From the where-are-they-now category: I’ve received a hot tip from a deep source that former Providence Friar and Washington Wizard God Shammgod will be trying out for the Milwaukee Bucks next week. The globetrotting Shammgod’s career has taken him to, among other places, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and, most recently, China, where his playing time was limited by a ceiling on minutes for foreign players. Perhaps the Bucks hope that Shammgod, with his experience in China, can help ease the transition of the still unsigned Yi Jianlian, their Chinese phenom lottery pick. More likely, though, is that in scouting Yi, the Bucks discovered that Shammgod has developed a jumper to complement his ridiculous handle, finally making him an NBA point guard.
Those who watched him in college likely remember Shammgod’s ankle-breaking moves. In fact, one move, in which he drives right, then without directing the dribble to his left, reaches across with his left hand and pulls the ball left, changing directions as he does so–creating a sort of mid-drive, one-handed crossover–now bears his name. If you go to YouTube and search for Shammgod or Shamgod, you will see many examples from many people. Here is a demonstration from God himself:
However, searching through the YouTube clips and reading the comments left on them, it seems that the “Shammgod” may not have originated with Shammgod. One YouTube user created a highlight compilation of Yugoslavian players performing “El Latigo” (Spanish for “The Whip”)—which is basically the same move as the Shammgod. The videos go as far back as 1980, or so the compilation’s producer tells us. The video suggests that the move was popularized by Dejan Bodiroga but originated with Danko “El Killer del Perimetro” Cvjeticanin, a Croatian who now works in scouting for the Philadelphia 76ers.
How did a move supposedly peformed and popularized in Yugoslavia and the former Yugoslavian Republics become known by a Spanish name? (Update: Reader and friend Mike points out that Bodiroga played in Spain–dunno how I missed that one.) And certainly, it’s strange (and humbling for American hoop nationalists) to see that Shammgod’s perceived innovation in the crossover had actually been around for at least 15 or so years. The general perception is that America–particularly its urban courts–serves as the incubator for the game’s dribbling innovations. That often seems to be the case, but probably not here.
Finally, why hasn’t “El Latigo/Shammgod” caught on in the NBA? More often, you’ll see a player perform a similar move one-handed all the way–i.e. dribbling right, faking the cross to the left, but keeping the ball in the right hand and proceeding right. Kobe Bryant does this a lot. A YouTube clip purports to show Manu Ginobili performing the Shammgod, but it’s just an ordinary crossover followed by a spin. In my opinion, the most likely Latigo-ers in the NBA are Jamal Crawford, Kobe Bryant, Rafer Alston, Steve Nash, Ginobili, and Sebastian Telfair (and of course God himself, should the Milwaukee Bucks deem him worthy). Jason Williams should probably make the list, too, though I fear his ankle-breaking days are close to done. Anyone else? Can I get a witness to a Latigo?
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