Dirk Nowitzki has been working on a sky hook for over a decade, still not ready

Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki is best known for his patented fadeaway jump shot, but he's also working on other tricks to add to his arsenal, including a sky hook.

“The sky hook is still a work in progress,” Nowitzki told ESPN Dallas. “I might keep that for year 18. We’re still working on it.” 

The sky hook was famously championed by Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who shot his way to an all-time high 38,387 career points. Standing at 7-foot-2, Abdul-Jabbar's shot was virtually unguardable because he released it so far above his head. 

Nowitzki is no slouch himself, as he's racked up 26,786 career points to date, good for 10th all-time. But he admits that he needs to diversify his game as he treks into the twilight of his career.

"I don’t just want to rely on a fadeaway all the time,” Nowitzki said. “Sometimes you have to go middle, make a strong move there, get fouled or swing a little hook. I’ve just got to mix it up a little bit more than just a right-shoulder fadeaway all the time.” 

As for the sky hook, however, Nowitzki isn't so bullish. “Out of the move, it’s OK. Once I’ve got a running start, I can actually shoot it OK. The problem is I’m 36. I don’t get a lot of running starts anymore, so I’m screwed.”