The Science of Outscoring Steph Curry with Neil deGrasse Tyson

What’s the best shot in basketball? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly break down the physics behind what makes the Skyhook so effective, as well as one of the greatest eras with basketball greats, Jamaal Wilkes, Michael Cooper, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. How do you stay the all-time scoring leader, 30 years later? Neil and Kareem break down the physics of the shot and what makes it so devastating. How many of Kareem’s career points can be attributed to the Skyhook? We hear anecdotes on the 1980’s Lakers and what they attribute their success to. Was it the laws of physics? Does practice make perfect? We discuss the role of humility on the team and what it was like to be the best in the game. Why has the skyhook disappeared from today’s basketball? We explore the rise of the 3-point shot and how it has changed present-day basketball. What will the next trend in gameplay be? All that, plus, learn about the only 3-point shot Kareem sank in his entire career. Thanks to our Patrons Chris Quinn, Devon Romano, Jack Thurman, Israel Jarvis, Ace Warner, Mallory L Anderson, Putin Ontheriz, Zachary Kleier, and Jose Jaime for supporting us this week. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Get the NEW Cosmic Queries book (5/5 ⭐s on Amazon!): https://amzn.to/3dYIEQF Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #neildegrassetyson 0:00 - Introduction 2:47 - Throwback Broadcast 4:08 - Part 1 w/ Jamaal Wilkes 5:43 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Skyhook 9:47 - Work Ethic of the Lakers 12:15 - How The 80s Lakers Would Fare Today 15:14 - The Physics of the Skyhook 18:34 - Why We Don’t Use The Hookshot Today 20:50 - 3-Point Shots 22:48 - Golden State Warriors 25:36 - Part 2 w/ Michael Cooper 28:47 - Cooper’s First Day on the Lakers 31:07 - Cooper’s Socks 31:58 - Defending Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 33:15 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the Locker Room 34:35 - How Good Was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? 36:01 - Closing Notes