The Metaphysical Significance, Staggering Ubiquity And Sheer Joy Of High Fives

Of course, the examples above are but a sampling of famous fives. Were there more space, I could go into the So Sorry! Chest Bump (Kings coach Paul Westphal recently popped one on center Spencer Hawes during player intros in an attempt to smooth over a disagreement), the Imaginary Friend (employed by Bucks center Andrew Bogut, who, after hitting a free throw, stepped forward for the customary slaps but, upon receiving no love from his teammates, instead unleashed a flurry of convincing air fives) and the dreaded Repetitive Fiving Injury. (Some years ago at Southern University, coach Cass Jackson dispensed so many emphatic smacks after a big win that he suffered a chipped elbow.)

In the end, fiving is as simple or complicated as you want it to be, and ultimately it's a personal choice. When I asked the Nuggets' Birdman, he of the many daps and even more tattoos, how players settle upon a handshake of choice, he looked at me gravely. "It's important to decide that and stick with it," he said. "Everybody's got his own handshake, like mine, the fist bump." With lightning speed Andersen then extended his right hand, knuckles up, and at the instant we consummated the move, he half-shouted, "Boom!"

Then, looking at me still standing there, he said, "Uh, yeah, that's it."

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