The Next MVP

Who will be this season MVP? Who would have the best shot at the league MVP award if the season ended today? It still a wquestion mark, but Steve Nash is there on the top list...

Steve Nash, PG, Suns: Forget about the Suns' 17-game winning streak coming to an end; Nash is already busy working on another one. Yeah, for the second week in a row Nash was named the Western Conference Player of the Week. He's averaging a gaudy 22.5 points and 15.4 assists over his last five games.

Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Mavericks: While I stick with Team Nash for a third straight week, Team Dirk continues to build support. Example: SI.com's Kelly Dwyer on The Jones this past Sunday ... "Nowitzki's the best player, period. He's doing it all. He's playing defense; he's getting extra possessions for them; he's running the floor; he's being efficient in that slow-down offense... he's awesome."

Kobe Bryant, SG, Lakers: I'm sure it has to do with the Lakers dropping four of their last five, but Kobe's camp has been awfully quiet as of late, no? Expect a 60-point explosion and/or a string of triple-doubles games coming soon. Go! Kobe.

Kevin Garnett, F, Timberwolves: He's keeping the Wolves in a playoff race; and he just single-handedly stopped the Suns' run at history by scored 44 points. Add to the fact that besides Kobe, KG's the only name on this list you could argue is top five on both sides of the ball, and well... welcome to the party!

Gilbert Arenas, PG, Wizards: I put my hand upon Gil's hip, and I dipped, he dipped, we dipped him in this the rankings because he's been really struggling with his shot. (40% from the field in January.) He is going better and better!

On the cusp: Tracy McGrady, Carlos Boozer, Tim Duncan, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.

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Jason Kidd to Lakers? - NBA Rumor

The Los Angeles Lakers have been doing good this whole season, with the play of guard Kobe Bryant he has been a big reason why the Lakers are having so much success. The Los Angeles Lakers are 27-15 and there are second in there division, I don't think anybody excepted the Lakers to be 27-15.
Kobe Bryant clearly change his style of basketball, he's starting to pass the ball a little bit more and he's looking to get teammates involved. This style of play is very helpful to the Los Angeles Lakers this season. Kobe Bryant is averaging 28.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assist a game.

Even though the Los Angeles Lakers are playing well there still open for talent on there team, which is not a bad idea if you get players that can play team basketball a lot of good things can happen.

There's been some talk about the Los Angeles Lakers are taking a look at New Jersey Nets guard Jason Kidd, now that's a good look for the Los Angeles Lakers and what a good time to get him. Jason Kidd has been in the middle of trade talk this whole season and moving to Los Angeles would look good for him so he can get alway from is soon to be ex-wife.
The Los Angeles Lakers can use a player like Jason Kidd, he can get teammates involve and that we sit well with Kobe Bryant.
The only problem the Los Angeles Lakers would have is, who do they have to give up and that might be the reason why is whole thing is not going to happen. The Lakers have good players on there team, but are the New Jersey Nets interested?
It will be a mistake for the New Jersey Nets to trade Jason Kidd, because there problems don't start with him. What the New Jersey Nets should do is focus on the paint!

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Suns’ Streak Snapped At 17 By Timberwolves - NBA Games Report

Streak wining game of the Suns on the floor ended Monday's game by Minnesota Timberwolves. The post game locker room was so quiet you could hear a 17-game winning streak drop. This was so different, this feeling of being outscored for the first time since the calendar turned to 2007. And even stranger, they had a hard time blaming themselves for a 121-112 loss at Minnesota that ended one of the league's 10 best unbeaten runs and a nine-win road streak.

Garnett almost single-handedly snapped the Suns' 17-game winning streak, scoring 44 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in Minnesota's 121-112 victory over Phoenix last night.
The all-star forward was everywhere in the final period against the Suns, dropping turnaround jumper after turnaround jumper to give Phoenix its first loss of 2007. He scored 15 points in the fourth, including a looping fallaway from the baseline that gave Minnesota a 118-109 lead with 1:55 to play, and put new coach Randy Wittman on the way to a win in his home debut.
Raja Bell scored 26 points and Victoria's Steve Nash had 20 points and 18 assists for the Suns, who were looking to tie for the fourth-longest win streak in NBA history.
But one night after downing LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for No. 17 in a row, the Suns couldn't find an answer for Garnett and uncharacteristically lost their offensive mojo in the fourth quarter.
After scoring 95 points in the first three quarters, Phoenix managed just 19 in the fourth.
Nash had his way with the Wolves' defence for the first three quarters, piling up assists at a near-record pace. But he scored just three points on 1-of-6 shooting and had just one assist in a final period that belonged to Garnett.
The Suns were in deep trouble midway through the fourth thanks to three big shots by Garnett and some dirty work on the boards by Mark Madsen.
Madsen, an offensive liability for most of his seven years in the league, hit a fallaway jumper just outside the lane to cap an 8-0 run, then gave Minnesota a 112-107 lead with 3:38 to play after he scooped up a rebound and laid it in.
Garnett followed with a twisting, turning fadeaway on the baseline that brought the crowd to its feet.
When the final buzzer sounded, Garnett came over to Wittman and stood eye-to-eye with the new coach, shouting encouragement before stomping off the floor. Wittman took over for the fired Dwane Casey last week.
Ricky Davis had 17 points for the Timberwolves, who shot 59 per cent and simply wore the Suns down in the final minutes.
Shawn Marion had 24 points and Leandro Barbosa added 17 points for Phoenix, which entered the night 15-0 in January.

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NBA Games Reports - Finley's three point saved Spurs from game's lost...

Los Angeles, Sunday - Michael Finley is not sarter of San Antonio Spurs, the role which he start during eight season with Dallas Mavericks. But, sit in the bench of reserve with Spurs did not make his skills blunt.

The three point shot of him save the face of Spurs of third drubbing from Los Angeles Lakers in Sunday' game. This third meeting of Spurs and Lakers in this season have to finished by over time, because both team played with tied, 80-80. Entering the last minute of that over time, Spurs still lefted behind by 93-94. Tim Duncan, center of Spurs, was guarded double team. Duncan send the ball to Finley whose standing outside three point line. Finley jumped quicker than Lakers' defender Lamar Odom and scored the three. The score become 96-94 lead for Spurs.

"Likely that ball enter, even I do not assure until the ball is really in. That is a bustled shot," Finley said. Finley scored totalize 17 point (is inclusive of five three point shot, giving first Spurs the victory from Lakers in this season). At two previous games with Lakers, Spurs surrender at 99-106 and 96-100.

"Mike (Michael Finley) reside in the correct position and he shot very well. That is a shot which we wish from him," Duncan praised.

Remain time of one secong left do not enough for Lakers to avoid lost. Lakers' star, Kobe Bryant, get double team by two player of Spurs, so that made the Lakers offense's aimed to Vladimir Radmanovic, but he didn't scroed. " They place two guys to guard me. I have tried to get open, but do not get a good position," said Bryant whose scored 31 point for Lakers.

In another game, Flip Saunders collects 500 Victory for his career. Chris Webber motorize the host team, Detroit Pistons to defeat Indiana Pacers, 95-87. This result is made 500 victory of the winning record for Coach of Pistons, Flip Saunders. Entering his eleventh season in NBA, Saunders booked 500-361 stats. That record is inclusive of 89 victory and 35 drubbing since he handled the Pistons from last season.

In Cleveland, LeBron James and his teammates become a victim of Phoenix Suns' 17 straight victory record. Suns placed in fifth of the longest straight win run in history of NBA's Record by defeated Cleveland Cavaliers, 115-110. At the highest position of longest straight win's record still mastered by Los Angeles Lakers (1971-1972) with 33 straight win.

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Paul Gasol to be trade?

Don’t be getting your hopes for Pau Gasol up just yet. Sources close to the situation poured cold water on a report that the Celtics have the best chance to land the Memphis star because they can offer Al Jefferson and a high draft pick.
The Celts definitely would like to get their hands on Gasol, but as was written here earlier in the season, the Grizzlies are not big on what the C’s may have to offer. Expect more Gasol talk around the league, as the big man quietly asked owner Michael Heisley to deal him to a team with a chance to win. That discussion was supposed to stay private, but word leaked out.
Considering how Jefferson began going for double-doubles when he was mentioned in published rumors (with other assets) for Allen Iverson, might it be expected that he improves his numbers now.
“Yeah, but I know this one’s not true,” Jefferson said, before pausing to add, “At least I hope it’s not true.” READ MORE...

The Crossover Dribble's Definition and Tips!

The crossover dribble can be the most effective offensive move in a player's arsenal if it is done properly. A quick crossover dribble allows an offensive player to get past her defender, gaining defensive penetration, and forcing the defense to adjust to prevent an easy layup. The modern game places a premium on penetrating moves off the dribble.
The crossover dribble combines quick footwork with exceptional ball handling skills. If either element is missing, the crossover dribble will not be effective.
The initial move which sets up the crossover dribble is a quick jab step with the "strong-side" foot. In other words, if the crossover dribble is a right hand to left hand cross, the offensive player must first jab with her right foot in a convincing manner so that her defender reacts by moving to the right to prevent the offensive player from going past her on the right side. As the offensive player jabs with her right foot as if to go past her defender on the right side, the ball should be moved by the dribbler in unison to the right. This quick jab step should be no greater than one foot in length. A longer jab step will create a weight imbalance which will only slow down the crossover. A shorter jab step makes the defensive player react to the move, and allows the dribbler to maintain the proper balance essential to make the next move in the crossover dribble.
As the jab step is performed, the dribbler's body height should drop. If the dribbler's body height does not drop as the jab step is made, the defender will not react to the jab step. The jab step will not be convincing enough to set up the defender for the crossover dribble, and therefore, the move will be doomed to fail from the outset.
The idea is to make the jab step correctly in order to get the defender to believe that the dribbler will go past him on the right side. If the jab step is done properly, the defender will literally jump to her left (the dribbler's right). As soon as this occurs, the offensive player has a great advantage in beating the defender with the crossover dribble. Without dropping the body height as the jab step is made, the offensive player will never be able to beat the defender. As the body height drops with the jab step, the height of the dribble with the right hand must also drop. Maintaining the same dribble height throughout the crossover dribble is a grave mistake since it takes away from the convincing nature of the jab step, and also allows the defender to steal the ball. If the dribbler does not get the defense to react by jumping to the right with a correct jab step and body drop, the crossover dribble will be unsuccessful.
As the correct jab step is made, the offensive player's weight should be on the inside of the right foot. This is essential so that a quick push-off can be made from the right foot to the left at about a 45 degree angle. If the dribbler's weight is not on the inside of the right foot, she will not be able to move quickly enough to the left to beat her defender. When done properly, the push-off from the right foot to the left should occur as the defender is reacting to the jab step.
In essence, a good crossover dribble results when the defender is moving in the opposite direction of the dribbler.
Maintaining the 45 degree angle on the push-off from the inside of the right foot to the left is critical. A shallower angle will result in an offensive player control foul. A larger angle will slow down the move and enable the defender to recover from the jab step before the dribbler is able to get past her.
As the push-off is being made from the inside of the right foot, the ball must be pushed from the right hand to the left hand. Just prior to the push-off, the ball should be in front of the right leg and to the right of the right foot as the jab step is being made. If the ball is too far behind the right foot or right leg, the crossover dribble will not work. It will take too long to move the ball from behind the right foot and leg to the left hand. Improper ball position during the crossover dribble is the "kiss of death" to the move.
In order to push the ball from the right hand to the left hand, the dribbler must have complete control of the ball. This means being able to dribble the ball with the hand on either side of the ball, not just directly on top of the ball. Being able to dribble the ball with the hand in various spots on the ball is essential to a quick, penetrating crossover dribble. As the ball is pushed, the right hand must be on the right side of the ball. If it isn't, then the movement of the ball from in front of the right foot and right leg to the left hand will not be fast enough. In an effective crossover dribble, the ball should move at least two feet laterally and forward from right to left as the ball is pushed in one dribble from the right hand to the left hand following the jab step. The ball must be kept very low (about one foot off the ground) during the push from the right hand to the left hand. This is important since it enables the move to be made faster (the lower the dribble, the faster the dribble) and it reduces the chances of a steal by the defender.
As the ball moves to the left hand to complete the crossover dribble, the dribbler's right shoulder should drop slightly and turn in a counter-clockwise direction. This maneuver puts the dribbler's body in front of the defender and enables the dribbler to protect the ball from the defender who is now to her right.
Once the ball is in the left hand, the offensive player must go hard and fast in a straight line to the basket. This acceleration past the defender can only be accomplished if the offensive player has complete control of the ball.
Sounds complicated, right? It is. It takes practice to develop a "killer crossover". Playing one-on-one is the best way to find out if you are making the move correctly. Forcing the defense to react to the ball and being quick enough to take advantage of the reaction is the key. There are a lot of players with crossover dribbles, but there are very few with a crossover dribble which breaks down the defense.

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Crossover Dribble - Basketball Training Tips

A crossover dribble is a dribble that starts from one hand, bounces off the ground and goes to the other side. When preformed quickly, these can be extremely effective. They can be used to keep the defense from stealing the ball or to get past the defense. You want all of your dribbling to be below your waist and the lower they go the faster and the better. Just make sure that it is not out of control. The further away the hands are from each other the harder it is.

Look at the pictures for help.

This is how you execute a nice crossover move in a game.

Start out with the ball, dribbling with your left hand. Now quickly take a wide step to your left, leaning and head faking to the left as well. If your man doesn’t react to this then drive by him on the left side. But if he goes for the fake then the next step is to cross him over and go right. You must totally change direction and bring the ball way over to your right so that he can’t knock the ball away as you are going by him. Push off from your left foot and speed towards the basket. If you do not run full speed then the defender will recover.

This is similar to the crossover that Allen Iverson of the Denver Nuggets does except that he does not drive so soon, he crosses him over again and drives with the ball in his left hand.
Like all moves don’t do it too often or else the defense will know it is coming. What you could do is do it maybe like two-three times then the next time you fake left, hesitate, and then actually go left.

You can also see the NBA Street Series "Ankle Breakers" DVDs for details how crossover is. In that DVD, you can see too many kind of move, i mean crossover dribbles by NBA's players. See them and try some or even you will producng new moves that eveybody never done!

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Improve Your Shot now!

I had tried to posted some shooting tips in my previous post, and i think it's not enough to make our shooting consistent. There are too many tricks in shooting the basketball, from basic shooting skill to jump shot or jump hook, also included free throw. So, i will try and try to write more and more tips to help you to improve your shot to be consistent.
Even though there is quite a bit to master when it comes to the game of basketball, if you can't score more than the other guy, that championship trophy will be hard to win. And i believe you want to do everything you can to increase how many shots you make and that trophy won't be so hard to bring home.
So, again, check this several shooting tips and i hope these are what you are looking for!

1. Set up with foot opposite the shooting hand a little in front of the other.
2. Always keep your eye on your target. Focus on the front top of the rim.
3. Keep the ball close to your body with your chest high and elbows in.
4. Bend knees slightly.
5. Don't let the ball rest on your palm. Let it rest on your fingertips like you're carrying a waiter's tray.
6. Keep your shoulders square to the basket and maintain good balance.
7. Keep your guide-hand just that - a guide. Just let it rest comfortably at the side of the ball.
8. Have good control of your fingertips. Let the ball come off your fingertips for a nice, "light" shot.
9. Create a good backspin. The ball will roll off your fingertips if you follow through correctly. In your follow through, extend your elbow and snap your wrist. This creates the proper backspin.
10. Keep the back of your hand toward your face and palms faced toward the hoop.
11. When the ball leaves your hand, keep your head moving up and directly towards the hoop.
12. Keep a medium arch to your shot. Not too high and not a straight arrow. Arch!
13. Use your legs for power.
14. Achieve quickness through proper wrist action and fingertip control.
15. In order to select the proper shots, get to know your range and skill.
16. Don't keep experimenting with your shooting form. Find what works and then develop it.
17. Always practice your shots at game speed.
18. Take shots you're most likely to face in a real game - invest more of your time developing these shots.
19. If you don't develop the proper quickness to your shots, there is a very good possibility you'll be blocked.
20. Know when to take the shot. If you can't finish the shot with your head moving up and slightly forward and your shoulders squared away, you might generally want to re-think that shot attempt.

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Lebron James reach the most voice of All-Star Game

LeBron James, MVP of NBA All-Star Game 2006

The last year National Basketball Association All-Star Game's MVP, Lebron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), reach the most voice for the game of annual star, All-Star Game, coming up at 18 February in Las Vegas. That city is newly first time perform for All-Star Game. In announcement of National Basketball Association (NBA), James get 2,516,049 voice of voter and will deputize the Eastern conference's teams . That number is represent highest secondly in NBA's history. But he not yet earned to excel acquirement of Yao Ming's result, center of Houston Rockets, getting 2,558,278 voice in last year All-Star Game in 2005. "My hope is only chosen for All-Star. But, I obtain; get most voted, and I have never anticipate that will be happened. It's really difficult to trust it," James surprised.

Yao Ming in this year, get more than 2,4 million of voice, the highest in Western conference, will not play in that becoming All-Star game in Las Vegas because he still in injury. A player that will replace Yao will be known in the next week when names of reserve's players announced. Commissary of NBA, David Stern, will choose the bench's players of the Western All-Star Team which will be handled by the coach of Phoenix Suns, Mike D'Antoni, and he will picking out a replacement for Yao.

In Eastern All-Star Team, was chosen also center of Miami Heat, Shaquiile O'Neal. That mean he chosen for the All-Star Game 14 times successively. Though, he has absent in 35 games of this season because of his knee injury. Return of Shaq in this All-Star Game is making him to enter the NBA's record, the most NBA's players that often played in All-Star, coming up to achievement of Jerry West and Karl Malone. Eastern All-Star Team also chosen greats players like Dwayne Wade (Miami Heat), Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards), and Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors). Last two week, on an acquirement of the All-Star voting, Arenas still left behind from Vince Carter (New Jersey Nets). But, he succeed to passed Carter's voted by getting 1,454,166 of voice, while Carter got 1,451,156 of voice.

And Western All-Star Team starters are Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves), Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs), Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), Tracy Mcgrady (Houston Rokects), and waiting for Yao Ming's replacement.

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NBA's News: Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony

Debut of duet between Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson make surprise. Two NBA's Stars that hesitated can play together are really able to make surprise in their debut. Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson come up with good teamwork bring victory for Denver Nuggets to beat Memphis Grizzlies, 115-98, at Denver. " We wish to show to public that we can come up with," said Anthony ( 22 years old), who is before the game compliment to audience because of their remain to support him at the time when he was on the experience interdict sanction for 15 games. Anthony come up to return, 36 day after beating player of New York Knicks, Mardy Collins, in the game's fight between two team. The effect of that fight, 10 player released in that game, 7 player get sanction, by Anthony got heaviest sanction. One day after Commissary of NBA, David Stern knock down sanctions, Nuggets signed Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers' star, who has 7 times come up in NBA All-Star Game from 11 season in his career. Doubt even also emerge, is there enough space for both of them in Denver. Anthony is a top scorer of this NBA season by 31,9 average points per game, while Iverson in third place by put up 29,5 average point per game. But, Iverson wisely have told he was shouldered burden as a star player during his career, and conveniently ready to serve Anthony. That promise has direct coinciding by him at his first opportunity. At 5 minute of that game began, Iverson handled the ball in a fast break chance, and in fact, he can easily scored in that time. But, he decided to pass to Anthony who that run beside him and Anthony scored. The highest performance of their teamwork showed us an alley-oop dunk by Anthony, 7 minutes before the buzzer beat for signal of the end of that game. Long pass by Iverson accepted by Anthony with one hand and directly dunked the ball with alley-oop show. At the moment of Anthony allowed to rest in the bench at 28 point of his performance, five rebound, and six assist from him, publics of the Denver even also crack clamourly, evidence that his mistake have been forgived.

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Shooting Tip #5: THE JUMP HOOK / SKY HOOK

In the jump shot, your shoulders and body are square to the basket. In the sky hook, you protect the ball directly keeping your body and not-throwing to the arm between ball and opponent that keep to you. The sky hook is also called Jump Hook, was popularized by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He almost did his point everything by his sky hook, his sky hook is touch of light of the time of the demonstration in the NBA history. He made the hook as a form of art, very beautiful shot of the sky. Wanna shoot like him? I think that you must work hardly! So practices and practices, then you can dominate this kind of shot, sky hook! How is it work?

• To obtain the system for the hook of the jump is equal according to described thing in extremity of the jump shot. Stand 2 or 3 feet directly in front of the basket. To obtain the system, To get set, go through the steps explained in the Jump Shot Tip above UNTIL you get to shooting, then read the instructions here.
• Fixed once, rotate your body ninety degrees so that the non-shooting arm is pointing directly at the basket. While rotating the body, slip non-shooting hand along the surface of the ball so that it ends up directly between the basket and the ball. The shooting hand continues to face the basket. If you are throwing with your right hand, your forearm must be vertical and the ball must be directly on your right shoulder. Become as high as is possible, your arm that throws must completely be extended, with only one slight curve in the elbow. This one is the position for the sky hook.
• Fixed once for the sky hook, the jump and the launching according to the explained thing in the basic shot of the jump. In order to protect the ball, keep the non-shooting hand fully extended, until the ball is well on its way to the basket. Learn to shoot the jump hook with either hand..

Work on shooting by stepping on to your non-pivot foot and raising your pivot foot off the floor . For example, if you wish to throw to a hook of the jump with your right hand, then to establish your left foot like the foot of the not-pivot. Then, to take a measurement with her, jumping vertically and throwing like you to finish the step. To avoid to travelling foul, make sure your non-pivot foot does not come down to floor until after the ball leaves your hand.

In order to practice the sky hook with a step-in, to do the following one. In the left side of the basket, stand at a 45-degree angle to the backboard about 4 or 5 feet from the basket. Get set to shoot the basic jump shot. Instead of throwing to the jump shot, passage into the paint with your left foot in a line that is parallel to the sideline. As your left comes to pave, to execute the hook of the jump. To return to the exit position. To obtain the system. Then to walk with your right foot towards the line of bottom in a line that is parallel to the sideline. To execute the hook of the jump with your left hand. After several repetitions of each one threw, to across make this exercise of the hoop.

To practice executing sky hook after receiving a pass or ending a dribble near the basket from a lay up position on the court. Use the jump hook when your opponent denies you from shooting a lay-up. The jump hook will help you against taller defenders, so don't under-estimate or under practice it ... Study this sky hook basketball shooting tips carefully...

Good Luck...

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Shooting Tips #4 - Free Throw

Do you have problem in shooting free throw? In clutch games, free throw is really important for the team. You get fouled and stand on free throw line to shoot the ball, but you don't know what to do? You doubt about your free throw accuracy? You don't have that confident? That mean you got that problem, man... Don't dissapoint your teams...

Most of players doesn't thought free throw is important, for me, it's a clutch' shot. Here I got some free throw tips... So, lets check its out!

1. Line the foot that corresponds with your shooting hand—if you’re right handed, your left foot—up with the nail that is nailed into the center of every free throw line in every gym, across the country. If you are shooting outside, try to guess where the center of the foul line is. This guarantees you a level of alignment with the rim, helpful to your success. Though there are exceptions to the rule, most great free-throw shooters follow this line of thinking (even if they won’t admit it).
2. Fix your eyes on the front of the rim. Do not use the back of the rim, or, even worse, the white square on the backboard as your point of reference. Doing so means that you are looking towards a place on the basket where, if you hit them, you will most probably miss. Whereas, if you aim towards the front of the rim, your mind automatically tells you to shoot the ball at this point with a trajectory conducive to a friendly bounce. And even if you hit the front of the rim, if you have the rotation that you should as a shooter, the ball will roll into the basket.

Do not just read this post and try it twice and you think you able to do better free throw! You must REPEAT, REPEAT, and REPEAT!! I think you must practice its until they become automatic! Hardworking produce a better skill, have a nice practice...

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Shooting Tip #3: LAY UP

After you dominated your jump shot, it's time for you to do some easy shot especially in fast-break situation, that easy shoot was named Lay Up.

A layup is simply a short range shot that usually hits gently off the backboard. Most of the time layups are preformed while running towards the basket.
To shoot a proper layup you must have your hands and in the correct position. If you are shooting on the left side of the basket, you would shoot with your left hand, jumping off your right foot and vice versa. If you are dribbling towards the basket you stop dribbling until you are about 2 feet from the basket. You then pick up the ball, take one or two more steps and gently bounce the ball against the square on the backboard before you take your third step (that would be a violation). It is not the ordinary shooting method because you do not have a helper hand there to guide, it is more of a one handed shot. The way you would do it would be to have your palm underhand and then with the speed and momentum that you have collected from dribbling let it hit off the backboard. Lay-ups are definitely a part of basketball shooting tips, and they are extremely important for you to become good at...

I will posting some kind of lay up form on next time, but before that, i think you must dominate the basic first. So, go to the court and try to do some... Have a nice days...

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Shooting Tips #2 - Jump Shot

I often finished the ball with jump shot, i mean, most of my points is scored by my jump shooting. At first, i think i am nothing before i improved my shooting skills. I am just 6 feet and i did not have strong body. After that, i practiced hard and strengthen my body. And then my coach help me to get a proper form of shooting, thanks coach T.O. By the way, here are some Jump Shot tips :

1. Body Positioning - Stand 2 or 3 ft. directly in front of the basket. Assume a jumping stance. Your feet are shoulder width apart, and parallel to each other; one foot is slightly ahead of the other (you should learn to shoot with either foot forward). The knees are flexed. Although both feet are entirely in contact with the court, almost your entire body weight should be on the balls of the feet and distributed equally on both feet. Your shoulders should be square to the basket and slightly ahead of your hips, which should be directly over the mid point of your feet. Your head should be erect. Keeping you shoulders squared to the basket is a CRUCIAL basketball shooting tip.
2. Ball To Hand - Hold the ball in two hands, in front of you, close to the body, and just above waist level. The fingers and thumbs of both hands are pointing directly away from you; keep the elbows in. The hands should be on the top half of the ball; The complete inner surface of the hands should be in contact with the ball. The fingers and thumbs of each hand are spread comfortably. The distances separating the fingers and the thumbs should be the same. The forefingers should be parallel to each other. To hold the ball, push both hands towards its centre to create enough pressure to hold it. To establish fingertip control, apply gentle, but firm pressure with the pads of your fingers, that is, the area between the tips of the fingers and thumbs and the first joint. Applying this pressure creates a paper thin air space along the fingers, thumbs, and palms, starting at the first joint and ending at the heel of the hand. Cock the wrists, making sure they are relaxed, so that you can easily cock and uncock them in a full range of motion. To cock your wrists, bring the back of the hands towards the body. Do not lock your wrists!
3. Ball To Body - Now move the ball to the point above and in front of your head from which you will shoot. You must be able to see the basket under the ball. As you raise the ball, rotate your shooting hand so that it is directly behind and under the ball by the time it reaches shooting position. As you rotate the shooting hand, which controls the ball, the non-shooting hand slides over the ball, ending to the side and slightly under the ball. The non-shooting hand takes no part in the shot. Its job is to help hold and protect the ball until the moment the shooting action begins.
   Hold the ball as high as possible. The higher you hold the ball, the taller you become. Ideally, there should be only a slight bend in the elbow of the shooting arm, particularly when you are close to the basket. Keep the ball directly in front of you. Looking from the side, one should see that the forearm is vertical, so that the wrist is directly over the elbow. From the front, the elbow of the shooting hand should be directly in front of or slightly inside the shoulder, never outside. Now you are in SET POSITION.
4. The Shot - Your shooting action begins the moment you are in set position. Shooting is a one-piece action in which you quickly jump and uncock the wrist. This quick jumping action generates most of the power for the shot. The feet barely leave the floor. As the hand comes forward as the wrist is uncocked, the ball immediately begins to rise up on the fingertips. Quick wrist action and fingertip control give a crisp back spin to the ball. For maximum control of the ball, it should come off the tips of the forefinger and middle finger. To transfer power from the legs to the ball, release the ball just as, or just before, you complete your jumping action. Make sure the ball leaves the fingertips before the arm straightens in follow through. As the shooting arm straightens in follow through, the wrist should end up only slightly ahead of the elbow, which should not be tightly locked. The hand will have completed its full range of motion from being cocked back to being crisply snapped forward. Throughout the entire shooting action, keep your eyes focussed on a spot on the back of the rim directly opposite you; stay relaxed so that all the joints, particularly the wrist of the shooting hand, move very easily. (Key Basketball Shooting Tip: The stronger your legs, the better your jump shot). The farther you are from the basket, the more power you need. To get more power, increase the flex or bend in the knees. If necessary, you can lower the shooting position of the ball, but never so low that you cannot see the basket from under the ball. When you get to a distance from the basket at which you begin to force the shot, you have reached the limit of your shooting range.
   When shooting, you can make yourself taller by jumping higher. However, in doing so, you will not be able to get as much power from your legs. So, you should jump high only when you are fairly close to the basket. Again, it is very important that you release the ball as or just before you reach the peak of your jump. Falling or fading away as you shoot will result in a great loss of power. You should not attempt learning the fade-away until you have mastered the basic jump shot. Usually only gifted athletes are able to become proficient at this shot.

So thats all i know about jump shot, have a nice training days.

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Shooting Tips #1 - Fundamentals

Hi, i think i have not posted in a week because i busied by my exam in college. I have finished it and come back to make some new post. Fuiih... It's really busy in last week, but i still have some time to play basketball. But i just stand alone and throw the ball alone. And i practiced my freethrow and i have improve my freethrow percentage! And i want to find some way to increase my jumping ability. I am 6 feet tall, but i just can touch the ring a little bit. My friend, Eddy, who just 5 ft 10 inch, can dunk the basket easy. I really want to like him... But in this post, i am not ready to post you the dunk tips or dunk training tips because i still not get it yet. Eddy told me that he will lend me the Dunk's training DVD, but i am not meet him yet. I will post the dunk's training secret after i get it... So, in this time, i am trying to write you about shooting. About how to became a good shooter, i am not a greatest shooter in my college but i think i have a proper shooting form, and my coach said that too. But proper form is not enough to became a good shooter, you may have good physic, greatest concentration, and strong arm. Its called fundamental player.

FUNDAMENTALS

1. For shooting the basketball you must have your entire body in the right position to ensure that you have the greatest chance of making the shot. First you should have your strong arm up and Bent at a 90 degree angle.
2. Also have your weak arm up along side it as a helper hand. This is a basketball tip OFTEN overlooked.
3. Then flick your wrist and push your arm up to propel the ball towards the net. The first step for you is to learn these fundamental basketball shooting tips, and then you can move on to the next practices in my next post...

Good Luck...

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Improve Your Shooting

Hi, I am about to writing on my commitment, I said in my previous post (proper form of shooting), that I will post more shooting tips. And here are some tips that I know about :

1. Get open. Always keep moving and finding the open position, you don’t want defender near you before you shoot the ball. Create a lead before you receive the ball. Set up the shot you want. "Hoped Shots" rarely end up in the basket.
2. Shot selection. Know your ability. Practice and employ your best shots. Some good practice shooters may become only average game shooters, but there are no poor practice shooters who are excellent game shooters. Know where your teammates are before shooting. Make sure no teammate is open for a better shot. Know when to shoot. Passing up a good shot is just as important as taking a bad shot. Be aware of defensive players' and offensive rebounders' positions. And after you should the ball, even you feel the ball is in or not, I think you should standby to receive the pass from your teammate or offensive rebounders if they get your bad shot.
3. Shoot with consistency. The balance is important here, so be on balance. Take off is with opposite foot of shooting hand. Hold ball high with wrist back and elbow pointing directly at the basket. Release ball quickly but do not hurry. Ball should have good back spin. Follow through. Keep shooting hand and fingers extended until ball goes through the basket. And you will see the best scene of your shot and feel the game. Nice feeling, man.
4. Concentrate on shot. No fear, no doubt, shoot with touch. Focus on the rim. Do not watch the ball - a shooter that take eyes off the target usually blows the shot. Concentrate on every shot in every practice and every game. Concentrate despite any distractions of noise and movement. You should have only one thought on your mind, and that is making the shot.
5. Shoot with confidence. I think most of people, if they see Michael Jordan shooting the ball, I believe they always think the ball will get in than not. It happened because Michael Jordan has good confident and people believe in him, they can feel his confident. So, if you want to be a good shooter, you must have the confidence in your shooting ability. "You are only as good as you think". Practice. "Shooters are made - not born." The secret to good shooting is countless hours of hard work and concentration. This why coaches love to see baskets in player's backyards. Use the "Beef" principle to analyze and improve your shot. B = Balance E = Elbow under the ball E = Eyes focused on target F = Follow Through
6. Acknowledge the pass. Will result in receiving more and better passes. You also can see my previous post about passing skill. Become a proficient passer. Passing will build better shooters because the principle of throwing to a teammate is the same as shooting at the basket. And the defender will embarrassment to defend you, they doubt about what are you going to do, shoot the ball or pass it!

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The Next AIR Jordan

Since media and publics are trying to find for the next 'Air' Jordan, Michael Jordan has use his own way to choose who is the next 'Air'. The next generation 'Air' Jordan, but this time you got to see two Jordan; Michael 'Air' Jordan's son; they are Marcus and Jeffrey Jordan. These two young Jordan has already playing in high school basketball's games.

Michael Jordan's oldest son; Jeffrey Jordan, who is 18 years old and stand just 188 cm (6 feet 2 inches). He played shooting guard position like his father. But the different with Jordan is, he is left-handed, so he wear number 32 jerseys of that, the reverse of number 23, his father's jersey.

Marcus Jordan is younger, although he is only 16 years old, but he is taller than Jeffrey. He has 190.5 cm heigth (6 feet 3 inches). He also has athletic jumping skill to score the basket with incredible dunks, really like a young Michael 'Air' Jordan.

They had played in same school, they are playing for the Loyola Academy Ramblers in Chicago and bringing the team an outstanding season. Jeff and Marcus are starting to earn fame like their legendary Chicago Bulls basketball player Michael Jordan. They have helped their team win an eight-nil record this season.

Michael attends most of their games when he has vacant, but he has declined an interview so as not to take attention away from his sons.

Next year Jeffrey is going to light up the college's basketball games, but he is not to make his choice yet, which college will he choose to go? But Marcus has already made his choice, he said his choice is his brother choice. Look at this two Jordan, they are really have a good teamwork, inside or outside the court.

I hope these teo young Jordan will light up the basketball games in the future. I really want to see players like Michael Jordan again, it's awesome!

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Basketball Training Tips - Offense (part 2)

Move without the Ball
The most dangerous player on the court is that player without the ball who will move. Defenses have a tendency to focus on the ball, so if you will move without the ball when on offense, you will often find yourself getting open for easy shots.
Keep moving
We often say that the biggest mistake you can make, is to stand. Always move with a purpose. When the player does not have the ball he should move to the ball, fake, move away from the ball, set a screen, get rebounding position, or improve spacing, but never just stand. Think about the players that you don`t like to guard. They probably are the ones that are constantly moving, requiring you to stay alert or else he will sneak free for an easy shot. BE THAT PERSON, AND KEEP MOVING!
Create Spacing
Move to create proper spacing , using the three point line and marks on the floor as a spacing guide. Try to maintain 12`-18` spacing and don`t get bunched up. The floor should be balanced (don`t have four guys on one side of the floor and only one on the other - unless it is an isolation play designed to take advantage of something in particular).
Cut backdoor
Get open when the man with the ball is in a position to pass the ball by faking one way and using a V-cut or an L-cut to elude the defense.If that player without the ball is being overplayed he should cut backdoor (behind the man and to the basket).
Getting open using V-cuts
The best way to get open to receive a pass is through the use of V-cuts. A v-cut is a cut by which you take your defender further in the direction in which he plays you, then plant and go the opposite way. If the defender is laying off, go toward him, then pop back. If the defender is overplaying you, take him higher, then cut toward the basket.
L-Cut
When executing an "L-Cut" you start at the block on the edge of the free throw lane and walk your defender up the side of the lane. When your teammate is ready to deliver the pass you step into the defender, make contact, and change speeds quickly by pushing off of your inside foot to pop out to the wing.
Screen to Get Open
A screen may be a method of helping a teammate get open, but a good screen forces the screener´s defender to "help" and becomes one of the best ways to free yourself for a shot.
Proper Screening Angles
When setting a screen, the screener should have their shoulder blades pointing to the “shot-spot” (destination of the users cut where they want to get the shot). The user of the screen is usually open wherever the screeners back is facing.
Going to set a downscreen
When setting a down screen for a player, the screener should "Head Hunt" and find the defender guarding the player that is being screened for. The screener should go directly to the defensive man to set the screen. The screener should then come to a stop with a wide base and knees flexed, immediately before contact with the defense, to avoid a moving screen.
Meet the ballWhen a teammate passes you the ball, come and meet it - don`t wait for it to get to you. Passes are usually stolen the last third of the pass--it is the receiver´s responsibility to step to and meet the pass aggressively. READ MORE...

Basketball Training Tips - Offense (part 1)

It’s upgrading your scoring skill, I mean additional of offensive skill. After complete the basic skill, it’s time to to play your ‘A’ games! Now you have crossover dribble, playmaker passing skill, accurate shooting skill, so what you got to do now? It is not sure untill you improve your offensive awarness. Like many top players, they did not only have a good basic skill. But they has created the game, they can control their games with their offensive awarness and creativity. Like how to play, how to get open, how to make your teammate open, whole is how to win the games. So, you should read some of these!
I decided to wrote it two ways, offense with the ball and offence without the ball:
Offensive position with the ball
When you first catch the ball, you should automatically be in what is called the triple threat. Stay low in a position to shoot, pass or dribble easily without a position change. This is one of the most important things a player can do to impress a coach. Knees should be bent, hands in the position to shoot easily, but make sure you have a tight handle on the ball so a defender doesn´t knock it away. Feet should be squared to the basket, with the power foot a little bit in front of the other.(The power foot is the foot that is matched with the dominant hand, like right handed shooters=right foot, opposite for left)
Keep your dribble alive
The most common mistake of inexperienced basketball players is "giving up their dribble". The defense will collapse on you, trap you, and feed on this mistake. Coaches can´t emphasize this enough. Emphasize catching the ball, holding the ball until you have a purpose prior to putting the ball to the floor.
Penetrate and dish
The secret to success in penetrate and dish is keep your head up when you dribble, beat your man, and as that other defender is coming toward you, pass off. You will create havoc in a team`s defensive scheme. Another tip is when you dish it off, pass while you are on the ground, not in the air. If you go airborne, it should be to score. If you go up in the air to pass, as you are in the air, a defensive player could jump into that passing lane... and then you are stuck. Many turnovers are made this way.
Penetrate Middle
On the offensive side, point guards and others should penetrate middle. I want them to get to the lane. If you can get into the lane, especially with a jump stop and are strong and solid with the ball, you are pretty much unstoppable. You could shoot, use ball fakes and shoot or pass to the low post, or kick out for a ´3´
Shot Fake
One of the most common moves is a shot fake. When another player on your team passes the ball to you and you are in triple threat and you can´t move because you have defense guarding you, you can jab (which will back the player up) or shot fake (which will make them stand up and you can go right pass them).
Fake a shot, and then drive to the basket. The key to this move is to stay low when you use the shot fake, so that you take off fast on your drive to the basket(like a track sprinter). I tell my players to “fake little, move big”.
Give & Go
The give and go is one of the most fundamental plays in basketball. What you do is pass to a teammate(this is the give part) and then cut to the basket(this is the go part). The player you passed to passes the ball back to you, and hopefully, you score. This is a great 2 man play.
Look Under the Basket
When you are handling the ball in your half court offense, it is a good rule of thumb to focus under the basket. With the development of your peripheral vision, this will allow you to see the entire floor and spot anyone on your team as they come open. READ MORE...

NBA ALL-STAR 2007 - Las Vegas

Is Your choice there? This season NBA allstar game will be played in Las Vegas on Sunday, Feb. 18. Your favourite players will play in that game? You can try to vote your man by visit nba.com. I have try to take some information about allstars last voting result here, let's check it out.

2007 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: LeBron James (Cleveland) 1,323,989; Chris Bosh (Toronto) 497,283; Jermaine O’Neal (Indiana) 437,164; Paul Pierce (Boston) 322,601; Grant Hill (Orlando) 281,966; Rasheed Wallace (Detroit) 251,155; Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia) 219,621; Tayshaun Prince (Detroit) 166,250; Emeka Okafor (Charlotte) 155,998; Chris Webber (Philadelphia) 147,933.

Guards: Dwyane Wade (Miami) 983,321; Vince Carter (New Jersey) 726,040; Gilbert Arenas (Washington) 494,761; Jason Kidd (New Jersey) 361,504; Stephon Marbury (New York) 237,478; Chauncey Billups (Detroit) 198,290; Michael Redd (Milwaukee) 151,216; Steve Francis (New York) 133,027; Joe Johnson (Atlanta) 129,755; Richard Hamilton (Detroit) 108,355.

Centers: Shaquille O'Neal (Miami) 855,544; Dwight Howard (Orlando) 665,434; Ben Wallace (Chicago) 377,127; Alonzo Mourning (Miami) 122,525;; Zaza Pachulia (Atlanta) 99,467; Andrew Bogut (Milwaukee) 79,150; Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Cleveland) 68,475; Nazr Mohammed (Detroit) 57,830; Nenad Krstic (New Jersey) 54,472; Eddy Curry (New York) 52,677.


WESTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Kevin Garnett (Minnesota) 785,865; Tim Duncan (San Antonio) 715,916; Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas) 684,620; Carmelo Anthony (Denver) 633,041; Shane Battier (Houston) 471,404; Lamar Odom (L.A. Lakers) 239,047; Shawn Marion (Phoenix) 230,155; Josh Howard (Dallas) 225,499; Carlos Boozer (Utah) 185,155; Pau Gasol (Memphis) 157,239.

Guards: Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers) 1,187,505; Tracy McGrady (Houston) 1,057,057; Allen Iverson (Denver) 975,319; Steve Nash (Phoenix) 736,168; Chris Paul (New Orleans/Oklahoma City) 244,773; Jason Terry (Dallas) 236,856; Manu Ginobili (San Antonio) 220,070; Tony Parker (San Antonio) 208,113; Jerry Stackhouse (Dallas) 199,328; Ray Allen (Seattle) 182,946.

Centers: Yao Ming (Houston) 1,411,923; Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix) 485,642; Erick Dampier (Dallas) 218,833; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 153,601; Marcus Camby (Denver) 117,606; Chris Kaman (L.A. Clippers) 61,202; Brad Miller (Sacramento) 59,859; Tyson Chandler (New Orleans/Oklahoma City) 56,874; Chris Mihm (L.A. Lakers) 55,583; Francisco Elson (San Antonio) 54,442.

Is your man there? In my own choice, i want to watch the starters are:
Western Conference
Center : Amare Stoudemire, i would like to see he make some power dunk, man.
Forward : Kevin Garnett of the Timberwolves and Carmelo Anthony, but i dont hope to see him fight again. Peace!

Guard : Kobe Bryant the scoring machine and i'd like to see crossover from Allen Iverson.

Eastern Conference
Center : Dwight Howard from Orlando Magic, i think he has too many improvement in this season.
Forward : Who else? Ofcourse Lebron James is in my choice, i think he can play at Power Forward position. And Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics.
Guard : Last year final MVP Dwane Wade, and i also want to watch how good is Gilbert Arenas.

There is my dream team, i write this just for fun. By the way, hope your favourite player will play in this upcoming allstar game.

Best Regards.

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Less Kobe... More Succes For Lakers?

The Los Angeles Lakers on the way to their best start in the past four seasons as Kobe Bryant is doing less, resulting in the rest of the team doing better. Kobe was the NBA's Western Conference Player of the Month for December, yet he much prefers his teammates to step forward. Know, we saw him did more assist than before. He passed to his open teammate, he make his teammate scored more, he made his teammate better. That approach has turned into a winning combination for the Lakers, whose 20-11 record going into Thursday night's game at Sacramento, is the fifth best in the league.”
So, Less Kobe has meant more succes to Lakers...? Do you think same with me? READ MORE...

Basketball Training Tips - Passing (Part 2)

The ability to move the basketball and hit the open man is a characteristic found in all great players and teams. In order to perfect this ability to its utmost, players must utilize and master the following fundamental principles of passing:
Anticipate
Read the defense and know where to pass before receiving the ball. Outstanding basketball players have the ability to anticipate where to pass the basketball. This is why professional players need very little team pattern to create good scoring opportunities for their teammates.
Maintain a proper spacing
Most passes should be made within a 12' to 15' distance. This spacing spreads the defense and allows for quick, accurate passing. Passes beyond 15' carry a high risk of interception. Never throw directly at a receiver moving away from you. Always lead the receiver to the basket on lob and baseball passes.
When the defender is playing off, close the distance with a dribble to less than 3'. The closer the defender plays, the less time they have to read and react to the passer's movements. Dribble penetration will also force the defender to defend against the drive and eliminates their playing of the passing lane.
Closing the distance
Note: On post feeds, the majority of steals are made by the passer's own defender not the post's defender.Look off the receiver. Use split vision to see the passing lane and receiver. Avoid telegraphing pass by turning head and looking directly at the receiver. Use quick wrist action for all passes. Eliminate all unnecessary movements like winding up and stepping with the pass.
Pass through the defense
Avoid passing over or around the defender. Pass fake in opposite direction. Watch the defender's hands and make a quick, accurate pass away from them. When the defender plays with his/her hands up, fake high and pass under their arm pit. When the defender holds his/her down, fake low and pass over their shoulder between their arm and head.
Read and pass away from the receiver's defender
Recognize how the defender is playing the receiver and pass to the opposite side. The receiver has the responsibility to "shape up" in such a manner that he presents a good target. They must protect the passing lane by assuming a low stance with the foot nearest to the defender forward between the defender and the ball.
Line of Deployment
Note: Never pass to a receiver that does not call and want the ball. Move the ball. The ability to make the good quick, strong pass cannot be over emphasized. The basketball has to be moved. A player should be able to successfully execute his play (pass, shot, drive) within three seconds after receiving the ball. The ability to move the ball separates the good players from the mediocre ones and the good ball clubs from the poor ones.
Pass and move
Passer must move a specific purpose after executing a pass. Each movement should result in a screen, a shot, rebound position, a fake or clear. Standing and watching after making pass is a major fault of the poor player.
Develop pride in your passes
Work hard to perfect all types of passes. Be clever, not fancy. The clever passer will receive praise while the fancy one will be ridiculed. READ MORE...

Basketball Training Tips - Passing (Part 1)

In the game, you can shoot the ball and you can crossovered peoples. Anklebreaker is on the court, but if you can pass the ball, you should not be a good basketball player. I mean, if you have doubled (double team), or you step has stopped by defender, what you got to do? Force to shoot? Even if you don’t have a good shooting skill?

Coach like the players that can make chances to the team to scores aside he/she can scores by him/her-self. I played shooting guard position in my team, I also played small forwad position. I had shoot too many in my game, but I am glad when my coach thought me that I had a passing talent. My teammate is happy to play with me because I like to make some assist in games.

I like to see Tracy Mcgrady play, you know, he can score, dunk, blockshot, and do some beautiful pass. I like to watch him play. Too many scorers in the NBA can make incredibles pass, like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and too many. They are the top scores in NBA, but they always make some spectacular pass in their games. You also can see the incredible flashy pass from the street near your neighbourhood, I mean streetball. Streetballers has too many trick to pass the ball, too many no look pass are there, from bounce pass to over head pass. They do it all in fantastic form.
You will feel a different thing if you eventual have a good passing skill. Here are some tips, lets feel it!
How to improve your passing skill?
You must know what are your style, what kind of pass do you like to do, so you can see what level of "passing player" are you.
What category of "passing" player are you? What is your passing level?
Level One
Throws the ball to an area just to get rid of it. Common among beginning players.

Level Two
Just throws the ball toward a teammate no matter if they are ready to receive it or not. This is why players get hit by the ball during practice when just standing around.
Level Three
Surgeon. Passes to a specific target (hand or finger). Leads receivers into good shots. Rarely throws the ball away.

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T-Mac in Action!

T-Mac's hand injury that took him out of the game Friday night against the Hawks did not phase him at all Sunday night in the Rockets 111-109 win over the Grizzlies. He scored a season-high 38 points and went 15-of-30 shooting, 5-of-8 from the three-point line. He also got nine rebounds, three assist, and a steal.

With Yao Ming out of the lineup T-Mac seems to be one of the main players picking up the slack. His last two games he's scored over 30 and seems to be getting hot.

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Player's Profile - Tamir Goodman

This is something strange and the unusual history of a basketball player must be. It is the history of a cabrito, young person of 17 years at that time who takes care of the academy of Talmudical outside Baltimore; a cabrito that uses payos around its ears under giant his kipah (skullcap), has tzizit (strips ritual) hanging of its shirt, and the accounts between 30-40 points that it satisfies every time for above for the basketball. The name of the young person is Tamir Goodman and it is so improbable a candidate as you would always imagine to play basketball of the university or the professional! But when the university of Maryland Terrapins went to look for a player of the star, they decided Tamir and offered him an athletic scholarship to him to play the game with them once he graduates Talmudical Academy a year-and-a half as of that time that offered it. So that they extended its supply to him so early? Because they were scared that the word left once on its extraordinary abilities of the basketball, other great universities would also go after him. And so during scholastic year 2000-2001, Tamir Goodman will satisfy for above for the ball of Terps and the game. It is easy to understand because the Terps would wish to player with the talents of Tamir. It is apparently ambidextrous with a basketball, jumping under network with the ball in a hand, changing the hands inside to mid-air, and dunking the ball with the other. The people who have watched it to play have nicknamed it already “Jewish Jordan”. In a certain game, it wrote down 45 straight points after its equipment fell behind 20-4 before it incorporated that game. But when the games of Tamir for above, he will use his kipah, his payos and his tzizit. And one another thing: He will not play any games for Maryland that to program the one night or Saturday of Friday during the day. And when he travels with the equipment, he will have to provide the food to kosher for him. And in addition, the mouthfuls that leave in gym during sessions and games of the practice will need to be too-strictly to kosher to kosher. The car of auxiliary basketball of said Maryland, Billy Hahn, “is going to be many of work-but we felt worthy Tamir of him.” And Hahn even went more future and this than Maryland it will try to afternoon change the hour of some of his games of of Saturday that year to the night of Saturday so that Tamir can play! For Tamir, the opportunity to play basketball of the university is a dream comes truth. But it follows trusted deeply his Jewish faith and changing is not seen or committing itself in its observance. The Judaism defines it, he says, nonbasketball. And if Maryland cannot solve its necessities, the basketball as soon as it had to hope-or be played somewhere. Is an amazing history, is not? I have never heard absolutely speak an athlete like Tamir Goodman. The Tamir is absolutely different, and to have it in an equipment will be a challenge in fact to its new school, its cars and, perhaps coverall, to their players of the companion. Our young people need to see an example of a cabrito that plays basketball but they do not concern requesting what he feels is reasonable and important for him. The car Hahn said it well: “We know that it is going to be defy-but we thought worthy Tamir of him.” Of so many ways, Tamir and its cars have given new worthy of and the new meaning to the pluralistas possibilities in modern America. We can be animated by this beautiful history, and can be we have alcohol to play this game. Because we loved this game… Basketball!

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Shooting Tips

Shooting, without a doubt, is the most important skill in basketball. Just like baseball is at its essence a battle between pitcher and hitter, basketball is fundamentally about making baskets; everything else was subsequently invented to aid or prevent a player from scoring. However, as the evolution continues, scoring, and more precisely shooting, fades further from the game's focal point, as coaches emphasize defense and players try to impress, and not simply score.
At every camp I have ever attended, a coach explains to the campers that coaches will always keep a player who can play defense and hustle. I say the easiest way to make a team is to be the best shooter; no coach will cut the best shooter at a try-out because every coach knows he must score, regardless of his defensive propensity.
Every coach has a shooting theory. While theories differ, they center on one goal: the ability to score consistently. The most important aspect is not the elbow or the legs, but the mind; Reggie Miller's shot is not fundamentally sound, but he is among the most prolific shooters the NBA has seen. Miller's success is due to two things: supreme confidence and his ability to get open to take and make big shots.
"Confidence is hard to teach; confidence is only born of one thing-demonstrated ability. It is not born of anything else. You cannot dream up confidence. You cannot fabricate it. You cannot wish it. You have to accomplish it. I think that genuine confidence is what you really seek that only comes from demonstrated ability," (Bill Parcels). Shooters have bad days and suffer through slumps, but great shooters, moreover great players, never allow their confidence to waver. Shooters have short memories and always believe their next shot is good. "Life is a collection of self-fulfilling prophecies" (John Naber); therefore, it is imperative that a shooter truly believes in himself and his shot. The confidence is more vital to success than any technique a coach can teach.

Great shooters never think about missing; once the negative enters the mind, the chances for success are lessened. Michael Jordan said: "I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot. Why? Because when you think about the consequences, you always think of a negative result." Jordan was not a phenomenal shooter, but at the end of the game, nobody is better. The pressure never affected Jordan; it raised his level of play, sharpened his focus. He believed the shot was going in, so a game winning shot never had added pressure. His confidence created a calm enabling him to knock down the big shots.
Players must be able to catch the ball in a position to score, or all the confidence in the world will not allow him to make a shot. Therefore, the ability to move without the ball is imperative to a player's success, especially since the average player possesses the ball for an average of one minute per game. Players must be hard to guard without the ball; constantly working on skills with the ball is not enough. Players must work to improve their ability to play when the ball is not in their hands.
Shooters will think shot every time they catch the ball. A shooter has to shoot, and shooters possess this mentality. In order to shoot the ball when they receive it, players must catch the ball with knees bent in a position to shoot the ball, with body already squared to the basket. When receiving a pass, players should attempt to catch on a one count for a quicker shot, and turn their body to face the basket while in the air. This will not always be possible; however, it should remain the goal, to land with body facing the basket, knees bent and ball in the shooting position, ready to immediately shoot the ball.
Great shooters will know when they receive the pass whether they are open for the shot or not. They will anticipate and think a play ahead. As the player waits to receive the pass, moving to an open spot, he will gauge the proximity of the nearest defender and the speed of the closeout; he will know upon reception whether he is open for the shot, or whether he should take one dribble away from the closeout or pump fake and then dribble to an opening. Great shooters have a feel, they anticipate, rather than react and therefore find the opening and take the shot, while others catch the ball and are easily defended. Against a zone defense, a shooter will find the gap in the zone, or a soft spot, positioning himself equidistant from the nearest two defenders to maximize the closeout distance. He will catch the ball ready to shoot, and shoot the ball with no wasted motion.A great shooter will stay in motion, becoming hard to guard without the ball. He will know how to read screens and the defense in order to create openings. Larry Bird, one of the best shooters ever, was said to be the "master of the half inch." He needed only the slightest amount of room to shoot or the slightest advantage to get a step and drive on his defender. He created this advantage with movement and his ability to read screens. Reggie Miller plays the game in a similar manner; he is like the Energizer Bunny on offense. However, he doesn't just run around; he cuts with a purpose. He reads the defense so he can flare or curl, he sees the switch and punishes it. He wears out defenders through his motion and he scores with his ability to find an opening and shoot the ball.

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Basketball Training Tips - Proper Form of Shooting

Shooting mean you can score the basket. I am a shooter in my team, I often scored with my jump shot. I like to see the ball get in to the basket just drop from the air. I like to hear the sound when the ball get in to the basket and hit the net. I like to see it from far, from 20-25 feet’ far from the ring. It’s good felling, man. It’s give me extra energy to continue to play, it’s a best scene that I can see when I am on the court. Nothing but net!

While some players seem to be born with the ability to shoot a basketball most are not. Most great shooters have honed their skills through trial and error and also hours of practice. The saying "perfect practice makes perfect" is very true in respects to shooting the ball. A player can stay in the gym for hours and shoot thousands of shots and not get any better because they are shooting the ball wrong! I had go by this process too, but after I get the proper form from my coach, I had improved my shooting accuracy. In other words if a player doesn't have the proper form all the practice in the world could be of little value and even hurt the players game all together because with every shot the player is actually "getting better at shooting the ball wrong". The first step to shoot the basketball is to have the proper form.

WHAT IS THE PROPER FORM?
It's extremely difficult to tell you the proper form of shooting a basketball through written text. I like to use a method that my coach call the Catch, Square, Tuck, and follow through method when training your shooting skill. First you catch the basketball then you square your shoulders to the basket next you tuck your elbow, and finally you follow through on the release. Here are the details:

1. Look at your elbow and how it is in relationship to the shoulders. It's directly in-line with the shoulders, in other words it's not out to the right. This is where the elbow should be.

2. Assuming the shoulders are in-line with the basket meaning the body is facing the basket. By tucking the elbow this automatically aligns the ball with the rim. Now that you had your shoulders squared to the hoop and your elbow tucked in you can concentrate on the shot. This brings us to the follow through step.

3. Following through is one of the most important aspects to shooting a basketball correctly because the follow through puts backspin on the ball which gives you the "shooters touch". Learn the "fishhook" method of releasing the basketball. This simply means that when the ball leaves your hand the arm and hand should be in a form which is shaped like a fish hook (really like an fish hook form).
In other words the arm will be fully extended and you will "flip" the wrist when releasing the ball. On the release the ball should leave the hand in a "flipping" motion not a "push" motion. Learn to "flip" the basketball not "push" it towards the rim. The ball should leave from the fingertips not the palm of the hand.

You are not alone, I still in learning process to have this proper form. So, try and try and try, the succes words in having this proper form is practices and practices and practices, don't give up! We will make it!
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