The Jump Manual Review Helps People Jump Higher

By John Fitch

If you want to jump higher and improve your overall fitness levels, then you will want to look into the Jump Manual Review. The jump manual will help you with all your physical activities by increasing your overall fitness levels. This manual gives many different vital exercises for increasing your fitness levels and your ability to jump. This is one of the best sources of information available for helping you increase the height you can jump.

People who use the jump manual often see vast increases in the height they can jump with just a few weeks of training. The program primarily focuses on increasing your body's strength. Through the use of different high quality exercises, you will be able to increase your body's strength. These exercises will build muscle in the parts of your body that matter for all activities, but you will especially see great improvements in the height that you can jump.

Improving your fitness level can be one of the most important parts to increasing your ability to jump. By improving your fitness level, you increase your strength and decrease the amount of weight you are carrying around with you. Some people have been able to improve their fitness levels enough to the point they are now able to dunk on professional sized basketball courts. People who have successfully applied the strategies of the jump manual, feel a sense of accomplishment when they are able to jump higher than anyone else they know.

This is one of the most comprehensive guides available on increasing a person's ability to jump. If you want to reach the rim when you are playing basketball, then you should look into the jump manual.

This is one of the most comprehensive guides available today for increasing your ability to jump high. After a few weeks of training, you should be able to reach the rim on most basketball courts. This ability can be great for helping you in all of the sports you play.

There are other ways to improve your ability to jump, but the truth about these programs is they are not effective. You can hire a personal trainer to target a specific area of athletics, but they will not be able to give you the secrets to jumping higher. Most trainers do not have very much knowledge about this skill. With the jump manual, you will be getting the best information available today on this topic.

There are other manuals available, but these are usually not able to substantiate their claims. Before buying the jump manual, you will have access to many testimonials from actual users who improved their ability to jump after just a few weeks of training. Diligence is the only necessary ingredient to make this program work.

You may be concerned that this is a scam, but there is an easy way to prove this is real. Take a look at the testimonials sent in by actual users of this program. There is video of people after successfully applying the methods presented in the Jump Manual. These videos show how anyone can go from being an average jumper to jumping to super star heights. - 31494

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A Season Outlook: The '09-'10 Chicago Bulls

By Michael Freel

The Chicago Bulls had a better season then their record would have indicated in 08' -'09, 41-41. They were eliminated in the first round by the hands of the Boston Celtics but proved they had a never say quit mentality. Each game was seemingly more dramatic then the previous one. The Celtics had all they could ever want from the Bulls in that series without question. The Bulls look to build off their great performance in the 09' playoffs this season.

The Bulls were a very good home team, 28-13, but a terrible road team,--28. This will have to improve if the Bulls want home court advantage in the playoffs come the spring time.

Vinny Del Negro has since assumed the role, and has slowly brought the team back to a competitive state. Del Negro had some success in the back office for the Suns, but he's never been a head coach before.

The loss of Ben Gordon will hurt the Bulls offense - during the 09' season Gordon averaged 21 points per game and had a sensational first round playoff. Where the Bulls will make up for the points lost during the season will be interesting to see.

Young teams in the NBA typically don't win much so a year under Rose's belt should help his game. The point guard should be a leader on the court as well as scorer when necessary, Rose can do anything he chooses.

Teams in the Bulls division - Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons (w/ the exception being the Cleveland Cavaliers and maybe the Detroit Pistons) are not better then the Chicago Bulls.

The "Baby" Bulls have a touch act to follow but have good upside to their team. They might be one big man away from contending for the East title; also they need more low post scoring and limit their jump shots.

With Vinny Del Negro coming aboard, things could change this year. He knows the game extremely well, but has little experience as a coach. Time will tell, is it their year? - 31494

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Overachievers and Underachievers in the NBA

By Mark Singleton

I'm so glad that the basketball season has finally begun. This is my favorite sport of them all, and even the first few games get me excited thinking about the possibilities that lie ahead.

Let's take a look at some of the surprises we've seen thus far. We'll look at pleasant surprises, in addition to some underachieving trends we've seen too.

If you've been keeping up with the league, you've probably noticed that the Suns are tearing it up on the courts. Few people remember that this team was considered a championship contender even just two seasons ago, yet they missed the playoffs last year.

Despite the loss of Shaq in the off season, Phoenix is playing some great basketball. It makes you wonder if the team might be better off without him.

Many laughed at the Oklahoma City Thunder last season, as they had one of the worst records in basketball. Few people noticed that this team gradually improved through the course of the year.

What people didn't expect was for the team to start winning games this season. Having won their first two games, the Thunder surprised many fans with wins over the Kings and Pistons.

With wins over the Kings and the Pistons (this one was on the road), they got off to a 2-0 start. Nearly beating the Lakers after this was perhaps the team's best achievement.

There's one more team for us to review, and this is one that seems to be struggling. The Cleveland Cavs dominated the regular season last year, but 09-10 seems to have brought just the opposite to start things out.

With some losses to the Celtics and the Raptors, people had to wonder what was going on in Cleveland. While the team has won its three games since those losses, they've all come against relatively weak opponents. - 31494

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Getting To Know Carmelo Anthony And Lala

By Jaque Moss

Carmelo Anthony and Lala Vasquez originally met in 2003. They remained friends for a month before pursuing more. Ever since, they continue a strong relationship. Many see them as one of the hottest couples that were made for each other.

So how did Melo and Lala meet? I'm sure this is a question most of you have wondered. Well their love story began with Melo asking DJ Clue what he knew about her. Eventually he noticed her inside of a club and went up to her. As he introduced himself, they talked further and later exchanged information. After a while, there friendship blossomed into a relationship.

The year after they met, Melo asked Lala to marry him on Christmas day. In 2006, Lala found out she was expecting their first child. On Wednesday March 7, 2007 their baby boy was born. They named him Kiyan.

Lala is about five years older than Melo. She is 30 and Melo is 25. Kiyan their son, now is two years old. Melo currently plays basketball for the Denver Nuggets. Lala continues doing various things in relation to her TV personality with MTV.

Presently, they have been together for close to seven years. At this time Carmelo Anthony and Lala, have still yet to marry. Many wonder when this will take place, but they often say they want to enjoy their relationship and don't have the time.

Both of them have been through a lot together. They went through a period where Melo was arrested for a DUI and then Lala was ejected from one of Melo's games, due to her becoming upset with fans. Additionally, there have been claims that Melo has been seeing a 24 year old in Los Angeles, whether true that is unknown. Melo and Lala continue a relationship as engaged, when they get married, who knows? - 31494

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Getting To Know Carmelo Anthony And Lala

By Jaque Moss

carmelo anthony and lala met in 2003. It was not love at first sight, but a friendship, which lasted a month before turning into more. They continue to as one of the hottest couples. When you see them, they still look as two people who have just met and never give the impression of having been together for a while.

They met in a club for those that don't already know. According to Lala, Melo was asking their mutual friend DJ Clue about her for some time. After a while, they were both in the same club and Melo spotted her and went up and started talking with her. From there, they became friends, which progressed into a relationship.

It was Christmas day on 2004 that Melo asked Lala to marry him. From there, they found out Lala was expecting in 2006. Kiyan was born to them on March 7, 2007 the following year.

Lala is famous for her TV personality and has done various things regarding shows and modeling. Melo on the other hand is the small forward for the denver nuggets. Currently Lala is 30 and Melo is 25. Their son now is 2.

The two of them seem like they are in no rush to get married. Both say they are enjoying their relationship and no wedding plans have been set. From the time, they started going out, they now have been together for close to seven years.

Both of them have been through a lot together. They went through a period where Melo was arrested for a DUI and then Lala was ejected from one of Melo's games, due to her becoming upset with fans. Additionally, there have been claims that Melo has been seeing a 24 year old in Los Angeles, whether true that is unknown. Melo and Lala continue a relationship as engaged, when they get married, who knows? - 31494

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Chauncey Billup's Has Huge Impact For Denver Nuggets

By Carl Lee

During the past few seasons, the Denver Nuggets have been one of those teams that generally play respectable basketball, finish the season with a winning record, make the playoffs and exits in the first round. Basketball fans had become accustomed to seeing this take place on a yearly basis, so people were surprised (to say the least) to witness the run that the Denver Nuggets embarked on during the 2009 NBA playoffs.

Not many expected the Denver Nuggets - who were notorious for losing in the first round it seems - to make it to the Western Conference Finals. The Nuggets were out manned and out played against the Lakers but that still doesn't take away from the excellent season they had.

The knock on Denver for many years was they can score but refused to play defense - this wasn't the case because Denver was'th is defense. Trading Iverson for Billups, definitely was a key move to fixing this problem.

The addition of point guard Chauncey Billups essentially changed their season for the better once he arrived in town. Billups brought a defensive mentality from the Detroit Pistons who were one of the best defensive teams of the decade.

Billups is also a great on court leader who knows how to play in big games. In 77 games with Denver Billups averaged 17 points per game, 6 assists and 91% at the free throw line. At 32 years old at the time, Billups seemed to hit the prime of his career.

The Denver Nuggets are in a loaded Western Conference so taking the next step to the NBA Finals will be no easy feet. This potentially could be the MVP season Carmelo Anthony which he hasn't had yet - granted Carmelo is still only 25 but his prime years are fast approaching. This could be the year of Carmelo, he maybe talked about in the same breathe as Lebron James and Kobe Bryant as the games best all around player, not just the best scorer in the league.

As a result, the Nuggets ended up beating the Hornets in five games, before easily defeating the Mavericks in round 2 of the NBA playoffs. Then it was on to the Western Finals against the Lakers.

The Denver Nuggets have the same core of players that had last season and it wasn't enough to beat the Lakers, maybe Denver can add one more piece to their team to give them a better chance this season. - 31494

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Did Mark Cuban Make The Right Moves For The Dallas Mavericks?

By Andy Worrell

The Dallas Mavericks lost in the second round to the Denver Nuggets in the 09' playoffs. This time the Mavs weren't the favorites but the under dogs - which they are not familiar in being.

The Mavs have fallen back the last couple seasons - they were once the frontrunner in the West but now have become an average team. It wasn't too long ago they were going deep into the playoffs.

In 06, the Mavs were up two games on the Miami Heat then lost 4 games in a row. The Mavs did rebound a season later with an outstanding record of 67-15, only to lose in the first round.

The Mavs plays in a very tough Western Conference with the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, the improving Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, and Houston Rockets. In the 08-09' there were 6 teams in the West with more then 50 wins - this upcoming season should be no different.

Most notably, Shawn Marion's addition to the team will give the Mavs a defensive toughness that the team desperately needs. Shawn Marion will reunite with former teammate Jason Kidd (they played together in Phoenix with the Suns), and his all around versatility will be invaluable to the team. If Marion can contribute like he did in Phoenix, this move will payoff big for Cuban.

Drew Gooden will be a big presence in the paint for Dallas. One of the Dallas Mavericks' weakest points in recent years has been rebounding. Gooden should help in this area with his size, 6'10 and 250lbs.

With Shawn Marion and Drew Gooden in town, they should definitely see improvements on defense.

The Lakers are the favorite once again to win the West, but things can change, players can get hurt, teams that were once good the previous season aren't so much the next, many things can happen. The Mavs hope they will rise again to the top of the West, but it won't be easy. - 31494

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The Atlanta Hawks Look to Make Strides in '09-'10 Season

By Ben Ridge

The Atlanta Hawks were a good team in the 08'-09' season. The Hawks were swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers - this would suggest the Hawks are yet to take the leap into one of the better Eastern Conference teams.

The Hawks advanced through the first round of the playoffs, defeating the Miami Heat in round one, before meeting the Cleveland Cavs in the second round. The Cavs pounced on the Hawks, easily defeating them and putting an end to what was otherwise a successful season for the Atlanta Hawks.

The Hawks have a very young team and looking to build even further in the 09'-10' season. The Hawks were lead by Joe Johnson who averaged nearly 22 points per game in 79 games played.

Johnson is a prolific shooter, especially from the perimeter, and Horford is an exceptional, multi-faceted basketball player whose presence has dominated the team greatly during his two seasons in the league. This is the man to build the team around for years to come.

Horford has great rebounding and shot-blocking ability, and moves up and down the basketball court with great speed. A work in progress, he's expected to improve steadily during the next few seasons. If Horford can develop into what they think he can be, Johnson will have some really nice help around him.

When you can't score you must prevent the other team from scoring, the Hawks defense must improve because their opponent's average for the season was 97 points per game - championship quality teams do not give up that many points.

The only concern I see is the lack of scoring for this team. They must improve on putting up bigger points if they want to make some noise.

The Hawks might be a playoff team once again but the chance of them reaching the Eastern Conference Finals with their current team is doubtful. - 31494

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The Rockets Look for Success Without Yao and Artest

By Harold Dworkin

The Houston Rockets possibly over achieved last season stretching a 7 game series with the champs Los Angeles Lakers. They fought hard, but just couldn't pull it out.

The Rockets went 53-29, which in the Western Conference is very good. The Rockets racked up wins by their defensive efforts holding teams under 95 points per game. The Rockets were 17th in scoring - which is why they couldn't beat the Lakers, not enough fire power.

This nearly happened, as the Houston Rockets took the Los Angeles Lakers to a full seven games during the Western Conference semifinals last season. While the Lakers won this game 7 by a whole' points, the Rockets had LA's number during a few of these games, leaving many wondering just how dangerous this efficient basketball team was.

Yao Ming has been battling injuries his entire career and many as of late. We still do not know if he will play in the 09-10' season.

Will the Rockets still be the same, pesky team that scared so many NBA clubs last season? Or will Ron Artest's move to the Lakers bridge the gap between the two franchises by that much more?

Hopefully the Rockets can get Yao Ming back sometime during the latter half of the season before the playoffs. Most teams that usually go all the way usually have a stud big man. Yao is exactly that, if he can ever stay healthy.

Tracey McGrady can't stay healthy either. McGrady is only 30 years old but this is his 12th NBA season and his body has a lot of miles on it already. McGrady never played all 82 games in a season - the most was 78 games in the 04'-05' season. McGrady's scoring average has decreased every season 02'-03' also.

Whether this has to do with having better players around him or issues with his health isn't known, maybe both. McGrady's scoring average always increased during the playoffs but he would face better teams and couldn't make it out the first round. - 31494

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Will Gordon and Villanueva Save the Detroit Pistons?

By Alex Stein

Things took an interesting turn for the Detroit Pistons this past year. Gone are the days of the Eastern Conference supremacy, and gone are many of the familiar names we've been accustomed to seeing in a Pistons uniform over the years.

Chauncey Billups is now in Denver (and playing great basketball). Allen Iverson, who was acquired in this trade, has also left town to sign with the Bobcats (so much for winning that championship anytime soon). Then there's Rasheed Wallace, who opted to join the Celtics after the end of this season.

In are Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, two capable scorers. In is Ben Wallace, a familiar face from the past, though not nearly as effective as he used to be.

Ben Gordon should help their scoring issues. He put up some very respectable numbers in the past for the Bulls and even came up big in several playoff games.

In 08'-09' Charlie Villanueva averaged 16 points per game, the highest of his career and at 6-11, he gives the Pistons some size up front.

This is the year nobody really knows what they will see from the Detroit Pistons. When teams get new faces people automatically assume the team will improve, that doesn't always happen. Yes, the Detroit Pistons are a playoff team but can they compete with Boston? Cleveland? Orlando? The Pistons hope Rodney Stuckey is their franchise point guard for years to come. The Pistons still have Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince who have many playoff game experience.

One player who will need to average more in both rebounds and points is C Chris Wilcox. Wilcox has been on a few teams now since his career started in 2002, maybe Detroit is where he can finally shine as a player and contribute a good deal.

This season for the Detroit Pistons will be very interesting because when people speak about the front runners in the East the pistons aren't mentioned. We will see how the new acquisitions work out. - 31494

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Charlotte Bobcats, A Young Team On The Rise

By Micah Barber

The Charlotte Bobcats went 35-47 in the 08'-09' season - the Bobcats best season since their inception since 2004. The Bobcats really have improved every season they been in the NBA - if this trend continues hopefully the Bobcats will make the playoffs for the first time in 2010.

Larry Brown is an excellent basketball teacher and should keep the young Bobcats hungry for the playoffs. He's the perfect coach for a team this young.

The Bobcats were on the verge last season but fell just short. They did show signs of being a potential playoff team in the near future.

A young basketball team typically does not know how to win close games and don't do well on the road - this should change to a degree this season.

With newly acquired center Tyson Chandler, the Charlotte Bobcats have a big presence in the middle, capable of pulling down boards. Hopefully for the Bobcats sake, Chandler can get over the fact he didn't want to be in Charlotte. One bad attitude never helps!

Gone is Emeka Okafor and his loss will be noticed when it comes to rebounds. The presence of Boris Diaw should give the Bobcats a nice one-two punch.

F Gerald Wallace averaged nearly 17 points per game last season and will need to continue to do so this season.

The future overall for the Charlotte Bobcats looks bright - with Michael Jordan as owner, that doesn't hurt much either. He's a winner and knows what it takes to be a part of a championship team. - 31494

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Improve Your Basketball Shooting in Two Simple Steps

By Brian McCormick

I love basketball. High school, college, pee-wee, it doesn't really matter to me. Just give me players with passion for the game, competing their hardest against each other, and I'm good to go. However, that slightly changed this past weekend. I went to check out the local high school play-offs and was shocked by the overall poor shooting. In the four championship games I watched, all of them featuring players that will play college basketball next year, the best offense was "chuck and chase": throw the ball in the general direction of the rim and fight like a crazed dog for the offensive rebound and put-back opportunities. I know the big arena and the reliance on the three-point shot were partly to blame for the poor shooting night, but it resulted primarily from players' poor hand positioning on the ball when they shot it and their failure to catch the ball ready to shoot.

The majority of coaches concentrate on the elbow and shoulders when correcting a player's shot. But that's usually the wrong place to start. In the majority of the cases, the player's shooting struggles originate from their shooting hand position negatively impacting their shot. This has nothing to do with the shoulders or elbow. So the first thing you should do is to make sure that the player correctly positions his hand on the ball. The easiest way to do this is to have the player center the ball directly under their shooting hand. Now when the player shoots, the middle and index fingers should be the last two fingers to leave the ball. That's why it makes sense to have these two fingers centered.

There are three popular ways to achieve this: first, split the index and middle fingers with the nozzle (the ball's center); align the middle finger with the ball's center; or, put the index finger in the middle. All three make sense: if the goal is to shoot with the last two fingers, then both should be equally centered; however, centering the middle finger spreads the hand equally over the ball; but, if you extend your fingers toward the rim in a shooting motion, it is the index finger, not the middle finger, that points straight to the rim, while the body's physiology points the middle finger slightly to the right for a right-handed shooter.

My main goal when working with a player is to make him feel comfortable and confident, so out of the three approaches, I go with the one that is most comfortable for the player. But the problem usually happens when the player has his hand on the side of the ball. You have to make sure that the shooting hand is centered using one of the approaches I explained above.

The next hand placement issue is pointing your hand at the target. Again, most coaches and trainers focus on getting the elbow straight or the shoulders squared to the basket first; but, many players already have their elbow in naturally, but must twist their wrist to the target as part of the shot. When the player's hand is properly under the ball, with a "wrinkle in the wrist," you'll notice a small indentation at the base of the palm when you're getting ready to shoot. As the player lifts the ball to shoot, the indentation should be directed toward the target. This ensures that the ball is shot straight towards the target. If the player twists their hand and wrist as they shoot, they add another variable, and decreases your shooting consistency.

These simple elements will improve a shooter's technique and turn them into a consistent shooter. But, to be a great shooter, players also have to improve the base of their shots. The base is the foundation for a successful shot, plain and simple. If a player has a poor foundation, his shot will be really inconsistent. In order to improve the foundation, teach him to be ready to shoot when he receives the pass. So many bad and poor shots are taken because the player takes too long to catch and shoot, and ends up letting the defense recover; when the player is receiving the pass, make sure that his feet are wide (about shoulder width apart), knees bent, and hands up and ready.

Also, players must use their legs to power their shot. A lot of players tend to shoot the ball on the way down of their jump shot, which eliminates the power generated by the leg drive when jumping. By shooting the ball on the way up, earlier in the jump, they player is able use the power generated by the leg drive and increase his power. Effectively using the increase in force created by using the leg drive will also help increase the arc on the ball when it's shot. Many streaky and inconsistent shooters shoot a very flat shot due to not using their leg drive properly. This allows little room for error, since your shooting a line drive directly at the rim instead of arcing into the hoop.

While the hand position, preparation to catch the pass and leg drive will not automatically create a shooter, improving these three areas will improve a player's ability to shoot consistently. Change is difficult, and players who have taken hundreds of thousands of shots have built bad habits that are difficult to change, especially if the player has had some measure of success. But, for a player to reach his potential, he must learn to shoot consistently, as the game boils down to the ability to put the ball in the hoop. By tweaking the hand placement on the ball as the player lifts the ball into the shot, while concentrating on receiving the pass prepared to shoot and then utilizing a solid leg drive, a player's consistency will increase, creating a better overall offensive player. - 31494

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Season Predictions for the Golden State Warriors

By Mario Rojas

The Golden State Warriors were the feel good story of 2007. Everyone was rooting for them come playoff time. The slogan, "Ya gotta believe" was the theme going on out west.

Their defense the last two seasons has been one of the worst in the league - if not the worst. They can score when they want but don't play any defense and let teams back in games.

If one thing needs to change it's their defensive mentality, otherwise the Warriors will be the Phoenix Suns of old - a very exciting team but can't make critical stops when the game is on the line.

The Warriors drafted and highly talented Stephen Curry - Curry made himself as the best scorer in college basketball. While he might not score 30 points per game on the professional he should be a key player on the team eventually.

There's a lot of young talent to go around for the Warriors, and they'll look to make the most of it next season. It's a bit of a rebuilding process for them, but they definitely have potential and are heading in the right direction.

The Warriors play in the highly talented and strong Western Conference - in the West making the playoffs as the 8th seed will be a difficult task. If the warriors hope to play in late spring then they will need to improve on defense - no team that was last in scoring defense ever made the playoffs.

The Warriors lack a scoring big man to create offense for them when they need it. The guard play for the Warriors have been good but the lack of big man depth hurts their team.

The Gold State Warriors are a "tweener" team - meaning they could have a fairly good season maybe be around .500 or their season can be a disaster and they are looking at a 30 win season at the bottom of the West. - 31494

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Boston Celtics, Another Title in 09-10?

By Todd Maven

The Boston Celtics are coming off a disappointing 7 game series loss to the Orlando Magic in the second round of the 09' playoffs. All things consider, the Celtics should be pleased with their playoff run given they didn't have team leader Kevin Garnett.

To be honest, the fact that Boston took Orlando to 7 games is pretty impressive in and of itself when you consider the ease with which the Magic buried the Cavs in the Eastern Conference finals.

With that said, the Boston Celtics will look to exact revenge on the Magic in 2009-2010. With a healthy Kevin Garnett at their disposal, the team will look to pick up right where it left off after it won an NBA title during the 2007-2008 basketball season.

The "Big Three" for the Celtics - Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are not getting any younger so this could be one of the last seasons the Celtics have a legitimate chance at winning the title.

Originally the Boston Celtics had the "Big Three" with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen - points during the season last year it was the "Big Four" with Rondo included.

In the 08'-09 Wallace only averaged 12 points per game - his lowest scoring averages since his rookie year in 95'-96'.

The Magic have bolstered their roster with Vince Carter, and the Cavs have recruited Shaquille O'Neal. Wallace is a necessity in Boston, as the level of competition has been upped yet another notch.

Wallace won a championship in 04' with the Detroit Pistons and is no stranger in playing in important games in the spring and summer time. - 31494

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Building Your Outdoor Basketball Court

By Jen Parsens

One of the most popular sports these days is basketball. A lot of people have decided to play this sport not only to keep themselves healthy but is also a good therapy for stress caused by numerous stressors. Aside from health, this is also a good avenue for children to develop values like teamwork and determination.

Because of this, it may be that many people have built their basketball outdoors right into an empty space in their homes. And if you want to have the same set in your backyard, you just take into account the following in the construction of outdoor tennis.

First of all, you have to think what type of court you want to have on your lawn. Building outdoor basketball courts give you two options. One is to have permanent outdoor basketball courts or just the temporary ones for your lawn.

Permanent outdoor courts mean that you will have a permanent ring installed on your driveway. As a permanent solution, outdoor courts will remain in your yard or on your driveway. You can have a tall and sturdy pole installed in the yardn where the basketball board and ring will be attached.

If you do not want to have permanent outdoor courts, you can just opt to buy portable boards and poles for your home. This can be set up for you to have outdoor courts when you feel like playing then taken down once you are done. This will bring your driveway back to its original look.

The only problem however with this type of goal is that mounting them may take several hours, as in the day. This means that you are already tired of mounting the goal even before you start to sweat in the sport.

If you have walls in the entrance area, your best option is to get basketball boards and rings that can connect to it. In this way, you would consume less space and time because you need not install any additional poles or spend fighting for hours just to assemble.

Having outdoor basketball courts is very easy as long as you know the best option for you. You can buy or get these basketball court solutions or items in different sports shop and start enjoying the sport that you like even if you are at home and have a great time. - 31494

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How To Dunk: Use This Workout and Learn How To Dunk in 4 Weeks

By Brayden Fisher

If you are just a few inches away from dunking then you have come to the right place. If you follow the exercise routine I have laid out for you below, I am certain that you can learn how to dunk in 4 weeks or less. If you stick with this routine and train HARD for the next four weeks you should gain a minimum of 5-6 inches on your vertical leap.

When it comes down to it, in order to increase your vertical jump you have to improve your EXPLOSIVE POWER. The best way to accomplish this is to lift with VERY HEAVY weights. When performing each exercise we should not be able to do more than 8 reps per set. If you can lift more than this, then you need to increase the weight.

The main muscles involved when performing a jumping motion are the hamstrings, quads and calves. So these are the muscles that we are going strengthen in order to get you dunking in 4 weeks or less. The exercises below are the best exercises you can do to improve your vertical leap. It is important to not only do strength exercises but also use a combination of speed exercises as well.

The first workout we have is The Strength Workout. We are going to do this 3 times per week. Like I mentioned earlier we are not going to be doing a bunch of reps. We want to do 3 sets of 8 using VERY HEAVY weight. Here are the exercises:

Squats

Lunges

Good Mornings

Hamstring Raises

Dead Lifts

These exercises are very common so I am not going to explain how to perform them. However, if there is one that you are not familiar with then do an internet search for it to learn how to do it properly.

The Plyometric Workout: You should do this workout routine twice a week. Do not do this the same days as your strength workout.

Run 3 sets of either 50 or 100 yard sprints

Jump Rope - Do 1 minute drills

Knee Highs

Depth Jumps

Improve Your Jumping Technique:

If you are really close to dunking but just not quite able to throw it down, the first thing you should focus on is the proper jumping form. Most people have never given any attention to their jumping technique and they are losing valuable inches on their vertical leap.

I have a website solely dedicated to teaching others how to improve their jumping form. Take a look at it by clicking on the "How To Dunk" link I have listed below. You can gain some inches on your vertical INSTANTLY by focusing on proper jumping form.

By performing this workout and practicing the proper jumping form CONSITENTLY over the next 4 weeks, I am certain you will increase your vertical leap and learn how to dunk. I hope you liked this information, now let's get started :)

=============================================================== - 31494

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The Atlanta Hawks Season Ahead

By Toby Kahl

The 08'-09' season for the Atlanta Hawks was bitter sweet for the most part. While the team improved upon their previous season, the playoff perform against the Cleveland Cavaliers wasn't what the Hawks team hoped for.

The Hawks advanced through the first round of the playoffs, defeating the Miami Heat in round one, before meeting the Cleveland Cavs in the second round. The Cavs pounced on the Hawks, easily defeating them and putting an end to what was otherwise a successful season for the Atlanta Hawks.

Much of the team's success in 2008-2009 can be attributed to Joe Johnson and Al Horford, two talented individuals who have had a profound impact upon the success of this team.

Johnson is a prolific shooter, especially from the perimeter, and Horford is an exceptional, multi-faceted basketball player whose presence has dominated the team greatly during his two seasons in the league. This is the man to build the team around for years to come.

Horford has great rebounding and shot-blocking ability, and moves up and down the basketball court with great speed. A work in progress, he's expected to improve steadily during the next few seasons. If Horford can develop into what they think he can be, Johnson will have some really nice help around him.

One of the major concerns for the Hawks was the lack of scoring on offense - out of the 30 NBA teams the Hawks were the nineteenth in scoring, which for a playoff team isn't acceptable. If the Hawks ever hope to reach the Eastern Conference Finals their scoring must improve.

The Eastern Conference has many championship quality teams such as the Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers should be improved.

Look for the Hawks to build on their success from the last two years. This is a talented, young team that can't be slept on looking forward. Hawks fans have many reasons to be excited. - 31494

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Can Shaq Help the Cleveland Cavaliers Bring a Championship Home?

By Louis Rogalia

The Cleveland Cavaliers thought they were going to hoist the NBA Championship in 09', it wasn't to be. Their record during the regular season impressed all.

It was great to make the finals, but they were swept by the Spurs that season, LeBron James was young and constantly improving his game. Standards are set really high in Cleveland and this isn't acceptable anymore.

Shaguille O'Neal is suppose to be the player to fill the void the Cavs had last season in the playoffs, a scoring threat besides Lebron James. Shag can't score 30 points per game anymore but if he gives the cavs 17-18 points per game and 8-9 rebounds, Cavs fans will take that.

During the 2008-2009 season, the Cavs looked like the team to beat. Boasting the best home record in the NBA (they had a 39-2 home record), the Cleveland Cavaliers also had the best record in the NBA. A 66-16 finish gave them the top seed in the Eastern Conference and home court advantage throughout the entire playoffs. It looked like it'd be the year for Cleveland.

Unfortunately, the team's run was spoiled by the Orlando Magic. This left Cleveland fans wondering if Dwight Howard and the Magic had the Cavs' number, and what could be done about this.

Surely, the team was lacking in the big man department. Enter Shaquille O'Neal. The Cavs now enjoy the presence of the big man on their roster, and will look to use his physical prowess and playoff experience to bring home an NBA title.

Lebron is entering his 7th season, he has a lot of success on and off the court, nothing will be as sweet as a championship ring.

With Lebron's contract coming to an end, the time is now for Cleveland. If they have any hope, it's only going to be while Lebron's in town. There's a chance he stays in Cleveland, but there are going to be some real hefty offers from some major market teams, which Cleveland may not be able to match. - 31494

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Trouble in LA, Cleveland, and Orlando

By Andy Rockwell

I know that it's very early in the season, but it's never too early to begin an exciting conversation that can get basketball lovers going back and forth for hours. It's a simple question, but the answer is never so easy. Who is the best team in the NBA this season?

Sure, a lot can change over the course of the season and it probably will. Still, I have some strong opinions about the state of the league right now and some of the teams that many predicted would dominate.

Some of the newer players on the best teams simply don't seem like good fits, in my opinion. In the same way that Allen Iverson was bad for the Pistons, I think that these guys will unfortunately have negative impacts on their new teams.

In the case of Ron Artest with the Lakers, I'm not quite sure if he'll be good for the team. While he's obviously an exceptional player, I think that he still has attitude and maturity issues to deal with.

I don't believe that Ron Artest wins his team games. He's a dramatic distraction to a team that had incredible chemistry.

As far as the Cavs go, Shaq is a different situation than the chemistry issues that Ron Artest may pose. His teammates will most likely love him. As far as the impact he has on the team goes, however, I'm not so sure that it's a good one. He's big and slow, and I think he's mixing things up too much.

With the Magic, I'm just not a fan of Vince Carter. I loved him during the earlier part of the decade, but I think that his best days were behind him and I do think that Hedo Turkoglu was a better fit for the team.

This leaves me with the Boston Celtics. Rasheed Wallace was a winner in Detroit, and will be the same in Boston. Therein lies the strongest team in the NBA, in my opinion. - 31494

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Vertical Leap Exercises - How To Increase Your Vertical Leap Without Weights

By Brayden Fisher

Do I need to lift weights to increase my vertical leap? I get this type of question all the time. Although I personally love it, there are many people who do not enjoy lifting weights. These people would like to know if it is possible for them to improve their vertical jump without weights. And the anser is.....YES they definitely can improve their verticals.

I love vertical jump training and I want everyone to be able to benefit from it. There are many of us out there that cannot afford the dues or do not have access to a gym. Don't let that stop you from training. Below I have included a vertical jump workout that will increase your strength using a variety of body weight exercises that are very challenging.

A Vertical Jump Strength Workout - (Without Weights)

Step ups - Step ups are a simple exercise and can be done pretty much anywhere. All you need is a bench or platform. Step up onto the bench and then step down. Once you are back on the ground step up again with the opposite leg. You can make this exercise more difficult by holding dumbells.

Squats - The squat movement is without a doubt the best overall exercise you can do to increase your vertical jump. Bodyweight squats can be challenging if done correctly. When performing squats stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and lower down until your thighs are parallel with the ground. Do 3 sets of 20.

Lunges - Lunges are a very common exercise and they are effective as well. Step forward with one leg while lowering your body. Try not to take too large of a step, you should have about 2 1/2 feet between your front foot and back foot. Keep your shin perpendicular to the ground and do not let your knee pass in front of your toes. Push yourself back up and repeat this with the other leg.

Rim Touches - Although these are called rim touches you can perform this without a basketball hoop if you want. Find a basketball rim and jump as high as you can. Do not take more than one step before you jump. Now EXPLODE up as hard as you can. We are only going to do this five times. Then rest for a minute and repeat this exercise three more times. DO NOT do more reps than this. In order to improve your vertical jump you need to train your EXPLOSION and if you do a bunch of reps you will be training your stamina and this will not improve your vertical.

It is possible to get significant gains in your vertical jump without weights. BUT.....yes there is a but, most people are not going to even come close to their true vertical jump potential without using a proper weight training program. If you only train using body weight exercises there will come a time when your vertical leap gains stop and the only way to further your progress is to improve your base strength.

Using both weight training and plyometric exercises is the best way to increase your vertical leap. It will give you excellent results. In fact, I was able to improve my vertical from 31 to 43 inches over a 7 month period of time by using this type of training. If you would like more information about how I was able to improve my vertical leap then check out the links I have below: - 31494

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Buying Shoes to Increase Vertical Jump?

By Ben Johnson

You would probaby have heard about the increase vertical jump shoes if you've registered with some vertical jump program. You might have heard about numerous brands from either your colleagues or via the internet. But beware : most people who are : most people who buy vertical leap shoes mostly end up in disappointment. Why? This isn't because the shoes don't work properly but because those who buy it simply do not know how to use them.

The aforementioned reasons are sufficient enough to say that before going in for purchasing an expensive pair of vertical jump shoes, a thorough knowledge about their working should be there so as to use it effectively and benefit the most from it.

A fact about increase vertical jump shoes you should know: many people have no clue as to what these are actually designed for. This is what you'd generally hear from people who aren't very familiar with the purpose of these shoes -Only exercises and not shoes better your jump -Its absolutely dangerous to wear vertical shoes - they would only result in injuries So, lets begin ou discussion on what vertical shoes are alll about and why they were designed primarily and how they can help expand your vertical jump.

Vertical jump shoes are nothing but platforms in your training shoes. The vertical jump shoes do not make your jump higher just like that. They are just catalysts and make sure that the calf muscles work to their limits. They raise the Achilles tendon in the leg. Thereby, with enough training, the calf muscles become strong and springy, thereby giving enough power in your legs to make your jump very high.

Training with vertical jump shoes can prove to be fun. This is because the shoe puts in a lot of effort in stretching your calf muscles and raising your Achilles tendon, thereby reducing the amount of force that you might have to exert while jumping. Though, while practicing exercises in which sprinting and running are present, the vertical jump shoes become more of a hindrance. Basically, the extra platforms become too heavy when it comes to running, thereby making the process of running cumbersome.

In case you bought the vertical jump shoes just to train yourself, you might as well chuck it under your bed after a few days. However, you can do yet another thing with your vertical jump shoes. You can use the proprioceptor plugs and play with them.

The proprioceptor plugs are very useful if you'd like to train in an unstable environment. Also, if you're building sufficient calf muscles - which are powerful as well as strong - training in environments li in environments like these would actually push your muscles to stabilize your joints and body. These plugs help in recreating those same conditions and hence, yield better results while performing your vertical leap.

However, the most important question is this: do they work? The vertical jump shoes do indeed work if you incorporate the proprioceptor plugs in them. The users who have used the vertical jump shoes are of the opinion that the vertical jump shoes work better than the Springboost B-Trains.

Training with these increase vertical leap shoes could not only help you with your hop training but also on other facets such as improving your ankle, knee, and hip stability. Working on these areas could also mean less probability of injuries in both training and your game. - 31494

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Read Three Plyometric Workouts To Improve Your Vertical Jump

By Blake Helton

Increasing your vertical requires a lot of motivation, effort, and doing the exercises the right way. Use these three plyometric exercises to help you improve your vertical jump. If you want to reach your main goal of jumping higher then set smaller, simpler goals of performing the exercises right the first time.

The following plyometric exercises are all very different and effective ways to improve your vertical. They are push-up jumps, drop jumps, and deep lunge jumps. Make sure that you do all three and not just one of them.

A push-up jump involves a few simple steps. First you should start standing straight up with your feet shoulder-width apart. As quickly as you can get down into a push-up position and do one push-up. Once you have done the push up bring your legs back under your body and jump up as high as you can. Continue this for a certain number of repetitions.

The next of many plyometric exercises is a drop-jump. All you need for this exercise is a box that is two feet or taller. Stand on the edge of the box and step off. Land with your knees bent as little as possible when you absorb the impact. Stay in the same position that you landed on for a couple of seconds and then get back on the box. Repeat this for however many repetitions you decide.

If you really want to improve your vertical, then this is the exercise for you. It is called a deep lunge jump. You will be sore next day so make sure you do not do this exercise the day before you have a big game or something like that. All you have to do is get into lunge position and push off with both feet so you jump forward. When you land, land with the same foot forward. Go all the way down the court using that same forward foot. Then come back the other way using a different foot.

Doing these exercises is a sure, but still simple, way to improve your vertical. Plyometrics are among the most effective vertical jumping exercises in the country, and for a reason. You will probably be sore afterwards, but it will be worth it when you jump inches higher.

If you do not feel sore after these exercises, then there are really only two reasons. The first is that you have done these exercises before or exercises similar to these. The other is that you are not doing the exercises correctly or you are not doing enough repetitions.

If you want to improve your vertical leap than you read the right information. Use these exercises to jump higher than you ever thought you could. Just make sure you perform everything right. - 31494

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Micheal Jordan's Vertical Leap is 48 inches! Start Jumping Like Jordan With This Workout Routine.

By Brayden Fisher

Michael Jordan forever changed the game of basketball. His 48 inch vertical leap gave him a tremendous advantage over his opponents. Just think about it, being able to jump higher makes it easier to grab rebounds over people, block shots, and dunk. It pretty much makes basketball an easier game overall. Now I can't tell you that I can have you throwing down dunks like Michael Jordan, but if you put in a little hard work and use the right training program you CAN dramatically improve your vertical leap.

The major muscles involved when a person jumps are the quads, hamstrings, and the lower back. Most people think that the calves play the biggest part in your vertical jump, but they are wrong. What, you don't believe me then test it out for yourself.

Stand in place with your feet flat on the ground. Do not bend your knees and jump up as high as you can. Alright,....well I'm guessing you didn't jump very high. That would be because when you try to jump that way your body is only able to use the calves. Ok, repeat the test again but this time take a deep knee bend. Are you done? This time you should have jumped much higher because you are using your large muscle groups in your legs.

Believe it or not, about 80 percent of your jumping power is generated from the quads, hamstrings, and lower back. Therefore, if improving your vertical jump is your goal I would focus most of my attention on increasing the strength and power of these muscles. Here are some of the exercises I would use:

Squats - Squats are BY FAR the best overall exercise that you can do to help you improve your vertical jump. Just think about the squat motion in general. It closely resembles the motion you use when you are preparing to jump. It hits all the right muscle groups as well. So make sure you incorporate HEAVY squats into your workouts.

Sprints - Running sprints has several advantages. They will increase your speed, build your leg muscles, and improve your vertical jump. You can perform sprints anywhere, you don't have to take time out to go to the gym. You can easily make them harder as well by running up a hill if the flat land sprints become too easy or boring.

Jumping rope - Getting proficient at jumping rope will improve your reflexes and cardiovascular system. Once you have mastered the rope, add ankle weights to increase the difficulty.

Box Jumps - Box jumps are a basic exercise and can do wonders for your vertical jump. Jump onto a tall box or bench. Jump off and as soon as your feet touch the ground, jump again and EXPLODE back up as high as you can.

Heel and Toe touches - Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Jump as high as you can and bring your heels toward your butt. As you are in the air touch your toes. Land, jump again, and then your heels.

An area that is commonly overlooked is the individual's jumping form. It is easy to gain a quick 2-3 inches on your vertical just by implementing the proper jumping techniques. Trust me, I can say this from experience because I have seen it in myself. - 31494

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Lebron James' Vertical Jump is an AMAZING 41 Inches! Improve YOUR Vertical With This Workout.

By Brayden Fisher

Lebron James has quickly risen to be one of the best players in the NBA. So what has made him so great? Well, his 41" vertical jump didn't hurt. In fact, Lebron James' vertical leap gives him a significant advantage over his competition. He can easily pull down rebounds, raise up to block shots, and throw down some powerful dunks. I can't promise you that you will be dunking like Lebron, but if you implement the proper training program you CAN significantly increase your vertical leap.

If you want to increase your vertical leap then you need to strengthen the muscles used to propel you into the air. So which muscles do we want to focus on? We will get the most benefit from the quads, hamstrings and calves. These muscles are responsible for about 80% of your power when jumping.

The exercises I have below will not only strengthen these muscles but they will help you increase your vertical as well. So let's take a look at them:

Heavy Squats - This is BY FAR the best overall exercise you can do for your vertical jump. It hits every muscle group that we are focusing on. Notice I said "Heavy" squats. When performing this exercise you should not be able to do more than 8 reps per set.

Pausing Jump Squats - This exercise will allow you to mix up your routine a bit. Use a weight that is about 25 percent of your max. Squat down until your thighs are parallel to the ground and then hold this position for 3 seconds. Now, EXPLODE UP and jump as high as you can. Do 3 sets of 8.

Sprints - Doing 50 and 100 yard sprints are the perfect exercise to improve your top speed, explosion, and your vertical leap. A few times a week you should do 3 to 5 sets of sprints at full speed.

Another area that is often neglected is a person's form when they are jumping. It is very common to receive a 3 or 4 inch immediate increase in your vertical jump by simply implementing the right jumping techniques. So how can I say this? Well, I have seen it in myself. To get more information on perfecting you jumping technique then visit the links I have below: - 31494

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Increase Your Vertical Jump With Plyometric Workouts

By Blake Helton

If you want to use plyometrics to increase your vertical, then you need to design a fitness plan specifically with plyometrics in mind. Use this guide to give you advice on how to structure it. You should pay close attention to what muscle you work on for the day's workout and stay focused or you will not see the best results you could.

You need to focus on three things when you design your plyometric workout and not your jumping exercise workout: exercise intensity, exercise duration, and what muscle you want to improve during the workout. If you can abide by all three of these parts, then you should increase your vertical by a lot of inches.

When doing a plyometric training program, you should focus on the intensity so you do not overwork yourself. If you workout has a lot of really intense workouts, maybe you should add in a less intense workout between every few intense workout. Doing this will help you have enough energy to finish off every workout in your program instead of being to tired to finish the last ones.

If you want to design your own plyometric training workout, then you should pay close attention to the duration for each exercise. Unless the exercise is supposed to go for a certain time or distance, you should determine the time. The harder the workout, the shorter the time should be.

It can be hard to increase vertical leap if you do not know what muscles you want to work. That is why you should decide what muscle or muscles you want to work each day and choose exercises that will do that. It is completely alright to decide that you want to work every leg muscle on certain days as long as you plan ahead and know what you are going to do.

Do not get upset if you do not get the results you wanted immediately. Over time these workouts and tips are designed to help you increase your vertical. Some people will see results immediately, while others may take a little while longer. Whichever one you are, keep working to jump higher.

Always follow the instructions of the workout. Just because we tell you to do something, does not mean you do it if the exercise description says to do otherwise. The exercises are designed a certain way, so only follow these instructions when the exercise does not say exactly what you should do.

Follow all of these tips to help you design your plyometric training workout. If you can design it correctly, then you should start to see results pretty quickly. Do not be discouraged if you do not start seeing results quickly, though. It will come in time. - 31494

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Understand Your Power And Learn How To Jump Higher

By Bill Paxton

Do you want to know how you can jump higher? Lots of people who play all kinds of sports fantasize that they had a 40in vertical leap, but there are only a select few who know how to get it. While some people are born gifted, others must learn how to build up their vertical leap. The key factor to improving your jumping ability is to become familiar with the two types of muscle power.

Learning how to jump higher requires you to understand the two kinds of power and their differences: reactive power and strength power. There is no chance of results if you do not know the difference between the kinds of powers and how to use them to your advantage in your workout routines.

Strength power is made up of the amount of energy our muscles can give off. Every person realizes that if you want to jump better, you should build up your leg muscles. This is why it is logical to exercise your legs and calves especially. With this additional strength you can move your whole body off the ground with additional force.

What many people do not realize is building too much muscle can actually hurt your chances of learning how to jump higher. The reason for this is because the muscle mass you build will add to your overall weight thus decreasing your vertical jump. It can also make you slower while making it increasingly difficult to get off of the ground.

This is why you must have an even amount of muscle build up. Once you master this move, you can go on to learn the next kind of power you must concentrate on -- reactive power.

Reactive power zooms in on how quickly your muscles are able to contract while using strength power. Reactive power does not put emphasis on muscle mass like strength power, but instead uses the central nervous system. You mission is to correctly maintain the speed component of your power equation.

You can improve the reactive power of the lower body using many different exercise techniques. You must correctly build up muscles if you want to have the highest vertical jump possible.

This is precisely why you need to learn to master the two different kinds of power listed in this article in order to increase your vertical leap. Simply building your leg muscles up to a ridiculous amount will do nothing for you without reactive power. But without strength power, your legs will not be capable of lifting your body weight into the air. In order to learn how to jump higher, it is vital you understand the concept of these two kinds of power. - 31494

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The Most Meaningful Athletes of the Past Century

By Anthony Penn

When I make a list like this, I should start out by saying that it's a really hard thing to do. I wasn't around to see many of the athletes of the past, and the ones who are fresher in our minds will always seem more meaningful.

When we didn't live to see the impact these athletes made, we can't fully appreciate what they did for the sports world. Still, their legends have been chronicled and it's clear that many men during the 20th century were just as big in the world as the current stars of our favorite sports.

With that said, I'm going to do my best to list five of the athletes who I believe had profound impacts on the world and within their sport. Feel free to chime in with your comments if you disagree with these. Here goes.

The first person I'll mention is a baseball player whose impact could never be felt today like it was a century ago. Ty Cobb was one of the most influential baseball players in baseball history, and is largely responsible for the sport's popularity.

Muhammad Ali. This man brought boxing to its height and electrified a world of fans. He's still talked about every single day as the best boxer of all-time.

Pele is often considered the Michael Jordan of soccer. Considering the fact that more people worldwide watch and play soccer than any other sport, he easily commands a top 3 spot on this list.

Babe Ruth. The Babe officially put baseball on the map and made it America's pastime for nearly a century. He was a legend of his time and still remains the king of the home run in the minds of many. If not for Babe Ruth, baseball wouldn't be as big as it is today.

In the basketball world, everyone wants to be like Mike. Many of us were fortunate enough to see him in action, and Jordan was the kind of athlete whose talent is witnessed once in a lifetime. - 31494

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Nuggets Top Blazers As Anthony Stars

By Ross Everett

Carmello Anthony scored 41 points and the Denver Nuggets used a second half comeback to give the Portland Trailblazers a rare 97-94 loss at their Rose Garden Arena home venue on Thursday night. The Blazers held a 67-62 lead heading into the final quarter but for the second time in as many games had trouble putting their opponent away. Brandon Roy led Portland with 30 points, and Greg Oden was the high rebounder for the home team with 9 boards. Portland is now 1-1 on the young NBA season, while Denver improved to 2-0.

NBA pointspread players who took Denver as +8 road underdogs enjoyed their outright victory and the ensuing payday. The Nuggets have covered the number in both of their victories this season, while Portland evened their ATS mark at 1-1. The 191 combined points went UNDER the posted total of 200. Portland has gone UNDER in both games this season while Denver evened their NBA totals mark at 1-1.

After the game, Anthony was happier about the victory than his personal offensive outburst:

"We came out here and stole the win. It wasn't just an important win. It was a battle."

Anthony made 7 of 9 shots from the floor and 9 of 10 free throws in the decisive fourth quarter run:

"My shots were going in. I was trying to attack. I got to the rim and the foul line."

Portland's Greg Oden was taking the loss hard, as he missed a couple of late game free throws that could have given the Blazers a lead:

"This is a tough one. I definitely stepped up there with confidence thinking I was going to hit both and it didn't go that way. I put this loss on me. I need to step up and make those."

Team leader Brandon Roy said that he'd give the Blazers' big man a pep talk:

"The biggest thing is to let go. We all miss shots, you've got to forget about it."

Roy also added that the choppy pace of the game with a lot of fouls called benefitted Denver playing in back-to-back games:

"I think it benefited them a bit more coming off a back-to-back. They were tired but anytime you slow the game down that much, it gives them a chance to recover."

The Blazers will head to Texas for a rematch against the Houston Rockets, whom they beat to open the NBA season. They'll play at Oklahoma City on Sunday before returning home for a game at The Rose Garden against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. Denver will head back to 'The Mile High City' for a game against Memphis on Sunday before an east coast road trip with stops in Indiana and New Jersey early next week. - 31494

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You Can Increase Your Vertical Jump 2-3 Inches Today by Changing Your Jumping Form

By Brayden Fisher

Are you aware that you can learn how to jump higher? If you implement the correct jumping form and practice the proper techniques, your vertical jump can increase quickly. How many times have you been playing basketball and you see a guy who is really close to dunking but just can't seem to get the few extra inches he needs? I know I have seen it a lot and I'm sure you have too.

They go up for the dunk never changing their technique, using the same approach and getting the same result......another missed dunk! By making a few simple changes in their jumping technique they could get the extra height they need to finish the dunk right. Just by adjusting your form and practicing the proper jumping techniques you can increase your vertical anywhere from 3-6 inches! Now we come to the question....what is the perfect jumping form? Let's explore...

Below I have broken down the 7 steps to a perfect jump. Keep in mind this is just a quick summary of the perfect jump but all of the steps are there. For more information on jumping form and how to increase your vertical leap click on the links I have for you at the bottom of the page.


1. Warm Up - Warming up before you prepare to jump will increase the elasticity of you muscles and joints. It will improve blood flow to your muscles as well.


2. Stretch - Yeah, Ok, so it's not very exciting. However, stetching increases the elasticity of your muscles and this is exactly what we want.


3. Eliminate All Mental Blockages - Develop the mindset that you are going to muster up all the potential that you have within you. Failure cannot be an option or you won't be successful! Visualize yourself jumping higher than you ever have before.


4. Exaggerate The Last Step - Exaggerating the last step will lower the body into the correct position and prepare you for EXPLODING up.


5. Use the Whole Body - Use your arms and lower back to propel yourself in a synchronous upward motion. Point your toes slightly upward toward your knees just before explosion to allow for a full range of motion.


6. Use Your Momemtum - Practice transferring your foward momentum upward without slowing or stopping before you explode up for your jump.


7. Be Quick - Performing these movements quickly is essential. You want to transfer your momentum upwards fluidly and quickly to get the maximum effect. Shuffling your feet, going too slow, or over-exaggerating the last step will decrease your overall jumping height.


Hopefully you were able to learn something or pick up a tiny gem from this overview of the proper jumping form. If you would like additional information about how to increase your vertical leap visit the links I have below:

A little about me... - 31494

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Do You Want a 40 Inch Vertical Leap? Then Train Like This....

By Brayden Fisher

Do you want a 40 inch vertical leap? That's not something that is going to come easy. If it were then everyone on your block would be dunking like Lebron James. However, YOU CAN increase your vertical leap if you implement the right training routine and combine that with some serious hard work.

This is something that I can say with confidence because I was able to increase my vertical from 31 to 43 inches! Now these gains didn't happen in a week or two. In fact, it took me about 7 months to gain those inches. I wish I could tell you different, but there is not a supplement or magic pill that you can take to help you improve your vertical leap.

The better you understand your body and WHY you are performing certain exercises, the faster your training will yield results. So, before we begin your 40 inch vertical training we need to understand some basic principles:

Principle #1 - Focusing on Quality and not Quantity

One of the biggest mistakes people make is performing a bunch of sets and reps. They spend hours each day doing drills and are dedicated to them. They feel the burning in their legs and calves but get no results. So why is this?

Training this way improves your muscles endurance instead of your jumping power. They may be training really hard but they are training WRONG. In order to train effectively for explosion we need to focus on the QUALITY of the reps and not the quantity. Also, focus on your INTENSITY instead of repetitions.

Everytime you workout, INTENSITY needs to be your main focus. You will not see the vertical leap gains that you desire if you are pacing yourself during your workout sessions. Do fewer reps and bump up the intensity instead.



Principle # 2 - Overload Your Muscles

The quads, hamstrings and calves are the most important muscles groups involved in the jumping process. Therefore, if we can increase our EXPLOSION and POWER with these muscles we will improve our vertical jump. In order to improve our power the muscles need to become stronger. Working out with EXTEMELY HEAVY weights and performing low reps will increase your strength quickly. This is called "overloading" the muscles. It makes the muscle fibers stronger and enables them to contract with more force. This will increase EXPLOSION, which is just what we want. Knowing this is very important in training for a 40 inch vertical.



Principle #3 - Complex Explosion Training

Using a combination of plyometrics and weight training is known as Complex Training. This is HANDS DOWN the best way to train. If you are looking for a gadget or magic supplement to help you acheive that 40 inch vertical then save yourself time and stop right now. You are going to have to do some good ole' fashioned HARD WORK to gain those inches.

If you would like to learn some of my favorite exercises that I use to increase my vertical leap then visit the links I have below. They are VERY effective and will help you achieve the vertical jump gains you are looking for.

A little about me.... - 31494

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