Basketball is a very exciting sport. There are numerous basketball stars and icons that have swept the basketball viewing public throughout the years. Each basketball team is also equally popular because they are the cradle of the basketball superstars.

The game of basketball is definitely a team effort. Basketball isn’t played individually, but rather collectively. Each game is a team effort. In fact, in every game of basketball, no individual is declared the winner of the game. It is always the team.

Basketball players play the game excellently because they want to accrue scores not for themselves but for the team. However, there are awards and recognition given to players who have contributed greatly and accumulated points or scores throughout the game.

When fans rush to the basketball courts to flock basketball stars, they come to flock the team as well. A basketball superstar not only carries his name but also that of the team.

How are superstar basketball teams born? Well, a good track record is the key. And how is it attained? Simple: just by winning the most games.

The sweep

There are many basketball tournaments and conferences in every country. There are those events that are held annually for a regular interval. During these games, often, there are mainstay teams that regularly play at the basketball event.

When a team wins for two or more consecutive years, it is termed in sports and basketball lingo as a ’sweep’. Thus, be it in the NBA or in whatever basketball tournament all over the world, the word ’sweep’ is one of the sweetest and most sought-after terms in the ever-growing and exciting basketball vocabulary.

For a team to complete a sweep, it should consistently hold its excellence. Consistency is one of the hardest concepts in basketball because it is hard to assure that a team will win every game.

For sure, there are hundreds or thousands of potential basketball superstars that are given big breaks every season. The competition is really tough. That is why teams also often modify its lineup so it can get the best and possibly the greatest players around.

Team effort is also hard to keep. It entails that all the team’s members be cooperative enough to execute a good play strategy. That isn’t easy to accomplish considering the humongous egos and attitudes of basketball players.

For a team to make a sweep, it should strive harder to keep the good working and cooperative relationships between the team players. Failing to do so would result otherwise.

How a team could make a sweep

When you come to think of it, it would be easy to make a team run into a sweep in basketball tournaments. However, considering the individual efforts needed from each of the team players, it would be a truly big challenge to the coach and to the players as well. Remember, good working and personal relationships within the team shows in the play.

For a team to ensure a sweep, regular practices and rehearsals should be scheduled. The team should all be present during practices because that is the time each of them gets to bond. Rapport between the players is established.

Weaknesses and strengths of the players and team as a whole is also determined during practices. Thus, the training would be a good breeding ground to identify how each team player could greatly and significantly contribute to the welfare of the whole basketball team.

Consistency is essential. After winning a basketball game, the main goal of the team would then be to keep the winnings coming. When a team fails to keep its winning status, it fails to make a sweep, therefore, coming face to face with a nightmare.

The moral support from the fans and supporters also contribute well. Take note that most of the popular basketball teams do well in every game whenever they see the trooping fans cheer for them, as if the game is a popularity contest.

Team players are motivated whenever they see cheerful fans support them.

Basketball is a very exciting game indeed. It sure is hard for a team to make a sweep but the effort certainly makes up for added excitement.

the baller of the 913 asked:


Especially for role players.

Instead of getting payed less and being one of the worst players on the team, a role player could be a Euroleague star, and the value of the Euro compared to the dollar adds more incentive.

What are your thoughts?

Basketball bears a distant resemblance to it’s early days, when the basketball net wasn’t a net at all but a peach basket. Apparently James Naismith the inventor of basketball, had a keen intuition for sports, but not quite so keen on physics. The obvious problem with the impromptu basketball net, was that there was no hole in the bottom for the basket ball to fall through. I sure we’ve all seen the commercial where one of the players has to climb up the ladder to retrieve the basketball after each score. The brilliant solution by Mr Naismith, was of course to cut a hole in the bottom of the basket. Seems like an obvious solution to those of us versed in the modern game of basketball, but wait the punch line is yet to come. The hole they cut, wasn’t big enough for the basketball to fall through. It was however, big enough for a person standing on the floor to poke a broom handle through and push the basketball ball back up through the top. Funny how the obvious is not always so obvious to those at the time. In spite of it’s somewhat comical beginnings, basketball has truly evolved to one of the premier sporting events in the world. I bet James would be thrilled to see his little game today. I hope.

Dusting Jack

Basketball had quite a few funny quirks along the road to success. One of the early interesting rules would have pretty hilarious consequences today. In today’s game of basketball, when a ball goes out of bounds, the last player to touch the basketball ball, is ruled to have been responsible for putting the ball out of play, and therefor his/her team loses possession of the ball. Things were a little different with the original basket rules. In the original game of basketball, the first player to retrieve a ball that had gone out of bounds, earned possession of the ball for his team. I suppose that makes sense when your first playing the game in a gymnasium, with one gym teacher, who doesn’t want to have to retrieve every out of bounds ball. Why don’t just let the players retrieve the basket balls. Ha! Could you imagine the melee that would occur in today’s professional games, if that was the rule. I can just see Kobe Bryant climbing over Jack Nicholson, spilling his drink, knocking his glasses all cock-eyed in a furiously desperate attempt to grab the loose ball before his opponent. Comical . . . yes. Hilarious . . . yes. Entertaining . . . yes. Likely to be adopted by the NBA . . . not frigging likely. We can always dream though.

Entertainment As Sport

Basketball certainly has to be one of the more successful forms of sports entertainment today. From all the pre-game theatrical dramatics (Ala the Micheal Jordan era Chicago Bulls) to the bad boys that seem to be prevalent in any sport, but especially basketball. In spite of the fact that most basketball games are decided in the last few minutes of play, it is truly an exciting game to watch and play. Especially if you get the opportunity to view a basketball game live. Highly recommended. Those guys make the television guys look like their moving in slow motion.

The NCAA Basketball Tournament is among us. This tournament 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 NCAA Basketball Tournament is American sports.

The excitement and tradition of “March Madness” or the NCAA Basketball Tournament 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 NCAA tournament championship game held at Northwestern on March 27, 1939. Only eight teams competed in two regions. Oregon defeated Ohio State in the championship game, and the West region held a third-place game.

Although the NCAA basketball 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 basketball tournament, 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 basketball tournament. George Mikan’s DePaul team traditionally entered the NIT, while Bob Kurland’s of Oklahoma.

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.

Today the NCAA basketball tournament is one of the most watched tournaments of the year. Always exciting you never really know who is going to end up on top!

A basketball hoop is an important part of your game. You want to choose a hoop that will compliment your game and that will last and be something you will be able to use over and over. Choose your hoop carefully. Here we’ve listed 3 main criteria that you should use to find the best hoop for your needs.

You will want to look at the:

? Style of hoop

? Materials used to make the hoop and the

? Features of the hoop

By looking at these there factors you will be able to choose a basketball hoop that will

meet your needs.

Basketball Hoop Style

The style of hoop you choose is largely dependent upon your style of game. You need to consider if you will be using outdoors only, inside, or both.

? Do you need a hoop that can be moved or one that is stationary?

? Are you the only one using it or if there will be a variety of people using it?

All of these factors are important because hoops are often designed for specific situations.

There are hoops that are portable so they can be moved when needed. These may work when you are sharing a space and the basketball hoop needs to be taken down when others are using the area. There are hoops designed for water play and hoops that adjust to accommodate different players.

Choose a hoop style that works for your needs and you should be on the right track to the perfect basketball hoop.

Material of Basketball Hoop

The materials used to make the hoop are important because you want something durable. You need the hoop to be sturdy and able to handle rough play. If the hoop is outside it needs to be made to withstand the elements of the weather so that it does not rust or wear down quickly. There are several different types of materials they use, such as steel, acrylic, or a tempered glass backboard. If you are picking out a hoop for your driveway you will want a different system than if you’re picking out a hoop for your local park. These are all extremely important things to consider.

Basketball Hoop Features

There are a range of different features on basketball hoops. These different features will allow you to customize the hoop to your game. You may find that some hoops have break away rims. This special feature is a great safety feature that will work well for people who are playing a serious game with a lot of layups and jump shots. Other features may include special backboard designs and adjustable heights.

You should also look for special technology offered by the company selling the hoops. Some companies may have special design features that make the hoop stronger, safer or easier to use. You also want to buy your basketball hoop for the future, and make sure you buy one that is built to withstand years of play.

Choose a basketball hoop that suits your game play, wallet, and location. Whether for fun, sport or serious athletic pursuit, your basketball hoop is an investment. Choose wisely.

Billy Bonds asked:


Association’s (NBA) thirty teams (29 in the United States and one in Canada) can select young players who wish to join the league. These players usually come from college level, but in recent drafts a greater number of international and high school players have been drafted. As of the 2006 NBA Draft high school players gain eligibility for draft selection one year after their graduating class has finished high school, but only if they also are at least 19 years of age as of the end of the calendar year of the draft.

The NBA draft is currently divided into two rounds, with thirty picks per round. The order of selections is based on several rules. The first picks of the draft belong to the fourteen teams that did not enter the playoffs in that year’s season. These teams participate in a lottery to determine the order of the first three picks. Each team is assigned a number of chances based upon season standings to ‘win’ the lottery. After these three teams have been determined, the remaining picks are given out based on regular season record with the worst teams getting the highest remaining picks. This lottery assures each team can drop no more than 3 positions from its projected draft position. The lottery also prevents teams from throwing the season to ensure a top draft pick.

The next sixteen spots in the draft are reserved for the teams that made it into that season’s playoffs. The order of these sixteen teams’ selection is determined by their regular-season win-loss record, going from worst to best. Therefore, the team with the best record selects last. The team with the best record is not necessarily the champion; for example, in the 2004 NBA Draft, the last pick did not go to the 2004 NBA champion Detroit Pistons, but rather to the Indiana Pacers (this is unlike the NFL Draft, in which the Super Bowl champion always draws the final selection of the first round).

The order of selections in the second round are also based upon season standings, with the worst team picking first and the best picking last. There is no lottery for the second round. Teams are allowed to trade future draft picks (first and second round) as they would current players.

League rules prohibit a team from trading away their own future first-round picks in consecutive years. This rule was created partially as a reaction to the practices of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the early 1980s. Ted Stepien, who owned the team from 1980 to 1983, made a series of trades for players of questionable value that cost the team several years of first-round picks. The trades nearly destroyed the franchise; the NBA pressured Stepien into selling out, and in order to get a solid local owner (Gordon Gund), the league had to sweeten the deal by giving the Cavaliers several future bonus draft picks.

All U.S. players are automatically eligible upon the end of their college eligibility. Through 2005, U.S. players were also allowed to declare eligibility for the draft at any time between high school graduation and the completion of college eligibility. International players could declare eligibility in the calendar year of their 18th birthday, or later.

Starting with the 2006 NBA Draft, the eligibility rules have changed:

? All players, regardless of nationality, must be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft.

? A U.S. player must also be at least one year removed from the graduation of his high school class.

This age limit for draftees is part of the new collective bargaining agreement between the league and its players union.

The NBA has established two draft declaration dates. All players who wish to be drafted, and are not automatically eligible, must declare their eligibility on or before the first declaration date.

After this date, prospective draftees may attend NBA pre-draft camps and individual team workouts to show off their skills and obtain feedback regarding their draft positions. A player may withdraw his name from consideration from the draft at any time before the final declaration date, which is one week before the draft. A player who declares for the draft will lose his college eligibility, even if he is not drafted, if any of the following is true:

? The player signs with an agent.

? The player has declared for and withdrawn from the draft in any previous year.

When a player is selected in the first round of the draft, the team that selected him is required to sign him to at least a one-year contract. Players selected in the second round are “owned” by the team for three years, but the teams are not required to sign them.

Players chosen earlier in the draft are generally regarded as better prospects than those selected later, but there is always a level of uncertainty around the selections. Past drafts are filled with examples of late-pick superstars and early-pick busts. Perhaps the most famous example of the uncertainty of the draft came in 1986, when Karl Malone was selected by the Utah Jazz with the thirteenth pick, but went on to become the second-leading scorer in NBA history and win multiple MVP awards. His teammate, John Stockton, was selected sixteenth the year before, but went on to become the all-time NBA leader in assists and steals.

Cataclysmic Kwa asked:


im not too familiar with the two.

The Basketball is a game of dynamism which involves the brilliant combination of quick thoughts and actions. The sport has got its own challenges and demands sharp intelligence of the players. The players can enhance their style when they have proper practice and the style can still be enhanced with the best basketball shoes. So what are the best features of the basketball shoes that add to the players’ performance? Are you searching for the answer? Get stuffed with the best features of the basketball sneakers and add the superb on to your shopping cart with this article.

TIPS TO CHOOSE THE BEST:

1. The first important point is the fit of the sneakers to your feet. The excellent fit of the shoe enables you to perform hard and quick movements and thus makes you to perform wonders in the game.

2. Prefer the basketball sneakers with the upper made of fine leather, mesh, nylon and synthetic as they give more breath ability to your feet and keep you comfortable during the play.

3. Choose basketball sneakers with the padded insole as they give excellent cushioning and flexibility to your feet. The EVA mid sole gives good cushioning and equal distribution of your body pressure from toe to heel. They give appropriate shock absorption and thus increase your mobility during the play.

4. The outsole of the sneakers plays a vital role in giving the grip during the gait. Outsoles of the herringbone pattern give the maximum comfort and traction on the court.

5. The closure systems are responsible for the foot hugging fit of the basketball sneakers. The lacing systems, zippers and the Velcro straps are the different types of available closure systems. They provide the maximum fit and support to the feet.

6. There are different types of basketball sneakers such as high-top, low-top and mid-top. The high-top sneakers offer greatest ankle support and helps you to gain steadiness.

7. The low-top sneakers are light in weight and thus they enable you to gain momentum during the play.

8. The mid-top sneakers offer provides the best comfort, ankle support and speed to your action. So you can be at your right form when you settle down in the mid-top sneakers.

9. Never go behind the discounts that are given while shopping for the basket ball sneakers as they are deceptive and make you to choose the fake one.

10. The popular brands that are available in the basketball sneakers are Adidas, Nike, Reebok, Puma and Converse. They are the best brands and offer you the best sneakers to show your style and brilliance on the court.

Thus these are the various tips that will help you greatly to choose the best basketball sneakers. Hence, peruse these points and add the best basketball sneakers to your shopping cart.

Booyah asked:


Can’t seem to find the answer anywhere, which leads me to believe not. Any verifiable data will be appreciated.

Basketball is a fast paced game played on a 94-by-50 foot court (NBA) with 1 basket on opposite sides.

The game starts when the official tosses the ball between two players, one from each team, in the middle of the court. This is also referred to as the tip off. The other 8 players stand at specific places outside the mid-circle. The jumpers will try to tip the ball to any of their team members to gain the first possession.

The goal is to score more points than their opponents.

In the professional setting, the game is divided into 2 halfs or 4 quarters. Each quarter is 12 minutes long.

During each possession, the offensive team has a time limit to shoot the ball in the basket. This is called the shot clock. The NBA rule allows 24 seconds for each possession. In college basketball, the shot clock is set for 35 seconds.

There are basically 2 ways to shoot and score in a basketball game: shooting when the ball is in play and from the free throw line.

There are several ways to score during play. You can either take a perimeter shot or drive toward the basket. You can score 3 points if you shoot the ball beyond the arc. There are also variations for jump shots including from the baseline, the key, fade away, hook shot, and more. Variations of shots made inside the paint include dunk, layup, and tip-in.

Free throws are earned when the opposing team committs a technical foul or a personal foul. Two free throw shots are awarded when the opposing team committs a technical foul or a personal foul in the act of shooting or within the team penalty. One free throw shot is given to the player who made a shot and receives a foul in the process.

Each player is allowed to commit 5 personal fouls for each game to continue playing. The 6th foul will automatically force the player to retire for the rest of the game. Each player is automatically out of the game if he receives 2 technical fouls. The team is allowed to commits 5 fouls for each quarter before entering the penalty. Every foul made inside the penalty will put their opposing team to shoot free throws. 

In the event where the scores are tied at the end of the fourth quarter (or at the end of the regulation period), a 5-minute overtime period is played. If the score is still tied at the end of the overtime period, a second overtime will be played, and so on… until a team wins a game.

Note: other basketball leagues and basketball associations such as FIBA follow their own sets of rules.