Monday, June 20, 2011

Duke Basketball Series: Team Defense DVD

Duke Basketball Series: Team Defense DVD"Team Defense DVD" - Duke is known for its tough team defense, and four Blue Devils have been named Defensive Player of the Year during Coach K's tenure. "Team Defense" shows how you can transform five individual players into a single, basket-denying unit. From the trademark floor slap to the half-court trap, this tape is a complete clinic on the techniques required to fulfill individual position responsibilities and the tactical adjustments required to stop offensive attacks of all kinds.

Price: $21.95


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Saturday, June 18, 2011

The Pistol: Special Edition

The Pistol: Special EditionThe Pistol is the uplifting story of a scrawny eight grade boy whose stunning basketball skills earn him a spot on the high school team.  Unfortunately for young Pete Maravich (Adam Guier), his style of "showtime" basketball is way ahead of its time, making him the target of ridicule  and socially separates him from his teammates.  Against all odds, Pete perseveres with he constant encouragement of his mentor and father, Press Maravich (Days of Our Lives) and the love of his mother Helen (Academy Award Nominee Millie Perkins).  The legend of college basketball's greatest scorer begins in the heart of a thirteen year old dreamer who soon becomes known to the work as THE PISTOL.

Price: $14.98


Click here to buy from Amazon

Perth Wheelcats start their season on a roll

One of WA's most successful sporting teams begins their season this weekend - The Perth Wheelcats.

Western Australia's wheelchair basketball competition is a force to be reckoned with in the national competition with the Wheelcats winning the last five consecutive national league competitions.

Wheelcats team captain Justin Eveson, who also happens to be the number one ranked wheelchair basketballer in the world, spoke to 720's Alex Hyman before their first game for the season this weekend.

"We've got one of the better leagues in Australia here; it's renowned around the world for producing some pretty good players."

ABC's Alex Hyman had an attempt at the sport, but needs a lot of practice and was obviously no match for the Wheelcats.

"There is a lot of skill involved. You've got to control the wheelchair, which is a specialist piece of sport equipment, and control the ball while the other team is trying to steal it off you."

Eveson also plays for the Australian wheelchair basketball team, which is the number one team in the world at the moment, and his passion for basketball started at a young age.

"I'd always played basketball as a kid before I had my accident. Once I recovered from that - I had a lower leg amputation - I got involved in wheelchair sports and through that I continued my passion for wheelchair sports."

The sport is always after more public interest and the media are helping by getting on board with coverage.

"It's getting bigger and bigger every year. ABC really got on board with the Paralympics, we've got a lot of radio stations and community news that are involved with us but we really want to ramp that up," Mr Eveson said.

"So for anyone that's got a bit of an interest outside of AFL football then we'd love to have you come down."

The Wheelcats season starts this Saturday at the Herb Graham Centre, 27 Chesterfield Road, Mirrabooka.

Tipoff is at 7pm so get along a bit earlier and support this fantastic team.


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Basketball - A Sport For Every Age

How to Have a Great Basketball Workout

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Mavericks win NBA title

Published:Monday, June 13, 2011 7:24 AESTExpires:Sunday, September 11, 2011 7:24 AEST

The Dallas Mavericks have defeated Miami Heat in game six to be crowned NBA champions for the first time.

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Tags: sport, basketball, united-states


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Youth Basketball Shooting Drills

Mavericks seal maiden title

By Adrian Crawford

Updated June 13, 2011 19:05:00

Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks finally cemented their place in history by clinching the NBA Finals in a deciding Game Six 105-95 win over the star-studded Miami Heat on Monday (AEST).

Dallas was one of 12 teams in the league to have never won a championship, its previous best chance coming in 2006 when the Mavericks opened the series 2-0 at home before Miami won the next four games to clinch its maiden title.

In a fitting finish the Mavericks won the Larry O'Brien Trophy on the road, erasing the pain of the 2006 defeat when the Heat won it in Dallas.

In the aftermath of the 2006 series Nowitzki's toughness and ability to lead a team to the title was repeatedly questioned but he repeatedly answered his critics by making the fourth quarter his own in seemingly every contest.

The German international forward's composure and reputation for making big plays down the stretch rarely faltered and he was far and away the deserving candidate for Finals MVP.

This time around the 32-year-old 10-time All-Star had 10 points in the final 12 minutes to secure his first ring and bolster his Hall of Fame credentials.

Nowitzki said winning on Miami's floor did not make it any sweeter, despite the way the Heat won in '06.

"Obviously that was one of my disappointing losses in my career, to lose the Finals series after being up 2-0, and it took so long just to get here [that] I don't really know if it would have made a difference," he told reporters.

"The feeling of being in the best team in the world is unbelievable.

"If you're in this league for 13 years just battling, [making the] Playoffs for the last 10 years and always come up a little short, that's why this is extra special."

Outspoken Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who was fined in 2006 for making comments about officiating in the Finals, paid tribute to fans who came from Texas to will their team to a title.

"To our fans who came here to Miami ... we heard you," he told the crowd.

"You rock."

Nowitzki struggled offensively in Game Six, shooting just 9-of-27 from the floor to finish with 21 points, the same haul he turned in despite suffering from flu and fever in Game Four.

But once again Dallas proved that depth was its greatest strength as Jason Terry scored a game-high 27 points (11-of-16, 3-of-7 from range) and added three rebounds and two assists off the bench.

For the second time in as many games Dallas was devastatingly accurate from downtown, going 11-for-26 (42.3 per cent) from long range as Terry (3-of-7) and Jason Kidd (2-of-3) filled it up.

Miami had help off the pine but as usual it was LeBron James (21 points), Dwyane Wade (17, eight rebounds, six assists) and Chris Bosh (19 points, eight rebounds) who did the bulk of the scoring.

Heat guard Mario Chalmers had a Finals career-high 18 points and seven assists to provide a similar spark that JJ Barea gave the Mavericks.

Fast start

The Mavericks trailed early but rallied to end the first quarter with a five-point advantage, a surge that continued into the second period and culminated with a 17-2 run that gave the visitors the largest lead (12) either team had enjoyed in the Finals thus far.

But with such an offensive arsenal and the defensive prowess to match, the Heat refused to lay down and went on a 15-3 run of their own to steal back the lead approaching the half.

While Nowitzki could not get a shot to fall, Terry took up the slack and knocked down 10 straight points to ensure Dallas stayed in front by two points at the midway point.

"Was he unbelievable tonight or what?" Nowitzki said of Terry, the 33-year-old veteran of 11 years who won the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award in 2009.

"Coming out right away from the first half and setting the tone, he watched me struggle there early and he took it upon himself to really attack and look for his shot early and get going early.

"And man, he kept going all night long and he was phenomenal.

"That one time-out he said to me 'keep pushing, remember '06', he said that to me in the fourth quarter and we kept plugging.

"It wasn't pretty for me but I had to keep plugging and keep fighting."

From there the Mavericks were never bested and while Miami got close at times it just did not have the aggressiveness from James and Wade that quickly became the team's hallmark this season.

Dallas was loaded with veterans in Kidd (38), Shawn Marion (33) and DeShawn Stevenson (30), but none of the Mavericks stars had won a title, while coach Rick Carlisle had not been to the Finals since he was a player on Boston's 1986 championship-winning team.

Kidd's leadership and gritty defence helped tie things together while exciting young guard Barea earned himself a spot in the starting line-up for Game Four and held onto it by providing lightning-quick penetration in the lane and yet another scoring option for the already-deep Dallas roster.

The Mavs also had to do it without starting small forward Caron Butler, who was the club's third-best scorer per night before undergoing knee surgery in January and subsequently missing the rest of the season.

"All I said was play your game and play your ass off," Carlisle said.

"Dirk Nowitzki is one of the very greatest players in the history of this game and that was validated here tonight.

"He had a tough shooting night in the first half and other guys stepped up and kept us afloat and in the second half. He was amazing."

Storybook ending

One of the most hotly contested NBA Finals series in recent history was also one chock-full of narrative.

The Mavericks shook off the hoodoo of being unable to win on the road in the postseason by beating Portland in one of the rowdiest buildings in the league before stealing the first two games against Los Angeles at the Staples Centre on their way to a 4-0 sweep.

They came into the first round having not won away from Dallas in the Playoffs since 2009, and they had lost 18 of their last 20 in opposing arenas in playoff campaigns.

Winning the title not only cemented Nowitzki's legacy, it validated what some saw as a premature tattoo that Terry had inked on his right bicep before the season even started - a likeness of the championship trophy.

From the season's opening tip late last October the spotlights had been affixed on South Beach after James and Bosh joined forces with Wade in an effort to finally taste championship glory.

The Heat faltered early in the season but hit their straps and were a virtually unstoppable force as the postseason approached, and throughout the early rounds it was tough to imagine any team stopping the Big Three from their title aspirations.

But the pressure appeared to get to James as the Heat drew closer to lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy a second time, and the two-time MVP did not play up to the same standard against Dallas that he did in the Eastern Conference series against Philadelphia (24.2ppg, 10.6rpg, 6.2apg), Boston (28.0, 8.3, 3.6) and Chicago (25.8, 7.8, 6.6).

His Finals averages were a shadow of his physically dominant self, finishing with 17.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists per night when his team needed the usually aggressive driving scorer to get to the free throw line.

James' shrinking violet act in the Finals drew plenty of attention as the series rolled on and while he shot efficiently and facilitated for his team-mates in Game Six, his late-game performances were weak compared to the desperation Nowitzki showed every time he had the ball in his hands.

But Wade refused to say that he or James "choked" under the pressure in both men's second Finals appearance.

"The word choked is overused in sports," he said.

"We lost ball games, we lost the Finals.

"We ran into a team this time that was obviously better than us. We give them credit and we take nothing away from that."

Tags: sport, basketball, united-states

First posted June 13, 2011 12:48:00


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Nowitzki one step closer to title

Nowitzki one step closer to title

Published:Monday, June 13, 2011 6:32 AEST

Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki celebrates after making a three-pointer in the fourth quarter of Game Six against the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 12, 2011.

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Mavs hold on to level series

By Adrian Crawford

Updated June 8, 2011 14:55:00

An off night for Dirk Nowitzki was not enough to stop Dallas from tying up its NBA Finals series against Miami with an 86-83 win in Game Four.

Proving that no lead is ever truly safe against the Mavericks, the home side rallied to win from a deficit at the final break for the sixth time in this post-season.

Averaging 11.3 fourth-quarter points per game in the three previous games in the series, Nowitzki still finished strongly despite having woken up on game day with flu-like symptoms and a fever.

The German international forward had 21 points on 6-for-19 shooting, eight of those in the final period including the go-ahead lay-up past Game Three tormentor Udonis Haslem.

"I was going to play the clock down but I saw a little opening there so I just went for it," he said.

"I was able to rip through and go to the right; they were really playing my left which obviously the whole league does, but I was able to rip through and finally finish the lay-up.

"I missed about four or five good looks around the rim today."

That bucket took the score to 84-79 in Dallas' favour but after a Miami time-out, Dwyane Wade answered with a dunk on the drive that made it a one-possession game.

Arguably one of the greatest shooting guards of all time, Wade was as aggressive in attack as he has been all series, finishing with 32 points (13-of-20) and had six rebounds and two blocks.

But the late dunk was his last contribution as Jason Terry knocked down two free throws with six seconds remaining to push the Dallas lead back to three, the hosts holding on to win.

Mike Miller's three-point attempt from 28 feet out to force an extra period was no good as time expired.

A loss would have virtually handed the Heat their second ever title and second over the Mavericks, as no team has ever overcome a 1-3 deficit in a best-of-seven series to win it all.

Having done it all in the Game Three loss, Nowitzki said he was glad to have had help from long-time team-mate Terry, the only other Maverick to have tasted Finals defeat against Miami in 2006.

"I couldn't really finish around the rim; I had a couple of good looks today but no lift," he said.

"The crew was outstanding. I thought Jet [Terry] really took it on himself today in the fourth when we were down nine.

"He made two back-to-back plays (a driving lay-up and a pull-up jumper) to get us back in the game."

Team effort

The rest of Nowitzki's supporting cast was just as good despite a difficult first period that saw both teams allowing no leeway on the defensive end.

All-Defensive second team centre Tyson Chandler had an important 13-point, 16-rebound double-double, nine of those boards coming on the offensive glass where Miami had dominated in the first quarter.

Shawn Marion showed his veteran class, the 33-year-old posting 16 points and four rebounds thanks to some deft spinning footwork in the paint and soft touches from further out.

DeShawn Stevenson, who came off the bench in favour of JJ Barea for the first time this post-season, had the hot hand in the first half with three sweet three-pointers, but could not find his range in the second half and finished with 11 points on 3-of-7 shooting.

Again it was a case of Miami's stars doing most of the work, with Chris Bosh turning in another strong performance (24 points on 9-of-19 shooting, six rebounds) to support Wade.

On the other hand there was LeBron James, whose contributions other than scoring (nine rebounds, seven assists) were impressive but only served to highlight his uncharacteristically weak shooting night.

James, chasing his first title after seven seasons and one failed trip to the Finals with Cleveland, scored just eight points on 3-of-11 shooting.

It was "The King's" first game in single-digit scoring since January 2007.

Wednesday's thriller was yet another nail-biting contest in a series which has been decided by 11 points total across the four games.

Scores were locked at 21-21 after the first period and Miami fought to a 47-45 lead by the half and there were only two points in it with a quarter to go.

The Heat rattled off five unanswered points to start the fourth before Dallas rallied with a 16-4 stretch that stole back the lead for good.

The series remains in Dallas for Game Five on Friday morning (AEST) before returning to Miami for the sixth game and a seventh if necessary.

Tags: sport, basketball, united-states

First posted June 8, 2011 14:00:00


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Heat Big Three fall at Finals hurdle

Posted June 13, 2011 18:28:00

The Miami Heat's Big Three failed to deliver the NBA title in their first year together with the team's inconsistency and at times lack of cohesion, costing them dearly against the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals.

Those American sports fans who objected to the way LeBron James and Chris Bosh left their teams in free agency to link with Dwyane Wade in Miami will have enjoyed the way the more modestly assembled Mavericks won the series 4-2 through all-round team play.

For the Heat though there was a clear feeling of falling short of their much publicised goal.

"There's certainly an emptiness right now with our group," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

"We've been through a heck of a lot this season, where in many ways it felt like two seasons built in one.

"There's no excuses. There's no blame. Sometimes you simply come up short. All of the story lines and noise out there, that had nothing to do with this series and the outcome.

"But it doesn't make it feel any easier for the guys in the locker room.

"One day we'll probably be able to look back on this, sometime this summer, when the emptiness and the pain leaves, and we'll feel better about what happened.

"It's a special group. A lot of guys sacrificed to make this happen. It was unfortunate we just came up short."

Support for the underdog Mavericks had an extra potency all around the world with the Heat being the team so many love to hate and James, for various reasons, becoming a cartoon villain.

For Spoelstra it all seemed a little ridiculous.

"LeBron has been a lightning rod for a lot of everything," he said.

"Criticism, and a lot of the noise that's been created outside. I think it's really unfair.

"He made a tremendous sacrifice to come here, and he's been an ultimate team player. He should not be criticised for that," he said, referring to James' decision - like Wade and Bosh - to take a pay cut to join forces in South Florida.

The Heat's plans for next year will surely involve an examination of their bench options, though what will be looked at in the coming days will be what appeared to be a lack of vibrancy in the Heat's performance in game six and Bosh suggested Dallas had shown the greater desire.

"They wanted it more than we did. They played great, we came up short and that's it really. We played together, they just did a better job. They were the better team," he said.

The Heat though are not alone in being a top team who fell short of expectations and Spoelstra said he hoped the season would be viewed as a learning process on the way to better things.

"It could be that it is a rite of passage, but that's not what we were thinking about now," he said.

"But we still have a young core. It's a bright future."

-Reuters

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Terry shows his joy

Terry shows his joy

Published:Friday, June 10, 2011 3:10 AEST

Jason Terry of Dallas Mavericks reacts after he made a three-point shot late in the fourth quarter against Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Centre on June 9, 2011 in Dallas, Texas.

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Heat regain Finals advantage

By Adrian Crawford

Updated June 6, 2011 13:02:00

Miami tilted the NBA Finals odds back in its favour by holding off a late Mavericks surge to take Game Three 88-86 in Dallas and regain home-court advantage on Monday morning (AEST).

All-Star Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki again came up big down the stretch for the home side, scoring 15 of his game-high 34 points in a tense fourth quarter including 10 straight, but his attempt to force overtime was smothered by Udonis Haslem at the buzzer.

It was a crucial game for both sides to win after the Mavericks tied the series 1-1 in Miami on Friday (AEST), and now the Heat have history on their side in their push for a second title and a first since beating Dallas in 2006.

Since the NBA Finals went to a 2-3-2 format in 1985, 11 series have been tied at one game apiece after the opening matches, and every team who won Game Three went on to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

Once again Dallas showed its never-say-die attitude, erasing a 13-point margin in the third quarter with a 15-2 run that levelled things at 57-57 and then outscoring the Heat 12-5 over a four-minute period in the fourth to tie it up at 84-84.

"This is the toughest offense we've played all year as far as how many guys they put on the floor that can make plays, not only for themself but for others," LeBron James told reporters.

"They're an unbelievable shooting team and they make you stay in tune. You can never relax or they make you pay.

"But our defence is always trying to extend offenses further than where they usually start, that's just our defence."

Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade was at his attacking best in the first half but went quiet after the half-time break, finishing with 29 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.

James had another subdued night with 17 points and nine assists, while Chris Bosh shot better than he had in the first two games but still needed 18 shots for his 18 points, and grabbed just three rebounds.

After his defensive lapse let Nowitzki in for the game-winning lay-up on Friday, Bosh redeemed himself with a go-ahead bucket of his own off a James dish to put the Heat back in the lead for the final time on Monday.

From there the Heat's tight defence forced a Dallas turnover and, while the resulting trip up the court for Miami did not convert to points, it ran enough time off the clock that Nowitzki was forced to rush his potential game-tying shot.

"Obviously we have a lot of confidence in our team defence but it was a man-to-man defence right there," Wade said.

"It was Udonis putting his chest in front.

"We had a lot of confidence coming out of the huddle that we wanted to win this game right now, on the defensive end and get the stop, and even more confidence than if we were down two or tied and at the offensive end.

"[Udonis] ... wanted that challenge last game and he wasn't able to be put in that position, but put him back in that position this time and at least make it tough [for Nowitzki]."

James had vowed to be more aggressive in driving to the basket in Game Three after earning just six free throws in the first two contests, but it was Dallas that enjoyed more opportunities at the line, especially late in the game.

The Mavs reached the bonus with 3:21 to play and Nowitzki knocked down two freebies on consecutive trips to the line that cut the Heat lead to two points.

After Shawn Marion blocked James at the other end, Nowitzki drained a two-pointer to level things at 84 and then answered Wade's 20-footer with another two of his own.

The officiating appeared to be a sore point for Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who was seen on the sidelines remonstrating more than once down the stretch at off-the-ball fouls called on his team.

MVP-calibre

While the Heat loaded up in a big way last summer with the acquisitions of James and Bosh, Wade has been the stand-out in his quest for a second championship ring.

The 2006 Finals MVP is averaging 29 points per game this series so far on 56.6 per cent shooting as well as 8.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists.

He had 19 in the first half on Monday night and while he scored just three in the third quarter, Wade finished strong with seven points in the final period.

Monday marked Wade's first win at the American Airlines Centre since Game Six in 2006 when Miami completed its incredible turnaround from 0-2 down in the series to win its maiden NBA title.

While Wade had Shaquille O'Neal to complete the one-two punch in that campaign, he has even more star power to help out this time around.

Mario Chalmers' superb playoffs touch continued, the back-up guard going 4-of-8 from the field and 4-from-6 from downtown to finish with 12 points.

All four of his three-point buckets came at crucial times to sink the boot into Dallas, but none of them was more impressive than his bomb from a spot closer to the half-court line than the arc to beat the first-quarter buzzer.

The Heat again benefited from Haslem's energy in the paint, but he got himself in foul trouble and was restricted to just six points on 3-of-7 shooting.

Dallas' bench was effective again, with Jason Terry scoring 15 and JJ Barea contributing some cagey defence on Chalmers and Mike Bibby, although he missed some open looks and generally had a tough time offensively.

The Mavericks were dealt a blow before the opening tip with Brendan Haywood, part of the home team's much-vaunted interior defence, ruled out with a hip flexor at game-time.

Haywood's absence meant the onus was on Tyson Chandler to protect the paint but also stay out of foul trouble, which he managed to do whilst grabbing 11 rebounds (seven offensive) and blocking three shots.

Rarely-used third string centre Ian Mahinmi was unable to provide much in the way of back-up for Chandler, playing just eight minutes and checking out with five fouls, although his two free throws down the stretch helped cut the deficit to one.

Miami will be seeking to push Dallas to the brink of elimination in Game Four on Wednesday morning (AEST).

Tags: sport, basketball, united-states

First posted June 6, 2011 12:55:00


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Mavs win Game Five shoot-out

By Adrian Crawford

Updated June 10, 2011 16:18:00

Dallas caught fire from three-point range on its way to a pivotal 112-103 win over Miami in Game Five to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals on Friday (AEST).

Dirk Nowitzki again led the Mavericks in scoring with 29 and added six boards but this time it was guards Jason Terry, Jason Kidd and JJ Barea who came up big down the stretch to snatch victory.

Terry and Kidd scored 13 of Dallas' final 17 points as the home side broke away from a 100-97 deficit on a 15-3 run to close it out.

Terry (21 points, six assists, four rebounds) played an all-round game and Dallas ran its offence through the man nicknamed "Jet", while star forward Nowitzki took a breather.

The 2009 Sixth Man of the Year scored or assisted on 13 of the Mavs' final 15 points as Nowitzki soaked up much of the Miami defence's attention and freed up his backcourt.

"He played great and during periods where Dirk was out of the game we were going to him and he was delivering," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told reporters.

"Those are tough stretches for us because it's just tough when Dirk is out of the game.

"It's the total game we've all been preaching to Jet since the play-offs began and he did a great job tonight."

Nowitzki was relieved to have had some assistance on the offensive end.

"JJ Barea was phenomenal behind screens, making shots, but obviously in the fourth he made the big three at the top of the key to tie it and the tough one on the right wing to put the game away," he said.

"We've kinda been waiting on an offensive night for us, we shot the ball well [56.5 per cent from the field, 68.4 per cent from downtown].

"We felt we had opportunities in the first four games but we couldn't knock anything down, so it was encouraging to see that we can hit some shots."

The Heat had not lost back-to-back games in this post-season and the Mavericks had never had the upper hand in this series so far as the series returns to Miami for Game Six on Monday.

Heat forward LeBron James, determined to make an impact in what he said was "the most important game of his life" after struggling in Game Four, posted a 17-10-10 triple-double but scored just two points in the crucial final period.

And it was Friday of all nights where Miami needed James' trademark aggressiveness taking it to the basket after shooting guard Dwyane Wade suffered a hip contusion and was out of action for stretches.

Two-time MVP James was better when Wade was off the floor, shooting 4-of-6 and committing no turnovers, than he was when his two-guard was in the game (4-of-13, four turnovers), but again "The King" was overshadowed by Nowitzki's fourth-quarter cool.

Wade's heroics were hardly in question - despite walking gingerly on his two returns from the locker room he played on and posted a team-high 23 points, 10 of which came from trips to the free-throw line, and eight assists.

Trading buckets

While tight defence has been the hallmark of the Finals thus far, both teams came out firing in the last game on the Mavericks' floor.

After Wednesday's Game Four produced just four made three-pointers from 19 attempts, Dallas fans were treated to an offensive showcase as the Mavs went 13-of-19 from beyond the arc.

The Heat were equally accurate from deep, especially through reserve guards Mario Chalmers (15 points, 4-of-6 from downtown) and Mike Miller (nine points, all from three-point range).

But the stars of the show were unquestionably Dallas' guards, with Terry playing a second straight aggressive game and Barea making the most of his starting opportunities.

Having come off the bench in the first three games of the series, Barea's insertion into the starting five at DeShawn Stevenson's expense has provided penetration off the dribble and a definite spark of energy for Dallas.

Barea, the smallest man on the court by far, had just 21 points combined in games one through four, but seemed to have found his shooting touch on Friday.

Again the two teams could barely be separated as one of the most closely contested series in recent memory continued to provide nail-biting climaxes.

Chalmers hit a running three from just inside the half-court line at the first-quarter buzzer to give Miami a 31-30 edge, but Dallas led 60-57 at half-time and 84-79 going into the final frame.

The Mavericks need just one more win to clinch their first NBA Championship, a title which would go some way to erasing the defeat they experienced at the hands of Miami in 2006.

Tags: sport, basketball, united-states

First posted June 10, 2011 14:02:00


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Two men enter, one legend leaves

By Adrian Crawford

Posted June 14, 2011 17:03:00
Updated June 14, 2011 22:33:00

It's not often that 48 minutes of basketball had so much riding on it.

Yes, it was a potentially deciding Game Six of the NBA Finals. One could argue that it doesn't get bigger than that, and usually it doesn't.

But for two of the combatants out there, legacies were on the line.

Dirk Nowitzki had the chance to validate 13 years of toiling and begin to heal the long-lasting pain of an historic Finals defeat five years earlier.

But in the Heat corner, LeBron James was two wins away from shutting up the nay-sayers who questioned his killer instinct, his desire to win championships and his move to Miami to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, a decision derided by some of the greats of the game and scrutinised by every media agency and its dog (myself included).

And despite suffering through an injured finger before Game Two, a fever and the flu in Game Four and the weight of all those years of expectation and doubt, it was Nowitzki who walked away with true championship credentials.

The difference between the two superstars could not be more stark.

In a league full of superstars, enormous pay cheques and egos to match, Nowitzki has always been a man who lets his game do all the talking for him.

James on the other hand spent much of his first season in South Beach explaining away tweets, off-hand press conference remarks or the time he infamously bumped coach Erik Spoelstra's shoulder as he walked off the court during a time-out in Dallas in November.

Since he came into the league at age 18, straight out of high school, James has drawn comparison after comparison to Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest ever to play the game.

Jordan's former sidekick Scottie Pippen, in Chicago to watch the Heat eventually eliminate the Bulls from the second round of the Playoffs in May, even went as far to say that while MJ was the greatest scorer to ever play, James could be the greatest all-around talent.

But as anyone who watched basketball in the '90s remembers it was fourth quarters in which Jordan shined brightest, especially in do-or-die postseason games and under adversity.

One of his greatest performances ever came in the 1997 Finals when Jordan was barely able to get out of bed the day before Game Five but gingerly suited up against the Utah Jazz and dropped 38 points on them despite being nearly unable to run, before collapsing into Pippen's arms as Chicago won 90-88 to go 3-2 up in the series.

In this Finals series, Nowitzki was the one more reminiscent of His Airness, although after his own "Flu Game" in Game Four he was typically quick to play down the comparison.

"This is the Finals, you gotta leave it out there," he told reporters after posting 21 points on 6-of-19 shooting and 11 rebounds despite playing through fever and flu symptoms.

"Like I said earlier in the series, everyone is due. We've been playing at a high level for eight or nine months so everybody has a little something going on.

"But this is the Finals and you've gotta go out there and compete and try the best for your team so that's what I did.

"I never thought about MJ's performance - obviously I was way off looking at my line [in the box score]."

Indeed he did leave it all out there - across the gruelling 21-game postseason campaign, Nowitzki averaged 27.7 points per game (ppg), 8.2 rebounds per game (rpg), 2.5 assists per game (apg) and shot at an impressive 48.5 per cent from the floor and 46 per cent from downtown.

Those numbers are on par with his 2006 Playoffs tilt, where he played two more games but with five less years on his seven-foot, now nearly-33-year-old frame.

Since tasting Finals defeat in now infamous fashion - no team had ever come from 0-2 down in a best-of-seven series to win it all, like Miami did - Nowitzki and Dallas never got further than the second round of the Playoffs, but the big German stuck with it.

Nowitzki said winning on Miami's floor did not make it any sweeter, despite the way the Heat won in '06.

"Obviously that was one of my disappointing losses in my career, to lose the Finals series after being up 2-0, and it took so long just to get here I don't really know if it would have made a difference," he told reporters.

"The feeling of being in the best team in the world is unbelievable.

"If you're in this league for 13 years just battling, [making the] Playoffs for the last 10 years and always come up a little short, that's why this is extra special."

Demands for trades seem to happen every week in the NBA but Nowitzki put his head down and kept putting in long hours at the gym with long-time coach Holger Geschwinder rather than seeking to join a contender with extra All-Star help.

Since championship team-mate Jason Kidd is still chugging along at 38 after 17 seasons in the NBA and fellow Mavs Jason Terry (33), Caron Butler (31) and Shawn Marion (33) are on the wrong side of 30, this might have been Nowitzki's last shot at a ring.

But all Dirk needed was the opportunity and by all measures he took that chance with both hands and ran with it all the way to the finish.

His distinguished career (10 All-Star appearances, regular season (2006-07) and Finals (2011) MVP awards, 11 straight All-NBA team nods, fourth-highest total scorer all-time among active players) made him a virtual lock for the Hall of Fame before winning a championship.

However in a league where success is, like it or not, measured by whether or not a player has what it takes to win a ring, Nowitzki's 2011 title does more than add weight to his already superb resume - it silences the doubters and validates all the plaudits that came before it.

That same pressure to win a championship, to prove oneself as a legitimate legend of the game, was what drove James to turn down maximum dollars in Cleveland, Chicago and New York to team up with Wade and Bosh in Miami.

Whether or not you agree with the way James left the Cavaliers for South Beach after seven seasons in an effort to win that elusive ring, the question remains: what more does he need to get over the top?

Throughout the opening rounds James was the dominant force we have all come to expect as the Heat wiped out the exponentially tough Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago to advance to the Finals.

But the pressure appeared to get to James as the Heat drew closer to lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy a second time, and the two-time MVP did not play up to the same standard against Dallas that he did in the Eastern Conference series against the Sixers (24.2ppg, 10.6rpg, 6.2apg), Celtics (28.0, 8.3, 3.6) and Bulls (25.8, 7.8, 6.6).

His Finals averages were a shadow of his physically dominant self, finishing with 17.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists per night when his team needed the usually aggressive driving scorer to get to the free throw line.

James' shrinking violet act in the Finals drew plenty of attention as the series rolled on and while he shot efficiently and facilitated for his team-mates in Game Six, his late-game performances were weak compared to the desperation Nowitzki showed every time he had the ball in his hands.

But Wade refused to say that he or James "choked" under the pressure in both men's second Finals appearance.

"The word choked is overused in sports," he said.

"We lost ball games, we lost the Finals.

"We ran into a team this time that was obviously better than us. We give them credit and we take nothing away from that."

James answered the doubters post-game, but came off more defensive than explanatory.

"All the people that were rooting me on to fail, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life they had before," he said.

"They have the same personal problems they had today.

"I'm going to continue to live the way I want to live and continue to do the things that I want with me and my family and be happy with that."

That may be true.

However the fact remains that the move to join forces in Miami took him to the brink of a championship but under the bright lights, or on the big stage or whatever cliche you chose to employ, James failed to turn up with the performances he has built a reputation on for the last eight years.

In the past with Cleveland that failure could easily be deflected onto his lack of a supporting cast, chemistry problems or the organisation's inability to surround him with title-calibre players.

But in 2011 he was playing with one of his best friends who also happens to be another one of the top five players in the game and the third member of the Big Three, Bosh, is also one of the NBA's elite.

While their bench was a little thin the Heat did have a solid roster including sharp-shooting guards Mario Chalmers, Mike Bibby and Eddie House as well as a decent rebounder in Joel Anthony, the energetic and Finals-experienced Udonis Haslem and the veteran presence of Juwan Howard.

In any case if James wants to go down in history as one of the greatest of all time, he's going to need that ring and probably multiple titles.

Unfortunately with a labour lock-out threatening to cut the 2011-12 season short as it did in 1998-99, James has nothing but time on his hands to figure out where and why it all went wrong.

Tags: sport, basketball, united-states


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Dallas too hot for Heat in NBA

Published:Friday, June 10, 2011 7:23 AESTExpires:Thursday, September 8, 2011 7:23 AEST

The Dallas Mavericks' 112-103 win over the Miami Heat puts the team one win away from taking their first NBA Championship.

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Tags: sport, basketball, united-states


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Aussie great Longley fears for Yao

Posted June 9, 2011 19:56:00

Australian basketball great Luc Longley has warned Chinese giant Yao Ming could be headed for a "dead end" as he struggles to shake off long-term injury.

Longley, who won three straight NBA championships alongside Michael Jordan at the Chicago Bulls, said Yao's situation reminded him of when his playing days were ended by a persistent ankle problem.

"We're just getting so well fed and the population's getting so large that the occasional giant like Yao Ming or myself comes along," the 7'2" Longley said.

"But it's hard to keep a body of that size and weight injury-free for a long period of time. That's probably the biggest challenge I had in my career. I imagine if Yao Ming is anything like me, it's frustrating no end.

"You spend your whole time searching for solutions and ways to keep your body in shape, and sometimes you run into a dead end like I did. But I'm sure he's doing everything he can."

Longley was speaking before this month's two-match Youyi Games friendly series between Australia and China, which the 7'6" Yao is missing as he recovers from a broken foot which sidelined him for most of the NBA season.

Longley, 42, played 11 NBA seasons before being forced to quit in 2001 while Yao, who also plays centre, has been at the Houston Rockets since 2002.

Yao, 30, says his injury is improving but he will not know whether he can return to the NBA next season until August or September.

Australia hosts China in Perth on June 24 before the second game in Singapore on June 26.

The games will expand to a three-match series played in Australia, China and an unconfirmed South East Asian venue next year, organisers said.

- AFP

Tags: sport, basketball, australia, china


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Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Nowitzki finally lifts the title

Nowitzki finally lifts the title

Published:Monday, June 13, 2011 6:29 AEST

Dallas Mavericks captain Dirk Nowitzki holds up the Larry O'Brien trophy as he celebrates with his team-mates and owner Mark Cuban after the Mavericks won 105-95 against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 12, 2011.

Tags: sport, basketball, united-states


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Monday, June 6, 2011

Permanent Basketball Systems - How to Build a Great Home Basketball Court


There is nothing better than turning your driveway into basketball central with a permanent basketball system. You won't just have a great way to improve you basketball skills at home and maintain your fitness, you will also have a fun place to hang out with your family and friends and play basketball.

Start with a Great Basketball Hoop - It all starts with the permanent basketball system. You want to get the biggest backboard that you can fit within your budget, preferably a seventy two inches and made of glass. If that's a little out of your price range you can still get fifty four or even sixty inch backboard systems at very reasonable prices. You should also try to get the largest basketball pole that you can get, four, five, six or even eight inches if you can do it.

Buy a Court Stencil Kit - There are plenty of places that you can buy a really affordable court stenciling kit to go with your permanent basketball system. Some of the best ones are made of cardboard and just unfold on your driveway, allowing you to spray pint your court lines down. You will have a three point line and free throw line marked perfectly right on your driveway. While the better court stencil systems usually come with white paint, you can supplement your own paint to make your court lines any color that you wish.

Get a Composite Leather Basketball - A high quality composite leather basketball is ideal for home courts. Don't make the mistake of buying an all leather basketball, like used in competitive arenas. All leather balls are meant for indoor use, and they just won't perform quite as well when dribbling outdoors. You might even think about buying a couple and a ball holder that you can attach to your permanent basketball system.

Roll Back Nets - If you want to make sure that your basketball time is as fun as it can be, you should also think about buying a rollback net that you can attach to your backboard. This is just some netting that hangs from the back of your rims and keeps airballs from getting away from you. This cuts down on the amount of time that you spend chasing after basketballs and increases the amount of time that you spend playing on your permanent basketball system.

Make Sure you Get a Good Deal - The trick to stretching your budget and making sure that you build a great home court around your permanent basketball system. The more your educate yourself on all of the kinds of basketball hoops that you can get, the more cash you will have in your pocket at the end of the day.








Pro Dunk Hoops is the web's top resource for learning about permanent basketball systems. They have information on everything from the best kinds of basketball brands out there to the right kind of nets to attach to your rim, plus tips on how to save cash on your next basketball hoop purchase.


Sunday, June 5, 2011

Black Magic

Black MagicSamuel L. Jackson and jazz musician Wynton Marsalis narrate this look at America's tumultuous civil rights movement through the lens of basketball and the lives and challenges of its African-African players, including Avery Johnson, Ben Wallace, Pee Wee Kirkland, and many others. This ESPN production offers a unique approach to and an uncommonly large scope on one the most important eras in America's history.

Price: $19.95


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Boomers set for two-game China tilt

Posted June 3, 2011 17:10:00

The Australian men's basketball team is gearing up for a two-game series against China, with the event to become an annual fixture between the two countries.

The 'YouYi Games' will see the Boomers (ranked ninth in the world) clash with China (10th) in Perth on June 24, before the series moves to Singapore on June 26.

An initiative of ex-Boomers star Andrew Vlahov, the YouYi Games will become a yearly competition.

The friendlies will serve as crucial preparation for Australia's FIBA Oceania Olympic qualification series with New Zealand, which is scheduled for September.

Australia needs to defeat the Tall Blacks to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games.

"We have always enjoyed a competitive, respectful relationship with China and we are anxious to continue this in our two-game series," Boomers coach Brett Brown said.

Australia will field a youthful side made up predominantly of NBL players.

China's star centre Yao Ming is recovering from a broken foot which has kept him out of most of the 2010-2011 NBA season.

However Wang Zhizhi, the first Chinese basketballer to play in the NBA, is expected to make the trip.

The games will follow the Boomers' first training camp for the year in Perth from June 19-23.

A squad of 16 has been invited to Perth, which will be cut to 12 for the matches against China.

Australia's squad: Adam Gibson, Damian Martin, Jason Cadee, Ben Madgen, Clint Steindl, Daniel Dillon, Peter Crawford, David Barlow, Daniel Kickert, Jesse Wagstaff, Luke Nevill, Stephen Weigh, Julian Khazzouh, Matt Knight, Anatoly Bose, Aron Baynes.

- AAP

Tags: sport, basketball, australia, china


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Youth League Basketball Skills and Drills

Youth League Basketball Skills and DrillsImprove your offensive game with the help of one of the most brilliant minds in coaching. Learn practice techniques that will help you perfect your offensive moves from America's premier college basketball coach, Rick Pitino. The techniques are demonstrated by professional basketball players Reece Gaines and Walter McCarty along with Erik Brown and Muhammed Lasege. You'll be exposed to the same individual instruction skills that Coach Pitino has used to help many of the game's top talents reach their full potential while building championship programs.

Price: $30.00


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Permanent Basketball Hoops - Accessories That Are a Must For Every in Ground Basketball Hoop Owner


 A permanent basketball hoop doesn't stand on its own.  In order to get the absolute most enjoyment out of your basketball hoop, you have to make sure that you buy the right kind of basketball accessories that really make playing on your basketball goal a lot of fun. Here are a few to get you started. 

Ground Sleeve -  This only really applies if you buy a "direct bury" basketball system, as opposed to a basketball hoop that uses an anchor bolt installation system. A ground sleeve is just a metal sleeve that you cement into the ground, and you simply slide the permanent basketball hoop into that instead of burying it in the ground.  This firstly makes installation a whole lot easier, and secondly gives you the option of the removing the pole whenever your wish.  This can be a big help if you ever move or just want the pole out of the way for any reason. 

Basketball - Obviously, having a permanent basketball hoop won't do you a whole lot of good if you don't also have a basketball to play with.  One of the biggest mistakes people make is buying a leather basketball like they use in the NBA.  In fact, these are designed to be used on hardwood, and they don't do you a lot of good if you are playing outdoors on a driveway.  They will just pick up little pieces of dirt like a magnet, and just won't be a lot of fun to play with.  Instead, you should look for a good quality composite leather basketball hoop that is designed to be used outdoors on concrete and pavement.  

Net Upgrade -  The basketball net that came with your permanent basketball hoop is probably a pretty cheap nylon basketball net.  If you play on it seriously enough, you will turn it into tatters fairly quickly.  The kind of net that you should instead look out for is called the heavy duty anti whip net.  These are much more durable and are the exact kind of net that you find on NBA rims.  If you want more of a street basketball feel, you can even get metal chain basketball nets for your permanent basketball hoop. 

Protective Netting - Playing basketball on your permanent basketball goal isn't a lot of fun if you always wind up chasing after balls. This is why a lot of people attach a Roll Back net to their backboard.  This is a net that simple hangs from the back of the rim to the ground and is weighted down by sandbags.  This device catches airballs and safely rolls them back to you, so you don't have to spend time tracking them down.  In addition, you might also get some netting to prevent balls from rolling down a driveway or into a neighbor's property.








The more you know about permanent basketball hoops, the more money you can save. Learn all the up to date info about the best basketball goal deals at http://www.basketballhoopbuyingguide.com


Basketball Nets - Facts That You Have to Know


Basketball nets are probably the simplest and cheapest part of the basketball hoop, usually costing you anywhere from five to thirty dollars. But where you spend your money can have a big difference in what kind of basketball experience that you have on your home court and how long you have to replace your basketball net. Here is a rundown of the major types of nets for your basketball hoop.

Nylon - The basketball hoop that you bought probably came with a fairly simple, pretty cheap, basketball net. The nylon construction isn't really designed to withstand rough, continuous play, and if you play on your basketball goal really hard, you will notice it get worn out pretty quickly. However, if you are just a casual player or have kids who aren't too rough on the net, this kind of net can be more than enough.

Heavy Duty Anti Whip - If you want a nylon style basketball net that gives you a lot more performance, your best bet is a heavy duty anti whip net. These basketball nets are also made of nylon, but they are made to be much stronger and durable. In fact, these are the exact kind of basketball nets that they use in the NBA, so they help really give you that pro feel on the court.

Metal Chain Net - These are typically a staple of street courts, because the metal chain construction is able to survive the elements and lasts a lot longer than typical nylon nets. However, if you want to get a real street feel for your basketball net [http://www.basketballhoopbuyingguide.com/basketball-nets.html], including getting that satisfying clinking sound whenever you make a swish, a metal chain net is a good way to go. Metal chain basketball nets very rarely wear out due to overuse. More typically, they simply get so rusty that that the chains start to break apart when you try to play. You can extend the life of these kinds of basketball nets, however, just by spraying a little rust repellent on the metal chain basketball net occasionally.

Steel Cable Covered With Vinyl - This is usually used for outdoor, institutional situations, but it can work for anyone who wants a super durable basketball goal. They are made of heavy duty cable that is covered in vinyl, much like you find on some models of bicycle lock. They are more expensive than most models, but they are extremely durable, and might even be the last net that you need. They don't quite act like any basketball nets that you might be used to, so these should be the choice of anyone who only values durability over any other factor when deciding upon basketball netting.








http://www.basketballhoopbuyingguide.com is you one stop resource for learning everything about basketball nets and beyond. It has all the tips to save money on your basketball hoop while getting the absolute best deal for you.


Dr. J's Basketball Stuff [VHS]

Dr. J's Basketball Stuff [VHS]Denzel Washington hosts this golden anniversary look at the game, players and coaches who help create NBA history. From Mikan, to Russell, to Chamberlain, to Dr. J, to Bird, to Magic to Jordan. New to DVD.

Price: $9.98


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Saturday, June 4, 2011

Mavs tie it up with stunning comeback

Updated June 3, 2011 14:32:00

Dirk Nowitzki sparked Dallas to a stunning fourth-quarter comeback as the Mavericks fought back from 15 points down to beat the Miami Heat 95-93 and even the NBA Finals at 1-1.

Mavericks All-Star forward Nowitzki, who scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, hit a driving lay-up with three seconds left to provide the wining margin.

Miami's Dwyane Wade launched a 28-foot, three-point attempt at the buzzer but it hit the back of the rim, eliciting a collective groan from the 20,000 at American Airlines Arena.

"Defensively we really got up, into them, started to pressure the full court, and then we scrambled defensively," Nowitzki said.

"We even gave up some second, offensive rebounds but we kept scrambling offensively.

"When we get some stops we can move and we can play off the flow."

The best-of-seven series shifts to Dallas for the next three games, with Game Three set for Monday morning (AEST) at the American Airlines Centre.

Miami looked to have seized control of the game with a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter that padded its two-point advantage into a 88-73 lead with just over seven minutes left.

Wade, who scored 36 points on a variety of long jump shots, running one-handers and fast breaks, scored nine points during the run, triggering a party atmosphere in South Florida.

But the resilient Mavericks embarked on a 20-2 run of their own and Nowitzki's 25-foot three-pointer with 26 seconds left gave them a 93-90 lead.

Miami reserve guard Mario Chalmers responded with a three-pointer just two seconds later, setting the stage for Nowitzki's heroics.

"Hang out. Hang around. Keep believing," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said.

"This team has been through some difficult situations. We've been down big a couple of times in the Playoffs.

"We have shown that we have the ability to come back and the guys believe that if we get stops, we'll always give ourselves a chance. It wasn't gonna happen unless we got stops."

Nowitzki, who injured a tendon in the middle finger of his left hand in the first game of the series, struggled early and hit three of his first 10 shots.

But he recovered in the second half, making 10 of 22 shots for the game.

"All year our guys have believed," Carlisle said.

"And tonight was another good example. They had to win the game. It wasn't easy."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the defeat was one of the toughest he has had to endure.

"No question about it, that's about as tough a fourth quarter you can have. When it started to slide, it just kept on going," he said.

"Really, I think offensively if we could have executed and moved the ball, we might have been able to stem the tide a little bit, even as poor as we were defensively down the stretch.

"It was highly uncharacteristic for us on both ends of the court.

"But we're a resilient group. By the time we get on that plane tomorrow, we'll get our minds and body and spirit ready for Game Three.

"This is a long series. So we're not happy about what happened, but we've got an opportunity in Game Three."

-Reuters

Tags: sport, basketball, united-states

First posted June 3, 2011 14:25:00


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Contact Sport - Friday June 03rd

Published:Friday, June 3, 2011 7:31 AESTExpires:Thursday, September 1, 2011 7:31 AEST

We take a look at the latest soccer news, the issue of sports betting, how the NRL has paid tribute to female fans, speak to Australian Diamonds captain Natalie Von Bertouch about the world championships and meet a young man aiming to compete in the 2016 Paralympics.

Tags: australian-football-league, basketball, netball, nrl, football, paralympics, australia


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Friday, June 3, 2011

Nowitzki plans to play with injured finger

Updated June 2, 2011 09:07:00

The pain of a Game One loss in the NBA Finals was still lingering with Dirk Nowitzki at Wednesday's Dallas Mavericks practice.

The German star scored 27 points on 7-of-18 shooting despite tearing a tendon in the middle finger on his left hand in Tuesday's 92-84 loss to the Miami Heat in the opener of the best-of-seven championship series.

Nowitzki was injured late in the fourth quarter during a battle for the ball with Heat's Chris Bosh and must now wear a splint on the finger for the remainder of the series.

He said at Wednesday's practice that the good thing is that the injury is on his non-shooting hand.

"I don't think it's going to be necessarily bothering me on the shot," said Nowitzki, who was a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line.

"On the shot you only hold the ball with the left hand. It's not like you do anything crazy with it. It's going to be other stuff - dribbling, passing, catching, swiping down, stuff like that."

Nowitzki said he will start out wearing the splint and then try different protective pieces and tape as the injury begins to heal.

"I think we're going to play around with some other stuff, try a splint from the back so I can feel the ball and not lose grip of the ball," he said.

"I'll be OK. I'm really not worried. It's not that sore so it should be OK."

Nowitzki said he was trying to strip the ball from Bosh when he jammed the digit and got called for a foul.

"I felt I stripped him clean," he said.

"I was talking to the referee about the play and the next thing you know I run on offense after two free throws and I'm looking down and my finger was bent. I couldn't straighten it.

"It was a freakish play. I ran over to the sideline and showed our trainer. He knew right away what happened."

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said he does not expect the injury to limit Nowitzki because this is the NBA Finals and he has seen him play hurt before.

"Dirk has played with a lot of injuries," Carlisle said.

"It's one of the reasons he's becoming a legendary player.

"Some of the things he's gone through and some of the things he's played with and how quickly he's bounced back - he's never going to be a guy to complain about those kinds of things.

"At this point, anything short of a compound fracture, you play. You have to kind of deal with the hand that's dealt to you."

- AFP

Tags: sport, basketball, united-states

First posted June 2, 2011 08:50:00


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Heat goes one up on Mavericks

Published:Wednesday, June 1, 2011 7:23 AESTExpires:Tuesday, August 30, 2011 7:23 AEST

Miami Heat has taken a 92-84 win over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA finals.

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Tags: basketball, united-states


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Shaquille O'Neal calls it quits

Published:Thursday, June 2, 2011 7:24 AESTExpires:Wednesday, August 31, 2011 7:24 AEST

Former Los Angeles Lakers great Shaquille O'Neal has announced his retirement from the NBA after a basketball career spanning 19 years.

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Tags: basketball, united-states


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'Shaq' retires

BRENDAN TREMBATH: After 19 seasons, one of the biggest names in American basketball Shaquille O'Neal, has decided to hang up his size 23 boots.

The 213 centimetre or 7 foot 1 tall centre made the announcement in a video he posted on his Twitter feed earlier today.

On the court, 'Shaq' won four championships as well as the league's most valuable player award.

But he's just as well known for his larger-than-life personality.

Michael Edwards has this report.

MICHAEL EDWARDS: After 19 seasons, almost 30,000 points and more than $290 million in earnings, Shaquille O'Neal used the social network tool Twitter to tell his fans that he was quitting basketball.

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL: We did it, 19 years baby. I want to thank you very much, that's why I'm telling you first, I'm about to retire. Love you. Talk to you soon.

MICHAEL EDWARDS: Big in stature and equally big in personality, Shaquille O'Neal's impact on the sport rivals even that of Michael Jordan.

(commentators calling basketball game, crowd cheers)

GAME CALLER: Get out of my way! I'm comin!

MICHAEL EDWARDS: He started his NBA career with the Orlando Magic but he won three of his championships with the LA Lakers.

He went on to win another with the Miami Heat, before stints with Phoenix, Cleveland and finally Boston.

His long-time rival and friend, Charles Barkley, says Shaq picked the right time to retire.

CHARLES BARKLEY: Well you know what, I'm glad he decided to retire because it was frustrating for me, because he'd been such a good friend to me for such a long time, I'd hate to see him struggling up and down the court this year.

MICHAEL EDWARDS: Charles Barkley describes him as a 'giant among giants'.

CHARLES BARKLEY: You know he's a wonderful person, he's been one of the greatest players ever and you know I tell people Shaquille O'Neal I played in the NBA for 16 years; Shaquille O'Neal is the only guy that I ever said, wow that's a big dude. From the first time I saw him he's the only guy.

You know I played against Mark Eden, I played against the Manude (phonetic) and the Dikembe Mutombo but Shaquille is the only person I played against, and I said man that's a big dude right there. But he was great, he was a great, great player, great, great personality and the NBA is losing a giant.

MICHAEL EDWARDS: To Bill Russell, a former NBA great who won 11 championships, Shaq's skills on the court were matched by his qualities as a person.

BILL RUSSELL: His family can be extraordinarily proud of the way he turned out, because he's an intelligent, likeable, talented young man and I just can't say how much I wish him well in whatever he goes into now, because this is the beginning of the rest of his life.

MICHAEL EDWARDS: But it's hardly going to be the last time we hear from Shaq. During his playing career he wasn't just a basketballer, at times he was an actor, a teacher and even a rapper.

(excerpt from rap song)

MICHAEL EDWARDS: And Charles Barkley regards him as a consummate expert at dealing with the public and the media.

CHARLES BARKLEY: You know there is a certain responsibility that goes with being a great player and being the man that's the face of the league. You have to do the press and you have to be nice to the fans, that's part of it. I tell people, they don't pay you all that money just to play.

MICHAEL EDWARDS: Shaquille O'Neal also had a lot of nicknames; among them, The Diesel, Shaq Daddy, and the Big Aristotle ..and when he moved to the Boston Celtics he dubbed himself the Big Shamrock.

Not only was it in his nature, Shaq says it also makes better business sense to be funny.

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL: I always been a jokester and in college at LSU a guy told me that big men couldn't sell, so right before I entered the NBA I looked at all the top people, which was Magic at the time and Jordan at the time and I took a little bit of what they had and added my own stuff into it, stirred the pot and wallah, you get The Shaq.

BRENDAN TREMBATH: Shaquille O'Neal ending Michael Edwards's report.


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James dunks against the Mavericks

James dunks against the Mavericks

Published:Wednesday, June 1, 2011 2:11 AEST

LeBron James of the Miami Heat dunks the ball over Tyson Chandler of the Dallas Mavericks in Game One of the NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena in Miami on May 31, 2011. James scored 24 points as the Heat won 92-84 to take a 1-0 series lead.

Tags: sport, basketball


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Basketball Rims - What to Look For in a High Quality Rim For Your Basketball Hoop


When people think of basketball rims, they probably just think of a simple eighteen inch diameter steel ring. But modern basketball hoops are much more complicated and much more durable. Here are some of the things to consider when deciding on the rim for you basketball system.

Single or Double?

One of the first things that you should look at in a Basketball Rim is the number of rings on the rim. Most basketball hoops have simply a single rim, and that is usually sufficient for most players. However, if you are buying the basketball hoop for a a park or a school, you should look into getting a double rimmed basketball rim. These are super reinforced and have the major advantage of being resistant to both aging and vandalism.

Breakaway or Fixed?

There are also two kinds of ways that the basketball rim can be bolted to the backboard. It can either be simply bolted straight into the backboard directly (fixed), or it can use a high tension spring to attach to the backboard (breakaway.) The high tension spring is designed to help put less pressure on the backboard when bouncing balls against it or dunking by "giving" a little when force is applied to the rim.

Fixed basketball rims are usually only found the cheapest basketball hoops, and they are fine if you just want to shoot around and don't plan on ever dunking. If you are looking for a higher quality system that can withstand a little bit more abuse and even some dunking, it's best to look for a basketball hoop that has a breakaway rim.

One Direction of Three Direction Breakaway?

The majority of breakway whoops are designed to bend only in one direction, with the assumption that if anyone is going to dunk on the basketball hoop, they are going to do it while facing the backboard. However, some basketball hoop brands have introduced basketball rims that can bend if someone dunks from the side. This is especially great if you have a great vertical leap and just love dunking on your basketball goal. You can typically find these on the higher quality basketball goals.

What Kind of Net?

Once of you have settled on what kind of basketball rim that you want for your basketball hoop, you also have to decide what kind of basketball net you will use. Most basketball hoops with a simple nylon net, which is fine for most people. If you want something closer to what the NBA uses, purchase a heavy duty anti whip nylon net. If you want something that is super durable, you might get a metal chain net. Some people even produce basketball nets that are made of plastic covered woven metal, and are designed to last an extremely long time without ever rusting.








Learn everything you need to know about getting the best deal on basketball equipment at http://www.basketballhoopbuyingguide.com It has all the info you need to get the best basketball goals at the best price.


James leads Heat to series-opening win

Updated June 1, 2011 15:12:00

LeBron James took the first step toward winning a first championship by leading the Miami Heat to a 92-84 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the Game One of the NBA Finals.

James scored 24 points, added nine rebounds and five assists to lead the Heat to the victory before a raucous Miami crowd, hungry to see the Heat's first title since 2006.

The two-time NBA most valuable player hit nine of 16 shots but was at his best from long range, connecting on four-of-five from beyond the arc.

Dwyane Wade added 22 for the Heat while collecting a team-leading 10 rebounds.

Chris Bosh scored 19 for Miami, giving the so-called "Big Three" 65 of the team's 92 points.

James scored nine points in the third quarter, including a 25-foot, three-pointer at the buzzer with the Mavericks' Shawn Marion in his face, as Miami recovered from an eight-point deficit to take a 65-61 lead into the final period.

"It's kind of the way we have been winning games - you have got to stick with it, you can't get frustrated because the ball's not going in," Wade said.

"There are other ways you can dominate the game and we were able to do that tonight.

"I thought we did a great job in the second half."

Miami led 77-73 with just under four minutes left but two foul shots by Bosh and a 24-foot, three-point jumper by Wade hiked the advantage to nine points with 3:06 on the clock.

Two free throws by Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki sliced the lead to 82-75 but James responded with a three-point play on the next possession to end any thoughts of a Dallas comeback.

Nowitzki scored 27 points, hitting seven-of-18 shots from the floor and all 12 of his free throw attempts.

Game Two is in Miami on Friday morning (AEST) before the best-of-seven series shifts to Dallas for the next three games.

Dallas lost to Miami in the title series five years ago, the Mavericks winning the first two games of the best-of-seven series before losing the next four.

The Heat were 47-35 last season but became one of the NBA's elite teams when James and Bosh took the free agent route last summer to join fellow All-Star Wade in Miami.

Wade admitted the Mavericks had trouble guarding both him and James.

"We are two playmakers who can not only take shots and make plays ourselves, we can do it for our team-mates," he said.

"This was a total team win though. And we got one."

-Reuters

Tags: sport, basketball, united-states

First posted June 1, 2011 14:06:00


View the original article here

Thursday, June 2, 2011

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In Ground Basketball Hoops - The Secret to Getting the Best Deal on Basketball Goals


In ground basketball hoops come in a broad variety of prices, anywhere from a hundred dollars to well over two thousand dollars. But there are some things that you should definitely look out for if you hope to get the best price for y our in ground basketball system. Learning about basketball hoops can save you a ton of money in the long run.

Choose Polycarbonate Basketball Backboards over Acrylic - If you are getting a lower range basketball hoop it can pay off seriously to get a polycarbonate in ground basketball goal instead of one with an acrylic backboard. While acrylic material works fine, polycarbonate is much more durable, and can withstand a lot more damage. This doesn't just mean that backboard will be able hold up to rougher play, but it will also last your family longer.This can be especially helpful if you have older kids playing on the basketball hoop who tend to be much rougher with the backboard.

Don't Get any Fan Shaped Basketball Backboards - "Fan Shaped" backboards are usually a big rip off. When buying an in ground basketball hoop, you should try to stick with square backboards just because they offer the same surface area for playing at the exact same price, or even cheaper in some cases.   Fan shaped backboards on in ground basketball hoops also are problematic because it is much harder to do bank shots and other things. When given an option, just save yourself a lot of hassle and get a rectangle backboard instead. 

Find Basketball Hoops with Included Accessories -   Sometimes basketball permanent goals are packaged with accessories that might cost you a lot of money if you had bought them otherwise. Some of the most common ones for in ground basketball hoops include things like backboards pads, pole pads, and free ground sleeves. Some kiddie hoops are sometimes even packaged with a basketball that is specially designed to be used with the smalle rim size. If you see any in ground basketball hoop that comes with any of these things included, you know that you have a deal.

Check the Warranty - Sometimes an in ground basketball hoop can be a really great deal because of the warranty. So check out two things about the warranty for the in ground basketball hoop: what it covers and how long it lasts. The majority of warranties cover "normal basketball activity except dunking," which means that normal every day play is covered, but dunking on the hoop is not. Others cover damage that might be done because of dunking, and some industrial hoops even cover damage done due to vandalism.

The warranty can last anywhere from five years, ten years, twenty years, or even the life of the basketball system. Make sure to keep both your receipt for the basketball hoop and the warranty in a safe place. That way, if anything should happen to the in ground basketball hoop that is covered under the warranty, you have all the documentation that you need to have the company take care of the issue.








The more knowledge you gain about basketball goals, the more cash you can save. Learn all the up to date information about the best basketball system deals at http://www.basketballhoopbuyingguide.com


Shaq calls it a day after 19 years

Updated June 2, 2011 07:39:00

Shaquille O'Neal, a dominant centre who played on four NBA championship teams, has announced he is planning to retire after a professional career spanning nearly two decades.

One of the most accomplished players in the game, the 39-year-old O'Neal made the announcement by posting a video on the social media website Twitter.

"We did it. Nineteen years baby. I want to thank you very much, that's why I'm telling you first, I'm about to retire. Thank you, talk to you soon," he said in the message.

The physically imposing O'Neal, who stood 7'1" (2.16 metres) and weighed 325 pounds (147 kilograms), was a force under the basket, 10 times leading the NBA in field goal percentage thanks to his overpowering low-post game and thunderous dunks.

He averaged 23.7 points and 10.9 rebounds a game over his long career, was named to 15 All-Star teams and was a member of the United States team that won the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

He scored 28,596 points in the NBA, the fifth highest total ever, and was 12th overall in rebounds and seventh in blocked shots.

"What a career for Shaq Diesel!!" LeBron James tweeted.

"The most dominating force to ever play the game. Great person to be around as well. Comedy all the time!!"

Following a stellar college career at Louisiana State, O'Neal was made the number one overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA Draft. He made an immediate impact, being named the league's rookie of the year.

O'Neal spent four years with the Magic before leaving as a free agent for the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won three consecutive titles alongside guard Kobe Bryant.

But he feuded with Bryant, and the Lakers traded him to the Miami Heat in 2004, and in 2006 O'Neal, affectionately known as "Shaq," won his fourth championship.

Since leaving the Heat in 2008, O'Neal played for the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and most recently, the Boston Celtics.

Gentle giant

A larger than life figure both on and off the court, O'Neal's announcement leaves a void from the basketball aficionado to the casual fan who merely laughed at the antics of the future Hall of Famer.

The Superman tattoo on the bicep of the 19-year NBA player provided a vivid insight into the mindset of a man who, refreshingly, does not take himself too seriously.

A gentle giant off the court with a wry sense of humour, the massive man known around the world as "Shaq" had one glaring weakness, a difficulty in sinking free throws.

His dismal 52.7 per cent accuracy from the charity stripe led opposing teams to adopt a "Hack-a-Shaq" tactic, where late in close games they would immediately foul O'Neal to send him to the free-throw line.

Among O'Neal's many nicknames over the years have been "The Big Aristotle" for his acumen during interviews, "The Diesel," "The Big Daddy," "Superman," The Big Cactus," "The Big Shaqtus" and "The Big Shamrock."

Some were coined by journalists but most were supplied by O'Neal himself.

Despite the shenanigans, O'Neal will be remembered most for his basketball skills. He averaged 23.7 points over his career, a figure stunted over the last few years as age and injuries starting taking a toll on his body.

But in his heyday, few could stop O'Neal once he received the ball in the lane. He was just too big, too muscular, too agile.

As his skills declined over the last few years, many felt it was sad to see one of the game's best players reduced to a supporting role.

He averaged 9.2 points this year in an injury-plagued season for the Celtics.

O'Neal has also lived a rich, full life off the court.

He is an accomplished rapper and a part-time policeman, having gone through training with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Reserve Academy.

O'Neal earned a Masters degree in business administration in 2005, further preparing for the day when he takes the basketball shoes off for the last time.

"It's just something to have on my resume for when I go back into reality," he said of his degree.

"Someday I might have to put down a basketball and have a regular 9-to-5 (job) like everybody else."

- Reuters

Tags: sport, basketball, united-states

First posted June 2, 2011 06:00:00


View the original article here