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Basketball History
The father of basketball, Dr. James Naismith came up with the
game in 1892 and the first game was played in Beaver Falls
Pennsylvania on April 8 1893 between the New Brighton YMCA and
the Geneva College. The game was very popular and by 1914...
Being A Boston Sports Fan
TERMS OF REPRINT You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included and you follow these rules: *Email distribution of this article MUST be opt-in email only. *If you post...
Paintball 101 – What You Need To Know
Paintball is a game played up of many players or teams. It can be played indoors or out, with as few as two people or as many as 500. Paintball is played at designated fields, back yards or even in the woods. A game can last as little as 5 minutes...
The Best NCAA Coaches
The Best Coaches in NCAA Football History
NCAA football, particularly Division I-A, is one of the most competitive collegiate sports. Many coaches have had winning seasons, but only the greatest are remembered by fans. Bobby Bowden, forty...
The Game of Paintball
Paintball is a game played up of many players or teams. It can be played indoors or out, with as few as two people or as many as 500. Paintball is played at designated fields, back yards or even in the woods. A game can last as little as 5 minutes...
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5 Teams Flying Under the NBA Radar
The NBA season has started and people are jumping on all the
usual bandwagons. San Antonio is everyone's pick to in it all
and Phoenix, Detroit and Indiana are expected to be there until
the end. But last year we saw Seattle come from nowhere and post
a huge season. Ignoring the big teams, let's take a look at 5
teams who could fill the role of the upstart this year.
1. Golden State Warriors - The last time this team was any good
the other Bush was President, but that could be due to change.
When Baron Davis joined the team at the end of last season they
finished out the year 18-8. If, and it is a big if, Davis can
stay healthy they will continue to improve. Mike Dunleavy Jr.
has a new contract and is ready to really show his stuff and
Jason Richardson is one of the most underrated stars in the
game. They are stuck in the West, which does them no favors, but
this team will score a whole lot of points and they appear ready
to make it to the playoffs.
2. Utah Jazz - It makes me nervous when the fate of a team rests
on a rookie at point guard, but if Deron Williams can play like
we know he can then this team will be good. Matt Harpring is no
longer unsung, Kirilenko is great when he is healthy and
Boozer's game is much better than his word. The Delta Center is
not a fun place for teams to visit and Jerry Sloan is, well,
Jerry Sloan. They were stung with injuries last year, but if
they can stay healthy, they will make the playoffs and make it
hard for whoever they face in the first round.
3. Milwaukee Bucks - If the first two games of the season are
any indicator then Andrew Bogut can play. Not only can he play,
but the late addition of Jamaal Magloire means Bogut doesn't
have to carry the load in the middle himself. T.J. Ford is back.
The energy and confidence he brings to the court can't be
underestimated. Michael Redd has a long new contract and a shot
which just keeps getting better. He is ready to ascend to the
first level of stars in the league. Bobby Simmons was a great
addition and a perfect foil for Redd. This team has a lot of
changes and new
faces to get used to, but if they can get
comfortable quickly they could surprise.
4. Atlanta Hawks - Let's be clear, a surprise team is relative.
The Hawks would surprise if they aren't the worst team in the
league yet again. We like their chances. It depends on the
ability of Joe Johnson to adjust to the point and lead a very
young team, but this team finally has some talent. Marvin
Williams has all the tools to be very special and Salim
Stoudemire was a college hero. Al Harrington gets better every
year and fellow high schooler Josh Smith is as athletic as
anyone in the league. Josh Childress had a decent rookie season
and he will only get better as he gets more comfortable and
loses the nervousness which has challenged his consistency. The
untimely death of the very popular Jason Collier could be an
emotional rallying point for the team. This team may be better
suited to star at a college all-star tournament because they are
so young, but they are stacked with potential. It will be a
rough road, but look for the Hawks to get better this year and
really start to compete over the next couple of seasons.
5. Orlando Magic - The fact that Grant Hill is out for 3-6 weeks
yet again is pathetically unsurprising, but this team will still
be improved over last year in his absence. Dwight Howard is a
year older and a year freakier. This year should be the first of
many All-Star appearances for the young big man. Hedo Turkoglu
has more than just a cool name and he will fill in for Hill
quite well. Stevey Franchise is a sound court general and
sentimental favourite Jameer Nelson is more experienced and more
than adequate as a backup at the point. And of course, they will
get Hill back at some point, if only for a game or two before he
gets hurt again. The team has some holes and they won't win it
all this year by any means, but I look for them to be improved
over last year.
About the author:
T.O. Whenham writes for TrevRogers Sports, which
can be found at www.TrevRogers.com.
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