I have loved doing this feature over the summer. "Basketball Beyond the Floor" has been so much fun and after next week, I am really going to miss it. I truly believe in the power of knowledge you can only get from reading. So even though this feature will soon hibernate until next summer, I want you to keep reading and writing to tell me about your picks. Magazine, newspaper, internet article, children's book or novel it doesn't matter. As always, you can contact me through the Dino Nation Blog site or our Face book Fan page. As another chapter ends, a new one will be beginning in a new feature called "Behind Enemy Lines". This will take the place of "Basketball Beyond the Floor" on Thursdays and look at the teams the Toronto Raptors will be playing in the upcoming week. Game analysis, injuries, stats or what's flying on my newsworthy radar will make the cut. As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. A good, healthy debate is the cornerstone of a democratic society and when its about basketball, it just makes it that much more fun, doesn't it? Now onto today's discussion: Basketball: Learn how to be a star player by Matt Parselle versus The Young Basketball Player: A Young Enthusiast's Guide to Basketball written by Chris Mullin with Brian Coleman.
A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words
Before I really had a chance to comb through each book, I enlisted the help of a very well-read 6 year-old. I left her alone with both books and came back after ten minutes to gage her first impressions. She liked Basketball: Learn how to be a star player better because it "had more kids pictures" and "was easier to follow". I would have to agree. For the average young player just picking up the game in a fun house league, this is a good book for them. I like how each section was introduced by a 'character' from the game, such as a coach or referee. Each time, different parts of the game are explained in a very easy to understand and conversational way: "A basketball team has five players and you can play in one of three positions - guard, center or forward. Whichever position you choose, you'll need to master all the skills of the game...". Very basic, yes. But a very important point to make for a young player just starting out. It is important to master all the skills of the game whatever position you lean to. This is the challenge I had playing Division III Indoor Soccer when I was in university. I loved being in net and stopping the fast balls. Once in a blue moon, I may have ventured out on defense but for the most part was a goal keeper. Well, when I ventured onto college for my broadcast journalism degree, I tried out for the school soccer team feeling pretty confident. That is, until the coach put me out on forward and I just couldn't produce a goal. Now, I know in soccer goals are harder to come by than baskets in basketball, but this example shows how if I just tried forward once in a while it would have made me appreciate the position a little more and maybe help me read my opponent a little better when they are coming at my net.
Like Peas in a Pod
So when I had a little 'audience' background going into a book that was clearly not geared for me, I looked at it from a technical perspective. While I agree Basketball: Learn how to be a star player was easier to follow, it alienated the Canadian player right from the first page: "There are different ways of playing basketball - in this book we follow US college rules...". Now switching gears to The Young Basketball Player, its first page had an opening from Chris Mullen - then of the Golden State Warriors- and adjacent to this, a paragraph on how basketball was born in Canada by Dr. James Naismith. So even though the intro is laced with players in Team USA or NBA jerseys, the young Canadian player knows the roots of basketball started here. Turning the page, I see The Young Basketball Player is doing the same thing as our other book for discussion. It explains the rules and parameters of the game but in a more detailed way - a step up from the more junior-geared explanations in Basketball: Learn how to be a star player. For me, The Young Basketball Player has more credibility since its focus is to improve your game - not make you think you are going to be a star player. It also explains how NBA and FIBA rules work and uses real-to-life photos of age-appropriate players going through the motions of proper dribbling, passing, fast breaks and more. So if you know a young basketball player in maybe the senior grades of elementary school, this book would prove to be quite helpful.
A Common Thread
Although in The Young Basketball Player it is more prominent, both show young girls playing the game. This made me very happy. There are a lot of how-to books out there for many sports, geared to young ones but are really focused with the male player in mind. We have Canadian-born women playing professional ball in the WNBA and overseas but in Canada? Most WNBA teams are tied to an NBA club and with the Raptors taking us on this emotional roller coaster, I don't see Toronto or any other city in Canada getting a WNBA franchise anytime soon. Along these lines, too many times I see retail stores with 'girls' and 'boys' sections - the 'boys' sections having the sports-related merchandise and the 'girls' ones with flowers and cutesy things. "Sugar and spice and everything nice" is OK for some but why do some retailers think they can't make money off the female athlete. There are a lot of us out there. I do have hope, though. I was in a grocery store recently and flipping through a cake book and saw a "Girls Basketball Cake". And it wasn't all "girl-ized and hokey" either - real athletes. All excited, I asked the baker if they did other sports and she replied "Girls and Boys Sports cakes. Oh yeah, we do all of them". Thank God.
Flick Pick of the Week
Today's pick I haven't yet watched but plan to this weekend. "Above the Rim" has names in it like Tupac Shakur and Marlan Wayans and is about a young player with aspirations of being a professional. I know it has been done before but I heard it was worth watching and a Wayans brother is in it so I have to watch. Next week, our last and final "Basketball Beyond the Floor" of the off-season, will be dedicated to our young players - the future of our game. I wanted some Canadian content, so I am choosing Steve Nash: Most Valuable Player by Peter Bailey and adding Arthur and the Pen-Pal Playoff by Marc Brown. I know you all have sons or daughters or nieces or nephews or young ones in your lives, so try these ones out with them and we'll talk next week. I will be here on Tuesday as always with "Jiggly Bits", so until then, happy reading.
Showing posts with label WNBA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WNBA. Show all posts
7/29/10
"Basketball Beyond the Floor"
"But if there is one quality I see fading from U.S.A. Basketball, it is the concept of teamwork. The individual, 'me first' approach just does not work"- Lisa Leslie in Don't Let the Lipstick Fool You- The Making of a Champion (with Larry Burrett). She feels the U.S.A. Men's National Basketball team has problems playing overseas since their opponents have better team skills than individual talent. Interesting. This is the one contradiction she gets caught in over the course of the book: "There is nothing wrong with averaging 6 points per game in the Olympics if your team wins gold. It is not OK to average thirty points individually while you watch your team loose". True. But on February 7th, 1990 with Morningside High school, she scored 101 points in a single game. South Torranee, her opponent, forfeited the game in the second half wondering what she was doing. I say 'her' opponent because her team just fed her desire to make that milestone and feed her the ball. Lisa Leslie is a legend and forever will be a legend in the WNBA. Her stats and life story proves this as chronicled in the book. And although I could have done without the details of her engagement to husband Michael Lockwood (and his added commentary) she really got personal with this book and that takes a lot of courage. (Incidently, one of the same reasons I loved Character Driven by Derek Fisher). Let's peel back the layers.
A little indigestion - nothing to worry about
"We keep winning gold medals but it does not seem to matter. Nobody seems to pay attention and it is really hard for me to digest" (Lisa Leslie). The age old argument for why the WNBA can't survive on its own without the NBA. This is an argument hard for ME to digest. How quickly we forget the WNBA is only 14 years old with its inaugural season in 1997. Now flip to the NBA. Technically, the league began in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). They changed it to the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1949 after merging with the National Basketball League (NBL). This makes professional basketball for men 64 years old. I would hope that after leagues merging and sustaining itself for this long, it would be successful enough to stand on its own. The WNBA has 50 years to catch this milestone. Plus, the NBA has 30 teams in its league to the WNBA's current 12. Another mild difference? No Canadian teams in the WNBA. See? I knew we could find a solution.
More than just a Basketball Player
"...the players are responsible for the WNBA's image and I believe the best and strongest image is the one that shows the unique beauty and strength of women" (Lisa Leslie). Hence, the title of the book Don't Let the Lipstick Fool You. When Tina Thompson was with the Houston Comets (now folded), I remember watching her for the first time and remembering two things. One, her aggressive style of play and two, the bright red lipstick. One of the things Lisa Leslie argues in her book is for the need for players to properly present themselves as neat and tidy before stepping onto to the court. I believe she means to give respect to yourself, your opponents, fans and the game. She certainly endeared herself to fans and the Los Angeles Sparks as an organization (and a team she stayed with for the duration of her career) by the way she presented herself. When the WNBA celebrated its 10th season, the Sparks honoured Lisa on her birthday by dedicating a portion of the court at the Staples Centre as "Lisa Leslie Court" - a testament to all her hard work and determination in making the league what it is. I think it's funny and admirable she gives credit to Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Billy Jean King, Ann Meyers, Nancy Lieberman and Pat Summit (to name a few) as blazing the trail for her and other female athletes like her. She says she and her WNBA colleagues are riding their coat tails. Very interesting.
Spreading the Wealth
In the beginning, the WNBA had teams in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Sacramento and Utah (Western Division) and New York, Houston, Cleveland and Charlotte (Eastern Division). This is where it gets interesting. WNBA officials figured out who its top 16 players were and assigned 2 to each of its teams. Some might say that is a little elementary, maybe better off in pick-up leagues and not at the professional level. However, I think this method worked; especially for the first year of a new league. It would have been interesting if Lisa Leslie talked to some of her friends in the NBA, namely Dwayne Wade and LeBron James, to see what they thought about NBA officials spreading out the talent pool.
Flick Pick of the Week
A little indigestion - nothing to worry about
"We keep winning gold medals but it does not seem to matter. Nobody seems to pay attention and it is really hard for me to digest" (Lisa Leslie). The age old argument for why the WNBA can't survive on its own without the NBA. This is an argument hard for ME to digest. How quickly we forget the WNBA is only 14 years old with its inaugural season in 1997. Now flip to the NBA. Technically, the league began in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). They changed it to the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1949 after merging with the National Basketball League (NBL). This makes professional basketball for men 64 years old. I would hope that after leagues merging and sustaining itself for this long, it would be successful enough to stand on its own. The WNBA has 50 years to catch this milestone. Plus, the NBA has 30 teams in its league to the WNBA's current 12. Another mild difference? No Canadian teams in the WNBA. See? I knew we could find a solution.
More than just a Basketball Player
"...the players are responsible for the WNBA's image and I believe the best and strongest image is the one that shows the unique beauty and strength of women" (Lisa Leslie). Hence, the title of the book Don't Let the Lipstick Fool You. When Tina Thompson was with the Houston Comets (now folded), I remember watching her for the first time and remembering two things. One, her aggressive style of play and two, the bright red lipstick. One of the things Lisa Leslie argues in her book is for the need for players to properly present themselves as neat and tidy before stepping onto to the court. I believe she means to give respect to yourself, your opponents, fans and the game. She certainly endeared herself to fans and the Los Angeles Sparks as an organization (and a team she stayed with for the duration of her career) by the way she presented herself. When the WNBA celebrated its 10th season, the Sparks honoured Lisa on her birthday by dedicating a portion of the court at the Staples Centre as "Lisa Leslie Court" - a testament to all her hard work and determination in making the league what it is. I think it's funny and admirable she gives credit to Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Billy Jean King, Ann Meyers, Nancy Lieberman and Pat Summit (to name a few) as blazing the trail for her and other female athletes like her. She says she and her WNBA colleagues are riding their coat tails. Very interesting.
Spreading the Wealth
In the beginning, the WNBA had teams in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Sacramento and Utah (Western Division) and New York, Houston, Cleveland and Charlotte (Eastern Division). This is where it gets interesting. WNBA officials figured out who its top 16 players were and assigned 2 to each of its teams. Some might say that is a little elementary, maybe better off in pick-up leagues and not at the professional level. However, I think this method worked; especially for the first year of a new league. It would have been interesting if Lisa Leslie talked to some of her friends in the NBA, namely Dwayne Wade and LeBron James, to see what they thought about NBA officials spreading out the talent pool.
Flick Pick of the Week
This week I want you to check out "Love and Basketball" starring Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan. This is a cute story about two kids who have a real thing for basketball and how each is trying to carve a future in it. Oh and they have a thing for each other, too. Next week we will be discussing the book: Blood on the Horns by Roland Lazenby. This is another gem my mom bought for me (remember Hoop Dreams?). There are probably enough books about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls to fill the United Centre, but this one will open your eyes. Happy reading and see you on Tuesday for another serving of Jiggly Bits.
3/16/10
"Jiggly Bits" - Danielle de Graauw
It's all about the ladies today. Marion Jones SHOCKing the WNBA, the 2010 NCAA Women's Tournament looking for a shocking upset of the University of Connecticut Lady Huskies to shake things up and the McMaster Maruauders failing to upset the Simon Fraser Clan in the CIS Championships over the weekend. But we will also have a little discussion on "athletic character" bringing in some comments made by Gilbert Arenas this week - lots to sink our teeth into, so let's dive in.
Marion Jones Returning to Basketball
I'll bet most of you forgot Marion Jones played basketball. When she began her basketball career at North Carolina back in 1994, Marion was the starting point guard for the Tar Heels' national championship team. About three years later during the 1996-1997 season, she is playing her final season of competitive basketball just shy of the WNBA's debut. I think it was always in the back of her mind to play and the break from her track and field woes allowed her to do some soul searching. Now we get to watch her write a new chapter in her life as the newest member of the Tulsa Shock. Now that's the positive side of me talking.
Now for the realistic side. I really hope she doesn't screw up this time. I know this chapter is supposed to be a new start for her but she can't possibly think she is going slip back into our sports pages without any mention of the fact that she lied, took steroids and served 6 months in prison for it. If we just rolled out the red carpet and let her back into the sporting world on a get-out-of-jail-free pass, we would be doing a disservice to those athletes who were true to their word and earned our trust. She should be held accountable and I hope she makes a new name for herself in Tulsa. I really do. Think about it. What if Michael Vick decided to take a break from football and work out with the Detroit Pistons or (god forbid) the Los Angeles Lakers? or if Tiger Woods said "to hell with golf - I'm playing a new ball game now"? I am all for the art of redemption and I don't think any of us can really say what it is like to have camera crews and other media documenting our every move and mistake. I believe in second chances but I don't think a simple "I'm sorry" and "let's move on" kind of attitude can cut it in a world where professional athletes should be held to a higher standard when so many people look up to them. I think this season will be a real eye opener for her since she will be one of the older players in the league as a rookie and she's not the star anymore. She's going to have to earn that badge again. I hope for her sake and for the little girls out there watching, she does.
Lady Huskies and Lady's Hockey - Lots in common
So going into the 2010 Winter Olympic games we knew it would be a stick show-down between Canada and the USA on the ice - all the games before it, a mere formality. Some have been saying the same about the University of Connecticut Lady Huskies' path towards basketball greatness. They are currently unbeaten and not just for this season either. They are on a massive win streak of 70 games and if they steam roll through the March Madness tournament, which many are saying is pretty much a done deal, their record may climb to 78-0. But in a field of 64 teams competing, anything can happen and we won't really see the front runners until the third round in my opinion. A lot of people make the mistake of hanging onto the pre-season records of these teams when making picks for their office March Madness pool. You also need to look at how they won those games: Were they close? Did they have to battle back from a third quarter deficit to win? A lot of factors come into play. I bet you the UCONN Lady Huskies are looking past #16 seeded Southern University in round one. But a lot can be said for the experience of playing under pressure and playing close games and having the emotional intensity of playing cool given the cards are stacked against you. I'm just saying you can't win every game and the Lady Huskies can't take anything for granted.
No Bronze Baby staying in Hamilton
Wow, did Hamilton ever put on a show this weekend. As I mentioned lask week, McMaster University hosted the CIS Women's Basketball Championship tournament and as you know, I was cheering for my MAC ladies. (Carleton University wasn't in it, my alma mater). They didn't get steam-rolled like some people tried to tell me before the game - the Marauders really held their own even though they lost 94-76 to Simon Fraser University. Considering the SFU Clan are leaving the Canadian University athletics system for NCAA Division II ball, that's huge. I am not just saying this as a fan but as someone looking at this critically.
This was their third opening round match-up in five years and Simon Fraser won all three. So with SFU going on to win this year's tournament, claiming their 5th bronze baby in 9 years, that's a little hard to compete with. But you should have seen Emily Ledger hit the jumper to cut Simon Fraser's lead to three points with just over five minutes left in the third quarter. I was on the verge of dialing Spike Lee to re-write Hoosiers to take place in the Hammer and insert the Lady Marauders. But alas, there was no upsetting the SFU Clan who eventually stole the show. Don't worry MAC - there's always next year. And if Carleton isn't in it, you'll have my support 100%.
Gilbert "I deserved to be punished" Arenas
Gilbert Arenas was suspended from the Washington Wizards for taking out four guns in what he says was an attempt to play a prank on teammate Javaris Crittenton in December. As if we could forget that little Christmas present. The latest is he plead guilty to a felony charge in January and will be sentenced next week. Also, he is still suspended from the NBA until the end of the season. But wait it gets better. He plays on the heart strings of Wizards fans by saying he "messed up" the legacy of Wizards owner Abe Poulin, who died in November. Nothing like being caught doing something stupid, on the verge of facing the judicial music and calling on ghosts from NBA past to help your image. Seriously? Not even the Scrooge could look this foolish. He put all but 4 of his 500-gun collection in storage when he had kids. So this is a guy that is clearly comfortable around guns but also de-sensitized by them. I hope the judge hearing his case next week is a fan of the Christmas Carol and makes Gilbert see the errors of his ways.
Marion Jones Returning to Basketball
I'll bet most of you forgot Marion Jones played basketball. When she began her basketball career at North Carolina back in 1994, Marion was the starting point guard for the Tar Heels' national championship team. About three years later during the 1996-1997 season, she is playing her final season of competitive basketball just shy of the WNBA's debut. I think it was always in the back of her mind to play and the break from her track and field woes allowed her to do some soul searching. Now we get to watch her write a new chapter in her life as the newest member of the Tulsa Shock. Now that's the positive side of me talking.
Now for the realistic side. I really hope she doesn't screw up this time. I know this chapter is supposed to be a new start for her but she can't possibly think she is going slip back into our sports pages without any mention of the fact that she lied, took steroids and served 6 months in prison for it. If we just rolled out the red carpet and let her back into the sporting world on a get-out-of-jail-free pass, we would be doing a disservice to those athletes who were true to their word and earned our trust. She should be held accountable and I hope she makes a new name for herself in Tulsa. I really do. Think about it. What if Michael Vick decided to take a break from football and work out with the Detroit Pistons or (god forbid) the Los Angeles Lakers? or if Tiger Woods said "to hell with golf - I'm playing a new ball game now"? I am all for the art of redemption and I don't think any of us can really say what it is like to have camera crews and other media documenting our every move and mistake. I believe in second chances but I don't think a simple "I'm sorry" and "let's move on" kind of attitude can cut it in a world where professional athletes should be held to a higher standard when so many people look up to them. I think this season will be a real eye opener for her since she will be one of the older players in the league as a rookie and she's not the star anymore. She's going to have to earn that badge again. I hope for her sake and for the little girls out there watching, she does.
Lady Huskies and Lady's Hockey - Lots in common
So going into the 2010 Winter Olympic games we knew it would be a stick show-down between Canada and the USA on the ice - all the games before it, a mere formality. Some have been saying the same about the University of Connecticut Lady Huskies' path towards basketball greatness. They are currently unbeaten and not just for this season either. They are on a massive win streak of 70 games and if they steam roll through the March Madness tournament, which many are saying is pretty much a done deal, their record may climb to 78-0. But in a field of 64 teams competing, anything can happen and we won't really see the front runners until the third round in my opinion. A lot of people make the mistake of hanging onto the pre-season records of these teams when making picks for their office March Madness pool. You also need to look at how they won those games: Were they close? Did they have to battle back from a third quarter deficit to win? A lot of factors come into play. I bet you the UCONN Lady Huskies are looking past #16 seeded Southern University in round one. But a lot can be said for the experience of playing under pressure and playing close games and having the emotional intensity of playing cool given the cards are stacked against you. I'm just saying you can't win every game and the Lady Huskies can't take anything for granted.
No Bronze Baby staying in Hamilton
Wow, did Hamilton ever put on a show this weekend. As I mentioned lask week, McMaster University hosted the CIS Women's Basketball Championship tournament and as you know, I was cheering for my MAC ladies. (Carleton University wasn't in it, my alma mater). They didn't get steam-rolled like some people tried to tell me before the game - the Marauders really held their own even though they lost 94-76 to Simon Fraser University. Considering the SFU Clan are leaving the Canadian University athletics system for NCAA Division II ball, that's huge. I am not just saying this as a fan but as someone looking at this critically.
This was their third opening round match-up in five years and Simon Fraser won all three. So with SFU going on to win this year's tournament, claiming their 5th bronze baby in 9 years, that's a little hard to compete with. But you should have seen Emily Ledger hit the jumper to cut Simon Fraser's lead to three points with just over five minutes left in the third quarter. I was on the verge of dialing Spike Lee to re-write Hoosiers to take place in the Hammer and insert the Lady Marauders. But alas, there was no upsetting the SFU Clan who eventually stole the show. Don't worry MAC - there's always next year. And if Carleton isn't in it, you'll have my support 100%.
Gilbert "I deserved to be punished" Arenas
Gilbert Arenas was suspended from the Washington Wizards for taking out four guns in what he says was an attempt to play a prank on teammate Javaris Crittenton in December. As if we could forget that little Christmas present. The latest is he plead guilty to a felony charge in January and will be sentenced next week. Also, he is still suspended from the NBA until the end of the season. But wait it gets better. He plays on the heart strings of Wizards fans by saying he "messed up" the legacy of Wizards owner Abe Poulin, who died in November. Nothing like being caught doing something stupid, on the verge of facing the judicial music and calling on ghosts from NBA past to help your image. Seriously? Not even the Scrooge could look this foolish. He put all but 4 of his 500-gun collection in storage when he had kids. So this is a guy that is clearly comfortable around guns but also de-sensitized by them. I hope the judge hearing his case next week is a fan of the Christmas Carol and makes Gilbert see the errors of his ways.
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