Basketball Equipment, Training Aids, Apparel, and Shoes: January 2007

Valentine's Day Specials Wednesday, January 24, 2007

01/24/2007

An adorable plush teddy arrives "bearing" gifts of luscious chocolates and other fine gourmet treats. We've included decadent Lindt Lindsor Milk Chocolate Truffles, fine Ghirardelli's Chocolate Squares, cookies from Simply Indulgent Gourmet, and Cinnamon Ribbon Candy that's almost too beautiful to eat. A sweet surprise for anyone on your mind this Valentine's Day! Each gift is carefully hand packed with attention to every detail, tied with a bow and includes a personalzied gift message from you to convey your heartfelt Valentine wishes. We offer standard ground shipping (4-6 business days in transit) or expedited shipping (2-3 business days in transit) gift delivery services.

Happy Valentine's Day! Gift Basket with Teddy Bear
Price: $49.99

Lighted Elegance Scented Candle. A FREE Personalized Greeting Card. Price: $14.95	Hugs & Kisses ~ Valentine's Day Gourmet Gift Basket Price: $49.99	100% Cashmere Scarf Price: $118.95 Sale: $34.95 You Save: $84.00 (71%)
Conversation Hearts (2 Lbs.) Price: $ Sale: $ You Save: $7.50	DOSE OF GOOD FORTUNES: A Dozen Dark Chocolate Hand-Dipped Fortune Cookies Decorated for Valentine's Day & Nestled in a Gold Container Price: $18.50	Godiva Chocolate: 8 pc. Valentine's Day Ballotin Gift Box Price: FROM $14.00
TIN OF 16 OREO'S Dark Chocolate Valentine's Day Assortment Price: $29.00	Valentine's Day Romantic Picnic Hamper for Two - Gourmet Food Gift Basket Price: $89.99	Popcorn for a Movie Gift Box Price: $12.50

Visit the Liquidation section of our site anytime for the best deals in basketball!.
Feel free to forward this message to family and friends!

posted by Brandon Schenz @ 12:15 PM, ,

Basketball Tip - 3 Proven Tips to Scoring More Points Wednesday, January 10, 2007

01/10/2007

3 Proven Tips to Scoring More Points

Be sure to warm up properly before each game

Larry Bird, one of the greatest players in NBA history used to get to the arena hours before a game and shoot hundreds of jump shots so that he could groove his shot and be ready for the game. Getting a feel for the ball, and your shot in a groove before the game is a key to having a good scoring night.

Think about is this way: if you were taking a big shot late in a game, would you rather have already taken 15 or 20 shots during the game so that you were warmed up and in a groove, or would you rather have just come off the bench, totally cold, not having taken a shot the whole game? I think the answer is pretty obvious. So make sure you get your shot warmed up and grooved before a game. Work on some form shooting drills, jump shots, and free throws so that your shot is ready to go right from the opening tip.

Get going early

Another key to having a big scoring night is to try to get going early in the game. If you can score a few quick baskets in the first couple of minutes, even before everyone is really warmed up and into the game, you'll have given yourself a leg up in the scoring column and put yourself on track for a big scoring night.

Some players think they can take a few minutes at the start of the game to get warmed up. They think hitting basket at the start of the game isn't a big deal because the score is still 0-0. I say that's crazy. If I hit a basket in the first 30 seconds of the game, I think to myself that I only need 4 more buckets and I'll be in double figures. Scorers think they can sneak in 1 or 2 baskets early in the game before their opposition has broken a sweat.

Think about it: if you score 4 or 6 points in the first couple of minutes, and only score 2 or 3 more baskets the whole rest of the game, you'll have a double-digit scoring game. And getting a few baskets early is a huge confidence builder. Once you hit a couple of early shots, it's easier to score later in the game because your confidence is high and you're more likely to be in the zone.

Don't underestimate the importance of free throws

Some people think a missed free throw is no big deal. Well, it is a big deal. It's a lost point. I had one game in college where I went 14-for-15 from the line and had a big scoring night, thanks in large part to free throws.

Improve as a free throw shooter, and you improve your scoring average. It sounds so obvious, but you'd be amazed at how many players don't view missed free throws as missed scoring opportunities. The better you are from the line, the more points you'll score, the more playing time you'll get, and the more you'll help your team win games.

You know those games you lose by 1 or 2 points? Well, guess what? I bet you or your teammates missed 5 or 6 free throws during the game. If you'd have hit them all, that 1 or 2 point loss may have been a 4 or 5 point victory. So no matter how good you are from the line, you can get better. Unless you're shooting over 85%-90% from the line, you should really focus on improving this part of your game.

adidas 3-Stripes Dazzle Tearaway Mens Price: $34.99	Men's New Balance Vesper Pant Price: $44.45	Men's Royal Robbins Granite 5 Pocket Pant Price: $45.95
adidas 100G Snap Pant Womens Price: $44.99 Sale: $39.99 You Save: $5.00 (11%)	Eastbay Women's Snap Dazzle Pant Price: $29.99	Eastbay Women's Game Tearaway Pant Price: $39.99

Visit the Liquidation section of our site anytime for the best deals in basketball!.
Feel free to forward this message to family and friends!

posted by Brandon Schenz @ 6:33 AM, ,

Basketball Tip - Ball Handling Skills Monday, January 08, 2007

01/08/2007

The Fundamentals of Super Ball Handlers

Stick to the fundamentals, too much "flash" only hurts team play and the morale of your teammates.
Don’t be quick to dribble. Look first, dribble last. Pass first whenever possible.
Always dribble with a purpose. Whether you're driving, setting up a play or trying to get free for a shot, never be guilty of receiving a pass and dribbling without a purpose.
Don’t pound the ball. Push it away firmly and quickly with your wrist and fingers.
Keep the ball close to your body and your head up at all times.
Your body should be crouched with your knees bent and your head directly over the midpoint of your two feet.
Don’t get caught on the sidelines or the corners. Pivot away from these areas and get the pass away quickly.
Always dribble to a spot where you can conclude the dribble with either a good pass or shot. Get rid of the ball quickly, but don’t force it either.
Keep the ball on the opposite side of the defender. Keep it low, close to your body, with your forearm almost parallel to the floor and your elbow in close to your body. When in the open court, dribble waist high for speed and push the ball out in front of you.
Master change of direction and change of pace as these are valuable skills.
Learn to dribble with either hand and master the cross-over dribble. Use your best hand whenever you can.

Spalding 63-249 Spalding NBA Street Basketball (Official Size) Price: $14.99 Sale: $11.94 You Save: $3.05 (20%)	Lifetime 1239 Pro Court Height-Adjustable Portable Basketball System with 42-Inch Clear Acrylic Backboard Price: $229.99 Sale: $129.99 You Save: $100.00 (43%)	Reebok Men's ATR 2nd Coming Low Price: $69.99 Sale: $19.99 You Save: $50.00 (71%)
adidas Women's Superstar II Price: $64.99 Sale: $51.99 You Save: $13.00 (20%)	Eastbay Men's Dazzle Short Price: $14.99 Sale: $9.99 You Save: $5.00 (33%)	Eastbay Women's Dazzle Short Price: $14.99 Sale: $9.99 You Save: $5.00 (33%)

Visit the Liquidation section of our site anytime for the best deals in basketball!.
Feel free to forward this message to family and friends!

posted by Brandon Schenz @ 7:03 AM, ,

Foye earning trust, minutes with play Friday, January 05, 2007

If things had been a little different, Randy Foye might be playing for the Philadelphia 76ers tonight.

Instead, the rookie point guard remains the Timberwolves' brightest young player, and he already is one of their best in clutch situations.

With his play against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, Foye again showed why the Wolves reportedly didn't want to trade him to the Sixers as part of their push to get Allen Iverson.

Foye logged a season-high 41 minutes against the Spurs, his season high, and scored 19 points, including four in overtime.

"He's going to be a fine young guard," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He's got a good sense about him, a good pace. He's aggressive. He doesn't have any fear, makes pretty good decisions. He is just going to get better and better."

The Wolves have placed more and more trust in Foye, who averaged 12.7 points and shot 48 percent over the past 11 games, which all came after the Iverson trade talk broke in early December.

Foye was named the Western Conference's rookie of the month earlier this week.

"He's a heady guard," Wolves coach Dwane Casey said. "If I didn't think he was ready to handle it, he wouldn't be out there. He's ready for it. Does he still make mistakes? Yes, we all do. But he learns from his mistakes."

Foye is making a push for more playing time, though Casey said there's no sense of urgency to put the rookie in the starting lineup. Before the Spurs game, Foye's season high for minutes was 27 minutes Nov. 27 at Dallas. In that game, Foye scored 11 points in the fourth quarter to get the Wolves back in the game of an eventual loss.

Against the Spurs, he made an 18-foot jumper for a 97-93 Minnesota lead with 2:02 left in overtime. Then he drew a foul on Manu Ginobili and made two free throws for a 99-95 advantage with 1:29 left.

Foye played so many minutes in large part because starter Mike James was in foul trouble. But Casey said Foye isn't being given any minutes. He's had to earn them.

"The key thing that helps him stay on the floor is his defense," Casey said. "His physical play, guarding his guy, rebounding. If he screws up on the offensive end, he doesn't compound it with a defensive mistake. That's what keeps him on the floor even if his offense isn't going."

Foye is averaging 8.4 points and 18 minutes a game this season, with game highs of 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. His 22.4 points per 48 minutes is second on the team behind Kevin Garnett's 27.7.

In the past five games, Foye averaged 27 minutes. He has gone from sharing backup point guard duties with Troy Hudson to holding that role by himself.

Asked if the Spurs game gave him more confidence, Foye said: "My confidence is already there. I don't think I've lost any confidence. It's just all about getting on the court and getting an opportunity."

posted by Brandon Schenz @ 1:50 PM, ,

Standing "O" for Andre Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Other than seeing his beloved dogs, some friends and his home, returning to Denver had little sentimental value for former Nuggets point guard Andre Miller.

After being the Nuggets' starting point guard for three-plus seasons, Miller, forward Joe Smith and two 2007 first-round draft picks were dealt to Philadelphia for guard Allen Iverson and Ivan McFarlin on Dec. 19. Miller returned to Denver for the first time since the trade to play against the Nuggets on Tuesday night.

"It's not difficult for me. It's a business. At least I get to come home and check on my house and my dogs," Miller said.

Miller averaged 13 points, 9.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 23 games for the Nuggets this season. In three-plus seasons in Denver, he averaged 14 points, 7.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds. Miller played in 269 games, never missing a game.

Miller received a standing ovation from the Pepsi Center crowd when the public-address announcer belted his name with inflection as the Sixers' starting lineup was announced. Before the game, Miller said he has not had a chance to reach any of his former Nuggets teammates.

"I maximized what I was doing here as far as being a professional, coming prepared for practice and games," Miller said. "No one can ever say I didn't come in ready to play or not ready for practice."

Said Nuggets coach George Karl: "He's a true point guard. He's a winner. A character leader. He's wonderful."

Karl said he left Miller several messages since the trade, but never got a return call. Miller was upset at Karl and the Nuggets for trading him during the Christmas holiday and not during the offseason. Miller said the trade caused him to cancel Christmas in Denver with his 7-year-old son, who lives in Phoenix with his mother.

"It was more of a loyalty thing as far as my commitment to the team and the organization," Miller said. "That's why I was surprised, but that's business. Trade me in the summer or something. I heard these rumors way back in the summer.

"I told George Karl that if you're going to do something like that to let me know. I don't want to come back and be traded during the season and have to leave things behind as far as my dogs."

Said Karl, "All the times you call a player after you've traded him, he doesn't want to talk to you."

Miller has enjoyed playing for the Sixers thus far.

"It's a good group of guys," Miller said. "An unselfish team. Guys that come out and work hard."

Smith was acquired in a trade with Milwaukee on Aug. 10, 2006. He said he still owns a West Denver home and he wasn't certain when he would sell it. The 12-year NBA veteran, who played in 11 games in his lone Nuggets season this season, was happy about the trade because he will be a free agent next summer.

"It was kind of up and down when I was here," said Smith, about playing time. "In the last year of my deal, I'm looking for consistent playing time."

posted by Brandon Schenz @ 11:19 AM, ,

Basketball Tip - Sample Plyometric Training Program Tuesday, January 02, 2007

01/02/2007

The first thing you must do when designing a plyometric program to develop your vertical jump or that of your players, is consult your coach, trainer and/or doctor. The second thing you must do is measure the following abilities:

Standing jump-and-reach. Standing on both feet, reach as high you can on a wall or goal post; mark that height. Then jump off both feet and reach as high on the wall as you can; again mark that height. Now record the difference between the two marks.
Jump from box. Do a depth jump by stepping off an 18-inch box. After you land, quickly jump and reach as high as you can on the wall; record the height of that mark.
Three-step vertical jump. Take three steps and on the last step (this should be your preferred foot) jump up and reach as high as you can on the wall; mark that spot.
One-repetition maximum squat. Determine the maximum amount of weight you can lift one time doing a traditional squat. Standing with your back to the bar, which is resting on a rack at shoulder height, lift the bar to rest on your shoulders, bend your hips and knees until your thighs are parallel to the floor and return to the top.
Five-repetition/five-second squat @ 60% of body weight. Perform squats with a barbell holding 60% of your body weight. Attempt to do 5 repetitions in 5 seconds.

Tests 1, 2 and 3 will show what your current vertical jumping ability is and also give you the information to measure your progress by. It’ll also show if there’s a difference when you jump from one foot as compared to two feet.

Tests 4 and 5 will show whether you have adequate strength to embark on a plyometric training program. For example, if you could only lift 75% of your body weight for your one-rep max and it took you 7.5 seconds to do 5 reps of your 60% body weight exercise, this would tell you that strength training is more a priority than taking on high-intensity plyometrics.

There are many other factors in creating a plyometric work-out that is perfect for you. Your age, experience, strength, athletic ability and history of injuries are all important factors. Not to mention when you are training; is it off-season, pre-season or during season. This is just an example. You must decide what is best for you.

Strength Training System Strength Shoe Price: $124.99	Adjustable Plyometric Box Price: $219.99	Set of 3 Plyo Boxes - 12", 18", 24" Price: $399.95 Sale: $259.95 You Save: $140.00 (35%)
Set of 4 Plyo Boxes - 12", 18", 24", 30" Price: $529.95 Sale: $379.95 You Save: $150.00 (28%)	20" Plyo Box Price: $99.00	Power Jumper Price: $29.99