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Hal Greer skillset - very rare highlights
Posted: Thu Oct 6, 2022 10:02 pm
by 70sFan
I don't know if you've already seen this clip or not, but it shows nicely Greer's repertoire.
What do you think of Greer's skillset? How do you evaluate him all-time?
As a sidenote, this is clearly from a full game tape. In the same game, Wilt dominated but it seems that the NBA don't feel like it's a good idea to show his highlights against Knicks twin towers...
Re: Hal Greer skillset - very rare highlights
Posted: Thu Oct 6, 2022 10:08 pm
by penbeast0
Glad they showed some of his steals early on, his defensive rep was good, jump shooter, good ball skills for a 2, good size for a 1.
Re: Hal Greer skillset - very rare highlights
Posted: Thu Oct 6, 2022 10:29 pm
by Cavsfansince84
I had him at about 70-75 in the last top 100 which seemed a lot higher than most did.
Re: Hal Greer skillset - very rare highlights
Posted: Thu Oct 6, 2022 10:35 pm
by Samurai
70sFan wrote:I don't know if you've already seen this clip or not, but it shows nicely Greer's repertoire.
What do you think of Greer's skillset? How do you evaluate him all-time?
As a sidenote, this is clearly from a full game tape. In the same game, Wilt dominated but it seems that the NBA don't feel like it's a good idea to show his highlights against Knicks twin towers...
Thanks for posting this. The only clear recollection I had of Greer was that he was one of the few (if any?) guys I saw that used his jumpshot for his FT's. Good to see other aspects of his game in this clip.
Re: Hal Greer skillset - very rare highlights
Posted: Fri Oct 7, 2022 1:31 am
by homecourtloss
70sFan wrote:I don't know if you've already seen this clip or not, but it shows nicely Greer's repertoire.
What do you think of Greer's skillset? How do you evaluate him all-time?
As a sidenote, this is clearly from a full game tape. In the same game, Wilt dominated but it seems that the NBA don't feel like it's a good idea to show his highlights against Knicks twin towers...
Those quick hands and that beautiful jumpshot.
Wilt with GOATy stuff at :48—blocks a shot with his absurd length, runs the floor, fills the lane and probably should have gotten the ball even though they score.

Re: Hal Greer skillset - very rare highlights
Posted: Fri Oct 7, 2022 6:37 am
by 70sFan
penbeast0 wrote:Glad they showed some of his steals early on, his defensive rep was good, jump shooter, good ball skills for a 2, good size for a 1.
His defensive impact was limited by the lack of size, but he was a scrappy defender who put a lot if effort on that end in most games I have seen.
Re: Hal Greer skillset - very rare highlights
Posted: Fri Oct 7, 2022 6:38 am
by 70sFan
homecourtloss wrote:70sFan wrote:I don't know if you've already seen this clip or not, but it shows nicely Greer's repertoire.
What do you think of Greer's skillset? How do you evaluate him all-time?
As a sidenote, this is clearly from a full game tape. In the same game, Wilt dominated but it seems that the NBA don't feel like it's a good idea to show his highlights against Knicks twin towers...
Those quick hands and that beautiful jumpshot.
Wilt with GOATy stuff at :48—blocks a shot with his absurd length, runs the floor, fills the lane and probably should have gotten the ball even though they score.

I also liked this play, Wilt did such things casually like it was nothing.
Can't imagine how many such cool plays this game includes, unfortunately the league does everything to keep these tapes for themselves.
Re: Hal Greer skillset - very rare highlights
Posted: Fri Oct 7, 2022 2:13 pm
by Jaivl
You're a treasure 70sFan!
Re: Hal Greer skillset - very rare highlights
Posted: Fri Oct 7, 2022 2:53 pm
by 70sFan
Jaivl wrote:You're a treasure 70sFan!
Thank you!
I just desperately want to see this full game!
Re: Hal Greer skillset - very rare highlights
Posted: Fri Oct 7, 2022 3:01 pm
by Ron Swanson
Appreciate the rare footage as always. Should be illuminating to anyone who doubts the abilities of 60s players that Greer in every respect displays a modern jump shot (look at the mechanics and release). He might be less effective defensively because of his lack of size, but he'd do just fine in modern times as a scoring combo-guard.
Re: Hal Greer skillset - very rare highlights
Posted: Fri Oct 7, 2022 4:29 pm
by CharityStripe34
That was a silky-smooth looking J and he had good defensive instincts.
Agreed that it's ridiculous to say these guys couldn't play back then. They would be very good today as well.
Interesting that he hopped a bit on his FT attempts. He's listed at 6'2" I wouldn't think he'd have to. Maybe a rhythm thing?
Re: Hal Greer skillset - very rare highlights
Posted: Fri Oct 7, 2022 4:51 pm
by 70sFan
CharityStripe34 wrote:That was a silky-smooth looking J and he had good defensive instincts.
Agreed that it's ridiculous to say these guys couldn't play back then. They would be very good today as well.
Interesting that he hopped a bit on his FT attempts. He's listed at 6'2" I wouldn't think he'd have to. Maybe a rhythm thing?
I've heard stories that he did that, because he believed that it's better to practise FTs that way, because it also improves his jumpshot. He said something about flat footed FTs practise being useless, because he couldn't use it during the action.
Considering that he was an 80% career FT shooter with that form, I'd say his touch was quite exceptional.