basketball drills, youth basketball, basketball for youth, ncaa basketball

Bobcats And Domains

2007-09-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

The Charlotte Bobcats finally brake into simple branding and into a simple web address.

The expansion team Charlotte Bobcats for the first three seasons were using a longer domain name and there official site could be found at www.bobcatsbasketball.com. The reason for this being that the owner of www.bobcats.com belonged to a Montana real bobcat breeder.

Barbara Roe owns Bitterroot Bobcat and Lynx in Stevensville, Mont., and had the rights to the Web site name for 10 years. She says team officials began asking her in 2004 about buying the rights, but the early offer of a couple thousand dollars wasn't enough. Roe says they have agreed to pay about $50,000. I believe for an NBA team $50,000 was still pretty low if you ask me, but if Barbara Roe is happy, and all the bobcat fans rather NBA teams or the real bobcats...let it be.

Roe now uses the domain name www.bobcatsmt.com.

Charlotte Bobcats president Fred Whitfield says the team is glad to have the rights.

The NBA team's new marketing campaign also includes the slogan "Elevate," new uniforms, simple SEO, and a new secondary logo.

Who Will Be Top Freshman Of College Basketball

2007-08-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

Who Will Be Top Freshman Of College Basketball
OJ Mayo, Eric Gordon, Michael Beasley, or K Love could lead their class.

I know, everyone is asking or saying who is this class especially when you had Oden and Durant last year. Well, this year frosh class is not bad at all. Some could be overrated while others I believe are underrated. Here is my top ten list of top frosh.

1. O.J. Mayo, SG, USC - 6-5 215lbs - O.J. Mayo has literally had the spotlight on him since the 7th grade while dunking on High schoolers back in KY, though ending his HS carrer in W.V. He continues to recieve all the attention and this year I believe it will continue to live up to even though he had a poor showing in the McDonald's All American game. The only thing that can stop this kid is himself (meaning if or will he stay out of trouble or will USC be able to hide it well enough).
2. Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana - 6-4 205lbs - Gordon is the real deal and will be showing nationwide this year at IU. Coming from Indiana and only losing to Oden's team in the past. Eric Gordon Jr. can be a scorer at will, and can fit right in at IU and the Big Ten.
3. Michael Beasley, SF, Kansas State - 6-9 235lbs - This forward can get the job done and do just about anything asked. Headed to Kansas State was I believe an interesting choice, but should be given a full opporunity. KSU could be a interesting team to watch this.
4. Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis - 6-2 180lbs - Incredible athlete that probably the pure point guard in this class. He will be making everyone in Memphis around him better.
5. Kevin Love, PF/C, UCLA - 6-9 240lbs - K Love is the best "big man" this class has. Headed to UCLA, and could put some good solid minutes in for the Bruins this year.
6. Kyle Singler, SF, Duke - 6-8 210lbs - Kyle Singler is Duke's top recruit this year which will hopefully turn around the Duke Blue Devils. Complete player that will fit in well with Coach K.
7. Bill Walker, SF/SG, Kansas State - 6-6 220lbs - Another one for KSU, with Beasley on his side this could be a team that could have a lot of fun especially with this high flying duo.
8. Patrick Patterson, F, Kentucky - 7-0 240lbs - Played with OJ Mayo in High School, and very athletic big man. He has a lot of room to continue to get better and could make some noise in the SEC this year.
9. Donte Greene, SF, Syracuse - 6-9 220lbs - Solid sort of reminds me alittle of Durant or do I even dare say that.
10. Jerryd Bayless, PG, Arizona - 6-2 180lbs - Good, but needs to continue to be a true point guard at 6'2".

A few more names worth throwing out, many more could be up there, but hey it's the best of the best...

* DeAndre Jordan, PF/C, Texas A&M
* Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas
* Nick Calathes, G, Florida
* Austin Freeman, G, Georgetown
* Jamelle Horne, F, Arizona
* Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State
* Chandler Parsons, F, Florida

Now This Couple Could Make Some Tall Kids

2007-08-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

Yao Ming Wedding Pictures - Yao Ming Wedding Pictures

That's right Houston Rockets’ basketball star Yao Ming married longtime girlfriend Ye Li at a swank hotel in his hometown of Shanghai on Monday. This is a pretty big wedding in more ways than hype and height.

The 26 year old Yao Ming, 7′6″, and the 6′2″ Ye, 25, at the five-star Shangri-La Hotel shared a close friend wedding.

About 70 close friends and relatives joined 7′6″ Yao, who is 26, and the 6′2″ Ye, 25, at the five-star Shangri-La Hotel.

The couple met each other about eight years ago. Ye is also a basketball player for the Chinese national women’s team.

Here are some Yao Ming Wedding pictures:

Congrats and Best Wishes to Yao and Ye...Zhù nǐ mén bái tóu dào lǎo!!!!

Pau Gasol On The Cover Of Rolling Stone Magazine

2007-07-31T16:48:00.000-07:00

Pau Gasol On Rolling Stone Magazine

In Spain Pau Gasol is a plan stud, and has topped his Stardom with the picture above. This is coming from the most recent Spain version of Rolling Stone Magazine Cover. Pau your the man! This one takes him to the whole new level of being a the Superstar from Spain.

How Many 19 Year Old Boy Do You Know That Has A Range Rover?

2007-07-20T17:03:00.001-07:00

How Many 19 Year Old Boy Do You Know That Has A Range Rover?

Well, that's right, all in one blog and one daya 19 year old boy gets a Range Rover, and is all excited about getting "NCAA football 2008" a new video game. I can only think of one and let me introduce you to him. His name is Michael Conley, Jr. and he is from Indianapolis, Indiana. This upcoming NBA season he will be playing for Memphis Grizzles. His father is his agent along with a guy by the name of Greg Oden. They are both currently blogging at yardbarker.com. Some other thing that interest Michael Conely Jr. are Bowling, Golfing, Video Games, Movies, and of course Basketball...and I bet we add driving his new Range Rover now to that list.

NBA Hair Style

2007-07-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

I think we have the newest most Ugliest hair style in the NBA thanks to the Aussie Andrew Bogut...

Here is a complete intereview of from Australia of NBA player Andrew Bogut.

Also speaking of media issues surrounding Mr. Boguts, you might want to check out the lastest news surrounding Andrew Boguts and Etan Thomas. Which was all started by this quote from Andrew Boguts.

“The public’s image of NBA players is true; a lot of them get caught up in the hype and do video clips with rappers and all that crap. They want bling bling all over themselves and drive fast cars. But that’s just the way the culture is in America — if you’ve got it flaunt it and if you don’t, you can’t.”

“I’m not into jewellery. I’ve got some earrings but they’re not too expensive. There are guys who drop a hundred grand for a chain. The public’s got it right — a lot of NBA stars are arrogant and like to spend lots of money and have lots of girlfriends and all that.

“The smarter guys don’t do that. They like to live a regular life and want to retire and be set up. About 80 per cent of them go broke by the time they retire or come close to it.

Yi Jianlian Will Not Be In The NBA This Year

2007-07-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

Where everyone else and even Yi Jianlian states in this video he just wants to play in the NBA, well if wants to play so bad why not with the bucks. Though today the report came out that "Chinese team, Bucks no best for Yi". So there you have it the Chinese National Team is blocking Yi Jianlian to the Bucks.

Now the real question is...why?

They state it has nothing to do with the location, but does anyone really buy into this? I don't!

NBA Summer League Not Always Boring

2007-07-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

A few interesting plays in the NBA summer league...

Did you hear about the Nash Fight and Sun's Saga

2007-05-15T19:03:00.000-07:00

This is a great pic that we had to use from YAY Sports

This is sort of just summing up the whole Sun Spurs series and maybe even the whole NBA playoffs!

Two game winning half court shots back to back

2007-03-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

This is amazing footage of two game winning half court shots!

2007 Bracket

2007-03-12T10:28:00.000-07:00

2007 Bracket

March Madness Preview

2007-03-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

March Madness preview of 2007!

BG writing a song about the Dallas Mavericks

2007-03-05T09:01:00.000-08:00

Go Mavericks....Mark Cuban better sign this one up! BG writing a song about the Dallas Mavericks

Dwyane Wade Comeback

2007-03-05T08:56:00.000-08:00

Dwyane Wade will try to come back this season.

"It could have been easy for me just to shut it down. You don't know if you're going to be able to attack the same way and dive on the floor the same way. I'll find out after therapy and rehab how my body responds to things."
-- Dwyane Wade

The Miami Heat guard said Monday he has decided to delay surgery and rehabilitate his dislocated left shoulder with the goal of returning for the playoffs.

"My decision for the next two to three weeks is to rehab with the possibility of coming back, but with no guarantee," Wade said. "I'll find out after therapy and rehab how my body responds to things."

Wade was hurt Feb. 21 at Houston. He underwent extensive tests and received a second opinion Friday from specialist Dr. James Andrews before deciding he would try to return. Read complet article here...

2007 McDonald's All American Boys High School

2007-02-26T13:05:00.000-08:00

2007 McDonald's All American Boys High School Basketball Team

East Roster:

* Chris Wright - G - Georgetown
* J.J. Hickson - F/C - North Carolina State
* Nick Calathes - G - Florida
* Austin Freeman - G - Georgetown
* Johnny Flynn - G - Syracuse
* Donte Green - F - Syracuse
* Nolan Smith - G - Duke
* Corey Stokes - G - Villanova
* Gani Lawal - F - Georgia Tech
* Kosta Koufos - F - Ohio State
* O.J. Mayo - G - Southern California
* Patrick Patterson - F/C - Undecided

West Roster (links to Scout.com profiles):

* Jai Lucas - G - Undecided
* James Harden - G - Arizona State
* Blake Griffin - F - Oklahoma
* Eric Gordon - G - Indiana
* James Anderson - F - Oklahoma State
* Derrick Rose - G - Memphis
* Michael Beasley - F - Kansas State
* Taylor King - F - Duke
* Jerryd Bayless - G - Arizona
* Kyle Singler - F - Duke
* Kevin Love - C - UCLA
* Cole Aldrich - C - Kansas

The 2007 McDonald's All American Boys Team features a widespread talent pool featuring: O.J. Mayo (Huntington, Huntington, WV) and his teammate Patrick Patterson, Eric Gordon (North Central, Indianapolis, IN), Kevin Love (Lake Oswego, Lake Oswego, OR), Derrick Rose (Simeon, Chicago, IL), Kyle Singler (South Medford, Medford, OR) and Michael Beasley (Notre Dame Prep, Fitchburg, MA). The Boys Game will tip-off at 8:00 p.m. (EDT) March 28, and will broadcast live on ESPN.

Louisville Has Been Selected as Host City for the 2007 McDonald's All American High School Basketball Game

2007-02-26T11:22:00.000-08:00

30th Annual Boys Game and 6th Annual Girls Game To Be Played at Freedom Hall

The rich heritage of basketballin Kentucky has brought about an announcement sure to have true Cats and Cardsfans cheering united.

McDonald's Corporation announced today that the 2007 McDonald's All
American High School Basketball Game will be played at Freedom Hall in
Louisville, KY. This is the first time in the history of the McDonald's All
American Game that the state of Kentucky will host the event. Read complete story...

Men vs. women basketball practice squads

2007-02-26T10:43:00.000-08:00

It's men vs. women, and the NCAA is examing the male practice players. Some say it's good for the team, some players are saying they need the guys to help them improve, get stronger, play faster, and etc. While, yet others are saying it's not fair.

Some opinions and articles on this matter:

NCAA examines practice players

In practice, it's men vs. women -- and NCAA says that has to stop

Women practicing vs. men: Yea or nay?

Dwight Howard can jump out of the gym

2007-02-26T10:21:00.000-08:00

Check this out...someone and his name is Dwight Howard can jump out of the gym.

Bracketology 2007, final four 2007, March Madness

2007-02-22T07:51:00.000-08:00

Bracketology 2007, final four 2007, March Madness

Espn bracketology thoughts...

NBA All Star Weekend Wrap

2007-02-21T07:32:00.000-08:00

NBA All Star

We don't know what to think abou this one.

Conclusions:

Steve Nash sang the best
Dirk looked the best
NBA All Star weekend is ALL show!

Dwight Howard wanted to dunk on 12 foot rims

2007-02-16T10:45:00.000-08:00

Booooo. That's for the NBA for not letting Dwight Howard all hang out. The humor which is not becoming a pretty hot and heated topic is that the NBA is not allowing Dwight Howard raise the rim to 12 feet. Yea, that would not be cool to see someone dunking on 12 foot rim not to mention doing a 360 dunk NAH!! Oh by the way NBA we are being SARCASTIC!!

Dwight Howard had two dunks planned for Saturday night's dunk contest that he won't be allowed to do.

Orlando sources report that Howard has been practicing a couple wicked maneuvers
that might inject this dying competition with the ingenuity/originality it desperately needs. One is a 360 throwdown with the rim hiked to 12 feet, two feet higher than regulation. The other sets the rim at 11 1/2 feet and has Howard purportedly going between his legs with the ball in mid-air before flushing.

The way it's looking right now (another BOOOO to the NBA) we will not be seeing any of that show! We can not fathom this one. The NBA has fun stuff and continues to add stuff every year to the NBA All Star weekend, but they will not add this fun creative idea given to them by Dwight Howard! That sort of just blows our minds!

Well, we guess we will until next year Candice Parker will be in the dunk contest!

2007 NBA All-Star Weekend Going Global

2007-02-15T12:08:00.000-08:00

2007 NBA All-Star Weekend Going Global

Global Reach:

- 2007 NBA All-Star will be shown in 215 countries and territories.

- The Game will be broadcast in 43 languages, including, among others, Mandarin, Hungarian, Armenian, and Swedish.

- More than 1,800 media will cover the event, including over 300 international reporters. 110 international broadcasters will cover All-Star, including 52 international TV and radio networks and Web sites on-site. 20 TV and radio networks, both domestic and international, will broadcast the All-Star Game live with on-site commentary. 13 new broadcasters will air the All-Star Game for the first time including Canal 7 (Argentina), GDTV (Chongqing, China), Liaoning TV (China), Antena Latina (Dominican Republic), TV3 (Ghana), Guatevision (Guatemala), ET-1 (Greece), Cable Onda (Panama), CMD (Peru), Sportone (Romania), TV400 (Sweden), Videoland (Taiwan), and TVR (Venezuela).

- NBA TV’s 24/7 coverage will be seen in an all-time high 66 countries.

NBA All-Star Weekend

2007-02-15T11:42:00.000-08:00

NBA All-Star Weekend

This is year NBA All Star weekend 2007, Starting on February 16 through Sunday, February 18, held in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is first ever NBA All Star weekend that is being held in city without an NBA team is host.

The main events of NBA All-Star weekend are Friday's All-Star Rookie Challenge game, Saturday's Three-point Shootout, Slam Dunk contest and some shooting/skills challenges, and Sunday's All-Star game.

We'll also post exact schedules (both TV and otherwise), and much more.

Useful 2007 NBA All-Star Weekend Links:

- Final fan voting results for all-star game starters

- NBA Three-Point Shootout

- NBA Skills Challenge/

- NBA All-Star Game

- NBA Slam Dunk Contest

- NBA Rookie Challenge Game

- NBA Celebrity game

- NBA Shooting Stars

NBA All-Star Weekend

2007-02-15T11:28:00.000-08:00

Will Vegas be able to top this one...last year's new little and the way the East pulled that one out on us...watch a learn.

Setting A Screen

2007-02-13T08:47:00.000-08:00

Setting A Screen

Here are some tips on setting a good solid screen. Before we go any futher lets describe or explain what a screen is or some call it a pick. A basketball screen or pick is a blocking move by an offensive player, by standing beside or behind a defender, to free a teammate to shoot, receive a pass or drive in to score. In basketball, it is also known as a pick. Screens can be on-ball (when set for the ball-handler), or off-ball (when set for a teammate moving without the ball to get open for a pass). The two offensive players involved in setting the screen are known as the screener (who blocks the defender) and the cutter (who gets free from the defender).

Basketball screen tips, picking tip for the player setting the screen.

Setting a basketball screen fundemental tip #1 - Take up space, make yourself wide and solid.

With this said, we are looking for someone make a solid jump stop, making yourself wide with feet shoulder with apart, and protecting yourself while setting the screen.

Basketball screen tips, picking tip for the player setting the screen.

Setting a basketball screen fundemental tip #2 - Make the right position and stand your position

Setting the screen in the path that your offensive player could make the best move to the basket or to get open for the shot. So sometimes the direction, angle, and way you position yourself for the screen is more important than setting the screen itself. Remember to set the screen on the defender himself not the a curtain area. Also, your back should be facing the where they cutter is breaking to get open for the ball or the shot. Always remember to hold the screen, and be ready for making contact.

Basketball screen tips, picking tip for the player setting the screen.

Setting a basketball screen fundemental tip #2 - Always move after you screen

Okay you have followed the first two steps, but your job is not completely done now. You as the screen is usually the one that get open. This is due to the defender tries to fight through the screen, and confuses the defense and leaves you free. So you should always open to the direct of where the ball is will be going. Be ready to call for the ball, get your hands ready, prepare to get a pass for a shot.

Nike celebrates 25 years of Air Force 1's

2007-02-13T06:32:00.000-08:00

Nike celebrates 25 years of Air Force 1's with a new commercial featuring Steve Nash, Jermaine O'Neal, Rasheed Wallace, Paul Pierce, Tony Parker, Kobe Bryant, Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, LeBron James and Chris Paul, with music from Just Blaze and Juelz Santana. "The Second Coming: Our Game, Our Time"

Elton Brand and Vitamin Water

2007-02-09T06:56:00.000-08:00

Elton Brand states:

Glaceau and I have made a pact to work together. I will drink a Vitamin Water "energy"-tropical citrus before every game and do my part. As long as I get the shots, I will shoot over 52% from the field while getting those ten boards a game. By Jan, Feb the team and I will be rolling. I loved this product for a while now so Its an easy partnership. Plus, I heard that drink that "ades gators" is the leading cause of tooth decay for teens and young adults.

This is coming start from his own blog check it out!

I never knew that other stuff is the leading cause of tooth decay for teens and young adults. Though, I know it has made it's way to just about all the countries you can think name.

Dawg Pound for Ron Artest

2007-02-09T06:45:00.000-08:00

Dawg Pound for Ron Artest

Since July, his four dogs have spent a total of 77 nights at the pound -- at a cost to their master of $1,942 in boarding and impound fees. ... Before this week's incident, officers had gone to the Artest home six times since July in response to callers' complaints, documents from Placer County Animal Services show. ... Socks suffered a broken leg in the auto accident. And Biscuit never was found after his last escape. Another dog was killed in his yard, Artest wrote in an e-mail to The Bee.

These poor pups have a better chance of surviving lunch hour in Chinatown than chez Ron-Ron.

I understand a puppy getting lost. That's when you put up signs and ads in the paper, and you go knocking on some neighbors' doors. You don't chalk it up to "Oh, Biscuit left. That sucks." Especially when you have young children.

I understand that mountain lions in the lush hills of Placer County are dangerous. This is why you protect your pups, with an overnight pen or the like.

I understand that sh*t happens. But when it happens repeatedly, as the tales indicate, something's wrong with the owner. Ron Artest does not deserve to own animals - this is clear. Hell, he probably deserves penalties greater than a $20,000 fine (which would, by the way, be a backbreaker for most California families). Jail time? I don't know; this is particularly egregious, but the law doesn't usually send people to the clink for stuff like this.

Judging from the reaction we've heard, he will get booed tonight. That, he deserves.

Kobe Bryant, How Well, Do You Know Him?

2007-02-09T06:37:00.000-08:00

How well do you know Kobe Bryant #24 of the Lakers?

Well, did you know that Kobe...

Kobe is or has planned on buying a chopper to get to and from games: "It's going to eliminate traffic. It'll take me only 15 minutes to get to games."

Kobe Bryant believes in UFOs.

Kobe Bryants biggest reget stated by him was not working harder to make his relationship with Shaq function.

The only person who can "put him in his place": Phil Jackson.

Before the terminally ill child passed away, Kobe spent five hours with him as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation this summer.

Kobe wakes up at 4.30AM for workouts. Some days, he'll work out for 8 hours. That, friends, is insane.

Kobe's wardrobe is valued at nearly $1 Mil.

Complete interview...read more.

Gilbert Arenas vs. entire Duke Blue Devils college basketball team

2007-02-07T06:20:00.000-08:00

Gilbert Arenas vs. entire Duke Blue Devils college basketball team

Now you have to check this out. This just sort of made me laugh pretty hard. It's a blogger which is called Wizz Nutzz, and on this site it has a mock summary of what would happen if Gilbert Arenas, the starting point guard for the Washington Wizards and one of the most prolific scorers in the professional game today, is taking on the entire Duke Blue Devils college basketball team. He's not doing it alone, though - he's got four former Washington Wizards with him, but they're playing unusual roles.

This is just hiliarious, it has everything from interviews, to play byg play, and the whole shbang!

NBA, Stern, and What in the WORLD?

2007-02-02T09:14:00.000-08:00

Bryant Suspended for Striking Ginobili

Then we have all the reactions are:
Kobe Bryant wants a second opinion
Does LeBron James Play by the Same Rules as Kobe Bryant?

And now this one...LeBron Introduced Wade’s Face To Uncle Forearms

Next we are going to have Dirk dancing oh by wait...Check this one out!

IU recruit Gordon hands it to Loyola

2007-02-02T07:08:00.000-08:00

IU recruit Gordon hands it to Loyola

That's right, last night on ESPN2 their was a little match up with North Central (Indianapolis) who has Eric Gordon against Loyola Academy who has Jeff and Marcus Jordan. That's right, the heir of thee NBA Legend Michael Jordan.

Let's just say the senior guard name Eric Gordon - who will play for Indiana next season - stole the cake, the show, and blew Loyola out of the gym. Gordon exploded with 43 points as North Central cruised to a 88-47 smashing. Also, noted that this was Loyola first loss of the season.

With this kind of game by Eric Gordon and on National TV, the talk will quickly start up again of who is the true National High School Player of the year. And with OJ Mayo, getting in so trouble or having some issues. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out.

One last comment and I will end this, but come on really Eric Gordon scores 43 points and Loyola (before last night was undefeated) scores 47 points.

I love it in a high school basketball interview they are asking about the SUPERBOWL! COME ON!! Well, whatever works GO COLTS!!

Big Wednesday for College Hoops...March Madnes here we come!

2007-02-01T12:16:00.000-08:00

Did you hear? Did you see it? or if you missed it, check it what you missed last night in college hoops! That's right its...No. 25 Indiana ends Badgers' 17-game win streak!

Check this out...

We sure felt sorry for A.J. Ratliff, and it just get us even that much more pumped for March Madness!

Sun Sun Ming

2007-02-01T12:04:00.000-08:00

Sun Sun Ming a 7-foot-9, 370-pound Sun Ming Ming from China to California to Kansas to North Carolina made its latest stop Wednesday in the back room of a Chinese restaurant in this tony Washington, D.C., suburb.

Sun Ming-Ming is playing for Dodge City Legends (USBL) in Kansas. The 23-year old China native picked up basketball just 5 years ago and removed a brain tumor just last year. While he still has a long way to go before making the NBA, he is working really hard to realize the dream.

Read more about Sun Ming Ming

Ziani Kadour slam dunk

2007-01-30T13:14:00.000-08:00

Ziani Kadour
Birthday: 10/17/1973
Nationality: Algerian
Vert Jump: 3'
Running Jump: 4'20"

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 155 lbs

He starting dunking at age 16, and some of his specialties dunks are double windmill, 360 cobra, and hammerdown. Check this guy out on video...

Basketball some people were just born to play.

2007-01-30T12:38:00.000-08:00

Basketball some people were just born to play.

Advice on Running a Pratice from John Wooden

2007-01-30T10:01:00.000-08:00

I felt that running a practice session was almost like teaching an English class in that I wanted to have a lesson plan. I knew the detailed plan was necessary in teaching English, but it took a while before I understood the same thing was necessary in sports.

- John Wooden

Home Video of O.J.'s Ejection

2007-01-29T20:16:00.000-08:00

Home Video of O.J.'s Ejection

Watch the entire controversy from start to finish surrounding the ejection of O.J. Mayo during Friday night's game against Capital.

Mayo received two technicals from referee Mike Lazo.

As the video shows, Mayo walks up to Lazo after the second technical. It appears they may have made contract; however, many question why Lazo fell to the floor with his arms waving wildly.

Lazo declined comment Monday.

Mayo is considering legal action to avoid a mandatory two-game suspension for the ejection. Check out the video!

Greg Oden Shots Better Left Handed....

2007-01-26T11:04:00.000-08:00

If you were like just about any other observer, and you watch Greg Oden play you might think this. Wow, I did not know that Greg Oden was a lefty, but unknowing that he has injured his right wrist. But, the truth behold his really is right handed.

It would have been natural to assume as much in watching the 7-1, 280-pound center dunk the ball with his left hand and shoot free throws at a 50-70 percent clip. For anyone that had never actually seen Oden play, it was a forgiveable mistake.

It's hard to believe that a Greg Oden has worked hard enought to shoot better left handed free throws than most NBA big man! I can not believe it!

FTA FTM FT%
50 82 .610

Emeka Okafor .601
Kwame Brown .402
Shaquille O'Neal .450
Ben Wallace .418

Come on! You have to be kidding me! One thing is for sure someone one is putting in the work, and others are making a million and sure not from making free throws!

Did you know?

2007-01-26T06:12:00.000-08:00

Did you know that:

Tim Duncan was in the 1996 draft, and everyone including Duncan thought he was going to the Celtics. But, instead the Spurs little ping-pong ball gave them the first round draft pick.

Instead, it was the Spurs who came up winners. And it’s the Spurs who have continued winning.
But did you know that...Duncan has never lost to Boston in 17 career games. Including one victory from the season before Duncan arrived, the Spurs have now won 18 straight over the Celtics.

Nate Robinson, the reigning slam dunk champion, but Robinson has yet to record a single dunk this season.

In 19 years, Jerry Sloan, known for running a tight ship, has never put the Utah Jazz on a curfew for an entire season...well until now!

Top 50 College players

2007-01-25T12:07:00.000-08:00

The Card Chronicle Fab 50 is updated each week.

He did state that he had to admit he was wrong about Durant. Having him at #17 three weeks ago was inexcusable and I apologize. I have seen Kevin Durant in all his glory for the first time over the last week and a half, and doubts regarding his greatness will not escape my mouth from hereforth.

And now the list:

1. Alando Tucker, Wisconsin (LW: 1)
2. Glen Davis, LSU (LW: 2)
3. Kevin Durant, Texas (LW: 6)
4. Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina (LW: 3)
5. Mario Boggan, Oklahoma State (LW: 8)
6. Nick Fazekas, Nevada (LW: 4)
7. Arron Afflalo, UCLA (LW: 9)
8. Aaron Brooks, Oregon (LW: 35)
9. Jared Dudley, Boston College (LW: 7)
10. Chris Lofton, Tennessee (LW: 4)
11. Al Horford, Florida (LW: 12)
12. Greg Oden, Ohio State (LW: 10)
13. Dominic James, Marquette (LW: 16)
14. Darren Collison, UCLA (LW: 18)
15. Joakim Noah, Florida (LW: 11)
16. Jarrius Jackson, Texas Tech (LW: 14)
17. Morris Almond, Rice (LW: 13)
18. Acie Law, Texas A&M (LW: 19)
19. Aaron Gray, Pitt (LW: 20)
20. Curtis Sumpter, Villanova (LW: 23)
21. Bo McCalebb, New Orleans (LW: 28)
22. Mustafa Shakur, Arizona (LW: 17)
23. Ivan Radenovic, Arizona (LW: 15)
24. Josh McRoberts, Duke (LW: 31)
25. Sean Singletary, Virginia (LW: 32)
26. A.J. Graves, Butler (LW: 22)
27. Brandon Heath, San Diego State (LW: 27)
28. Corey Brewer, Florida (LW: 21)
29. Marcus Williams, Arizona (LW: 36)
30. Al Thornton, Florida State (LW: 38)
31. Randolph Morris, Kentucky (LW: 24)
32. Rodney Stuckey, Eastern Washington (LW: 29)
33. Ronald Steele, Alabama (LW: 33)
34. Brandon Rush, Kansas (LW: 34)
35. JamesOn Curry, Oklahoma State (LW: NR)
36. Taurean Green, Florida (LW: 45)
37. Derek Raivio, Gonzaga (LW: 30)
38. Chase Budinger, Arizona (LW: 26)
39. Russell Carter, Notre Dame (LW: 48)
40. Jared Jordan, Marist (LW: 38)
41. Jacob Burtschi, Air Force (LW: 42)
42. D.J. Strawberry, Maryland (LW: 41)
43. Daequan Cook, Ohio State (LW: 49)
44. Spencer Hawes, Washington (LW: 25)
45. Loren Stokes, Hofstra (LW: 43)
46. Drew Neitzel, Michigan State (LW: 47)
47. Herbert Hill, Providence (LW: NR)
48. Adam Haluska, Iowa (LW: 40)
49. Demtris Nichols, Syracuse (LW: 50)
50. Ryan Anderson, California (LW: NR)

Chris Bosh

2007-01-25T11:11:00.000-08:00

Chris Bosh

Another example of what not to do. This is a clip that shows right up the point of the tech given to Bosh. While it seems very small and little, and not much to it. None the less Chis Bosh was called for a tech.

One thing that my coach would always tell us were act like you have done it before. This is very good way of acting with character on the court. Has Chris Bosh dunked many of times? The simple answer is YES! So what's the whole point of even giving that look like your all that, and it was nothing really all that special!

Think about some of the other players that will just go out and play all the time, with out doing the little stupid stuff such as what this clip shows.

Luke Walton

2007-01-25T10:57:00.000-08:00

Luke Walton, and alittle information on the guy. Here is a pretty good little right up that Luke is featured in SI.com.

Who know that Luke has:
a tattoo of the Grateful Dead dancing skeletons, but instead of having top hats and canes they're spinning basketballs.
friends with two guys from That '70s Show -- Wil [Wilmer Valderrama] and Danny [Masterson]. They're just funny.
On appearing last year on The Young and the Restless

Dikembe Mutombo

2007-01-25T06:40:00.000-08:00

Dikembe Mutombo gets a front row seat at the Presidents State of the Union address. They were horroring him about all his great effects to helping other people, trying to make the world a better place, assisting his fellow man through the treacherous terrain of this planet. But how awkard does he look in the front road, and especially with Yao's mother sitting right beside him.

Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant

2007-01-24T10:02:00.000-08:00

This is great double feature on Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant! You have to check this great article out at Slam Online

This is a great article about two of the biggest names around college basketball! They are both something special and something to be looking for in the future!

Bubba Hog

2007-01-24T07:28:00.000-08:00

Now here is a real crazy fan dancing! You can find all kinds of crazy videos and even you tube users talking about this guy who they call Bubba Hog who is called to be the one man dancing machine aka bubba hog! They even have it a Bubba Hog techno remix yea it's crazy! They say you can find this guy at just about any Arkansas Razorback Games dancing to the HogWild Band. Behold Bubba Hog! Rather it's dancing to Macho man, or to the hog wild band check out the man, the myth, the legend Bubba Hog "one man dancing machine". Behold Bubba Hog!

Rebounding, offesnive rebounding, defensive rebounding

2007-01-23T13:00:00.000-08:00

Rebounding keys to coach on:

Check and see if your players are making an effort or not not even trying.
A lot of coaches are now taking stats on players rebounding performance on effort not the number of rebounds they get in a game session.

It's the same with offensive rebounding - you should chart the number of time a player makes an all-out effort to get to the offensive boards (attempts) against the number of chances he actually had to do to the boards.

The percentage basis calculated by dividing the number of chances to go to boards into the number of times a player attempted to get to the boards.

You can do the same collectively as a team the same way.

Goals should be:
90% or above in our effort.
Want to get back 50% or better of our missed shots

Defensive rebounding- chart defensive rebounds in a similar manner except, but calculate the number of chances to block out, box out, or cut out by the number of time a player individually or our team collectively actually did box out his offensive player when a shot was taken.

Again the goal should be 90% or above.
We don’t ever penalize a player for not making an unnecessary box out, block out, or cut out (actually discourage the unnecessary cut out.)

rebounding, offesnive rebounding, defensive rebounding

NBA Towel Girl

2007-01-23T12:02:00.000-08:00

Now this is NBA at it's finest! Here is a pretty funny towel girl at the Raptors game.

Michigan State rebounding concepts & rebounding philosophy

2007-01-23T10:57:00.000-08:00

Michigan State rebounding concepts & rebounding philosophy

In the Michigan State Basketball program, rebounding, without question is a top priority. From the preseason, start of the season to the March Madness, rebounding is a big point of emphasis each day throughout the entire duration of practice sessions. Everything we do either begins or ends with the rebound or attempt to rebound the chance (made shot).

Rebounding should be a thought a on every shot taken in practice. Michigan State sometimes assigns one or sometimes two coaches to watch and coach on rebounding in practice. Now rather it's boxing out, rebounding, defensive rebounding, offensive rebounding, or team rebounding will usually be determined before practice an will change in accordance to what we are working on during a particular drill or scrimmage situation offensively or defensively.

Steve Nash what cann't the man do!

2007-01-23T07:41:00.000-08:00

Steve Nash, he can do just about anything! Check this one out! That's right...that's Steve Nash kicking a basketball from half court and it's GOOD!!

Crazy Dunk, dunk, basketball dunking

2007-01-23T07:07:00.000-08:00

Crazy video of a Japanese dunking, slam dunking off a trampoline for like a forever long distance. Could this be the world record slam dunk from a trampoline.

Fantasy Basketball, NBA Videos

2007-01-23T06:31:00.000-08:00

We came across this and thought it was sort of funny. This is an actual fantasy basketball show, and the host asks him to repeat his joke three times!

And much credit goes to the host, for not only keeping it together, but adding some actual advice, too. Rasheed Wallace might not be the fantasy player he once was, but hey ... a baby penis isn't getting you any blocks or rebounds, either.

This kills me ... but that's probably only because I've never advanced emotionally past the age of 13. And how can you not love a YouTube video that gives you bonus VHS footage of a cooking show at the end? Check it out here!

Mark Cuban comments on Starbury

2007-01-22T07:10:00.000-08:00

Mark Cuban comments on Starbury

Mavs owner Mark Cuban is scheduled to be on Stephon Marbury's new talk show which will air its inaugural episode March 9th. Among the topics covered will be the $15 Starbury shoes that have been extremely popular for their low price and NBA player endorsement. Cuban thinks the shoes might be the best business idea he's seem in a long time:

"Honestly, the No. 1 business story of the year should have been the Starbury line of shoes. You would be hard-pressed to name anyone else in the business world, forget sports, who created a business that could create more cultural change than Steph. The concept of $15 shoes that are cool and hip for kids to wear could have more of an impact on family finances and culture of consumption in many households than anything that has happened in years."

Cuban definitely has a point here. I mean when was the last time kids could wear $15 kicks to school without getting made fun of? Hell, I remember being in grade school when the first Air Jordans came out, and I was ripping on one of my friends for wearing the (hideous) black, white and red first editions. He proudly (and with an 'air' of snobbery) responded, "These are Air. Jordans." To him, they were cool simply because of the price tag. I told him I didin't care how much his Mom paid for 'em, they were still ugly.

So now it seems that the opposite is true, where the Starburys are cool because they don't cost anything. One thing though, I'm not buying the notion that Starbury himself wears the same pair sold on the street to play in the NBA. Reviews suggest that the support the shoes provide is less than adequate for actual game play. For $15 though, I guess you can't complain.

Marbury the next Dr. Phil!

2007-01-22T06:46:00.000-08:00

Marbury the next Dr. Phil

Mabury, is not only leading the Knicks offense, it now seems that he is leading a TV sports talk show! That's right kids, Stephon Marbury is going to be hosting a new TV sports show geared up not only to talk about sports, but it's about a lifestyle show.

Marbury would be the next Racheal Ray, Tyra, Dr. Phil, or even better Oprah! Can you believe this? This is something for sure to be checking out! According to a Fox SportsNet source, it's possible the shows will begin in March, on Fridays at 4:30 p.m. Kobe Bryant would be slated as Marbury's first guest. The source said Dallas owner Mark Cuban and Knicks coach/president Isiah Thomas are future guests. The shows are to air on FoxSportsNet affiliates that reach 50 million viewers.

Marbury, who branched out in the summer by marketing a $15 discount sneaker, shopped the show for a year. The Coney Island native said his motivation to be host of a talk show was rooted in displaying a different side to his personality than the scowling one depicted on the basketball court.

Marbury can appear joyless on the court, especially during losing times, making him an odd choice to be a host. Nevertheless, across the past few weeks, he's been more jovial, slapping teammates' hands after baskets.

Marbury, who's lifted his scoring average to 14 points per game, 5.4 assists and 2.2 turnovers, was fifth in All-Star voting among Eastern guards, ahead of Detroit's Chauncey Billups. That could be a result of the publicity gained from Marbury's $15 sneakers and a Steve & Barry's promotion reminding fans to vote "Starbury."

Business of LeBron James

2007-01-18T07:08:00.000-08:00

Business of LeBron James

Over the past couple days, there has been much ado about Creative Artists Agency buying Leon Rose, agent of LeBron James, among others. If CAA thinks LeBron is coming along for the ride, I’d be very surprised. Buying Rose would technically mean that CAA would represent James for contract negotiations, but he is signed through the 2009-10 season and his marketing is exclusively done by LRMR Marketing, run by one of his best friends Maverick Carter. So that means that there would be no new money until at least 2010. Read the full article...

Greg Oden, Joakim Noah, and Kevin Durant

2007-01-18T06:41:00.000-08:00

That's right these guys are getting all the talk right now, and its not even March Madness! Why all the talk well, because they are probably going to be in the NBA draft next year!

Though, just thinking of it and how popular each one of these names were. We our own few tests on this matter!

First, let's highlight Greg Oden. Let's take an this for example, go to youtube type in Greg Oden (here we have done it for you) Look at how many videos just keep coming up, and showing great highlights of Greg Oden.

Now go to Joakim Noah and type his name into youtube. Here are the results at youtube.

And then as well with Kevin Durant results here.

Greg Oden with 47 videos of highlights, dunks, awesome plays, interviews, and etc.
Joakim Noah with 17 resultes of youtube, and most of them were from his great season and run in the tournament last year.
Kevin Durant with 16 vidoes coming up and most of them were of high school videos!

While, I know youtube.com does not have all the answers! But, it does prove one thing for sure is that Greg Oden is more popular, a well known name, and is a raising star. While the others will be right up their, they seem to still be some what falling behind. Just another twist, how about typing in OJ Mayo in and see what you get...88 videos of a another raising star!

Gred Oden, Ohio State basketball, Greg Oden at Ohio State

2007-01-17T11:05:00.000-08:00

Greg Oden

Get a load of this one. Greg Oden has not even played in one NCAA tournament game. Ohio State just started their Big Ten play. And that's right you guessed it, some are already talking about which NBA team Greg Oden can help. Check this out, on Philly.com their is this big write up about Greg Oden could help the Sixers!

We know that Greg Oden is the big men on campus...but let the young man focus on campus!! Ohio State is 2 and 1 in the Big ten play, and while Ohio State had a great game beating Tennessse this weekend. Let's just have Greg Oden focus on this year ahead of him in college. And then let's see what his next step will be.

Tom Brady the Next Great Basketball Star

2007-01-17T09:49:00.000-08:00

This weekend is a big weekend for not only the Franchise of Indianapolis Colts, but also for Tom Brady the Next Great Basketball Star! Say what...but that's what one coach thought back when Marty Schottenheimer last won an NFL playoff game. Seriously check this great article and read out at DeadSpin.

Well, believe or not some people saw something Brady, and they even thought basketball star! That is very article, and we really enjoyed reading it. We really liked the idea that Tom Brady was something special and people saw, just in a different way.

Gilbert Arenas does it again!

2007-01-16T19:31:00.001-08:00

Gilbert Arenas Does it again! That's right! Check this one out! Now the real question is Gilbert Arenas best player in Washington franchise history?

Well, He has been hitting game winners left and right for the past few weeks we will admit! And if he is not the best he is in the top 5 for sure! I mean you have think back to the Bullet days with guys such as Elvin Hayes, Wes Unseld, and a few others you mention.

Well, just check out all the videos on youtube of recent Gilbert Arenas video, and even his party video as well.

Gilbert Arenas does it again!

2007-01-16T19:31:00.000-08:00

News Breaking video fo Kevin Love

2007-01-15T16:21:00.000-08:00

Remember last friday we were talking about Kevin Love. Well, we have another news breaking and literally breaking on Kevin Love. Kevin Love playing basketball has had some big dreams, such as winning a state basketball championship, getting a full ride scholarship to UCLA, and well now check this video out!

'one-dribble rule'

2007-01-12T10:41:00.000-08:00

'one-dribble rule'

Here is a great idea, and I know a lot of coaches have this rule with their big guys, but here another example of it.

Head Coach Mike Dunleavy as added the the 'one-dribble rule' on center Chris Kaman. One key reason for Kaman's success was he adhered to Dunleavy's one-dribble rule, which requires Kaman to make quicker moves with using only one dribble. While before he was attempting to dribble a few times but was not having much success which were resulting in turnovers. We are seeing this more and more even in college and high school level and lower where more players are over dribbling and not taking one hard dribble and good solid move.

A big guys needs to learn early that he needs to the following to be a good solid post player at any level:

- first catch the ball
- catch the ball cleanly, be strong with it, and pull it into towards your body
- catch the ball ready to make a move
- make your move using one fake or a dribble
- if you don't have the shot kick it back out quickly
- finish every shot strong(don't give the guards even more excuses not to throw into the post)

We understand that's a lot of things to do especially when we are talking about maybe tops 5 seconds. So that's why any post player should not be taking more then one dribble. Yes, there are special times where it's needed, but we are talking about learning and practicing what you want to do in the game.

While we looked up Chris Kaman on you tube to see if we had any videos of the before and after of Chris Kaman dribbling with one dribble instead of him getting it stolen and turning it over. All we came up with was with Chris Kaman getting his stuff grabbed by Reggie Evans. This another example of what not do! So if you don't learn anything else just take away these two thoughts.

*Don't dribble more than once in the post
*Don't grab players stuff

Ranting about VandeerMeer's quote

2007-01-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

Ranting about VandeerMeer's quote

At 6-11, VandeerMeer had four inches on the tallest Bulldog. He also said he played with some extra weight on his shoulder.

"I watched them on TV and I understood why they were 12, but it made me mad," he said. "I thought we have a good team, we should be where they are. I went in with a chip on my shoulder because I think we're just as good."

I am sorry, but I just have to blog about this one! While Bulter was an underdog a few years ago...they are a solid, good, fundamental basketball team NOW! And what VandeerMeer states here is blowing my mind away! Maybe I am misunderstanding on what he is actually trying to state. But, what I am getting is that we are a team that is right their with Bulter or our team should be in their shoes. Well, First, facts are facts. You are not up with Bulter, your team is not over 50% right now buddy! Sorry to break it to you, but while you might have a good team. We nor does anyone else in the country agree with you on the fact that you should be where they are now. Because the stats just don't lie!

Seriously, check this out...RPI stats for 2007

SOS 1-50 51-100
Rnk Team Conf W-L RPI SOS Rk W-L W-L
1 UCLA P10 13-1 .7232 .6501 1 5-1 4-0
2 Arizona P10 13-2 .7010 .6364 2 5-1 4-0
3 North Carolina ACC 15-1 .6738 .5929 7 5-0 2-1
4 Pittsburgh BE 15-2 .6625 .5876 10 2-2 5-0
5 Kentucky SEC 13-3 .6619 .6191 3 1-3 4-0
6 Clemson ACC 17-0 .6568 .5424 70 3-0 4-0
7 Air Force MWC 15-1 .6500 .5565 41 3-1 4-0
8 Arkansas SEC 12-4 .6443 .6090 4 3-2 1-2
9 Alabama SEC 14-2 .6438 .5584 38 1-2 2-0
10 Butler Horz 13-2 .6437 .5547 45 4-1 1-0

149 Illinois Chicago Horz 7-9 .5050 .5213 113 1-3 0-0

I mean get real! The stats don't lie! Bulter has played a hard nose schedule and have worked and continue work hard for all that they have already earned this year. The real question is what they are going to do in tournament, and not the Horizon Conference Tournament we are talking the "Big Dance" boys!

Who is the 2007 National High School Player of the Year

2007-01-12T05:59:00.000-08:00

Who is the 2007 National High School Player of the Year?

We want to hear your comments, and vote and let us know who you think is or should be the 2007 Nationa High School Player of the Year?

Candidates:

O.J. Mayo
Reb Asst Stl Pts
2003 (Fr.) 9.0 7.0 - 31.0
2004 (So.) 7.7 8.1 - 28.1
2005 (Jr.) 8.8 5.8 5.0 28.8

Eric Gordon

Kevin Love

Derrick Rose

Michael Beasley

Kyle Singler

Other names to be looking for...Patrick Patterson, Austin Freeman, Jerryd Bayless, Kosta Koufos, and Donte Green

Please leave your comments!

Famous sports quote, great sports quote, inspirational basketball quotes

2007-01-11T20:55:00.000-08:00

Famous sports quote, great sports quote, inspirational basketball quote, sport quotes, basketball quotes, sports motiviation, inspirational quotes, inspirational basketball quote, sport quotes, basketball quotes, sports motiviation, inspirational quotes

"Everybody wants to follow the leader; but, nobody wants to lead the followers."

"Leaders are like eagles - they don't flock. You find them one at a time."
Knute Rockne

"Boards, Boards, Boards"
Knute Rockne

"Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction."
John F. Kennedy

"The three best things I've learned in coaching: my players must play Hard, Hard, Hard."
Coach John Wild

"A person really doesn´t become whole, until he becomes a part of something that´s bigger than himself."
Jim Valvano

"Pride is the sheet anchor of morality.
The doer of noble deeds.
When love flies and hope fails,
Pride still lingers.
The savage rear guard of the human soul."
Unknown

"The only easy day was yesterday."
Clint Black

"How can you expect a basketball player to work hard on the court if he doesn't work hard in the classroom?"

"Nothing is as good as it seems and nothing is as bad, but somewhere between reality falls."
Lou Holtz

"All Battles Are Won Before They Are Fought."
from Sun Tzu

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude."
Thomas Jefferson

"It is amazing what can be accomplished when nobody cares about who gets the credit."
Robert Yates - owner of Dale Jarrett's racing team.

"Athletics and Competition is not for everyone. You are the courageous ones!

"Ask not what your teammates can do for you Ask what you can do for your teammates."
- Magic Johnson

" It is most difficult, in my mind, to separate any success, whether it be in your profession, your family, or as in my case, in basketball, from religion."
--John Wooden 1910-

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."
-John Wooden

"Sometimes a player's greatest challenge is coming to grips with his role on the team."-
Scottie Pippen

"You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them."
-Michael Jordan

"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying"
Michael Jordan

"I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don't do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results."
Michael Jordan

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
-Michael Jordan

"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

"I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot... when you think about the consequences you always think of a negative result. "
-Michael Jordan

"Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game."
-Michael Jordan

"As athletes, we're used to reacting quickly. Here, it's 'come, stop, come, stop.' There's a lot of downtime. That's the toughest part of the day."
-Michael Jordan

"If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
-Michael Jordan

"We didn't lose the game; we just ran out of time."
-Michael Jordan

"Winners never quit and quitters never win. "
-Michael Jordan

"Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you."
-Michael Jordanfrom Linda Simon
"Work beats talent when talent doesn't work."
Unknown

"Ten years from now I won't remember how many points I had each game, or how many newspaper articles had my name in them, or how many minutes I played. I will, however, remember that I was part of something larger than myself, and that I was part of something I helped make successful, because I was part of a team.

"The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become."
Unknown

Eric Gordon

2007-01-11T13:20:00.000-08:00

If you have not heard this name yet. Trust you will be soon. The name is Eric Gordon the game is basketball. Hear might be some reasons why you have not heard this name yet, because he has been in the shadows of a few other Indiana High School players such as Greg Oden and Josh McRoberts.

Make a note of it, Eric Gordon is the real deal, and could be the National High School player of the year for 2007. If so that would mean Indiana has still continues to send out some of the best players just looking at the last three years.
Josh McRoberts was the McDonald’s All-American Game MVP in 2005 and Greg Oden was the national player of the year in 2005 and 2006. Now this year it could mean Eric Gordon's time.

Some facts about Eric Gordon.
*Gordon’s sophomore year he scored 22 points in the fourth quarter and ended Josh McRoberts' career in a sectional final.
*May '06 at a high-level travel-team event in North Carolina, Gordon scored an incredible 48 points in 24 minutes as his Indiana Elite squad beat the Atlanta Celtics.
* Adidas Super Star Camp MVP in both 2005 and 2006.
* Gordon has scored 1,738 points so far in his career, and although he won’t catch Damon Bailey (3,134 points), with as many as 16 possible games remaining, he has a chance to move into the state's top 15 (Rick Mount, 2,139) or maybe into the top 10 into the state's top 10 all-time (Anthony Winchester, 2,256).

Look for more information about Eric Gordon coming up!

P.S. We keep hearing that Eric Gordon will be playing on ESPN 2 in Feb against Jordan's son team from Chicago more to come about this later!

Basketball Quotes, basketball inspirations, sport quotes, motivational quotes

2007-01-11T09:47:00.000-08:00

Basketball Quotes, basketball inspirations, sport quotes, motivational quotes

"TEAMWORK – The fuel that produced uncommon results in common people."

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

"At first we make our habits, and then our habits make us."
by Author unknown

"Have character, don't be one."

"Do what you can with what you have where you are."
by Theodore Roosevelt

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."
by Sun Tzu (The Art of War)

"The time will come when winter will ask what you were doing all summer."
by Henry Clay, American Statesman

"If you do the little things, the big things will happen"

"In a world of give and take, there are not many willing to give what it takes."

"Kids will do what you expect and they will also do what you let them get away with".

"Dream the Impossible - Do The Incredible"

"Do you really understand all of what you think you know?"

"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."
Henry Ford

"Great minds have purposes, Little minds have wishes."

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
Aristotle

Andrea Bargnani

2007-01-10T19:29:00.000-08:00

This is another one of those...this is why you should practice your fundamentals! Check this out!! I mean really sweet pass by Andrea Bargnani and this pass is sweet!!! Really really sweet! We don't think we have seen a sweet pass as this as since Pistol "Pete" Marvich has placed.

Basketball Preparation and Training

2007-01-10T07:50:00.000-08:00

The Australian Boombers basketball squad's preparation and training before the world championships. I like to show this video to give users, and even young players what it really takes to become some of the best of any country!

Look a the two a days practices, the icing, the food, and more practicing!

Jerry and the Naked Ladies...

2007-01-10T07:37:00.000-08:00

Jerry and the Naked Ladies running at each other!

Or even better how about Andrei Kirkilenko and Naked Ladies!

Now are we getting your attention! Well, your asking what does this all have to do with basketball what so ever. Well, One thing is that Andrei Kirkilenko is a funny guy and have a really interesting website that we like to check out a lot. And believe or not he even comes on and chats every once in and while. And Let us please note that he actually shows up unlike some NBA star not to mention any names but Gilbert Arenas

Anyhoo...Just listen for yourself how this funny guy Andrei Kirilenko!

Now that's some funny stuff!

Shaq selling his pad

2007-01-09T12:47:00.000-08:00

You have to check this out! That's right Shaq's selling his pad! And it's only selling for $35,000,000. That's right this beautiful 19,440 square feet, 8 bedroom, 11 full and 3 half baths! Why you want or need more bathrooms than bedrooms we still don't know.

This house was bought through a trust in 2004 for $18,800,000 according to public records. He then tried to turn around and listed the property less than one year later for $32,000,000. A short time later, the house was taken off the market. And then it was put back on the market in late 2006...for $3,000,000 more than before! Yes children, this man thinks he's entitled to a $16,000,000 profit after less than three years of owning the home. Your Mama is sorry, but that just seems greedy to us. We know the real estate has been insane in Miami the last few years, but it has not been this insane. Read the complete story!

Learn from Bobby Knight

2007-01-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

Mark Cuban in is latest blgo talks about what we can learn from Bobby knight, and we think it's a great thing. First, we had forgotten that Mark Cuban was an IU grad. He talks about the times he met Bobby Knight.

Then he shares what he remembers the most from Coach Knight. He states that it has stuck with him through out and really took it to heart.

It was this simple quote that he paraphrases: "Everyone has got the will to win, its only those with the will to prepare that do win". Check out the full post here.

This game rocks!!

2007-01-08T11:18:00.000-08:00

Can anybody beat our high score of 32200?

check out just watch out for the crazy Ron Artest's flying at you, the flaming Keith Van Horn's, Zach Randolph's, then the spawning Yao Ming's, and one of the toughest big headed Shaq!

Check the game out it's fun, and see if you can beat our Today's high of 32200?

http://remaincalm.org/aliensam.html

Sometimes a picture is enough said!

2007-01-08T10:32:00.000-08:00

Steve Nash MVP or MP3 with Ali G

2007-01-08T10:08:00.000-08:00

Here is another funny click with Steve Nash with Ali G. Is Steve Nash the MVP? Or is Steve Nash the MP3?

Steve Nash and Ali G

2007-01-08T07:05:00.000-08:00

Steve Nash and Ali G

We found this pretty funny, and we hope you do too. Sort of old, but still makes us laugh!

Some thoughts about the Denver Nuggets Brawl

2006-12-20T12:27:00.000-08:00

Some thoughts about the Denver Nuggets Brawl
If you're a basketball player, basketball fan, basketball coach, you have seen and heard about the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks brawl.

Then NBA game was a very nasty scene once again for all, and while the NBA commissioner David Stern came down hard on the player who participated in the brawl by giving out some stift fines and suspensions.

So why do we bring up this situation? Because in all of situations, fights, brawls, mayhem, there's a lesson to be learned.

Not only athletes, but we feel that everyone should train themselves to be in control of themselves, thier actions, and how they react in certain situations. One key in doing so is always trying to find the positive in every situation, no matter how bad or how big the situation my seem. We know that not everyone is going to be playing in the NBA and get failed really hard, but we do know that everyone is going to have a bad day here and there. Through this bad days, tough situations, or even mistakes that often teach you the most not only about yourself but what it takes to succeed in life.

One lesson that we thought everyone could take from hearing, seeing, and talking about this NBA brawl is that self control is a key role not only in the game of basketball but in life.

What does it mean and take to have self control?

The players that we know and see mostly let their game do the talking. A player with true celf control is the one that does not show their emotions during stressful times. These players or not the ones that talk bad about they organizatoin, players, coaches in the locker room. These players are the one that own up to their personal responiblies and say yes "I took the game winning shot, and I missed it.", or the one that comes into practice early because they missed that last second free throw. If you want success, you have to earn it through having true self control starting with your emotions, your tongue, and your actions.

A true self control players play under control, while making strong moves to the basket, finishing plays, taking good shots, never getting too upset or too excited. True self control players don't let themselves lose control because they know they can't play at their best when they lose control. Great players maintain control both mentally and physically.

A lot of people watched the Knicks - Nuggets fight a few days ago and have now forgotten about it. But you're an athlete. If your a true self control player your goal is to get better every day. Everyone else has forgotten about the fight, but you just took the situation and have used it to help improve your game.

That's what great self control athletes do. That's what great self control basketball players do.

Iverson + Scoring Teammates = Lottery!

2006-12-20T08:43:00.000-08:00

Featured Stat: Iverson + Scoring Teammates = Lottery!

This week we saw the mega-deal of Denver and Philadelphia, with the Nuggets having to part with Andre Miller, Joe Smith and 2 1st round draft picks in exchange for Allen Iverson. For Philadelphia, they are already in rebuilding mode and got rid of one of the most expensive contracts in the league, $40m over the next two years not including the rest of Iverson’s $18m salary this year. It’s a different story for Denver as they are hoping to build a championship team. With Iverson, they already have a loaded roster that includes the NBA’s leading scorer, Carmelo Anthony, JR Smith and Marcus Camby. But the main question is, will it work out?

Let’s take a look at Iverson’s statistical history. In the last 10 seasons, only Webber (1 season), Glenn Robinson (1 season), Derrick Coleman (2 seasons) and Jerry Stackhouse (2 seasons) have been able to score more than 16ppg when they had AI with them on the team, with Coleman/Stackhouse doing it during Iverson’s 1st 2 seasons in the league. What happens now in Denver, wherein they currently have the 2 top scorers in the league, averaging more than 30ppg?

Season	Player	PPG	Player	PPG	Player	PPG
1997	Iverson	23.5	Stackhouse	20.7	Coleman	18.1
1998	Iverson	22.0	Coleman	17.6	Stackhouse	16.0
1999	Iverson	26.8	Geiger	13.1	Ratliff	11.2
2000	Iverson	28.4	Kukoc	12.4	T. Hill	12.0
2001	Iverson	31.3	Ratliff	12.4	Mutombo	11.7
2002	Iverson	31.4	Coleman	15.1	Mckie	12.2
2003	Iverson	27.6	Van Horn	15.9	Snow	12.9
2004	Iverson	26.4	Robinson	16.6	K. Thomas	13.6
2005	Iverson	30.7	Webber	15.6	M. Jackson	12.0
2006	Iverson	33.0	Webber	20.2	Iguodala	12.3

Iverson had four (4) seasons wherein he had a teammate with enough talent to score more than 16 ppg alongside him. But quite amazingly, these are the seasons wherein Philadelphia completely missed the playoffs! The 76ers of the Iverson era has made the playoffs in the 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005 seasons, completely missing all seasons in bold in the table above. When Philadelphia made the finals back in 2001, AI’s scoring teammates with 10+ppg were Theo Ratliff (12.4ppg), Dikembe Mutombo (11.7) and Aaron McKie (11.6).

With Anthony and JR Smith out the next 14 games, Iverson would have to carry much of the Nuggets’ scoring load. Others to support him in the offense would be Marcus Camby and Earl Boykins. We’ll have to wait and see what happens when the Nuggets are at full strength, as Anthony and Smith are still serving their suspensions. But with Denver currently sitting at the 7th spot, the suspensions, and the adjustments they have to make (before and after Melo returns), it seems like Sixers President Billy King is a genius if the equation “Iverson + Scorers = Lottery!” would continue as Philadelphia will end up with a lottery pick.

12 days of christmas shopping

2006-12-14T07:31:00.000-08:00

12 days of christmas shopping

	12 Days before Christmas shopping ends online
Dec 5	Sole Folding Treadmills. FREE Shipping on all Treadmills! sponsored by: treadmill reviews
Dec 6	sponsored by: 43 drills
Dec 7	sponsored by: Sport Specific
Dec 8	sponsored by: electric scooters
Dec 9	sponsored by: holiday games
Dec 10	Dribbling video by JW basketball sponsored by: JW basketball
Dec 11	sponsored by: Primo Blinds
Dec 12	sponsored by: Christian Stories
Dec 13	Basketball print sponsored by:
Dec 14	sponsored by: Jump USA
Dec 15
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Here is a thought on basketball rules

2006-12-12T06:41:00.000-08:00

Michael Jordan, said to be the greatest player ever, made multi millions playing the game of basketball. Coach K., Duke coach, is said to be a great coach and makes millions. If the local Rotary Club asked Michael Jordan to talk about the rules of basketball, he probably could not fill 30 seconds. If Coach K. was asked, he probably would have a hard time filling 2-3 minutes. A sad commentary to say the least. Yet coaches, players, media and fans complain and disagree with rulings made by officials. If they really knew, they would be completely embarrassed for showing their ignorance in front of people.

12 days of christmas shopping

2006-12-12T06:30:00.000-08:00

12 days of christmas shopping

	12 Days before Christmas shopping ends online
Dec 5	Sole Folding Treadmills. FREE Shipping on all Treadmills! sponsored by: treadmill reviews
Dec 6	sponsored by: 43 drills
Dec 7	sponsored by: Sport Specific
Dec 8	sponsored by: electric scooters
Dec 9	sponsored by: holiday games
Dec 10	Dribbling video by JW basketball sponsored by: JW basketball
Dec 11	sponsored by: Primo Blinds
Dec 12	sponsored by: Christian Stories
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Tim Duncan gots moves!

2006-12-11T05:13:00.000-08:00

This is must see Tim Duncan video. This is an actual video that Mark Cuban the owner of the Dalls Mavs put together sort of bragging about Tim Duncan, and his offensive one on one moves. It's pretty sweet, and I if your a basketball player you should check this out because you could learn a thing to two!

Start today by learning from Tim Duncan swim one on one move!!

12 days of christmas online shopping

2006-12-11T05:09:00.000-08:00

Don't forget that Christmas is getting so close! You still have plenty of time to do your online shopping, and we are wanting to help you out! Please don't forget to continue checking out our great select items that will help you out this christmas shopping season!

All the Christmas shopping you can handle can be found online this season. That's right why go out and do your christmas shopping in the over crowded mall, with lines, and that hassle of getting outside in the cold weather. When you can do it so easy, in your own home. Now if that's not the best christmas shopping you can dream of, we don't know what is!

So what are you waiting for stop by right now and check out our 12 days of christmas shopping guide!

Jason Wright - dribbling drills

2006-12-09T08:12:00.000-08:00

Jason Wright
Dribbling Drills Volume One
By JW Basketball

Dribbling Drills DVD

Jason Wright is one of the best basketball trainers in the US. He brings a strong sense of hard work, discipline, and fun creativity to basketball dribbling. His students are some of the most fundamentally sound players at all levels from the high school, collegiate, and even professional players. Jason, is a former University of New Orleans player, who has played with well known and respected competition such as Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, and Derek Fisher.

Jason has put together a great DVD dribbling drill instructional video! We here at 'Sacred Hoops' feel this is a top notch, quality dribbling drill video that we could recommend to any youth looking to improve their basketball dribbling skills . This dribbling drill video would be a great start for youth players, high school players, and above to work on there dribbling skills. This video does a great job of instructing you and taking you through dribbling drills. The best part about it is how detailed it is in showing you how to do the drills on your own at game speed and really make a dribbling drills a complete work out.

Jason Wright personally shows you how each of the following dribbling drills are to be completed. He goes through some of the basics targeting the youth players, and then even for the advanced players leaving them with something to really want to watch over and over until you can work on these dribbling drills yourself. This film is a must for any player who wants to improve their game and take it to the next level.
•Inside and Out Dribbling Drill
•Crossover
•Walking Figure 8
•Two Ball Dribbling Drills
•Attacking With The Dribble
•Cone Dribbling Drills
•Spin Dribbling Drills
Compliments

Jason Wright does a great job of showing through and through the best and basics of dribbling drills. He starts with proper ways to do the drills (which is great for youth players to see it done correctly), and shows it from start to finish through his dribbling drills.

12 days of christmas shopping

2006-12-09T07:35:00.000-08:00

12 days of christmas shopping

	12 Days before Christmas shopping ends online
Dec 5	Sole Folding Treadmills. FREE Shipping on all Treadmills! sponsored by: treadmill reviews
Dec 6	sponsored by: 43 drills
Dec 7	sponsored by: Sport Specific
Dec 8	sponsored by: electric scooters
Dec 9	sponsored by: holiday games
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 13
Dec 14
Dec 15
Dec 16

12 days of christmas shopping!

2006-12-08T06:51:00.000-08:00

12 days of christmas shopping

	12 Days before Christmas shopping ends online
Dec 5	Sole Folding Treadmills. FREE Shipping on all Treadmills! sponsored by: treadmill reviews
Dec 6	sponsored by: 43 drills
Dec 7	sponsored by: Sport Specific
Dec 8	sponsored by: electric scooters
Dec 9
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 13
Dec 14
Dec 15
Dec 16

12 days of christmas shopping

2006-12-07T06:57:00.000-08:00

12 days of christmas shopping

	12 Days before Christmas shopping ends online
Dec 5	Sole Folding Treadmills. FREE Shipping on all Treadmills! sponsored by: treadmill reviews
Dec 6	sponsored by: 43 drills
Dec 7	sponsored by: Sport Specific
Dec 8
Dec 9
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 13
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Dec 15
Dec 16

12 days of christmas shopping

2006-12-05T08:10:00.000-08:00

This Christmas we offer you great christmas tips, christmas ideas, christmas package tips, and so much more this christmas season.

	12 Days before Christmas shopping ends online
Dec 5	Sole Folding Treadmills. FREE Shipping on all Treadmills! sponsored by: treadmill reviews
Dec 6
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Dec 16

This is why you work on your ball handling hard all summer long!

2006-11-30T20:46:00.000-08:00

And this is why you practice and work hard all summer long on your ball handling! So you can come out do moves like this!

Christmas shopping, free shipping this holiday season!

2006-11-30T10:34:00.000-08:00

Here is a great offer that we can not let you pass up! That's right it's free shipping This holiday season! This past money started what was called the "Cyber Monday", which is talking about how much shopping online will be done this Christmas season! So don't miss out on this and so many more offers we will be starting very soon! So come back and visit us and our homepage at Sacred Hoops

basketball fantasy is KG really worth it these days!

2006-11-29T17:54:00.000-08:00

Kevin Garnett – More Minutes / More Shots

The Minnesota Timberwolves was out of running for the playoffs last year and Kevin Garnett is saying he wants out if no changes take place. They had their run of problems last year with a couple of injuries, the Ricky Davis-Wally Szczerbiak trade, but it is no excuse for management or Garnett himself, KG is already in his prime and he still has not much to show for his career. Read more...

Work on your speed and agility this winter!

2006-11-24T08:47:00.000-08:00

SportSpecific.com -If you looking for speed and agility workouts, how to increase your quickness, or speed strength workouts. Look no more...his is one of the best programs out there to this day. If your serious about speed and agility workouts, how to increase your quickness, and/or speed strength workouts. This is a must sign up for program. Don't tell your self I am going sign up later, don't put it off another day. Trust me, I have been there with the excuses, but today is the day that you need to start working on speed and agility workouts, how to increase your quickness, and/or speed strength workouts. And this is the best place out there on how to increase your quickness, speed and agility workouts, and speed strength workouts . So don't put it off any longer!

Check out more conditioning equipment here

basketball condition drills

how to increase your quickness

Core strength training

2006-11-24T07:11:00.000-08:00

Core strength training is a must these days in basketball. Core strength training involves working your entire core section (all abdominals and back), but the key is strengthen in a way that gives you complete body control, total body balance, and complete body strength.

Core strength training programs are really all about body control, body balance, and when it really comes down to it all it's just all about BALANCE! Though, your bodies balance must cames from the core of your body. It's your abs and back that is core behind you having body control and balance.

It is the core of your body that connects your upper body to your lower body. But it is much more than just an "connection" that you don't have to worry much about. Just take a minute and think about the all motions made by a NBA player or just any basketball player in a typical basketball game:

- Leaping up while being pushed from behind to grab a rebound
- Reaching for a loose balls on the floor
- Twist side to side to grab passes or rebounds
- Power dribble while backing down your opponent with complete total body balance
- A tie up when trying to twist and take the ball out of an opponent hands

When you really start looking at the game of basketball most of the action on the court, involves your core (abdominals and/or back). This is why it's so important to give this part of yourself (your core), proper attention, and the proper training.

Though, it's not just going through the motions of strengthening your core body, it's a specific type of training that has a wider effect. The stats show us by having a stronger core, you actually give yourself better overall body balance, and better overall body strength. A strong core allows your upper body work properly with your lower body, in balance, rather than in a separate fashion. Which with a stronger core, can in return help prevent injuries that could happened from an unbalanced body.

Core strength training involves training many different muscle groups all at once, while at the same time, working on the total body balance:

Core strength training uses exercise balls, BRT (Burst Resistance Training) Professional Exercise Balls, or Stability Balls!!
Exercise balls, BRT (Burst Resistance Training) Professional Exercise Balls, or Stability Ball with DVD are all great ways to train your core, train for balance, and strength your core muscle group. Doing any regular exercise such as dumbbell bench press, military press, leg lifts, wall squats, and crunches using the exercise ball help strengthen your core, and build body balance. This type of core strength training helps train your muscles, but also overall total body balance and movement.

Let's try to give you the full picture here: let's say you backing down your opponent while power dribbling with your back to the basket and the defender on your back. Think about how many multiple actions are going on while all this happening on the court all at the same time, but no action really is isolated. So your dribbling the ball hard using your arm (using your abdominals, forearms, biceps, triceps, shoulder muscles, etc.) you should be getting low backing into you opponent almost like a squat position (now your using things, hips, calves, and lower back). You should also be making some what contact with your back again your defender which he should be giving you a good resistant to not get to the basket so he is pushing back probably right at your core body. That's a lot of different actions happening all at one time. And you need to have complete body control, balance, and strength all working together to get the goal accomplished of scoring while backing down your defender.

No movement in any sport led alone the game of basketball is a complete isolation of one muscle, so it makes sense to train muscles game like. The traditional way of lifting weights were to focus on large muscle groups in a way of isolation (not true isolation, but an effort at isolation nonetheless). Core strength training, and body-balance training takes the new effective approach, and for good reason.

Train using Medicine Ball
medicine balls give you even more game like core strength training. While using medicine balls to do crunches, squats, and other stability core strength training

Train using BOSU balance trainers
BOSU Balance Trainer(seen in the video above) is an outstanding balance, stability and agility trainer and currently one of the most popular fitness accessories available. BOSU Balance Trainerare great piece of core strength training equipment for the same reasons they force you to work out on total body balance (and all the above reasons).

BOSU trainers
can be used for such things as doing:
- Quickness/agility footwork drills
- Push-ups
- Bicep curls
- Squats
- Medicine ball drills
- Crunches and other abdominal exercises

basketball shoes special!

2006-11-22T10:17:00.000-08:00

If your looking for this Christmas some new basketball shoes you have to check out this awesome special!

Check it out today!!

Sacred Hoops Store

2006-11-17T09:11:00.000-08:00

Come check out today Sacred Hoops Store! We have everything you can think for your Christmas shopping, christmas shopping lists, any athletic christmas gifts you can think of. Rather you wanting to purchase your christmas ideas, christmas basketball gifts, or anything christmas check this out today!

Check out our new store!

And even have some really hot Christmas promotions going on right now! Even more christmas ideas!

Should the USA Team rely on Playoff hardened players?

2006-11-17T08:13:00.000-08:00

Thie great article was kindly offered to us by Hans Uy, to see the fill stats and listing of everything of this great article check it out at http://www.82games.com/uy1.htm! Great work again Hans Uy!

Team USA finished a respectable 3rd in this year’s FIBA World Basketball Championships amid expectations of them winning the gold. I believe the team had what it take to win the gold, but came up short in the experience department. Studying the past USA teams starting from the 1992 Dream Team, one can see a declining trend in the playoff experience of players being sent to the Olympics and FIBA tournaments, this is of course aside from the fact that other countries around the world are catching up with the USA in terms of talent.

The selection indeed valued raw talent and athleticism as valuable criteria, team chemistry (strength of Europe and South American teams) also equally important, but unfortunately, the experience part did not come through this year as several more experienced players opted out of the competition, namely Kobe Bryant and Chauncey Billups. Another unfortunate fact was that the selection committee had chosen a representative from each of the championship teams since 2000 (not sure if this is coincidental), but all of them missed this year’s tournament (Bryant, Billups, Bowen).
Although the original Dream Team did not encounter any close games, experience is often a factor when it came to clutch/crunch time situations. The main players that were captains during this year’s version of team USA combined for 77 games of playoff experience (w/ Wade having 50). From the 1992 team, Jordan alone had 92 games, Bird 164, Magic 186.

You might argue that having most of them selected to the team could’ve made it a clash of egos, but statistics show that playoff experience does have an effect on how Team USA performs. The table below is a roundup of playoff experience totals of each Team USA starting from the 1992 Dream Team up to this year’s FIBA team. Player totals were computed up to when they played on that year’s tournament. As you can see, the Orig Dream Team and Dream Team II which overwhelmed opponents was clearly much more experience when it came to Finals and Playoffs experience.

There is no direct correlation subtracting experience of minor players, as you can also remove Brad Miller and Antawn Jamison’s (12 and 9 minutes/game respectively) playoff experience from this year’s team to come up with a lower number.

But in conclusion, since 1992 when US basketball realized it would take professional players to win it at the world stage, it takes proven and consistent winners to be able to come up with the Gold in the Olympics or the FIBA Worlds.

The 1992 Team no question is full of proven and consistent winners. The 1996 team had big proven winners in their prime, Hakeem, Stockton, Malone, Barkley, Pippen, as well as emerging hall of famer in Shaquille O’Neal and pre-injury Grant Hill and Penny Hardaway, both touted to be the next leaders of the league in the mold of Jordan and Magic.

Team experience level dived starting the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Although they did finish a solid 8-0 with a gold medal during those games, they were not as dominant as the previous 2 teams and were led by emerging superstars Garnett, Carter, Mourning, Kidd and veteran Gary Payton. With only 401 combined playoff games to vouch for, Team USA won by more than 15 points in only 3 games, with two games winning only by single digits (nail biter games vs Lithuania 85-83 and 85-76). Closest game during the 1996 Atlanta Games was a 102-71 trashing of Croatia and they won the final vs Yugoslavia by 26 points.

With the 2002 FIBA games, Reggie Miller who had the most playoff experience only played in 6 of the team’s 9 games, starting in only 3. The 2000 and 2002 teams had very close numbers on the table above. Something to note on the 2000 batch is their leaders are future possible hall-of-famers (Garnett, Carter, Mourning, Kidd and veteran Gary Payton). From the 2002 batch, only Reggie Miller, Ben Wallace and Marion have been consistent all-stars/superstars. Other players such as Jermaine O’Neal, Pierce, Antonio Davis, Finley and Brand are all-stars, but hall-of-fame status is a big question mark, even for the case of Marion.

Although they were able to snag the 2004 Olympics bronze medal, only Duncan (82), Iverson (57) and Richard Jefferson (51) had more than 20 playoff games under their resumes. The 2000 Olympics Champs had 6 players with 20 or more.

The tournaments they joined during 1992 and 1996 were no-contest tournaments, their opponents then were so much in awe they were posing for pictures during game time! In the previous four Team USAs, other teams were already questioning the composition of the team. If they can’t even get to the playoffs consistently in the NBA, how can they expect to dominate and win it all in the world championships and the Olympics?

I understand the program of Jerry Colangelo’s plan is to win the 2008 Olympics. But as I’ve said, I believe they could’ve won the 2006 FIBA Championships along with 2008 with the correct mix of talent, teamwork and experience. It’s easier said than done, as unplanned matters usually get in the way – players declining, injuries.

Time will fill in the missing crucial factors by the 2008 Olympics. By 2008, the current tri-captain of Wade, Melo and Lebron should’ve gained more than 60-100 playoff games combined, and possibly giving solid playoff experience to Brand, Howard, Paul as well as whoever will be in that team. Add to the fact that Bryant and Billups might be available, and the US team will surely be the team to beat in 2008.

Hans is an IT professional in Manila, Philippines and a long time fanatic of NBA and NBA statisticcs. He got hooked to NBA statistics in playing NBA fantasy sports for the past 7 years, oftentimes being accused of cheating by his league-mates of exploiting system deficiencies. You can reach him through email at hansjuy @ gmail.com.

Check out the new NBA ball and NBA Stacked Hoody...

2006-11-11T09:48:00.000-08:00

Read what mark cuban said about these nba ball Mark Cuban has gotten so fired up about the whole things he has even decided to put a part two to the new nba ball! check it out here!

NBA Stacked Hoody...

Top ten things to be practicing and improve on each day!

2006-11-08T07:33:00.000-08:00

It's that time again with hard work, hard wood floors, and the spell of basketball is in the air and it's everywhere! We have some of the top ten ideas that you as a player needs to be taking into this upcoming season. You need to be improving each and every day at all of these!

1. BE IN SHAPE!!!

2. Be on time, be ready to go, and be attentive

3. Be respectful to all...to your players, your coach, the refs, parents, and etc

4. Make as many hustle plays as possible, dive on the floor, finish every sprint hard.

5. Work on the "opposite" fundamentals...bigs should be doing ball handling, "smalls" should be doing post moves...helps with a better all round game and let's you in on the other side's secrets/perspectives

6. Work on being a leader...huddle people up, encourage

7. TALK! the whole time...picking out who is open, calling out mismatches, chatting it up on defensive, compliments...um, leave the "your mother's a _____" out, they may not like that!

8. Choose to have the right attitude going into every practice, drills, and game.

9. Work on even in practice going game speed all the time! Game like cuts, game like screens, game like shots. Even in practice drills, individual drills, and etc

10. Have fun, keep learning, and again have fun!

Bank Shot Basics or Backboard Basics

2006-11-08T06:14:00.000-08:00

Bank Shot Basics or Backboard Basics

Here are some keys to be thinking of when teaching or practicing the backboard shot or also some call it a bank shot.

1. Remember to shoot the ball making contac jus inside the white box above the rim.

2. This is very key and basic, and a lot of players get this wrong. The shot needs to be hitting the white box on the downward flight of the ball. More and more younger players are trying shoot the ball just aim for the box, but it's imporant to arc the shot so that it's on the downward flight. A good rule for this is if a lot of your shots are coming hard off the backboard and hitting the far side of the rim, or missing completely and going to the weak side. Then you really need to practicing the downward arc hitting the inside part of the white box.

3. Make your follow-through point (which we suggest would be your index finger) is aiming not on the rim, but on the target that your shooting at which is the just inside the white box. This helps your shot with a high follow through procducing a high arc shott of the backboard.

4. Remember that every lay to 10 feet out should ALWAYS be a bank shot! This will help you not getting yelled at by your coach. This also, should be instilled into a player so they will not be in the air shooting and deciding which shot this is going to be a bank shot or regular straight shot. While the backboard does absorb some energy transferred to the ball off a hard drive to the basket, the shot still should be "kissed softly off the glass" as much as possible.

5. Remember it's still all about shooters touch, so don't be trying to shoot it very hard off the backboard, but a simple, soft kiss of the glass will due wonders!

6. Post players should use a bank shot when they know they will be recieving a hard foul or just about any foul down low. The bank shot has better percentage of going in even when you get pushed, fouled, or the ball gets tipped.

bank shot advantages, advantages of using a bank shot

2006-11-03T07:56:00.000-08:00

Some advantages of using a bank shot or shooting off the glass

- The bank shot is know to be a higher percentage shot! Stats shows us, and the numbers don't lie.

- The bank shot is a good choice of shot while in traffic, driving hard to the hole, and a beautiful soft kiss of the glass over the big man. That's just flat out tough!

- The bank shot gives players the option to drive harder to the hole, while still havinga high percentage to finish with a score. What do we mean by this? Well, a given player that is driving extremely hard to hole it's a hard move to drive hard and with all that energy to explode up and shoot a soft shot. With a bank shot you are given more of the chance to drive hard and then still shoot a better and higher percentage bank shoot.

- Once the shot hits the backboard a player is not allowed to touch it again, unless your playing under FIBA rules.

- The bank shot gives the offensive player a different target and helps players sometimes get shoots off that they normally could not because the defends hand are straight up in a player face or just straight up.

- When doing a reverse or using the opposite side of the basket but still shooting a bank shoot. Though, this helps the player get more shots off while using basket as a partial shield and less block shots!

- Bank shots are a must for post players. Especially it can be difficult when completing making a quick pivot in the post. So when a big man is making his strong move it's a much higher percentage shot to kiss it off the glass.

- Bank shot also allows guards to drive hard and shoot a high arcing bank shot over a big man with his arms fulling extended or a big shot blocker. Notice how many of the NBA's great guards use the glass on penetration into the shot blocking zone near the basket.