The summer of 2006 is an incredible time for sports fans, especially for those who love soccer and basketball. Before the NBA finals’ end the soccer World Cup will start in Germany and the summer will close with the FIBA World Championship, will be played in Japan from 19th August until 3rd September in five different cities. This competition is played every 4 years and determines the best basketball nation of the world. The FIBA World Championship may not have the prestige of the soccer World Cup or even the basketball tournament of the Olympic Games, but it is one of the few opportunities that basketball fans’ have to watch most of the best players’ of the world in the same competition. That’s why FIBA (the International Basketball Federation) picked “One World, One Title” as the slogan of this Championship.

The first World Championship has taken place in 1950 in Argentina and has since then been organized 14 times. Until 1989 professional players -so all of the ones who play in the NBA- were not permitted to play in international competitions. The United States were forced to participate either with young college players or with other amateur players, with their performance varying significantly from time to time. The Americans were able to win the championship only twice in 1954 and in 1986. Argentina, Brazil, Soviet Union and Yugoslavia took advantage of the absence of the NBA pros to become World Champions during this period.

In 1989 FIBA allowed professional athletes to play in international competitions. So in 1994 the United States participated for the first time in the World Championship’s history with a team consisted by NBAers coached by Don Nelson, which won easily the gold medal. Shaquille O’Neal, Isiah Thomas and Reggie Miller were the biggest stars of the team. In the next competitions though, in 1998 and 2002 Yugoslavia won the gold medal, leaving the United States in the third and in the sixth place respectively. Especially the last Championship was considered as a great failure for the US national team, since the tournament took place on American soil, in Indianapolis. After the failure in Indianapolis and in the Olympic Games of Athens in 2004, where the United States national team came only third USA Basketball appointed Jerry Colangelo to be responsible for selecting the team. Colangelo has selected some of the NBA superstars to play in Japan as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Shawn Marion who are going to be coached by the legendary NCAA coach Mike Krzyzewski.

The American team will not have an easy job though, since it has to face some really strong teams as the Argentineans who won the gold medal in the Olympiad lead by Manu Ginobilli, the Serbs who are defending World Champions, the French of Ginobilli’s teammate in Spurs Tony Parker, the Germans of the Maverick Dirk Nowitzki, the Spanish of the Grizzle Pau Gasol and the Greeks who won the European Championship in 2005.

Is the United States still the dominant power of World Basketball? We have to wait till September to find out!

Tags: basketball, FIBA World Championship, sports, World Championshipbasketball, FIBA World Championship, sports, World Championship

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I’m often asked this question: what are the keys to becoming a great basketball player?

I give a two-word response: hard work.

All joking aside though, hard work is a key component of success in basketball (or any other area of life for that matter). But a more detailed, useful answer is really in order.

I have broken down success as a basketball player into 6 broad categories:

1. Basketball skill

2. Physical ability

3. Confidence

4. Aggressiveness

5. Thinking big

6. Being in the moment

Let me go into detail on each of these items.

Basketball Skill
First and foremost, you have to be able to play the game. From shooting, to dribbling and passing, to rebounding and defense, you’ve got to know the game, and be a good player. This is, it goes without saying, the foundation on which every successful basketball career is built.

Physical Ability
In addition to being able to play the game, great players are usually exceptional athletes. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to be the fastest, strongest, highest jumping player on the team. But it does mean that you have to be very mobile, very agile, have good hand-eye coordination, and have good endurance (among other things). Being a good all-around athlete allows your basketball skills to flourish and grow.

Confidence
Having basketball ability and physical skills takes you only so far. Taking your game to the next level requires massive confidence, the belief in yourself that you can go out on the floor and dominate, each and every game. Look at the great players (Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Kobe, et al)…these guys think one thing when they play: that they are the best player on the floor, and they are going to dominate the opponent.

Aggressiveness
In addition to believing in yourself, you have to be extremely aggressive every time play the game. You may be a nice, quiet person off the court, but once you put on a uniform and get into a game, you have to be fierce and determined, passionate and competitive.

Thinking Big
I coach a lot of players that doubt themselves and what they can do on the floor. Get rid of that kind of thinking. Don’t be satisfied with what you were able to do last season, or last month, or yesterday. Set high goals for yourself, and think big…and you’ll be amazed at how you are able to achieve more than you did before, just by picturing yourself playing better than you did in the past (picturing it, and expecting it).

For example: if you scored 10 or 12 points a game last season, plan on increasing that by at least 2 or 3 baskets a game. If you grabbed 4 or 5 rebounds a game, plan on upping that number to 6 or 7. Now, remember that scoring more points doesn’t necessarily mean you are playing better than before, but you get the idea. The point is to expect more of yourself, set higher goals for yourself, and set firmly in your mind the belief that you will play better than you have in the past. Believe it, and it’ll happen.

Being in the Moment
Lots of players over- think the game. Whether it’s psyching yourself out at the free throw line, letting a bad play compound itself and negatively impact the next play, or being hesitant to take the ball to the basket for fear of getting blocked, you can’t allow these types of negative thoughts, or over-thinking to keep you from playing at your best.

The key is to be in the moment, be in the flow of the action, and let your physical abilities, and all the practice you’ve done take over. Don’t think or worry, just play.
These are the 6 main areas of success in basketball. Think through each of these, and really figure out a way that you can get better in each one. What can you do today, tomorrow, or next week that will help you improve in these areas?

Come up with some answers…then go out and make it happen!

Tags: athletic success, Athletics, basketball, basketball coaching, basketball drills, sportsathletic success, Athletics, basketball, basketball coaching, basketball drills, sports

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Sunday (11/20)


Best:
Rockets @ Pacers: At 3-6, Houston really needs the tough win in Indiana. It doesn’t matter how shallow the West is, last place is bad to be in. Yao Ming gets in foul trouble often, and you can put him down for a disqualification up against Jermaine O’neal. McGrady won’t show up in the 4th quarter every time; he’s got to contribute early and have a big first half.
Runnner-up:
Grizzlies @ Nuggets: Memphis has looked increasingly more impressive with each game. Denver has looked good sporadically with injuries to Boozer, Nene and coach George Karl hurting them. Tough to say whom the favorite should be. Whoever of Gasol and Anthony steps up more will lead their team to victory.
Blowout:
Heat @ Raptors: Last Sunday’s Raptor game was one to watch. Toronto will be in a similar situation though: down by 18 in the 4th and looking to make a comeback. Regardless of injuries to Williams and Shaq, Miami is starting to click. A double-digit win should be expected for Miami.

Monday (11/21)



Best:
Nets @ Warriors: Kidd against Davis and Carter and against Richardson spotlight this matchup. Golden State hasn’t had to travel far lately, so they should be well rested for this encounter. However, Richard Jefferson is going to exploit Dunleavy at SF. Someone has to step up for the Warriors.


Runner-up:
Hornets @ Sixers: The young guys in New Orleans/Oklahoma City will find a lot of easy shots with Sam Dalembert injured. Iverson should have a good game, but Webber could get fatigued easily. This is Philadelphia’s game to win, but they could easily get complacent before the game begins.


Blowout:
Bucks @ Jazz: Utah owner Larry Miller freaked out when they lost a game scoring only 63 points. He shouldn’t fret since Utah did have 4 of their 5 starters injured that in that game. However, he should fret that those situations will come often, and this encounter with Milwaukee will be no different if McLeod, Boozer, Giricek and Kirilenko are hurt.

Tuesday (11/22)


Best:
Celtics @ Cavaliers: These 2 have a history against each other, going back to when Paul Pierce spit on the Cavs bench. The Celtics hustle will compete for certain against Cleveland. Boston began the year with 3 straight OT or last-second games, so you know a tight affair is in order.


Runner-up:
Rockets @ Mavericks: These 2 teams went 7 games in the playoffs last year, and could very well meet again this year (assuming the Rockets once again finish strong). Like the postseason, Yao needs to step up to give Houston a good shot at a win.


Blowout:
Raptors @ Suns: Toronto has allowed a ridiculous 112+ PPG in their last 4. Thrice in their last 7 games have they allowed their opponent to score 117 or more. Phoenix doesn’t score as much as they used to, but it shouldn’t take much overwhelm Toronto.

Wednesday (11/23)


Best:
Bobcats @ Knicks: If nothing else, both of these teams will struggle throughout. Expect a lot fouls, 3-point attempts and layups. Why watch it? Neither team wins their games on blowouts, so a squeaker is in order.


Runner-up:
Spurs @ Warriors: Golden State has a day off, so they should be able to dictate the game’s pace. In the half-court game, Golden State is outmatched. They play the same way as San Antonio, but their pace is a little quicker. They made 12 3-pointers to win in Milwaukee, and they’ll need to make a high percentage to come out with a W.


Blowout:
Nuggets @ Pistons: We know that Detroit is the genuine article great team we expected, but Denver is still up in the air. If Denver plays their best they could compete, but they just don’t match up well to Detroit’s defensive powerhouse. And Darko Milicic will make sure Carmelo Anthony has a poor game.

Thursday (11/24)
Keep in mind that there are only 2 NBA games on Thanksgiving, so these 2 were the only ones. Both might’ve made the cut anyway.


Best:
Cavaliers @ Pacers: A central division matchup that will prove more about Cleveland if they win. Making the playoffs isn’t a concern as much as winning the division. This important game will be played tough and will hopefully push back the start of the Sonics/Lakers game.


Runner-up:
Sonics @ Lakers: Love is not in the air. If there is one guy Ray Allen doesn’t appear to be classy to, it’s Kobe. The Sonics are worse and the Lakers are faintly better. The Sonics have owned the Lakers in the 21st century, but Kobe Bryant is going to step up for a big performance.

Friday (11/25)


Best:
Blazers @ Magic: Orlando has had some problems containing rather inexperienced teams. Portland is sure to give them trouble. Orlando is low scoring and doesn’t wipe out any team. Composure is going to be key. It adds up to close finish, and whether Turkoglu or Ratliff can produce.


Runner-up:
Mavericks @ Heat: If Detroit really is the best team in the East, then Dallas’s 37-point win against them last Saturday says volumes. Of course Miami just isn’t at Detroit or even Indiana’s scale with Shaq missing. A win here should raise their status.


Blowout:
Bulls @ Spurs: Chicago lost in OT to San Antonio earlier in the year, and will find it even harder for redemption. Songalia and Chandler provide little blockage against Tim Duncan to blow right through them. Hinrich is as good as anyone to be up against Parker, but you’ll still see Tony get 20+ points. Expect the deficit to reach 20 by the 3rd quarter.

Saturday (11/26)


Best:
76ers @ Knicks: Iverson and Marbury have both been known throughout as coach killers, but Iverson has appeared to gel with Maurice Cheeks. The same can’t be said for Marbury, who like all Knick players is facing trade rumors. The divisional player matchups are what make this game a draw.


Runner-up:
Pistons @ Bucks: Another good-ole Central division showdown, and once again Milwaukee is trying to validate their 3-0 start. With the division as tight as it is, both teams should play harder than usual. Detroit definitely needs a better road showing than that bombardment they took in Dallas.


Blowout:
Hornets @ Sonics: J.R. Smith will get a lesson on defending pure shooters like Ray Allen, assuming Smith isn’t injured and won’t play. Either way, Seattle should dominate offensively. Really bad field-goal % for the Sonics will be the only factor keeping a blowout from occurring.

Tags: basketball, basketball article, basketball hall of fame, hall of fame, NBA, nba hall of fame, sportsbasketball, basketball article, basketball hall of fame, hall of fame, NBA, nba hall of fame, sports

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