More Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf

I wrote a post a few months back about one of my favourite all-time NBA players and one of the greatest shooters I've seen, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. It received some positive feedback so when I came across this article from Bounce Magazine I knew I had to share it.

It covers a lot more of his early Chris Jackson years and has plenty of footage of him at LSU just destroying opponents. Click on the title below to read the full story.

The Playground Gave Us Mahmoud, The Artist Formerly Known As Chris Jackson | Streetball, Sneakers, Bobbito, Nike Air Force, Jordans
By Ali

“I’m sorry Chris Jackson, You are for real!” -The Ali re-mix of the OutKast classic, Ms. Jackson

Every generation can lay claim to that one transcendant talent, a shooting star that scorched everything in his path en route to ascending the ladder of LEGEND. For some, their reign at the crescendo was long. For others, the view from the mountaintop was all too brief. For Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, the artist formerly known as Chris Jackson, his extraordinary spontaneous combustion during two remarkable seasons at L.S.U. was enough to tickle the memories of those who witnessed his exploits for a lifetime.

With an arsenal that included an impeccable handle, more shakes than a fervent Beyonce dance routine, a bananas vertical leap, an underrated assist game that was overshadowed by his prolific scoring, lightning hands that thieved like Bernard Madoff and a hiccup-quick release on a jimmy that was as dependable as Oprah, Mahmoud sizzled retinas.

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf

I got a text from one of my mates on Saturday morning to check out a story (linked below) on Dime about one of my all-time favourite NBA players, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (formerly Chris Jackson). There are a number of factors that my favourite players have in common ... short (like me), usually a point guard, underdog and a great shooter. Mahmoud encompasses all of these and so much more. He is one of the best/hottest shooters you'll ever see and one of the NBA's greatest ever free-throw shooters. When he got on a roll, there was NO ONE that could stop him (see below). His Denver Nuggets jersey that I own is still one of my favourites and is worn all the time.

NBA Rumors - Trades - Free Agents - Basketball Olympics - Dime Magazine
Feb. 4, 1996. MJ, Scottie, Rodman and the Bulls rode into Denver on an 18-game win streak during the season in which they’d win an NBA-record 72 and claim the Chicago’s fourth championship. But on this night, Jordan and Co. were torn to shreds by Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, whose Lottery-bound squad handed the Bulls their fourth loss of that season. Abdul-Rauf’s 32-point, 9-assist stat line wasn’t historic, but just watch how he plays a near-perfect game from the point guard spot.

If you've never heard of him, then kids its time to learn. Here's a really interesting story about the person more so than the player and what happened after "that" moment in his life:

5280.com - October 2007 - The Conversion of Chris Jackson
Years later, at Gulfport High School, the basketball coach offered his players an incentive: They could shave minutes off practice by hitting consecutive free throws. Every successful consecutive shot meant less running and fewer drills. One day Chris was the shooter. He made 283 shots in a row. Practice was cancelled that day.

And if you're not yet convinced about what a special player/person he was, check out him in full flow dropping 51 on the Utah Jazz: