Clippers Miss The Playoffs
There was so much excitement last season when the Clippers made it to the playoffs. However, this year there was no cause for celebration as the Clippers did not have a second straight postseason appearance. The Clippers were eliminated from playoff contention after the Golden State Warriors defeated Portland Trail Blazers to clinch the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference. The Warriors won before the Clippers lost 86-83 to New Orleans Hornets. Clippers star Elton Brand said that he did not want the season to get over for the Clippers and when it did, it really hurt him. This elimination was worse as the Clippers were considered to be serious contenders for the Pacific Division title and for making consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since the 1992-93 season.
Nostalgia Trip For Don Nelson When The Mavs Take On The Warriors
Don Nelson must have felt like a proud father when he watched the Dallas Mavericks play the NBA finals last season. In a way he is the father. His son is running the front office, close friends he had hired are coaching the team and Nelson molded players like Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard. At the start of the postseason, Nelson will take a closer look at the Mavericks because he is coaching the team that will be playing against them. Nelson is now coaching the Golden State Warriors and they managed to grab the last playoff spot in the Western Conference on the final day of the season. The Warriors will meet the Mavericks in the first round. The Mavs are just coming off a 67 win season which is the sixth most in the history of NBA.
Who s Worse - The 2007 Spurs or The Pistons of the Late 80 s?
So, in recent games, the San Antonio Spurs seem to have lost their sense of quiet dignity and confidence. As of late, they have changed their tactics from detailed, methodical basketball to taking cheap shots whenever they can. Exhibit 1:Bruce Bowen kicking Amare Stoudemire in the achilles tendon. For anyone who saw the game, or the subsequent replays, it is obvious that Bruce Bowen intentionally kicked Stoudemire. Exhibit 2, Bruce Bowen kneeing Steve Nash in the unmentionables. He said he was trying to create some space. Are you kidding me? You clear space with you elbows and hips, not your knees, Bruce. I guess in the end, he did clear the space.
10 Secrets to Increase Your Vertical Jump
Basketball players know that the ability to out jump everyone else on the floor gives you celebrity status. Dunkers with high verticals to elevate will tell you that there is no better feeling in the world then to rise high and throw it down hard. Certain factors like height, the length of your limbs, and your grip on the basketball do take some consideration when wanting to dunk and jump high. But for those of us that do not fit the 6 foot tall prototype of a basketball player there is no need to fear because what is not natural can be learned. Here are some of the best exercises you can to do increase your vertical jump. 1. Plyometric Drills for Jumping: plyometrics is the science of training your muscle to release maximum energy in the shortest amount of time.
2007 NBA Mock Draft
I'm going to do something fresh and original with these mocks. The last time, I did the ol' comment on why this selection makes sense format. Do I really need to explain myself? Nope! So now I'm doing my player comparisons. Some are too dead on to argue about, so I went with the 'general consensus' comparison, but for some... I went out on a limb. Next mock... only I know what I'm going to do! Here it is! ! ! 1. Portland- Greg Oden C Ohio State NBA Player Comparison: David Robinson 2. Seattle- Kevin Durant G/F Texas NBA Player Comparison: Tracy McGrady 3. Atlanta- Brandon Wright PF UNC NBA Player Comparison: Rasheed Wallace 4. Memphis- Mike Conley PG Ohio State NBA Player Comparison: Rod Strickland 5.
Basketball Fitness Training - Why Every Hooper Should Hill Sprint
Serious basketball coaches are always looking for ways to get an edge on the competition - to gain an advantage. It's why you spend so much time researching methods of training that will make your players faster and stronger - and jump higher - without taking up too much time to get results. That's why I believe that running hill sprints (which includes running bleachers and stairs) is a must for any basketball player. This is because hill sprints provide a number of benefits to the basketball athlete. Here are the Top 6: 1. Hill sprints provide the perfect combination of strength and speed training. It's like lifting weights and sprinting at the same time. The hill gives resistance to your athlete's sprints, making them more difficult while being shorter in distance and duration.
The Rise of Lebron James - Eerily Like That of Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is touted as one of the best players, if not the best, in NBA history. After playing a few years in North Carolina, where his Tar Heels were victorious over Patrick Ewing's Georgetwon Hoyas in the NCAA Tournament Final Game, Jordan decided to make the jump into the NBA - the operative word being jump. During his first few years, as other young players struggled, Jordan quickly proved he was a force to be reckoned with. With his insane athleticism and poised demeanor under pressure, he built a name for himself - Superman Fast forward 20 years to the present. Now, it is Lebron's turn. Instead of playing college ball, Lebron James went straight from high school into the NBA.
How Far Can Skill Take You?
Once upon a time, the two-handed chest pass and the sky hook were enviable skills among basketball players. Similarly, in baseball, most players used to be contact hitters who prided themselves on being an all-around player who could not only hit, but also field and run. In previous years, they really did believe in the age-old adage "practice makes perfect." However, in our day and age, we see things very differently. Now, I am not saying that we have thrown out practice drills altogether, rather, in sports today practicing hard and developing skills are pretty much a given. Furthermore, children on the playgrounds are not exactly lining up to practice hook shots or bunting.
Top 5 Tips on How To Jump Higher
Ever want to be able to dunk a ball or spike a volleyball? It doesn"t matter if you"re short. Did you know Spud Webb was only 5′ 7 and won the NBA Slam Dunk competition in 1986? Here are some tips on how to jump higher. Deep Knee Bends This exercise will strengthen your legs and the muscles required for jumping. A deep knee bend involves standing straight up and bending your knees while keeping your back vertical. Go slowly and as far as you can, then slowly straighten back up. Jump Rope This is one of the best activities you can do. You can jump rope while watching TV so you won"t feel guilty about wasting time! Not only is it effective, it is also very cheap and cost effective!
Breakdown of the NBA Finals from a Bettors Perspective
The 2007 NBA finals will be great for sports investors, although it will go against many of the traditional rules "weekend warrior" bettors may be used to. To start, large spreads are usually indicative of large market teams. The spread for game one Cle@SA is 7.5 points with the home team favored. Considering the finals are a showdown between the final survivors of each conference, 7.5 points is monumental. Let"s take a look at reason why SA may cover this spread. 1) They are considered the better team and easily have the better pedigree. SA, led by Tim Duncan who is widely considered a top 10 NBA player (if not higher) leads a team of savvy veterans who have been there, done that.