James injured…again?

After four lackluster seasons riding the pines of the Emerald City, Jerome James, 32, turned up his game and actually started to play during the Seattle Sonics amazing playoff run (without the injured Rashard Lewis) in 04’-05’.

During that off-season, New York Knicks’ President of Basketball Operations *sigh* Isiah Thomas signed James to 5-year $30 million dollar deal based on that year's playoffs and not over the course of his career (which was paltry 4.91 points per game to that point).

Not long after, the Knicks’ gave up their future draft selections and traded for Chicago’s Eddy Curry, which basically ended any starting center aspirations for the overpaid James.

Since the end of the 04’-05 season, James has participated in only 86 of a possible 164 games (52%) for the New York Knicks. And now I hear that the often-injured James may have to call it a season again due to complications from knee surgery he had back in 99’ (Here's to a speedy recovery!)

In all honesty, I strong believe that whether he will or will not be able to suit up for the Knicks’ this year—Jerome James will not be missed. Primarily because of the off-season acquisition of Portland’s Zach Randolph as well as the emergence of Eddy Curry and David Lee.

But you knew that already…

Question: How does one become a millionaire?

Answer: Get into the good graces of Isiah Thomas…

But you knew that ONE already…

The George Mikan Lay-Up Drill

Jotted this down at a bookstore in Hong Kong several years ago. I believe it was an issue of NBA Inside Stuff.

Mikan Lay-Up Drill

The George Mikan Lay-Up Drill is basically a Hand-eye coordination drill. It teaches you also how to pivot and how to move your feet. Work on moving your hips too. Concentrate on pointing your side foot at the baseline. - (Assitant Coach Sixers Randy Ayers)

This may be the best drill to teach you to keep the ball high--use the glass. Keeping the ball high is the main thing. Catch it as soon as it comes through the bucket, and jump as high as you can. Don't let it bounce. That helps your legs, and it helps with your jumping. Do 20 straight at a time and don't count the misses. - (Former Philadelphia 76ers center Todd Macculloch)

1) The idea is to make 10 baskets with each hand from very close range.

2) Facing the backboard, stand almost under the basket.

3) Trying to use your best fingertip control, hold the ball with your right hand and sweep your right arm out to the side to make a lay-up off the backboard.

4) Catch the ball as soon as possible after it comes through the hoop.

5) Repeat the procedure on the left side. One of the most important things about this drill is that it teaches coordination with both hands.

6) Alternate shooting with your right and left hands, until you have made 10 shots with each.

The NBA's Composite Ball (Circa 2006)

A lot has been said of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) new game ball. Initially, I thought they changed brands altogehter since they have been doing that the last couple of years with Nike, Reebok, and now Adidas sponsoring their apparel. According to sources at espn.com, it is only "the second time in 60 seasons the NBA has changed its game balls, and the first time in 35 years."

The NBA has defined the new Spalding model as "a microfiber composite with moisture management that provides superior grip and feel throughout the course of a game."

A number of well known players have openly expressed their displeasure for the new offical ball of the NBA. Shaquille O'Neal of the Miami Heat was one of the first players to speak out against the league's decision to replace the "old" Spalding leather ball.

Personally, I found O'Neal's description to be quite amusing. He described the new basketballs as "like one of those cheap balls that you buy at the toy store." I didn't think any other player would top that till Phoenix Suns shooting guard Raja Bell said in Treviso, Italy yesterday, "it sucks. This ball isn't even a cousin of the one we played with."

Now that brought a big smile to my face :)

Update (10/5/06): Shaq has done it again! He just wasn't going to let Raja Bell "out quote" him. The ocregister.com posted this comment by the Big Diesel, "It's like touching an exotic dancer and then going and touching a plastic, blow-up doll."

Update (12-11-06): After two unfair labor charges filled against the NBA, Commissioner David Stern finally yielded to the players request to the go back to the old Spalding NBA basketball by the 1st of January 2007. Players "have complained about the new ball since training camp, saying that it bounced differently than the old one -- off the floor and the rim. They also said the synthetic material cut their hands." Two-time MVP Steve Nash, who has been one of the strongest critiques of the new microfiber ball has also been quoted as saying that another ball transition would be difficult for him as he is now "used to the (new microfiber composite ball) ball and it would be difficult to change back." (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Av1OMRNRvRtMUkTG3ndCwRW8vLYF?slug=ap-nb...)

Nice...really nice :)