his playing days, he was always in the top ten in scoring until 1992. I always mention his name in my basketball discussions or heated debates on how if he stayed healthy all year every year during his 13 year career , he would've gotten more love or that he was as good as any top 5 -10 players to a point when he played. Great shooter/scorer , ft% , fg% passer , and very athletic going to the basket and would slam dunk the ball at least once a game , he had ups and was as smooth as silk. Kiki , English , Issel , fat lever and the crew were scoring nightmares. One of the best teams of all time for sure. But yes Kiki was that guy.
Those Doug Moe Nuggets of the 1980s were the definition of the passing game. They were averaging 120 points per game without many 3s outside of Michael Adams.
He got more athletic after he left UCLA. In college, it was mostly jump shots.
Skid Denver, I LOVE your videos! From my birth YEAR, you can all see why your videos are SO up my alley! I was born in Seattle in 1973, where I grew up. Sonics and Blazers fan. Japanese-American and male. I actually think about Kiki's DENVER season, when I think about him at his best: He was second in the NBA to teammate Alex English in scoring! In 1991, The Pro Basketball Handbook said, "Kiki still owns the explosive first step, for a drive and dunk. Not what it used to be, though." I'm going to attach The Kiki Vandeweghe Song. Sing it, "It's pretty much lettering I can't see. My eyesight simply isn't what it used to be!" (when my eyesight went bad in 11th grade) Or, when Ken Griffey Jr returned to Seattle in 2009: "Those 40-plus home runs, we will not see. His bat speed simply isn't what it used to be!" "Those great diving catches we will not see. His defense simply isn't what it used to be!" Go to 0:13-0:16 in this: th-cam.com/video/a_Luvr-kasE/w-d-xo.html
I would say hes one of the pioneers of making the step back popular but I wouldnt say he invented. Its Kiki Vandeweghe.
His shot in college is so damn tall, hes threatening the gap and just stops on a dime tall ash. Wild
9:35 I DID love Reggie Theus (another great video idea!), BUT this is still one of my favorite Reggie Theus highlights!
Super cool video , this guy was fundamentally funky
Kiki picked up the stepback from Marques Johnson!
This guys would kill it today!
His father, ,, who is a doctor ,, played in the NBA in the late 40's early 50's, with the NY knicks,
I didn't see one step back move in the entire video. Now that's what I call good click bait. I say that because not many comments here seem to notice.
He use to commentate the Piston games when I was a kid. A Legend.
We did a great interview with him on our podcast!
Some video ideas for you...Chuck Person, Terry Cummings, Tom Chambers, Bobby Jones, Reggie Theus and Gus Williams. Enjoyed your video on Kiki.
How about discussing World B.Free/ Kelly Tripuka/ Lafayette "Fat" Lever,etc. To many great awesome players to mention with talent to match.
No One Talks About Kiki 🤷🏿♂️!! He Could Score, Score, Score...
I put him as a better Denver Nugget than Carmelo...
this video was so good . i gotta sub now .
Merci pour cette vidéo
Skywalker was one of the most naturally talented players ever. Shame about substance abuse and all
KI KI... AND ALEX WERE INSTANT OFFENSE!!!
Is it just me, or is there not a single clip of Kiki performing a step-back in this video?
Can u do one on Cedric Maxwell Hersey Hawkins Johnny Newman Otis ThorpeJohnny Moore. Lovin your channel keep up the good work.
Great job.. Maybe you could give us the years as you go next time.
I remember that NCAA tournament very well.
Not true. Larry Bird was the first I saw do the semi side step away. It was not a direct step back shot.
bruh u didn’t show 1 single step back tho 😂 where is the “kiki” move???
😆
I know. I could not find any footage of it unfortunately.
Dear Mr Skid Denver,
I grew up in LA, one year ahead of Kiki. I saw him play while he was at Palisades, I attended Westchester High School. I developed the step back move in my backyard in 1973, just thought of it on my own as nobody I saw on TV had it back then. This is verified by my friends who I played basketball with back then. I remember Kiki having this move in the mid to late 80’s. Kiki didn’t invent the step back. Yeah, I see him do it only once in your video. I use to create a lot of separation from me and my defender using the stepback cuz it was so unexpected and nobody else had “my move”!!! 😁🙏❤️🏀
I”m KiKi nephew. I know for a fact that he was practicing the step back at age 6 in the backyard!
I'm 1smoothdocs father. I learned the step back directly from the 12th US president Zachary Taylor before his untimely demise from the cursed cherries that took him from this earth.
Well, this is typical of the CLOWN WORLD we live in today! Two people that don’t even know me making clown type of statements! 🤦🏻♂️😠
a prospect in my 2k sim had kiki as his ceiling i had to check him out 😭
He was an assassin 💥
He had to be good with a name like Kiki.
I'm 3 minutes in and I have NOT seen ONE step back. It just seems like that should be the FIRST highlight shown, him doing a step back. Or at least 1 within 3 whole minutes. Now I will NEVER know because I'm so frustrated I can't watch another second of this shit👎🏾. Just change the title and do a regular Documentary on this man.
Really good job. My only criticism would be is that you don't clarify what year you're discussing. It gets confusing after awhile
Lucky guy, he played with English, Thompson and Issel, and then Drexler and Paxton
i feel like he would score 30 in every game in todays nba
He was such a one-dimensional player.
there's not really a good example of a step back in this video, or can someone show me?
dude.... show the stepbacks! that's the title of video.
dude was a great sniper as a power forward.
Did I miss him starting the stepback
He was a fun player to watch. Could score from anywhere, and the fact that he was 6-8 and could jump through the roof (he was a VERY underrated dunker), he could drive on anybody.
However, he really didnt do much else on the court. He was an AWFUL rebounder, especially for his size and position. On top of that, his subpar rebounding was topped by his nearly non-existent defense. He could score on anybody, but opposing players also cooked him.
Still, a fun player.
He didn’t do one step back in this video
I remember him with the Nuggets during the mid -eighties. It was enjoyable to watch.
The step back is mentioned in the 17th (final) minute with absolutely no footage. Total BS title.
@5:13 he said "Jenna-men" sweep
I didn't know that Kiki invented the Step Back. Anyways, Kiki would have been the bigger star had he not injured and he was one of the great scorers in his time.
Not one step back move in this video..
I think Kiki Vandeweghe developing the step-back is a myth. I have watched every youtube video of his highlights, including the ones that say he invented the step-back and there is only ONE clip of him shooting a step-back jumper. He was a heck of a scorer though.
Reggie Lewis leading them???
Wenn you want translate his Name into english, then ist Van Der Ways. Not way.
Actually its Van der Weh Geh
Black people pay respect to him every time they get a good laugh. Ki ki ki ki ki ki
Kiki was nice. If you know, u know.
10:50 The Blazers chose rookie bust Byron Irvin. They COULD have had Velottde Divac!!
Great numbers, 7 seasons of over 20 a game ,probably most for a player not in HOF
Wayne Cooper is no longer with us. I liked Coop. Solid player.
Damn I always knew Kiki was pretty nasty but htf did he only get 2 all star nods??I mean this dude was hight 20's flirting with 30 per GM for a handful of yrs and even after that was still 22 plus per gm,WOW put him in a bigger market and he would have been at least a five time all star probably a couple more even,why kind of unbelievable imo
Paul pierce started the stepback
Listen: Are you kidding? No defense? You got your head knocked off back then. No, they could #shoot like a mf back then. Scores back then were regularly in the 130s. Today's players are hyper-athletic but have little real skill.
Those guys could flat shoot and score.
Yes sir i agree 100%
I agree defense was great back then. I should have worded myself better. I meant to highlight that Denver's defense was poor at the time. But the Nuggets offense was next level.
Denver was known for not playing defense,... Players today or more skilled lets be real... Guys back then could barely shoot off the dribble
Ball movement and moving without the ball was at an all time best in the 1980s. Back door, cutting and kick out plays were just amazing to watch in those days.
@shhmatdelski8386 Players today can't shoot, mostly. They handle the ball better as a whole, but they don't use it to get easy scores. They dribble the air out of the ball at 25 feet and then try to go one on 5 and dunk or throw up threes they mostly don't make.
Today's players are infinitely more athletic, but they are far less efficient players. Positionless basketball is mostly bs, except for a hand full of players.
Anthony Mason please
Yes! And Tom Guggliotta after!
Before Austin Reaves there's kiki
I use watch him in high school theJames Wilks of Dorsey won player the year and the championship put watching,I thought He should have player ,He was making a lot of noise,He had game
During that time period KiKi was as dangerous of scorer as Larry Bird, He just didn't play on as good teams. Kiki on Boston may have been almost as good, Kiki just wasn't a killer like Larry though.
I think this is a fair assessment. Larry’s competitive drive was on a par with MJ. It made up for his athletic deficiencies.
Nah Bird avg 10 reb and around 6.5 asst per GM for his career and was arguably the most clutch guy in NBA history with only MJ there to debate that,but Kiki was damn good,but I would say definitely a tier below Bird
Scoring though,yea he was definitely right there with Bird
Walking bucket. Lousy defense, but dude was dope as fuck
I did not see one step back
mcnichols arena
He was just too light a rebounder for a front court player. Especially back in those days.
His defense was suspect, too. However, his shooting ability would mean that by today’s standards, he would flourish. His style would fit perfectly in today’s game, in my opinion.
@@smoothALOE The year Golden State broke the record for offense (since broken by Dallas) they also had the NBA's top defense. The best teams play both ways. Ryan Anderson was one of the NBA's best shooters, who actually did rebound for his position. Still he was run out of the NBA because of his defense. I don't believe Kiki could play today. I'm happy he invented the step back, though.
Inventor of the step-back?......hmmm
Harden invented the step-back!
you also forgot to mention that his mom Colleen was Miss America in 1952 and his niece Coco is a former pro tennis player.