The game that James Naismith invented in 1891 has been taken over by the “oohs” and “aahs”. The flair and flash the game of basketball possesses is cool but there is a “right” way that the game is “supposed” to be played. Playing the game of basketball shouldn’t be looked at as if you are studying for a Rocket Science Assessment Exam. This game is fairly easy. Better yet, this game is actually fun. Most ballplayers who are coming up in the basketball world, have a longer wish list than the average 7 year old who wants the newest Blackberry for Christmas. Most ballplayers either want the Deron Williams “Ball on a String Toy”, the Ray Allen “Perfect Form Jumper”, the Lebron James “Trampoline Bounce”, the Kevin Durant “Scoring Kit” or the Kobe Bryant “Game-Winner Handbook”. These items are available at your local Wal-Mart,Target and Flea Markets across America.
A sales associate at one of the local retail stores in my neighborhood told that sales of one particular product is rapidly declining. The name of that product is: Basketball I.Q.
This phrase “mind over matter” applies to the game of basketball with the same similarities Phil Jackson has with coaching and winning Chips in the month of June. Here’s a self-explanatory definition of this world renown phrase: “it is the belief that the mind is more powerful than the body.” Now think about it. You can simply apply this definition to the game of basketball. A ballplayer must ask him or herself “how long can I depend on just my athletic ability?” or “how many more years I have left at playing ball?”
Basketball is all about longevity. Your hops and your handle can only get you but so far. There is a huge difference between “playing the game” and “knowing the game”. You can play in every elite camp,all-star game,league,tournament,memorial classic and playground across America. You are just playing the game of basketball. You are not really learning anything by just putting the ball on the floor or shooting the rock. Now if you are breaking down your defender without the ball, now you know the game. If you show your teammate how to get his defender on his outside shoulder, now you know the game. If you are thinking the game through, now you know the game.
Us as people and fans of the game should really think about teaching this game instead just playing a game of 5-on-5 with bad basketball habits. The “oohs” and “aahs” will not advance your game. You will just be a ballplayer instead of being a STUDENT OF THE GAME.
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October 7th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
funkalot says:
Randy,
A great deal of hoop acumen is “science by osmosis”, in that you develop certain basketball skill through simply playing. For example, a Jason Kidd, Magic Johnson, DRose and others are simply improvisational experts. They acquired most of their abilities through simply playing and playing versus qualified competition, which imbued them with the confidence to become prodigies and mavericks in the game. Basketball at its best is a coordinated unstructured improvisation, which elicits oohs and aahs for its unique artistry.
October 9th, 2010 at 4:52 am
Dan the Man says:
Randy, You are so right. The question is… can you master the game? Provat Gupta DuBois former NYC and Long Island streetball legend has developed The “Virtual Xtreme Technique – VXT’ the First Basketball Map of Sweet Spots. Be a Triple Threat – pass, dribble, and shoot with the confidence of a “cobra strike.” The Virtual Extreme Technique (VXT) workout was developed by Pro to heighten the learning curve of average players. The VXT system identifies the only known map of the floor, teaches you the lanes of the floor and 20 ways to score on the floor. http://masterthegame.net/bio