The American Youth are failing to garner the fundamentals of once American dominating sport: Basketball

The Wall Street Journal featured an article on June 27, 2009 titled American Kids Flunk Basketball 101 As AAU Leagues Dominate, Basic Skills Decline; Mr. Beasley Decides to Speak Out ...

The article points out Michael Beasley of the Miami Heat. The NBA player finally conceded a fundamental flaw: No one, at any level in his basketball career, had asked him to play defense. And especially not in AAU.

“If you’re playing defense in AAU, you don’t need to be playing,” he says. “I’ve
honestly never seen anyone play defense in AAU.” - Michael Beasley

The NBA is seeing the fundamental game decline. Throw in the fact there is no real minor league and athletes don't want to spend developmental time in the college ranks... the game is on the decline in many respects.

peace

Lakers advance to NBA Finals tonight: 119-92

Well, the Lakers will return to the NBA Finals again, after winning Game 6 of the Western Conference championship with an explosive 119-92 road win over the Denver Nuggets tonight.

Hopefully, the Los Angeles Lakers will get it done this time around in the NBA Finals! The Finals begin June 4Th!

peace

The NBA tips off 2008-09 season!

Major League Baseball is struggling to close the 2008 season late in October, the NBA has tipped off the '08-'09 season, with both the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers scoring one in the win column to start the season.

The beginning of the 82-game season is just another sign that winter is on its way in the USA.

peace

The Finals, Game 2: Los Angeles Lakers @ Boston Celtics

Well, the Boston Celtics look to jump out to a two game lead, if they can win Game 2 of The Finals of the NBA tonight at the Boston Garden? The game will be on ABC tonight, 8 pm Central. Will forward Paul Pierce be able to start, despite the injury he incurred in Game 1?

What answers do the Los Angles Lakers have for the Boston Celtics solid defense, especially in the 4th period of Game 1?

The NBA Finals will switch to Los Angeles after Game 2, in the 2 + 3 + 2 home/road/home format that provides the Celtics 4 home, 3 away, if the series goes to 7 games, in the best-of-7 NBA Finals.

The Boston Celtics lead the series 1-0, after winning in Boston, Thursday Night, in game 1, by the score of 98-88. The Celtics are 8-2 lifetime in Championships head to head over the Lakers. Though, the Lakers have won two straight, after starting off 0-8 vs. the Celtics, lifetime.

peace

2008: The Best Championship Match Up in NBA History Revisited

2008 NBA Finals

Game 1

From Boston

It is great to see the the Best Championship Match Up in NBA history return to the Court for The Finals of 2008. I haven't followed the NBA too closely the last several years, but with the Lakers vs. Celtics on tap... I'll be viewing in on this one.

ABC and the NBA have a match made in heaven. The 11th meeting in The Finals of Boston vs. Los Angeles. The Celtics won the first 8, while the Lakers have taken the last 2.

Bill Russell and Magic Johnson in the audience. Highlights of prior court match ups interlinked between the game. It will be a nice venue for the past to meet the present. The past clearly has many of the best of the best. The current have the NBA's best player, along with the NBA's best defender. Coach Phil Jackson's Lakers vs. Coach Doc Rivers... awesome!

As a life long Lakers fan, I can still find some appreciation for what Boston has been able to accomplish, in this great rivalry, it's great to see the match up return. Now, let's make it three straight Lakers!

8:00 pm Central Time: the Boston Celtics vs. the Los Angeles Lakers...

peace

NBA - Golden State and GM Chris Mullin provide a 2nd Chance

Former Iowa guard Pierre Pierce, despite 2 highly publicized legal run-ins, including time in prison in Iowa, is getting an opportunity to pursue his dream of an NBA career.

ESPN True Hoop's July 10 article on Pierre Pierce.

There is no question the former 6-4 guard for the University Iowa has some skills. But, will the character questions hold him back in his quest for the NBA?

peace