What You Need to Be a Great Basketball Team

The Celtics are in a tough spot right now in this first round playoff series against the Knicks. They're down 2-0 and going home for the next two games. Over at the Celtics Green Blog I share the key things that they will need to win this series, and it's not what you think.

Every team needs these three important elements. It doesn't matter how talented each individual is if you don't play team basketball!

Basketball Phenom in Action

This video made it's way around last year, but if you haven't seen it yet, you're in for a treat. What I love about this young player, Mike Miles, is that he shares the ball and has great ball-handling skills. No, wait. I take that back. I love everything about him.

Basketball Players Are Not Superheros

I second guessed myself as I was writing that title, although the idea for this post has been brewing in my mind for quite some time. As much as I would love for basketball players to superheros, the reality is, they are not. Sorry, Shaq and Dwight.

As a die-hard NBA fan who is constantly reading basketball blogs, I sometimes get caught up in the emotions of other fans who cry and whine when a particular player doesn't quite live up to expectations in one game.

Trade him! He sucks!

Sports Gear Gift Ideas

Photo credit:  Curiouskiwi on Flickr.com

If you have a sports fanatic, an active teen or a family member who wants to get in shape in your life and you need to come up with a holiday or birthday gift he will love, sports equipment can be an ideal choice. There are several ideas that they might love to receive, from basketball hoops to baseball mitts, and considering some popular options might help you pick the perfect gift for your friend or loved one. The following ideas are broken down by types of activities, so that you can match up possibilities to your recipient’s favorite pastimes.

NBA Superpowers: Preview Game 4 2011 Finals

Tonight's game Fits Tha Theme Of Tha Movie "I am #Number 4". Will the Mavs be playing catch-up all game chasing tha younger more illusive Stars of Miami to never prevail in the end, or will they poll their collective Super Powers once again to pull off a Scenario Altering Victory Over The Heat? The Seemingly Invincible Athleticism Of Miami's Fleet Footed, Building Bounding Super 3, Has Thusfar Proven To Be Enough To Counteract The Collective Mental Fortitude & Savvy Of The Precision Driven Machine Which Iz "Dallas". Will It Be The Dallas Gunslingers From The Wild West, Lead By "JASON THA KIDD"~"JET TERRY"&"DIRKALLAS THA MAVERICK K-NOWITZKI" or Will It Be The Perfect Storm From The East, Lead By "CHRISURRICANE BOSH"~"THUNDER KING JAMES"&"THA FLASH D-3" To Claim Victory In Game 4, And In Essence, Ownership Of Tha Power That Has Been Invested In This Series' Momentum Up To This Point. Whichever Team Is Able To Obtain, Harness, and Influence Tha Power Of Momentum For Tha Longest Periods Of Time Will Take Tha Next Leap Towards Championing Their Cause!

Love, Peace, & Hoops,
--JEDI

3 Things I've Learned From the NBA Playoffs

The 2011 NBA playoffs are in full swing and right now I've been eating, breathing, and sleeping basketball. I've watched playoffs in the past, but not as intensely as I have this season.  I've been so focused on watching games that I haven't even thought about updating this blog to share some of my thoughts about all that's been going on.

So, it's only been one week into playoffs, and already there have been enough twists, turns, and surprises that have kept us on the edge of our seats.  Here are 3 lessons I've learned so far this playoff season:

Basketball Is 90% Mental and 10% Physical

When asked about their recent losses, Doc Rivers of the Celtics said:

"...it bothers me that we're not mentally tougher..."

If you follow the Celtics like I do, you'll know that they've lost 3 out of the last 4 games (Clippers, Sixers, and Nets). These are games you would think that the #1 seeded team in the East could win quite easily.

One could chalk it up to injuries, fatigue, back-to-back games, new players, or whatever other reason that's been talked about on the Celtics blogs and forums, which I read on a daily basis. However, Doc hit it right on the nose when he said that his team is just not mentally tougher. The mental toughness and thoughts of players set the tone for how they play in the game.