by BILLY BONDS
A charter franchise in the American Basketball Association, the team was originally slated to play in Kansas City, Missouri before moving to Denver. They were named the Denver Larks before they changed their name and became known as the Rockets for their first seven years of existence, winning division titles in 1970 and 1975. The name "Rockets" was derived from the Rocket Trucking Company, owned by the team's owner and having the same colors (orange and black).
However, they tended to struggle in the postseason and failed to make a championship game during this span. They had a solid lineup led by Byron Beck and Larry Jones, then later by Beck and Ralph Simpson. During the 1969-70 season, the team also had controversial rookie Spencer Haywood. Haywood was one of the first players try to turn pro before graduating from college, and the NBA initially refused to let him play in the league. Haywood averaged 30 points in his only ABA season, then was allowed to sign with the Seattle SuperSonics to start a productive NBA career.
In 1974, in hopes of moving into the NBA, a contest was held to find a new nickname for the Rockets, as the nickname was already used by the Houston Rockets. The name Nuggets won, having been the nickname first used by the Denver 1949-50 NBA franchise. Their new logo was a miner holding an ABA ball.
With the drafting and signing of David Thompson and Marvin Webster and the acquisitions of Dan Issel and Bobby Jones and with Larry Brown coaching, they had their best seasons in team history in their first two seasons as the Nuggets, with the team making the ABA finals in 1975-76. They would get no second chance to win a league championship, as the ABA folded after the 1975-76 season. The Nuggets were one of four ABA teams taken into the NBA, along with the New York Nets, San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers. The Nuggets and Nets had actually applied to join the NBA in 1975, but were forced to stay in the ABA by court order.
The Nuggets continued their strong play early on in the NBA, as they won division titles in their first two seasons in the league, and missed a third by a single game. However, neither of these teams was ultimately successful in the postseason.
Brown left the team in 1979, helping usher in a brief decline in their team's performance. It ended in 1981, when they hired Doug Moe as a head coach. Moe brought with him a "run and gun" philosophy, a style of play focusing on attempting to score rapidly with little interest in defense, and it helped the team become highly competitive. During the 1980s, the Nuggets would often score in excess of 115 points a game, and during the 1981-82 season, they scored at least 100 points in every game.
Anchored by scoring machines Alex English and Kiki Vandeweghe at the two forward spots, Denver led the league in scoring, with English and Vandeweghe both averaging above 25 points per game. It was a novel strategy, allowing the Nuggets to top the Midwest Division and qualify for the playoffs during that span. (On December 13, 1983, the Nuggets and the visiting Detroit Pistons combined for an NBA record 370 points, with Detroit winning in triple overtime, 186-184.) In 1984-85, they made it to the Western Conference finals after being perennial playoff contenders, and they lost in five games to the Los Angeles Lakers. Vandeweghe was traded before the 1984-85 season to the Portland Trailblazers for 6-3 rebounding guard Fat Lever, undersized power forward Calvin Natt and center Wayne Cooper. Spearheaded by English and supported by the three new acquisitions and defensive specialists Bill Hanzlik and TR Dunn, the team replicated its success in the Western Conference despite the loss of Vandeweghe. However, they could not get pass the dominant team of the era, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Moe left the team in 1990, and his departure ended their run as a competitive franchise. However, the "run and gun" philosophy continued with coach Paul Westhead at the helm. He gave the green light for players like Michael Adams and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf to light up the scoreboards within seconds of possession. This lead to even more scoring records, but that did not translate into wins as Denver was the worst team in terms of number of wins for two consecutive seasons. That record enabled them to land at the lottery and draft 7-2 Georgetown University center Dikembe Mutombo in 1992, and University of Michigan guard Jalen Rose the next year. These two would lead the team into a brief resurgence in 1993-94 (a year they ditched their rainbow colors for a dark blue and gold scheme) finishing 42-40 and stunning the top-seeded Supersonics in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, falling to the Utah Jazz in game seven of the second round, but it was a rare highlight following Moe's departure. The Nuggets were swept in the following year by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. Denver was an also-ran for nearly a decade, and flirted with having the worst record NBA history in 1997-98, winning only 11 games in an 82 game season. They tied for the worst record in the NBA in 2002-03 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The team has shown signs of another renaissance for the 2003-04 season, with the drafting of Carmelo Anthony and yet another uniform change (powder blue and yellow). In just two months of the season, they recorded more wins than they had in 5½ months of play in 2002-03. Much of the reason for this incredible turnaround were the front-office moves of General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe a former Nuggets player who assumed General Manager duties August 9, 2001, adding crucial personnel including: point guard Andre Miller, power forward Nenê, point guard Earl Boykins, center Marcus Camby and shooting guard Jon Barry. In April, the turnaround was complete as they became the first franchise in NBA history to qualify for the postseason following a sub-20-win campaign the previous year. They were eliminated in the first round four games to one by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On December 28, 2004, head coach Jeff Bzdelik was fired from the organization and replaced by interim coach, former Los Angeles Laker player and Los Angeles Sparks head coach Michael Cooper, before finally hiring veteran coach George Karl as a permanent replacement. Karl lived up to his reputation by leading the team to an astounding record of 32-8 in the second half of the regular season which vaulted the team into the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
In the playoffs, however, the Nuggets could not survive the powerhouse defense of Manu Ginobili and the San Antonio Spurs. After winning game one in San Antonio, the Nuggets proceeded to lose the next four games and lost the series 4-1. The Nuggets picked 20th in the 2005 NBA Draft; it was acquired from Washington via Orlando.
In 2005-06, for the first time in 18 years, the club won the Northwest division title. This placed the team in the third seed of the Western Conference playoffs. Due to their relatively weak record the Nuggets were forced to play the Los Angeles Clippers who, despite their 6th seeding, had a better record following a great season behind their NBA Most Valuable Player Award candidate Elton Brand. Based on their regular season records the LA Clippers received home court advantage. The first two games in the best-of-7 series were won by the Clippers 89-87 in game one and 109-101 for game two in LA. Game 3 was won by the Denver Nuggets in Denver 98-87. The Clippers went on to win the final two games and advance to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs for the first time in franchise history since the Clippers moved to L.A. for the 1984-85 season.
On, December 18, 2006, team co-captain, Carmelo Anthony, shooting guard J.R. Smith, and power forward Nene were suspended by the NBA (15, 10, and 1 games respectively) for a fight that occurred in the last two minutes of a game against the New York Knicks two days earlier. The fight was sparked by Knicks rookie Mardy Collins, when he tackled J.R. Smith on a breakaway layup. According to Anthony, Knicks coach Isiah Thomas warned him to not go in the paint shortly before the hard foul.
On December 19, 2006, the Nuggets traded Joe Smith, Andre Miller, and two first-round draft picks in the 2007 draft to the Philadelphia 76ers for players Allen Iverson and Ivan McFarlin (McFarlin was waived immediately following the trade's approval), thus landing the Nuggets the top two scorers in the league in Anthony and Iverson. On January 11, 2007, Earl Boykins, Julius Hodge, and cash considerations were traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for point guard Steve Blake.
Monday, June 25, 2007
A Brief History Of Basketball
by KEITH KINGSTON
Dr. James Naismith is known world-wide as the inventor of basketball. He was born in 1861 in Ramsay township, near Almonte, Ontario, Canada. The concept of basketball was born out of his early school days when he played a simple game known as duck-on-a-rock outside his schoolhouse. The game involved attempting to knock a "duck" off the top of a large rock by tossing another rock at it. This is the beginning of a brief history of basketball as we know it.
Naismith served as at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA in 1891, and this is where the sport of basketball was born. Naismith was faced with the challenge of finding a sport that was suitable for play inside during the winter for the students. Naismith wanted to create a game of skill that could be played indoors in a relatively small space. The very first game of basketball was played with a soccer ball and two peach baskets used as goals. The history of basketball started right here.
James Naismith devised a set rules for these early games as follows:
„« The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
„« A player cannot run with the ball, but instead the player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it.
„« The ball must be held in or between the hands, not any other body parts.
„« No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent is permitted. The first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is scored.
„« If either side make three consecutive fouls it shall count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive in these rules means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul of their own).
„« A goal is scored when the ball is thrown from the ground into the basket and stays there. If the ball rests on the edge of the basket and the opponents move the basket, it shall also count as a goal.
„« When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first person touching it.
„« The umpire shall be judge and have the power to disqualify or foul players as required.
„« The referee shall be the judge of the ball and decide when it is in play in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time.
„« The time shall be two 15-minute halves with five minutes' rest between.
„« The side scoring the most goals in that time shall be declared the winners.
Today basketball has grown to become one of the world's most popular sports, all thanks to Dr Naismith.
Dr. James Naismith is known world-wide as the inventor of basketball. He was born in 1861 in Ramsay township, near Almonte, Ontario, Canada. The concept of basketball was born out of his early school days when he played a simple game known as duck-on-a-rock outside his schoolhouse. The game involved attempting to knock a "duck" off the top of a large rock by tossing another rock at it. This is the beginning of a brief history of basketball as we know it.
Naismith served as at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA in 1891, and this is where the sport of basketball was born. Naismith was faced with the challenge of finding a sport that was suitable for play inside during the winter for the students. Naismith wanted to create a game of skill that could be played indoors in a relatively small space. The very first game of basketball was played with a soccer ball and two peach baskets used as goals. The history of basketball started right here.
James Naismith devised a set rules for these early games as follows:
„« The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
„« A player cannot run with the ball, but instead the player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it.
„« The ball must be held in or between the hands, not any other body parts.
„« No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent is permitted. The first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is scored.
„« If either side make three consecutive fouls it shall count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive in these rules means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul of their own).
„« A goal is scored when the ball is thrown from the ground into the basket and stays there. If the ball rests on the edge of the basket and the opponents move the basket, it shall also count as a goal.
„« When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first person touching it.
„« The umpire shall be judge and have the power to disqualify or foul players as required.
„« The referee shall be the judge of the ball and decide when it is in play in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time.
„« The time shall be two 15-minute halves with five minutes' rest between.
„« The side scoring the most goals in that time shall be declared the winners.
Today basketball has grown to become one of the world's most popular sports, all thanks to Dr Naismith.
Billion Dollar Basketball Player
by SEBASTIEN VEILLEUX
When it comes to marketing in basketball, Michael Jordan is the best player to do it. However, he may soon move over. LeBron James is not after millions, but billions. He recognizes the explosive growth potential in China and he wants in on the action. China is one of the best growing markets in the world. The NBA has been doing their part to infiltrate the Chinese culture with more and more basketball—NBA style.
Nike has paid millions to get their advertising in Asia markets. They are paying millions more to develop the culture that warrants the buying of Nike apparel. Recently in Sapparo, Japan Nike set up shop to draw in basketball fans. The event coincided with the basketball World Championships. The event featured none other than poster boy Lebron James.
Journalists were ushered in to meet Lebron James. This was done in groups. First the Chinese journalists got their face time with King James then the Japanese journalists had their turn. This entire scene has lit up the eyes of King James, who is now set on becoming the first athlete billionaire. To make it, he's going to have to focus a good majority of attention to Asia.
The billion dollar per year industry is exploding in Asia. Retailers are sprouting up all over China. What does King James think about all this? In a recent interview, he said, "I say all the time, and I tell my friends and teammates, that you have to go global in basketball and business." Whether it's just pie in the sky talk or not, LeBron James seems very intent on trying to accomplish this goal.
LeBron James has a new company, LRMR Marketing. Asia, specifically China and Japan, are big targets for the company. They are working hard to increase LeBron's exposure before next year's Olympics in Beijing. Now you know why LeBron was so eager to join the Olympic basketball team. It was good for his business. What about Patriotism?
When asked about why he joined the team, Lebron James said, "It is only going to help my business. Once I knew the world games were going to be in Japan, I knew I was going to be on board." Rebook-Adidas is not sitting back and watching. They have their main weapon for Asia—Yao Ming. The playing field is just starting to heat up. There's even reports of LeBron James taking lessons to learn some Mandarin Chinese.
When it comes to marketing in basketball, Michael Jordan is the best player to do it. However, he may soon move over. LeBron James is not after millions, but billions. He recognizes the explosive growth potential in China and he wants in on the action. China is one of the best growing markets in the world. The NBA has been doing their part to infiltrate the Chinese culture with more and more basketball—NBA style.
Nike has paid millions to get their advertising in Asia markets. They are paying millions more to develop the culture that warrants the buying of Nike apparel. Recently in Sapparo, Japan Nike set up shop to draw in basketball fans. The event coincided with the basketball World Championships. The event featured none other than poster boy Lebron James.
Journalists were ushered in to meet Lebron James. This was done in groups. First the Chinese journalists got their face time with King James then the Japanese journalists had their turn. This entire scene has lit up the eyes of King James, who is now set on becoming the first athlete billionaire. To make it, he's going to have to focus a good majority of attention to Asia.
The billion dollar per year industry is exploding in Asia. Retailers are sprouting up all over China. What does King James think about all this? In a recent interview, he said, "I say all the time, and I tell my friends and teammates, that you have to go global in basketball and business." Whether it's just pie in the sky talk or not, LeBron James seems very intent on trying to accomplish this goal.
LeBron James has a new company, LRMR Marketing. Asia, specifically China and Japan, are big targets for the company. They are working hard to increase LeBron's exposure before next year's Olympics in Beijing. Now you know why LeBron was so eager to join the Olympic basketball team. It was good for his business. What about Patriotism?
When asked about why he joined the team, Lebron James said, "It is only going to help my business. Once I knew the world games were going to be in Japan, I knew I was going to be on board." Rebook-Adidas is not sitting back and watching. They have their main weapon for Asia—Yao Ming. The playing field is just starting to heat up. There's even reports of LeBron James taking lessons to learn some Mandarin Chinese.
Women's College Basketball
by BARBARA MOORE
We've come a long way since the inception of women's college basketball.
The first game, played in 1893 at Smith College, was played between sophomores and freshmen. However, the first "official" women's college basketball match was recognized in April 1896 with a game between Berkley and Stanford. This match was played in a locked gymnasium, as men were not allowed to watch as the women ran and jumped on the basketball court.
In 1901 a separate set of rules was written for women's college basketball. The early years involved some crazy rules. The basket was sewn shut, so the umpire had to go up and retrieve the ball whenever a goal was scored. In addition, it was required that some games be played on grass courts. Thankfully, the game progressed and over the years the rules were modified.
The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women did not conduct the first National Basketball Tournament for Women until 1975. In this same year, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association selected their first All-America Team. The American Basketball League (ABL) was founded in 1996, and the Women's National Basketball Association followed in 1997. These associations were created to keep talented American players from moving to foreign leagues.
Then NCAA continues to supervise women's college basketball, having three divisions in place to filter the best players. Division I remains the most prominent and popular league, played by colleges that sponsor at least seven sports for women players. These colleges are required to play all but two of their games against other Division I teams. Division II includes those colleges that organize at least four sports each for women, and they are required to play at least half of their games against Division I or Division II teams. Division III includes colleges that organize at least five sports with two teams.
Winners of 31 conferences are automatically qualified for NCAA's annual Women's Basketball Championship. The remaining 33 teams are chosen by a selection committee to make it a field of 64. All of these teams are then organized in four pools, with each pool seeded from one to 16.
The annual tournament begins on the third Thursday of March. The first two days are most hectic, with a total of 32 teams leaving the competition by the end of the first day. By the end of day two, another 16 teams will be eliminated. Then, the action really begins to heat up as they remaining teams play for the Final Four position, and then the playoff for the ultimate tournament winner.
Women's college basketball has certainly evolved from those grass court days of the 1800's, making today's sport an exciting part of modern day professional athletics.
We've come a long way since the inception of women's college basketball.
The first game, played in 1893 at Smith College, was played between sophomores and freshmen. However, the first "official" women's college basketball match was recognized in April 1896 with a game between Berkley and Stanford. This match was played in a locked gymnasium, as men were not allowed to watch as the women ran and jumped on the basketball court.
In 1901 a separate set of rules was written for women's college basketball. The early years involved some crazy rules. The basket was sewn shut, so the umpire had to go up and retrieve the ball whenever a goal was scored. In addition, it was required that some games be played on grass courts. Thankfully, the game progressed and over the years the rules were modified.
The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women did not conduct the first National Basketball Tournament for Women until 1975. In this same year, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association selected their first All-America Team. The American Basketball League (ABL) was founded in 1996, and the Women's National Basketball Association followed in 1997. These associations were created to keep talented American players from moving to foreign leagues.
Then NCAA continues to supervise women's college basketball, having three divisions in place to filter the best players. Division I remains the most prominent and popular league, played by colleges that sponsor at least seven sports for women players. These colleges are required to play all but two of their games against other Division I teams. Division II includes those colleges that organize at least four sports each for women, and they are required to play at least half of their games against Division I or Division II teams. Division III includes colleges that organize at least five sports with two teams.
Winners of 31 conferences are automatically qualified for NCAA's annual Women's Basketball Championship. The remaining 33 teams are chosen by a selection committee to make it a field of 64. All of these teams are then organized in four pools, with each pool seeded from one to 16.
The annual tournament begins on the third Thursday of March. The first two days are most hectic, with a total of 32 teams leaving the competition by the end of the first day. By the end of day two, another 16 teams will be eliminated. Then, the action really begins to heat up as they remaining teams play for the Final Four position, and then the playoff for the ultimate tournament winner.
Women's college basketball has certainly evolved from those grass court days of the 1800's, making today's sport an exciting part of modern day professional athletics.
How Basketball Came To Be...
by BILLY BONDS
In early December 1891, Dr. James Naismith, a minister on the faculty of a college for YMCA professionals (today, Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, sought a vigorous indoor game to keep his students occupied and at proper levels of fitness during the long New England winters. After rejecting other ideas as either too rough or poorly suited to walled-in gymnasiums, he wrote the basic rules and nailed a peach basket onto an 10-foot (3.05 m) elevated track. In contrast with modern basketball nets, this peach basket retained its bottom, so balls scored into the basket had to be poked out with a long dowel each time. A soccer ball was used to shoot goals.
Dr. Naismith's handwritten diaries of the time indicate that he was nervous about this invention, which incorporated rules from a Canadian children's game called "Duck on a Rock", as many had failed before it. Dr. Naismith himself was originally from Canada.
Naismith's new game is quite similar to the game of team handball, which had already been invented in the early 1890s.
The first official basketball game was played in the YMCA gymnasium on January 20, 1892 with nine players, on a court just half the size of a present-day National Basketball Association (NBA) court. "Basket ball", the name suggested by one of Naismith's students, was popular from the beginning.
Women's basketball began in 1892 at Smith College when Senda Berenson, a physical education teacher, modified Naismith's rules for women.
Basketball's early adherents were dispatched to YMCAs throughout the United States, and it quickly spread through the USA and Canada. By 1895, it was well established at several women's high schools. While the YMCA was responsible for initially developing and spreading the game, within a decade it discouraged the new sport, as rough play and rowdy crowds began to detract from the YMCA's primary mission. However, other amateur sports clubs, colleges, and professional clubs quickly filled the void. In the years before World War I, the Amateur Athletic Union and the Intercollegiate Athletic Association (forerunner of the NCAA) vied for control over the rules for the game.
Basketball was originally played with a soccer ball. The first balls made specifically for basketball were brown, and it was only in the late 1950s that Tony Hinkle, searching for a ball that would be more visible to players and spectators alike, introduced the orange ball that is now in common use.
Dribbling, the bouncing of the ball up and down while moving, was not part of the original game except for the "bounce pass" to teammates. Passing the ball was the primary means of ball movement. Dribbling was eventually introduced but limited by the asymmetric shape of early balls. Dribbling only became a major part of the game around the 1950s as manufacturing improved the ball shape.
Basketball, netball, dodgeball, volleyball, and lacrosse are the only ball games which have been identified as being invented by North Americans. Other ball games, such as baseball and Canadian football, have Commonwealth of Nations, European, Asian or African connections.
In early December 1891, Dr. James Naismith, a minister on the faculty of a college for YMCA professionals (today, Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, sought a vigorous indoor game to keep his students occupied and at proper levels of fitness during the long New England winters. After rejecting other ideas as either too rough or poorly suited to walled-in gymnasiums, he wrote the basic rules and nailed a peach basket onto an 10-foot (3.05 m) elevated track. In contrast with modern basketball nets, this peach basket retained its bottom, so balls scored into the basket had to be poked out with a long dowel each time. A soccer ball was used to shoot goals.
Dr. Naismith's handwritten diaries of the time indicate that he was nervous about this invention, which incorporated rules from a Canadian children's game called "Duck on a Rock", as many had failed before it. Dr. Naismith himself was originally from Canada.
Naismith's new game is quite similar to the game of team handball, which had already been invented in the early 1890s.
The first official basketball game was played in the YMCA gymnasium on January 20, 1892 with nine players, on a court just half the size of a present-day National Basketball Association (NBA) court. "Basket ball", the name suggested by one of Naismith's students, was popular from the beginning.
Women's basketball began in 1892 at Smith College when Senda Berenson, a physical education teacher, modified Naismith's rules for women.
Basketball's early adherents were dispatched to YMCAs throughout the United States, and it quickly spread through the USA and Canada. By 1895, it was well established at several women's high schools. While the YMCA was responsible for initially developing and spreading the game, within a decade it discouraged the new sport, as rough play and rowdy crowds began to detract from the YMCA's primary mission. However, other amateur sports clubs, colleges, and professional clubs quickly filled the void. In the years before World War I, the Amateur Athletic Union and the Intercollegiate Athletic Association (forerunner of the NCAA) vied for control over the rules for the game.
Basketball was originally played with a soccer ball. The first balls made specifically for basketball were brown, and it was only in the late 1950s that Tony Hinkle, searching for a ball that would be more visible to players and spectators alike, introduced the orange ball that is now in common use.
Dribbling, the bouncing of the ball up and down while moving, was not part of the original game except for the "bounce pass" to teammates. Passing the ball was the primary means of ball movement. Dribbling was eventually introduced but limited by the asymmetric shape of early balls. Dribbling only became a major part of the game around the 1950s as manufacturing improved the ball shape.
Basketball, netball, dodgeball, volleyball, and lacrosse are the only ball games which have been identified as being invented by North Americans. Other ball games, such as baseball and Canadian football, have Commonwealth of Nations, European, Asian or African connections.
College Basketball Milestones
by DANIEL THOMAS
Basketball is a favorite pastime of kids and adults alike. American kids grow up with dreams of earning scholarships and reaching fame in the college league.
Basketball owes its origin to Dr. James Naismith, who invented the sport in 1892. Before long, the popularity of the game caught on and it was being played in American colleges. The first official game involving a college team was played between Geneva College and the New Brighton YMCA in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania on April 8, 1893. On February 9, 1895, the first intercollegiate game was played between the Minnesota State School of Agriculture and Hamline College. Minnesota won that game, 9 to 3.
The introduction of the five-player format was the next major college basketball milestone. This happened during an intercollegiate game in Iowa City on January 18, 1896. By the early 1900s, the basketball was being played in ninety colleges, mostly in the East and Midwest. This number continued to swell, and by 1914 as many as 360 colleges were playing college basketball.
In 1915, the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States, the NCAA and the YMCA banded together to streamline the game. A committee was organized to frame rules and during this time, a number of regional conferences were formed.
The first NCAA Men's College Basketball Championship tournament was organized by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and held in Evanston in 1939. A crowd of 5,500 cheering basketball fans watched the University of Oregon with the game. After this, the NCAA took over the national basketball championship tournament, and another college basketball milestone was realized.
In 1940, college basketball made it to the small screen. The first televised college game was played between Pittsburgh and Fordham at Madison Square Garden. This was the beginning of a national obsession with basketball and since then, the game has drawn huge crowds. The most-watched event in the United States is March Madness, when nearly 350 American colleges come together to compete for the NCAA basketball crown.
The NCAA tournament had relatively humble beginnings, with just eight teams competing against each other representing each of the eight NCAA districts. In 1951 the number of teams doubled to sixteen. In this format, ten conference champions qualified automatically, while the remaining six teams were chosen on the basis of their performance. In 1954, the number of teams went up to 24, and a 32-team bracket was adopted in 1975. Further increases saw the number of teams jump to 48 in 1980, and to 64 in 1985.
Over the years, college basketball has gone through remarkable changes. Many players have showcased their talents on campus courts and risen to become basketball superstars, and most NBA stars trace their origins to college basketball.
Basketball is a favorite pastime of kids and adults alike. American kids grow up with dreams of earning scholarships and reaching fame in the college league.
Basketball owes its origin to Dr. James Naismith, who invented the sport in 1892. Before long, the popularity of the game caught on and it was being played in American colleges. The first official game involving a college team was played between Geneva College and the New Brighton YMCA in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania on April 8, 1893. On February 9, 1895, the first intercollegiate game was played between the Minnesota State School of Agriculture and Hamline College. Minnesota won that game, 9 to 3.
The introduction of the five-player format was the next major college basketball milestone. This happened during an intercollegiate game in Iowa City on January 18, 1896. By the early 1900s, the basketball was being played in ninety colleges, mostly in the East and Midwest. This number continued to swell, and by 1914 as many as 360 colleges were playing college basketball.
In 1915, the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States, the NCAA and the YMCA banded together to streamline the game. A committee was organized to frame rules and during this time, a number of regional conferences were formed.
The first NCAA Men's College Basketball Championship tournament was organized by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and held in Evanston in 1939. A crowd of 5,500 cheering basketball fans watched the University of Oregon with the game. After this, the NCAA took over the national basketball championship tournament, and another college basketball milestone was realized.
In 1940, college basketball made it to the small screen. The first televised college game was played between Pittsburgh and Fordham at Madison Square Garden. This was the beginning of a national obsession with basketball and since then, the game has drawn huge crowds. The most-watched event in the United States is March Madness, when nearly 350 American colleges come together to compete for the NCAA basketball crown.
The NCAA tournament had relatively humble beginnings, with just eight teams competing against each other representing each of the eight NCAA districts. In 1951 the number of teams doubled to sixteen. In this format, ten conference champions qualified automatically, while the remaining six teams were chosen on the basis of their performance. In 1954, the number of teams went up to 24, and a 32-team bracket was adopted in 1975. Further increases saw the number of teams jump to 48 in 1980, and to 64 in 1985.
Over the years, college basketball has gone through remarkable changes. Many players have showcased their talents on campus courts and risen to become basketball superstars, and most NBA stars trace their origins to college basketball.
History of the NBA
by JENA LUTHOVSKI
The history of what today is called the National Basketball Association (NBA) began in 1946. In 1946, it was called the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The league was mostly started by people who owned sports arenas in the United States, most importantly the Madison Square Garden in New York City. Earlier attempts had been made to start a league. There had been leagues like the American Basketball League and the National Basketball League. What made the BAA different from these leagues was they were going to play in large arenas in major cities. The early years were not good for BAA as the quality of play was not much better than competing leagues or the leading independent leagues like the Harlem Globetrotters. The Baltimore actually moved from the ABL and won the BAA title. The Minneapolis Lakers switched from the NBL to the BAA and won the BAA championship.
After the 1949 season, the BAA merged with the NBL and renamed the National Basketball Association. The new NBA had 17 franchises in large and small cities. The teams played in large arenas, small gymnasiums and armories. The team in the small cities eventually moved to larger cities such as the Pistons going from Fort Wayne to Detroit.
The NBA did not become integrated until 1950. African-Americans like Chuck Cooper, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton and Earl Lloyd joined the NBA. In 2006, the NBA is made up of people from many different races and countries. 80 percent of NBA players are now African-American.
In 1967, the league faced strong competition when the American Basketball Association was formed. The leagues competed fiercely over talent. The NBA beat the America Basketball Association in getting Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the most important college star of the era. Kareem helped the Milwaukee Bucks win the NBA championship in his second season and he later played for the Los Angeles Lakers on five championship teams. The NBA did lose their losing scorer, Rick Barry, as well as four veteran referees to the ABA. The ABA also got other major stars such as Julius Erving because this league allowed its team to sign college graduates. The ABA lost to the NBA since the NBA took most of the major cities and adopted innovations from the ABA such as the three-point field goal.
Starting with the 1980s and beyond, the league became well known globally. The best players in the league like Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird being part of Olympics certainly helped spreading the word about this league to the world. Michael Jordan became a well known name in America and other countries.
The history of what today is called the National Basketball Association (NBA) began in 1946. In 1946, it was called the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The league was mostly started by people who owned sports arenas in the United States, most importantly the Madison Square Garden in New York City. Earlier attempts had been made to start a league. There had been leagues like the American Basketball League and the National Basketball League. What made the BAA different from these leagues was they were going to play in large arenas in major cities. The early years were not good for BAA as the quality of play was not much better than competing leagues or the leading independent leagues like the Harlem Globetrotters. The Baltimore actually moved from the ABL and won the BAA title. The Minneapolis Lakers switched from the NBL to the BAA and won the BAA championship.
After the 1949 season, the BAA merged with the NBL and renamed the National Basketball Association. The new NBA had 17 franchises in large and small cities. The teams played in large arenas, small gymnasiums and armories. The team in the small cities eventually moved to larger cities such as the Pistons going from Fort Wayne to Detroit.
The NBA did not become integrated until 1950. African-Americans like Chuck Cooper, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton and Earl Lloyd joined the NBA. In 2006, the NBA is made up of people from many different races and countries. 80 percent of NBA players are now African-American.
In 1967, the league faced strong competition when the American Basketball Association was formed. The leagues competed fiercely over talent. The NBA beat the America Basketball Association in getting Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the most important college star of the era. Kareem helped the Milwaukee Bucks win the NBA championship in his second season and he later played for the Los Angeles Lakers on five championship teams. The NBA did lose their losing scorer, Rick Barry, as well as four veteran referees to the ABA. The ABA also got other major stars such as Julius Erving because this league allowed its team to sign college graduates. The ABA lost to the NBA since the NBA took most of the major cities and adopted innovations from the ABA such as the three-point field goal.
Starting with the 1980s and beyond, the league became well known globally. The best players in the league like Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird being part of Olympics certainly helped spreading the word about this league to the world. Michael Jordan became a well known name in America and other countries.
The Origins of Basketball
by CATHERINE KENYERES
Do you know the origin of basketball?
The origins of the game of basketball can be traced back to a gentleman by the name of Dr. James Naismith. In 1861, Naismith was born in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. During his early school days, Naismith would play a game called duck on a rock whereby the child would endeavor to knock the duck off the top of the rock with a toss of another rock.
Later on, Naismith would go on to McGill University in Montreal and would later become McGill University's Athletic Director. He would subsequently move on to YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts and in 1891, the game of basketball began.
Given the cold Massachusetts winters, Naismith needed to find a recreational activity that could be played indoors and he preferred a sport that would develop skill and one that was not exclusively relying on strength. The first game was played with two peach baskets for goals and a soccer ball.
Further to his credit, Naismith became a medical doctor specializing in sports physiology and a Presbyterian minister. Naismith was able to see his beloved sport of basketball, gain acceptance in numerous countries through the YMCA since 1893. As well, the sport of basketball was brought forth at the Berlin Olympics in 1936. As we speak, the game of basketball has become a very popular professional sport.
Do you know the origin of basketball?
The origins of the game of basketball can be traced back to a gentleman by the name of Dr. James Naismith. In 1861, Naismith was born in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. During his early school days, Naismith would play a game called duck on a rock whereby the child would endeavor to knock the duck off the top of the rock with a toss of another rock.
Later on, Naismith would go on to McGill University in Montreal and would later become McGill University's Athletic Director. He would subsequently move on to YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts and in 1891, the game of basketball began.
Given the cold Massachusetts winters, Naismith needed to find a recreational activity that could be played indoors and he preferred a sport that would develop skill and one that was not exclusively relying on strength. The first game was played with two peach baskets for goals and a soccer ball.
Further to his credit, Naismith became a medical doctor specializing in sports physiology and a Presbyterian minister. Naismith was able to see his beloved sport of basketball, gain acceptance in numerous countries through the YMCA since 1893. As well, the sport of basketball was brought forth at the Berlin Olympics in 1936. As we speak, the game of basketball has become a very popular professional sport.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Steeped In Tradition- A History Of The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
By F.R. PENN
A comprehensive and in-depth history of the NCAA men's basketball Tournament offers a genuine look at individual and collective adversities and strengths. It is a looking glass for human hope, excellence and positive social change. It is, in short, a microcosm of the human existence, with all of its exuberance, tragedy and triumph.
The excitement and tradition of "March Madness" as we know it today has been shaped by many significant events in NCAA tournament history: The first NCAA men’s basketball tournament was held in 1939 with the first championship game held at Northwestern on March 27, 1939. Only eight teams competed in two regions. Oregon defeated Ohio State in the championship, and the West region held a third-place game.
Although the NCAA tournament now determines the national champion, that was not always the case. Until the 1950's, the NIT was considered a more prestigious tournament than the NCAA, and teams often chose to enter the NIT and bypass the NCAA tourney. Because of this dichotomy, two of the best centers of the 1940's never met in an NCAA tourney. George Mikan's DePaul team traditionally entered the NIT, while Bob Kurland's Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) won two NCAA titles. Several schools entered both tournaments. One such team, City College of New York (CCNY) led by Irwin Dambrot, won both in 1950. Ironically, CCNY defeated Bradley University in the finals of both tournaments. Another school, Utah in 1944, entered the NIT, lost in the first round, and then went on to win the NCAA title. Kentucky pulled off a similar accomplishment in 1949, losing in the second round of the NIT and then going on to win the NCAA Tournament.
In 1941, the East region added a third-place game into the schedule, and in 1946, a national third-place game was held for the first time; the game would be a fixture until 1980. In 1951, the tournament expanded to 16 teams, and in 1952, Seattle was the site of the first true "Final Four," with both semifinal games and the championship game in one city. It was 1956 when the tournament was divided into four regions. Some of the most astounding and telling events in college basketball were to follow: North Carolina defeated Wilt Chamberlain and Kansas 54-53 in three overtimes to win the title in 1957. The legend of dominance emerged in 1962 when John Wooden's UCLA team makes the first of 13 Final Four appearances over the next 15 seasons.
Reflecting the race and civil rights issues of the time, Loyola (Illinois) was matched up with Mississippi State in a 1963 men’s basketball tournament regional semifinal. Mississippi State, an all-white team, fled the town in the middle of the night despite protests from the governor and state police of Mississippi to play a Loyola team that features four black starters. Mississippi State overcame an unwritten Mississippi rule against playing integrated teams with a cloak-and-dagger flight to the North just one step ahead of a court injunction. Triumphantly, Loyola beat Mississippi State and went on to win the title. In 1966, Texas Western (now UTEP), with an all-black starting five, defeats an all-white Kentucky team to win the national title.
In 1973, with the championship game held on Monday night for the first time, UCLA behind Bill Walton's 44 points on 21 of 22 shooting, won its seventh straight championship, defeating Memphis State. NC State, led by David Thompson, ends UCLA's title run in 1974, defeating the Bruins in the national semifinals in double overtime.
The following year, the NCAA tournament expanded to 32 teams, and then allowed more than one school from each conference to participate. Prior to this ruling, the restriction prevented several great teams from competing in the tournament, including the 1974 Maryland team. They finished the season nationally ranked #4, yet lost the ACC Conference final game to top-ranked NC State prior to the start of the tournament. After that, the NCAA began to allow more than one team per conference to participate. In 1976, Bobby Knight's Indiana Hoosier squad completed an undefeated season with a victory over Michigan in the championship game. The Hoosiers are the last team to go undefeated and win the title.
The tournament expanded to 40 teams in 1979, and teams were seeded for the first time. "Magic" Earvin Johnson leads Michigan State over Larry Bird and Indiana State to win the national championship. The game drew the attention of millions throughout the country; its 24.1 TV rating remains the highest ever for a college basketball game and is still considered one of the greatest match-ups in NCAA Tournament history.
Expansion followed in 1980 to 48 teams, and then in 1983, to 53 teams. In what many believe is the greatest Cinderella story in college basketball, North Carolina State’s Lorenzo Charles dunks the ball as time expires in the 1983 championship game to lead the Wolfpack to a 54-52 win over heavily favored Akeem Olajuwon and Houston. Perhaps no one figure in college basketball history more personified the spirit of March Madness than Coach Jim Valvano. His underdog North Carolina State Wolfpack did what many consider a miracle by making an incredible run through the 1983 Tournament. Culminating in the defeat of the highly touted "Phi Slamma Jamma" squad from the University of Houston, Valvano was rocketed into the media limelight and quickly became the symbol of exuberance and enthusiasm. He discovered soon afterward that he had bone cancer, and for a short time became a commentator for college basketball. Before his death at age 47, he was named the recipient of the Arthur Ashe award for courage at the first ESPN ESPY awards. It was at this time he announced the formation of the V Foundation for cancer research.
In 1985 the tournament expanded to 64 teams. A Villanova Wildcat team shot a 22 for 28 field goal percentage to defeat Patrick Ewing and defending champion Georgetown in the championship game. Villanova remains the lowest seed (#8) to win the championship. In 1991, Duke upset undefeated UNLV in the semifinals and went on to win the national championship. In 1997, Arizona, led by Mike Bibby, Jason Terry and Miles Simon, becomes the first school to defeat three #1 seeds en route to the national championship, winning against Kansas, North Carolina and Kentucky.
The NCAA Tournament’s popularity has grown to rival that of the World Series, the Olympics and the Super Bowl. CBS Sports in 1999 negotiated an 11-year, $6 billion agreement for television, radio, Internet, corporate marketing, licensing, publishing, home video and Hoop City rights for the Division I men’s basketball championship.
In 2002, the NCAA tournament committee developed a "pod" system for the first and second rounds. The system allows the top four seeds to play at a site as close to home as possible, without regard to the school's tournament region. In that year’s tournament, Maryland became the first school to defeat five former national champions on their way to win their first title. In 2004, the regions became known by the regional final’s host city instead of by their geographic names. The Final Four match-ups were set by committee prior to the tournament instead of on a rotating basis. Connecticut, behind center Emeka Okafor, won its second title in six seasons. Last year, 2005, Roy William’s North Carolina Tar Heels led by Sean May, held off the Fighting Illini to win the title game by a final score of 75-70. a Adversity, tragedy, and ultimate triumph; the downtrodden and beleaguered emerge through the journey as champions. The drama of hope intensified to euphoria, only to be dashed on the rocks of defeat in the ultimate test of poise and determination. The human experience in all its excellence and all its failures. Yes, this Tournament has it all.
A comprehensive and in-depth history of the NCAA men's basketball Tournament offers a genuine look at individual and collective adversities and strengths. It is a looking glass for human hope, excellence and positive social change. It is, in short, a microcosm of the human existence, with all of its exuberance, tragedy and triumph.
The excitement and tradition of "March Madness" as we know it today has been shaped by many significant events in NCAA tournament history: The first NCAA men’s basketball tournament was held in 1939 with the first championship game held at Northwestern on March 27, 1939. Only eight teams competed in two regions. Oregon defeated Ohio State in the championship, and the West region held a third-place game.
Although the NCAA tournament now determines the national champion, that was not always the case. Until the 1950's, the NIT was considered a more prestigious tournament than the NCAA, and teams often chose to enter the NIT and bypass the NCAA tourney. Because of this dichotomy, two of the best centers of the 1940's never met in an NCAA tourney. George Mikan's DePaul team traditionally entered the NIT, while Bob Kurland's Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) won two NCAA titles. Several schools entered both tournaments. One such team, City College of New York (CCNY) led by Irwin Dambrot, won both in 1950. Ironically, CCNY defeated Bradley University in the finals of both tournaments. Another school, Utah in 1944, entered the NIT, lost in the first round, and then went on to win the NCAA title. Kentucky pulled off a similar accomplishment in 1949, losing in the second round of the NIT and then going on to win the NCAA Tournament.
In 1941, the East region added a third-place game into the schedule, and in 1946, a national third-place game was held for the first time; the game would be a fixture until 1980. In 1951, the tournament expanded to 16 teams, and in 1952, Seattle was the site of the first true "Final Four," with both semifinal games and the championship game in one city. It was 1956 when the tournament was divided into four regions. Some of the most astounding and telling events in college basketball were to follow: North Carolina defeated Wilt Chamberlain and Kansas 54-53 in three overtimes to win the title in 1957. The legend of dominance emerged in 1962 when John Wooden's UCLA team makes the first of 13 Final Four appearances over the next 15 seasons.
Reflecting the race and civil rights issues of the time, Loyola (Illinois) was matched up with Mississippi State in a 1963 men’s basketball tournament regional semifinal. Mississippi State, an all-white team, fled the town in the middle of the night despite protests from the governor and state police of Mississippi to play a Loyola team that features four black starters. Mississippi State overcame an unwritten Mississippi rule against playing integrated teams with a cloak-and-dagger flight to the North just one step ahead of a court injunction. Triumphantly, Loyola beat Mississippi State and went on to win the title. In 1966, Texas Western (now UTEP), with an all-black starting five, defeats an all-white Kentucky team to win the national title.
In 1973, with the championship game held on Monday night for the first time, UCLA behind Bill Walton's 44 points on 21 of 22 shooting, won its seventh straight championship, defeating Memphis State. NC State, led by David Thompson, ends UCLA's title run in 1974, defeating the Bruins in the national semifinals in double overtime.
The following year, the NCAA tournament expanded to 32 teams, and then allowed more than one school from each conference to participate. Prior to this ruling, the restriction prevented several great teams from competing in the tournament, including the 1974 Maryland team. They finished the season nationally ranked #4, yet lost the ACC Conference final game to top-ranked NC State prior to the start of the tournament. After that, the NCAA began to allow more than one team per conference to participate. In 1976, Bobby Knight's Indiana Hoosier squad completed an undefeated season with a victory over Michigan in the championship game. The Hoosiers are the last team to go undefeated and win the title.
The tournament expanded to 40 teams in 1979, and teams were seeded for the first time. "Magic" Earvin Johnson leads Michigan State over Larry Bird and Indiana State to win the national championship. The game drew the attention of millions throughout the country; its 24.1 TV rating remains the highest ever for a college basketball game and is still considered one of the greatest match-ups in NCAA Tournament history.
Expansion followed in 1980 to 48 teams, and then in 1983, to 53 teams. In what many believe is the greatest Cinderella story in college basketball, North Carolina State’s Lorenzo Charles dunks the ball as time expires in the 1983 championship game to lead the Wolfpack to a 54-52 win over heavily favored Akeem Olajuwon and Houston. Perhaps no one figure in college basketball history more personified the spirit of March Madness than Coach Jim Valvano. His underdog North Carolina State Wolfpack did what many consider a miracle by making an incredible run through the 1983 Tournament. Culminating in the defeat of the highly touted "Phi Slamma Jamma" squad from the University of Houston, Valvano was rocketed into the media limelight and quickly became the symbol of exuberance and enthusiasm. He discovered soon afterward that he had bone cancer, and for a short time became a commentator for college basketball. Before his death at age 47, he was named the recipient of the Arthur Ashe award for courage at the first ESPN ESPY awards. It was at this time he announced the formation of the V Foundation for cancer research.
In 1985 the tournament expanded to 64 teams. A Villanova Wildcat team shot a 22 for 28 field goal percentage to defeat Patrick Ewing and defending champion Georgetown in the championship game. Villanova remains the lowest seed (#8) to win the championship. In 1991, Duke upset undefeated UNLV in the semifinals and went on to win the national championship. In 1997, Arizona, led by Mike Bibby, Jason Terry and Miles Simon, becomes the first school to defeat three #1 seeds en route to the national championship, winning against Kansas, North Carolina and Kentucky.
The NCAA Tournament’s popularity has grown to rival that of the World Series, the Olympics and the Super Bowl. CBS Sports in 1999 negotiated an 11-year, $6 billion agreement for television, radio, Internet, corporate marketing, licensing, publishing, home video and Hoop City rights for the Division I men’s basketball championship.
In 2002, the NCAA tournament committee developed a "pod" system for the first and second rounds. The system allows the top four seeds to play at a site as close to home as possible, without regard to the school's tournament region. In that year’s tournament, Maryland became the first school to defeat five former national champions on their way to win their first title. In 2004, the regions became known by the regional final’s host city instead of by their geographic names. The Final Four match-ups were set by committee prior to the tournament instead of on a rotating basis. Connecticut, behind center Emeka Okafor, won its second title in six seasons. Last year, 2005, Roy William’s North Carolina Tar Heels led by Sean May, held off the Fighting Illini to win the title game by a final score of 75-70. a Adversity, tragedy, and ultimate triumph; the downtrodden and beleaguered emerge through the journey as champions. The drama of hope intensified to euphoria, only to be dashed on the rocks of defeat in the ultimate test of poise and determination. The human experience in all its excellence and all its failures. Yes, this Tournament has it all.
Make Each Day Your Masterpiece
By BRIAN BARTES
Legendary basketball coach John Wooden was the most successful basketball coach of all time. The accomplishments set by his UCLA teams include 10 NCAA championships in 12 years, and 4 full undefeated seasons. But what few people realize is that Wooden was a model of success not only in basketball, but also in life. Wooden’s non-basketball honors include being named California “Sports Father of the Year” and receiving the “Bellarmine Medal of Excellence” (joining such other recipients as Mother Teresa and Walter Cronkite).
Several traits contributed to his success both on and off the court, and Wooden’s success philosophy is divulged in his famous “Pyramid of Success.” But the one that stands out more than any other is the advice given to him by his father when Wooden was a little boy—“Make each day your masterpiece.”
Wooden understood that we can’t change the past, and that we shouldn’t live in the future. While we can certainly learn from the past, and we can definitely do things now that will affect the future, Wooden knew that life is happening right now. He focused on today, both in his personal life and as a coach. Wooden wanted to end each day thinking that he had done his best. And he instilled this philosophy on his players.
How about you? Are you living each day as though it’s the championship game? Or do you live your life as though it’s a practice for some game in the future? If this day were a painting, would it be a masterpiece when it’s done?
Here are some things you can do immediately that will help you daily to create your masterpiece:
1. At the beginning of each day (or the night before), ask yourself this question: What is the single most important thing that I can do today to make my life a masterpiece? Whatever your answer, make sure your focus throughout the day remains on that one thing.
2. At the end of the day, ask yourself the following questions: Did I do my best today? What worked? What didn’t work? Exploring the answer to these questions (1) provides a formula for discovering and appreciating the things in your life that are going well, and (2) clarifies where you might have fallen short.
3. Keep a record of the results you are noticing. A journal is a tool that many people use for this purpose. By recording answers to the questions above, you will begin to see patterns. Some activities produce desired results, and some don’t. As you create your masterpiece, you will want to duplicate your successes, and eliminate those learning experiences that didn’t produce the desired results.
Embrace life as it happens. Focus on this day--the only one you can control. And remember…Make each day your masterpiece!
Brian Bartes, founder and president of LifeExcellence, is a top personal and business success coach. His bi-weekly newsletter is filled with strategies that support you in achieving greater success in your personal and professional life. Subscribe today at his website, http://www.lifeexcellence.com.
Legendary basketball coach John Wooden was the most successful basketball coach of all time. The accomplishments set by his UCLA teams include 10 NCAA championships in 12 years, and 4 full undefeated seasons. But what few people realize is that Wooden was a model of success not only in basketball, but also in life. Wooden’s non-basketball honors include being named California “Sports Father of the Year” and receiving the “Bellarmine Medal of Excellence” (joining such other recipients as Mother Teresa and Walter Cronkite).
Several traits contributed to his success both on and off the court, and Wooden’s success philosophy is divulged in his famous “Pyramid of Success.” But the one that stands out more than any other is the advice given to him by his father when Wooden was a little boy—“Make each day your masterpiece.”
Wooden understood that we can’t change the past, and that we shouldn’t live in the future. While we can certainly learn from the past, and we can definitely do things now that will affect the future, Wooden knew that life is happening right now. He focused on today, both in his personal life and as a coach. Wooden wanted to end each day thinking that he had done his best. And he instilled this philosophy on his players.
How about you? Are you living each day as though it’s the championship game? Or do you live your life as though it’s a practice for some game in the future? If this day were a painting, would it be a masterpiece when it’s done?
Here are some things you can do immediately that will help you daily to create your masterpiece:
1. At the beginning of each day (or the night before), ask yourself this question: What is the single most important thing that I can do today to make my life a masterpiece? Whatever your answer, make sure your focus throughout the day remains on that one thing.
2. At the end of the day, ask yourself the following questions: Did I do my best today? What worked? What didn’t work? Exploring the answer to these questions (1) provides a formula for discovering and appreciating the things in your life that are going well, and (2) clarifies where you might have fallen short.
3. Keep a record of the results you are noticing. A journal is a tool that many people use for this purpose. By recording answers to the questions above, you will begin to see patterns. Some activities produce desired results, and some don’t. As you create your masterpiece, you will want to duplicate your successes, and eliminate those learning experiences that didn’t produce the desired results.
Embrace life as it happens. Focus on this day--the only one you can control. And remember…Make each day your masterpiece!
Brian Bartes, founder and president of LifeExcellence, is a top personal and business success coach. His bi-weekly newsletter is filled with strategies that support you in achieving greater success in your personal and professional life. Subscribe today at his website, http://www.lifeexcellence.com.
Calm Down About the Draft a Little
By ANDRE BIAS
Each of the thirty National Basketball Association (NBA) teams spends a great deal of money on scouting players. The look into players skills and weaknesses and determine if they have what it takes to play in the NBA, which is considered to have the best basketball players in the world. Even with all that money spent on scouting some teams waste draft picks and contracts on players that turn out to be bad players. On the other hand some great players get pick in the second round of the NBA draft and become stars.
Looking back at some of the last few drafts you can point out many players that were taking late in drafts that should have been taken higher. One such player is Gilbert Arenas. He was the 31st pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, which placed him in the second round. As a second round pick his contract was no guaranteed, meaning he had to earn a contract. This past season he was fourth in the NBA in scoring, which is not what is expected from a second round pick.
Another player that slipped through the cracks was Michael Redd. He was drafted the 43rd player in the 2000 NBA draft and has turned out to have a better career than the 44 player picked ahead of him. Many of the player picked ahead of him are no longer in the NBA or are not productive players. This past season Redd averaged more than 25 points per games. That just goes to show you, scouts spend a lot of time making predictions and evaluations but they can still be wrong.
Each of the thirty National Basketball Association (NBA) teams spends a great deal of money on scouting players. The look into players skills and weaknesses and determine if they have what it takes to play in the NBA, which is considered to have the best basketball players in the world. Even with all that money spent on scouting some teams waste draft picks and contracts on players that turn out to be bad players. On the other hand some great players get pick in the second round of the NBA draft and become stars.
Looking back at some of the last few drafts you can point out many players that were taking late in drafts that should have been taken higher. One such player is Gilbert Arenas. He was the 31st pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, which placed him in the second round. As a second round pick his contract was no guaranteed, meaning he had to earn a contract. This past season he was fourth in the NBA in scoring, which is not what is expected from a second round pick.
Another player that slipped through the cracks was Michael Redd. He was drafted the 43rd player in the 2000 NBA draft and has turned out to have a better career than the 44 player picked ahead of him. Many of the player picked ahead of him are no longer in the NBA or are not productive players. This past season Redd averaged more than 25 points per games. That just goes to show you, scouts spend a lot of time making predictions and evaluations but they can still be wrong.
Collecting Free NBA Autographs By Mail
By AUREL RADULESCU
If you are an NBA fan, then you are probably an avid collector of sports memorabilia. One of the most popular types of NBA collectibles are those that feature an autograph from the sport’s top athletes. When sold from a specialty store, autographs are often outside of the price range for many and there are sometimes concerns surrounding their authenticity. Therefore, one of the most popular and least expensive ways to collect autographs is through the mail. The best part of all is that the only cost involved is that of postage stamps.
NBA athletes, in general, are often very accommodating to their fans and are commonly happy to sign an autograph. The best place to reach an NBA player is through their franchise team, which will not frequently change addresses and is therefore the most reliable way of making sure that your fan mail reaches its intended destination.
During the height of their career, many NBA athletes are swamped with autograph requests. Therefore, it can often be difficult to respond to each letter individually or even in a timely manner. Therefore, patience is the key when collecting NBA autographs through the mail. When requesting an autograph, always send a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) with enough postage to accommodate the return mailing costs. If you are sending your own NBA collectible to be signed, including a photo or trading card, make sure that the envelope size will accommodate the item without it having to be bent. If you are sending a larger collectible, you may need to ship the item in a box to ensure safe delivery and always be sure to include the actual return postage and not cash to cover the costs of mailing.
You can always reach an NBA athlete in care of their franchise team. In addition, listed below are the addresses of the Dance Teams for each NBA franchise. The dance squads will often send posters, signed and/or unsigned, to fans who request them.
NBA Franchise & Dance Team Addresses:
Atlanta Hawks & Atlanta Hawks Dance Team One CNN Center South Tower, Suite 405 Atlanta, GA 30303
Boston Celtics & Boston Celtics Dance Team 151 Merrimac St., 5th Fl. Boston, MA 02114
Chicago Bulls & Chicago Bulls Dance Team United Center 1901 W. Madison Chicago, IL 60612
Cleveland Cavaliers & Cleveland Cavaliers Dance Team Gund Arena 1 Center Court Cleveland, OH 44115
Dallas Mavericks & Dallas Mavericks Dance Team 2500 Victory Ave. Dallas, TX 75201
Denver Nuggets & Denver Nuggets Dance Team Pepsi Center 1000 Chopper Circle Denver, CO 80204
Detroit Pistons & Detroit Pistons Dance Team The Palace of Auburn Hills Two Championship Dr. Auburn Hills, MI 48057
Golden State Warriors & Golden State Warriors Dance Team 1011 Broadway Oakland, CA 94607
Houston Rockets & Houston Rockets Dance Team Toyota Center 1510 Polk St. Houston, TX 77002
Indiana Pacers & Indiana Pacers Dance Team One Conseco Court 125 S. Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis, IN 46204
Los Angeles Clippers & Los Angeles Clippers Dance Team Staples Center 1111 S. Figueroa Los Angeles, CA 90037
Los Angeles Lakers & Los Angeles Lakers Dance Team 555 Nash St. El Segundo, CA 90245
Memphis Grizzlies & Memphis Grizzlies Dance Team 60 Madison St., 10th Fl. Memphis, TN 38103
Miami Heat & Miami Heat Dance Team 601 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL 33132
Milwaukee Bucks & Milwaukee Bucks Dance Team 3501 S. Lake Dr., Suite 100 Milwaukee, WI 53207
Minnesota Timberwolves & Minnesota Timberwolves Dance Team Target Center 600 First Ave. North Minneapolis, MN 55403
New Jersey Nets & New Jersey Nets Dance Team Nets Champion Center 390 Murray Hill Pkwy. East Rutherford, NJ 07073
New Orleans Hornets & New Orleans Hornets Dance Team 1501 Girod St. New Orleans, LA 70113
New York Knickerbockers & New York Knickerbockers Dance Team Madison Square Garden Two Pennsylvania Plaza New York, NY 10121
Orlando Magic & Orlando Magic Dance Team RDV Sportsplex Two Magic Plaza 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd. Orlando, FL 32810
Philadelphia 76ers & Philadelphia 76ers Dance Team First Union Center 3601 S. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phoenix Suns & Phoenix Suns Dance Team Phoenix Suns Plaza 201 E. Jefferson Phoenix, AZ 85004
Portland Trail Blazers & Portland Trail Blazers Dance Team One Center Court, Suite 200 Portland, OR 97227
Sacramento Kings & Sacramento Kings Dance Team One Sports Pkwy. Sacramento, CA 95834
San Antonio Spurs & San Antonio Spurs Dance Team SBC Center One SBC Center San Antonio, TX 78219
Seattle Supersonics & Seattle Supersonics Dance Team 351 Elliot Ave. W., Suite 500 Seattle, WA 98119
Toronto Raptors & Toronto Raptors Dance Team Air Canada Center 40 Bay St., Suite 400 Toronto, ON, M5J 2X2, Canada
Utah Jazz & Utah Jazz Dance Team Delta Center 301 West South Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Washington Wizards & Washington Wizards Dance Team MCI Center 601 F St. NW Washington, DC 20001
If you are an NBA fan, then you are probably an avid collector of sports memorabilia. One of the most popular types of NBA collectibles are those that feature an autograph from the sport’s top athletes. When sold from a specialty store, autographs are often outside of the price range for many and there are sometimes concerns surrounding their authenticity. Therefore, one of the most popular and least expensive ways to collect autographs is through the mail. The best part of all is that the only cost involved is that of postage stamps.
NBA athletes, in general, are often very accommodating to their fans and are commonly happy to sign an autograph. The best place to reach an NBA player is through their franchise team, which will not frequently change addresses and is therefore the most reliable way of making sure that your fan mail reaches its intended destination.
During the height of their career, many NBA athletes are swamped with autograph requests. Therefore, it can often be difficult to respond to each letter individually or even in a timely manner. Therefore, patience is the key when collecting NBA autographs through the mail. When requesting an autograph, always send a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) with enough postage to accommodate the return mailing costs. If you are sending your own NBA collectible to be signed, including a photo or trading card, make sure that the envelope size will accommodate the item without it having to be bent. If you are sending a larger collectible, you may need to ship the item in a box to ensure safe delivery and always be sure to include the actual return postage and not cash to cover the costs of mailing.
You can always reach an NBA athlete in care of their franchise team. In addition, listed below are the addresses of the Dance Teams for each NBA franchise. The dance squads will often send posters, signed and/or unsigned, to fans who request them.
NBA Franchise & Dance Team Addresses:
Atlanta Hawks & Atlanta Hawks Dance Team One CNN Center South Tower, Suite 405 Atlanta, GA 30303
Boston Celtics & Boston Celtics Dance Team 151 Merrimac St., 5th Fl. Boston, MA 02114
Chicago Bulls & Chicago Bulls Dance Team United Center 1901 W. Madison Chicago, IL 60612
Cleveland Cavaliers & Cleveland Cavaliers Dance Team Gund Arena 1 Center Court Cleveland, OH 44115
Dallas Mavericks & Dallas Mavericks Dance Team 2500 Victory Ave. Dallas, TX 75201
Denver Nuggets & Denver Nuggets Dance Team Pepsi Center 1000 Chopper Circle Denver, CO 80204
Detroit Pistons & Detroit Pistons Dance Team The Palace of Auburn Hills Two Championship Dr. Auburn Hills, MI 48057
Golden State Warriors & Golden State Warriors Dance Team 1011 Broadway Oakland, CA 94607
Houston Rockets & Houston Rockets Dance Team Toyota Center 1510 Polk St. Houston, TX 77002
Indiana Pacers & Indiana Pacers Dance Team One Conseco Court 125 S. Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis, IN 46204
Los Angeles Clippers & Los Angeles Clippers Dance Team Staples Center 1111 S. Figueroa Los Angeles, CA 90037
Los Angeles Lakers & Los Angeles Lakers Dance Team 555 Nash St. El Segundo, CA 90245
Memphis Grizzlies & Memphis Grizzlies Dance Team 60 Madison St., 10th Fl. Memphis, TN 38103
Miami Heat & Miami Heat Dance Team 601 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL 33132
Milwaukee Bucks & Milwaukee Bucks Dance Team 3501 S. Lake Dr., Suite 100 Milwaukee, WI 53207
Minnesota Timberwolves & Minnesota Timberwolves Dance Team Target Center 600 First Ave. North Minneapolis, MN 55403
New Jersey Nets & New Jersey Nets Dance Team Nets Champion Center 390 Murray Hill Pkwy. East Rutherford, NJ 07073
New Orleans Hornets & New Orleans Hornets Dance Team 1501 Girod St. New Orleans, LA 70113
New York Knickerbockers & New York Knickerbockers Dance Team Madison Square Garden Two Pennsylvania Plaza New York, NY 10121
Orlando Magic & Orlando Magic Dance Team RDV Sportsplex Two Magic Plaza 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd. Orlando, FL 32810
Philadelphia 76ers & Philadelphia 76ers Dance Team First Union Center 3601 S. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phoenix Suns & Phoenix Suns Dance Team Phoenix Suns Plaza 201 E. Jefferson Phoenix, AZ 85004
Portland Trail Blazers & Portland Trail Blazers Dance Team One Center Court, Suite 200 Portland, OR 97227
Sacramento Kings & Sacramento Kings Dance Team One Sports Pkwy. Sacramento, CA 95834
San Antonio Spurs & San Antonio Spurs Dance Team SBC Center One SBC Center San Antonio, TX 78219
Seattle Supersonics & Seattle Supersonics Dance Team 351 Elliot Ave. W., Suite 500 Seattle, WA 98119
Toronto Raptors & Toronto Raptors Dance Team Air Canada Center 40 Bay St., Suite 400 Toronto, ON, M5J 2X2, Canada
Utah Jazz & Utah Jazz Dance Team Delta Center 301 West South Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Washington Wizards & Washington Wizards Dance Team MCI Center 601 F St. NW Washington, DC 20001
Where Have All the Gym Rats Gone?
by RANDY BROWN
With the advent of technological advances in our world, our lives have become easier and more comfortable. Each year ushers in a new throng of new products and upgrades that advertising tells us we must have. Technology has impacted the sports world in hundreds of ways. Some would argue that these advances have both helped and hindered the sports we love. In this article I will focus on the dwindling interest our younger generation shows toward the greatest game on earth.
As I drive up and down the street in my neighborhood I see many basketball hoops on both sides of the street. Some are nailed to the garage or sunk in yards of concrete. Most are part of a fancy system that includes a goal, pole and base. Many of them can be adjusted by a 5 year old from 10 feet down to their preferred height. These units are easy to set up and available at almost any superstore or internet web site.
From the number of goals that line the streets of America's towns and suburbs, you would conclude that kids love playing basketball. Back yards are void of soccer goals, goal posts, or baseball fields. From what I see, basketball is the only game in town. Am I right or am I wrong?
For some reason these goals sit alone and unbothered in driveways up and down the street. There are very few kids hoisting shots toward the shiny orange rims. Not in the the fall, not in the winter, not in the summer. A few shots are taken in the spring when its easy to be outdoors in the fresh air. All of this leads me to ask the perplexing question, "Where are all the gym rats?"
Our world has made being a kid quite an undertaking. Electronics have taken over the lives of our youth. Cell phones, iPods and Playstation have captured the imagination of an entire segment of America. Is this bad news for our younger generation? Some would argue these worldly improvements are part of life. Those of us who love the game of basketball disagree.
Shooting hoops in the driveway always gave me a great sense of freedom. The ability to shoot for hours alone represented a lot of my time as a young player. With sadness, these days I rarely see this kind of expression of love and freedom. It hurts to know that kids are paralyzed in front of the LCD screen, computer flat panel, or Madden 2007. What happened to shooting the shot that wins the imaginary NCAA tournament, State Tournament, or NBA Title. Isn't it fashionable to dream anymore? Are we living out these experiences through a video game or other lifeless channel? What happened to the dreamers in our world?
Maybe it's my stubbornness or traditional approach to the game. Maybe it's because I dedicated my professional life to the game James Naismith invented. Or maybe it's because I see too many kids without this level of love for basketball. An empty heart has no love for anything. Whatever the reason, I find myself asking the same haunting question, "Where are all the gym rats?"
Randy Brown has dedicated his life to the game of basketball. His 18 years in college basketball highlights a successful 23-year career. Coaching positions at Arizona, Iowa State, Marquette, Drake, and Miami of Ohio fill his resume. Mentored by Basketball Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson at Arizona, he learned the game from the best. At 39, Randy became the head coach at Division I Stetson University in Deland, Florida. His efforts have helped develop 12 NBA players including Steve Kerr, Sean Elliott, and Jaamal Tinsley. His passion for mentoring young coaches and developing youth programs is known and respected throughout the country. Over the years he has authored over 50 articles on coaching basketball and has taught over 24,000 young players in summer camps and clinics. He works as a basketball consultant and mentor for coaches. He is also an author and public speaker.
With the advent of technological advances in our world, our lives have become easier and more comfortable. Each year ushers in a new throng of new products and upgrades that advertising tells us we must have. Technology has impacted the sports world in hundreds of ways. Some would argue that these advances have both helped and hindered the sports we love. In this article I will focus on the dwindling interest our younger generation shows toward the greatest game on earth.
As I drive up and down the street in my neighborhood I see many basketball hoops on both sides of the street. Some are nailed to the garage or sunk in yards of concrete. Most are part of a fancy system that includes a goal, pole and base. Many of them can be adjusted by a 5 year old from 10 feet down to their preferred height. These units are easy to set up and available at almost any superstore or internet web site.
From the number of goals that line the streets of America's towns and suburbs, you would conclude that kids love playing basketball. Back yards are void of soccer goals, goal posts, or baseball fields. From what I see, basketball is the only game in town. Am I right or am I wrong?
For some reason these goals sit alone and unbothered in driveways up and down the street. There are very few kids hoisting shots toward the shiny orange rims. Not in the the fall, not in the winter, not in the summer. A few shots are taken in the spring when its easy to be outdoors in the fresh air. All of this leads me to ask the perplexing question, "Where are all the gym rats?"
Our world has made being a kid quite an undertaking. Electronics have taken over the lives of our youth. Cell phones, iPods and Playstation have captured the imagination of an entire segment of America. Is this bad news for our younger generation? Some would argue these worldly improvements are part of life. Those of us who love the game of basketball disagree.
Shooting hoops in the driveway always gave me a great sense of freedom. The ability to shoot for hours alone represented a lot of my time as a young player. With sadness, these days I rarely see this kind of expression of love and freedom. It hurts to know that kids are paralyzed in front of the LCD screen, computer flat panel, or Madden 2007. What happened to shooting the shot that wins the imaginary NCAA tournament, State Tournament, or NBA Title. Isn't it fashionable to dream anymore? Are we living out these experiences through a video game or other lifeless channel? What happened to the dreamers in our world?
Maybe it's my stubbornness or traditional approach to the game. Maybe it's because I dedicated my professional life to the game James Naismith invented. Or maybe it's because I see too many kids without this level of love for basketball. An empty heart has no love for anything. Whatever the reason, I find myself asking the same haunting question, "Where are all the gym rats?"
Randy Brown has dedicated his life to the game of basketball. His 18 years in college basketball highlights a successful 23-year career. Coaching positions at Arizona, Iowa State, Marquette, Drake, and Miami of Ohio fill his resume. Mentored by Basketball Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson at Arizona, he learned the game from the best. At 39, Randy became the head coach at Division I Stetson University in Deland, Florida. His efforts have helped develop 12 NBA players including Steve Kerr, Sean Elliott, and Jaamal Tinsley. His passion for mentoring young coaches and developing youth programs is known and respected throughout the country. Over the years he has authored over 50 articles on coaching basketball and has taught over 24,000 young players in summer camps and clinics. He works as a basketball consultant and mentor for coaches. He is also an author and public speaker.
Ways to Buy Nuggets Tickets
Great Ways For Locating Sports Event Tickets by REED TIERI
The major sports events nationwide, such as baseball, football, basketball and hockey can either be very easy to find tickets at a reasonable price or extremely difficult. Many factors play into the supply and demand of sports tickets for events and venues. Some factors include the popularity of the team, how well the team is doing any given year and the rivalry match up of the event. Sports tickets for the New York Yankees versus the Boston Red Sox in the final game of the season with the winner moving onto the wild card for example, these tickets were probably sold out at the beginning of the season and locating them at a reasonable price is most likely impossible.
There is always a way to locate any sports tickets for an event and with some tricks and tips even the above example can be accomplished. Sports tickets are usually always in high demand and even if a team is not doing well the local fans will always want to attend the games throughout the season. The best way to procure your sports tickets is always to order them the day they go on sale directly from the box office. This way you always receive the tickets and seats you want for any given date and match up at the cheapest price available. The down side to this is that you must plan for the event months in advance and do to the improvisational nature of sports may not get to see a great game or important match up. Though most sports fans are aware of the seasons schedule and can take a good guess on what will occur for their team in a season.
The above example is typically the best way to secure your sports tickets for the season, however, if you simply cannot plan that far in advance and are tired of trying to get through to the box office only to end up with nose bleed section seating the use of a ticket broker may be a better option. Ticket brokers seem to get a bad name sometimes but do offer a reputable service. If money is not a factor and the idea of paying a bit extra for your sports tickets in order to avoid the hassles of trying to get through to the box office all day, as well as being able to pick any seats you want the extra cost can be reasonable.
A sports tickets broker often has a price increase around thirty percent higher then face value on average. Depending on the popularity of the event and premium seating options prices can and will go dramatically higher. Ordering your sports tickets earlier will help you to save money from a ticket broker and ease any hassles. The ability to use the Internet may help you save money on your sports tickets as well. Many online sports tickets brokers offer discount codes and sales of around ten percent. Shop around the Internet and try to locate a promo code for a ticket broker to save a considerable amount of money from the listed price on the website. If you locate the seats you want to an event from a sports ticket broker online, during checkout look for the promo code box. If the promo code box is available before you make the purchase email the ticket broker for a code.
Using the Internet to locate sports tickets is a very useful tool. Ebay is always an option for locating your sports tickets and perhaps you can locate a great deal from someone who has extras and is unable to attend the event. Typically these sellers are looking to just receive the face value, shipping and perhaps a couple extra dollars for the work they put into purchasing the sports tickets. Most times they sell the tickets at face value to recoup the costs and not waste the sports tickets they purchased.
The last tip for using the Internet to secure your sports tickets is one which works great and saves you money. The only downside to this is you must invest some time and may be disappointed with not finding the sports tickets you desire. Many sports fans have communities online. These may be forums or blogs related directly to the team you love and the fans are all friendly and helpful. Try using a search engine to locate these forums by doing a search for "baseball forums" or "Padres blog." Then make some posts asking if anyone has extra tickets available. Put the date and event you wish to attend and make sure you include your email so fans may write you with what they have available. Since you are all related through the passion of your team very rarely will anyone ask for more then face value and you may be able to locate amazing seats for the best game of the season at an unbelievable price.
Purchasing sports tickets from the box office will save you time and money but may be more of a hassle then it is worth. A sports tickets broker typically will have the seats for any event you wish to attend with a drastic increase in price but eliminate all hassles these other techniques involve. The Internet is a great source to locate sports tickets from friends and fans of the team who will be more then willing to help you out. Any one of these tips should assure you find the sports tickets of your choice and get to attend the event.
The major sports events nationwide, such as baseball, football, basketball and hockey can either be very easy to find tickets at a reasonable price or extremely difficult. Many factors play into the supply and demand of sports tickets for events and venues. Some factors include the popularity of the team, how well the team is doing any given year and the rivalry match up of the event. Sports tickets for the New York Yankees versus the Boston Red Sox in the final game of the season with the winner moving onto the wild card for example, these tickets were probably sold out at the beginning of the season and locating them at a reasonable price is most likely impossible.
There is always a way to locate any sports tickets for an event and with some tricks and tips even the above example can be accomplished. Sports tickets are usually always in high demand and even if a team is not doing well the local fans will always want to attend the games throughout the season. The best way to procure your sports tickets is always to order them the day they go on sale directly from the box office. This way you always receive the tickets and seats you want for any given date and match up at the cheapest price available. The down side to this is that you must plan for the event months in advance and do to the improvisational nature of sports may not get to see a great game or important match up. Though most sports fans are aware of the seasons schedule and can take a good guess on what will occur for their team in a season.
The above example is typically the best way to secure your sports tickets for the season, however, if you simply cannot plan that far in advance and are tired of trying to get through to the box office only to end up with nose bleed section seating the use of a ticket broker may be a better option. Ticket brokers seem to get a bad name sometimes but do offer a reputable service. If money is not a factor and the idea of paying a bit extra for your sports tickets in order to avoid the hassles of trying to get through to the box office all day, as well as being able to pick any seats you want the extra cost can be reasonable.
A sports tickets broker often has a price increase around thirty percent higher then face value on average. Depending on the popularity of the event and premium seating options prices can and will go dramatically higher. Ordering your sports tickets earlier will help you to save money from a ticket broker and ease any hassles. The ability to use the Internet may help you save money on your sports tickets as well. Many online sports tickets brokers offer discount codes and sales of around ten percent. Shop around the Internet and try to locate a promo code for a ticket broker to save a considerable amount of money from the listed price on the website. If you locate the seats you want to an event from a sports ticket broker online, during checkout look for the promo code box. If the promo code box is available before you make the purchase email the ticket broker for a code.
Using the Internet to locate sports tickets is a very useful tool. Ebay is always an option for locating your sports tickets and perhaps you can locate a great deal from someone who has extras and is unable to attend the event. Typically these sellers are looking to just receive the face value, shipping and perhaps a couple extra dollars for the work they put into purchasing the sports tickets. Most times they sell the tickets at face value to recoup the costs and not waste the sports tickets they purchased.
The last tip for using the Internet to secure your sports tickets is one which works great and saves you money. The only downside to this is you must invest some time and may be disappointed with not finding the sports tickets you desire. Many sports fans have communities online. These may be forums or blogs related directly to the team you love and the fans are all friendly and helpful. Try using a search engine to locate these forums by doing a search for "baseball forums" or "Padres blog." Then make some posts asking if anyone has extra tickets available. Put the date and event you wish to attend and make sure you include your email so fans may write you with what they have available. Since you are all related through the passion of your team very rarely will anyone ask for more then face value and you may be able to locate amazing seats for the best game of the season at an unbelievable price.
Purchasing sports tickets from the box office will save you time and money but may be more of a hassle then it is worth. A sports tickets broker typically will have the seats for any event you wish to attend with a drastic increase in price but eliminate all hassles these other techniques involve. The Internet is a great source to locate sports tickets from friends and fans of the team who will be more then willing to help you out. Any one of these tips should assure you find the sports tickets of your choice and get to attend the event.
For Young Athletes Who Are Going to be Pros
If you are a high school or college athlete who is going pro someday, you are going to need a quality agent. Read this to find out what you should do.
Over the last 15-20 years, professional athlete salaries have skyrocketed. Now more than ever, it is vital for professional and aspiring athletes to be represented by sports agents with the highest level of integrity who will always have their best interest at heart.
Today, sports agents manage much more than an athlete's career, they manage virtually all aspects of their clients' life. Not only do agents negotiate lucrative athlete contracts, but they also market their clients for product endorsements, promote their positive image by involving them in community activities and charitable events. Agents even handle financial investment opportunities and help with retirement planning services.
So with all of this at stake, how does an athlete choose the right agent to represent them. Well, there is one question to ask your prospective sports agent before discussing anything else. Are you a certified sports agent Virtually anyone walking the street can say they are a professional sports agent and they have clients. The one sure way to separate the want-to-be sports agents from the true established sports agents is if they are certified.
The four major sports leagues being the MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL require that sports agents be certified by their respective players' association before they can represent an athlete from their league. This measure helps to insure a minimum standard for qualifications of the sports agent. To become certified, a sports agent must complete an application, pay various required fees, and have an athlete to represent. In addition, the agent must maintain their certified status by paying renewal fees and attending continuing education seminars. If you are going to entrust an agent with making career and life decisions on your behalf, you owe it to yourself to make sure they are certified. After you speak with a few certified sports agents, it is up to you to determine which agent is the best fit for you. Determine whose personality you like best, who seems the most trustworthy, which offers the services you need, and which has the best career plan for you to follow. These are decisions only you can make after meeting with agents face to face.
So how do you find a certified sports agent? That is the hard part. Very few certified sports agents publish their contact information online or anywhere in print. In addition, the sports leagues will not divulge this information for any reason. There is only one quick and easy way to find certified sports agents and that is the Sports Agent Directory.This online directory is specialized in listing only certified sports agents. The directory lists over 3000 sports agents from 10 different sports leagues and includes the agent's name, address, phone/fax, email and website. For a minimal fee of $59.95, you get full and immediate access to the directory. It is very well organized, easy to use, and is up to date. I have personally used the website and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in contacting sports agents for any reason.
Author: Walter Ryan
Over the last 15-20 years, professional athlete salaries have skyrocketed. Now more than ever, it is vital for professional and aspiring athletes to be represented by sports agents with the highest level of integrity who will always have their best interest at heart.
Today, sports agents manage much more than an athlete's career, they manage virtually all aspects of their clients' life. Not only do agents negotiate lucrative athlete contracts, but they also market their clients for product endorsements, promote their positive image by involving them in community activities and charitable events. Agents even handle financial investment opportunities and help with retirement planning services.
So with all of this at stake, how does an athlete choose the right agent to represent them. Well, there is one question to ask your prospective sports agent before discussing anything else. Are you a certified sports agent Virtually anyone walking the street can say they are a professional sports agent and they have clients. The one sure way to separate the want-to-be sports agents from the true established sports agents is if they are certified.
The four major sports leagues being the MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL require that sports agents be certified by their respective players' association before they can represent an athlete from their league. This measure helps to insure a minimum standard for qualifications of the sports agent. To become certified, a sports agent must complete an application, pay various required fees, and have an athlete to represent. In addition, the agent must maintain their certified status by paying renewal fees and attending continuing education seminars. If you are going to entrust an agent with making career and life decisions on your behalf, you owe it to yourself to make sure they are certified. After you speak with a few certified sports agents, it is up to you to determine which agent is the best fit for you. Determine whose personality you like best, who seems the most trustworthy, which offers the services you need, and which has the best career plan for you to follow. These are decisions only you can make after meeting with agents face to face.
So how do you find a certified sports agent? That is the hard part. Very few certified sports agents publish their contact information online or anywhere in print. In addition, the sports leagues will not divulge this information for any reason. There is only one quick and easy way to find certified sports agents and that is the Sports Agent Directory.This online directory is specialized in listing only certified sports agents. The directory lists over 3000 sports agents from 10 different sports leagues and includes the agent's name, address, phone/fax, email and website. For a minimal fee of $59.95, you get full and immediate access to the directory. It is very well organized, easy to use, and is up to date. I have personally used the website and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in contacting sports agents for any reason.
Author: Walter Ryan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
