We all live for the excitement of a close basketball game

April 24th, 2012

Oh yeah, we might whine about it. We might bite our fingernails or hyperventilate or accidentally spill the popcorn as we either cover our eyes to avoid disappointment or jump from the bench to celebrate. We go on and on about how nerve wracking it is, but we all know the truth- diehard basketball fans live for a close game. Our hearts nearly beat out of our chests when we are lucky enough to be part of the crowd, in a suspense-filled auditorium, where the loud speaker squawks about the game going into overtime.

That’s right- it can be only a few minutes- tense minutes, where athletes play their hardest to declare a last-minute win. But there have been more than a few overtime games that have gone down in basketball history:

  •  May 9, 2011:   Memphis Grizzlies battled Oklahoma City Thunder. After three overtimes, the final score was 133-123 OKC
  • April 30, 2009: Boston Celtics struggled for a win in three overtimes against the Chicago Bulls. In the end, the Bulls barely scraped by with a one-point win.
  • May 14, 2004: After three overtimes, New Jersey Nets take the game away from the Detroit Pistons with a 7-point lead.
  • June 13, 1993: The Phoenix Suns manage the win against the Chicago Bulls. After three overtimes, they win with a score of 129 – 121.
  • June 4, 1976: Boston Celtics take a two-point win against the Phoenix Suns. After playing three overtimes, the final score was 128- 126.
  • March 21, 1953: Syracuse and Boston wrestled through four overtime calls. In the end, Boston took the triumph. The score was 111-105.
  • Jan. 6, 1951: The longest game in history, with a total of six overtimes, occurred between the Indianapolis Olympians and the Rochester Royals. Fans probably wished the packed lunches and sleeping bags for this one. The game lasted four hours and Indianapolis finally declared the ending with a score of 75-73.

You may have had a close, heart-clutching game where you shot the winning basket through your Goalrilla Basketball hoop at your house that you will never forget too. Or, maybe not – you just want your own home court. If that’s the case, the Basketball Goal Store is the No. 1 retailer of Goalrilla Goals online. You won’t miss if you shoot us a call or visit!

-Pat of the Basketball Goal Store Blog Team

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Not all the good basketball players are over 6 feet tall

April 19th, 2012

You know the score.

Broad-shouldered, stoutly built guys are expected to play football. Tall, lanky guys are expected to play basketball.  If your body happens to stretch past six feet, you are likely being stocked by family members and school coaches.

If you’re the athlete who doesn’t have long legs- say you aren’t even close to being six feet tall- don’t think you aren’t allowed on the basketball court. History shows us here at the Basketball Goal Store that you don’t necessarily have to be the athlete who towers over everyone, you have to be the athlete with amazing skill and a heart for the game.

Here are a few examples for you:

  • Nate Robinson, guard for the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics, is the only player in NBA history to be named the Slam Dunk contest champion three times.  By the way, Robinson is 5’ 9” tall.
  • At 5’8”, Spud Webb of the Atlanta Hawks was the shortest player to win the dunk contest.
  • Muggsy Bogues, 5’3,” played for Wake Forest and Space Jam.
  • Calvin Murphy of the Houston Rockets was a scoring dynamo on the court. An incredible mix of skill, speed and strength earned Murphy the title of “Greatest Player Under Six Feet Tall” in NBA history. He is 5’ 9.

If you’re thinking basketball is off limits to you because of height, think again, just like Robinson, Webb, Bogues and Murphy did. You know if you love spending hours shooting hoops with friends and really practice drills like you are trying to wear out your Goalrilla Basketball Goal on your own (which won’t happen!), you have a chance to be a pro, too.

-Pat of the Basketball Goal Store Blog Team

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Mascots are important to fans and basketball teams

April 17th, 2012

Even people who aren’t exactly crazy about basketball (are there really people in the world who don’t love the game?) are crazy about the funny team companions. They dance. They shoot hoops. They interact with the crowd, make fans laugh and ham it up for photographers. And no, we are not talking about the referees! We’re talking about a basketball team’s beloved mascot.

We can trace the word to hundreds of years ago when it was used as French slang to describe a lucky charm for a gambler. When George Preston Marshall took on the Boston Braves franchise in 1932, he made the mascot a part of the sports world when he added a funny character to game day.

Some mascots are downright silly, such as G-Wiz, the Cookie Monster look-alike for the Washington Wizards. Another silly looking character would be Stuff the Magic Dragon, mascot for Orlando Magic. He greets the crowd wearing huge pink wings and floppy antennas on his head. Then there’s Burnie, the giant, furry orange thing with a basketball as a nose. You can’t miss him- you’ll see him at every game for Miami Heat.

When you attend a San Antonio Spurs game, you’ll likely meet up with Coyote, the guy with huge, bug eyes and fat cheeks. But boy, he can dribble fast!

Blaze the Trail Cat, a high-energy mascot for Portland’s Trail Blazers, is unlike all other mascots since he wears a track suit instead of the team uniform. He also sports a cool headband.

Rocky the Mountain Lion, rides around on a mini motorcycle to cheer for the Denver Nuggets. Jazz Bear, of the Utah Jazz, has made a name for himself as being the bear who razzes the fans from the opposing team.

They are fun and energetic. Some of them are impressively athletic too, rushing across the court in fuzzy costumes and still managing to hit those dunk shots. (Opinions differ at the Basketball Goal Store about whether they practice drills with the team or shoot hoops at home with a Goalrilla Goal Basketball system.)  Mascots are as important to the game as the referees and their whistles. Through the years they have brought personality to the teams and dedication for the fans.

Who knows? Many mascots might be just like the origin of the word- good luck charms!

-Pat of the Basketball Goal Store Blog Team

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Want to support your school’s basketball team? Be creative

April 12th, 2012

We all know how the country’s economic squeeze continues to affect our schools and extracurricular programs. We also know how important extracurricular activities are for students of all ages and abilities.

The game of basketball is as American as apple pie and, thanks to the versatility of Goalrilla Basketball Goals, can be played by the tiniest basketball enthusiasts. But no matter the age of the athlete, this game offers many opportunities, such as developing physical strength and endurance.

Because basketball is also a game of strategy, it teaches players to be observant, to anticipate, to think quickly and act fast. Eye-hand coordination and gross motor skills are developed through making passes and dribbling. Life skills, such as working together, communicating, trusting, supporting and competing in a positive manner are the types of quality experiences that basketball players take into adulthood – and into jobs like those here at the Basketball Goal Store!

But as budget belts are pulled tighter, many athletic department heads, athletes and their families see quickly that creativity is a must in the financial future of sports for kids. To afford necessary conditioning equipment, new uniforms, new basketballs and travel expenses for away games, many teams depend on fundraisers.

Here is a creative way to raise cash for your team and keep great memories forever:

  • Find a talented photographer from your school’s newspaper staff or perhaps there’s a team parent who likes photography. Ask those people (more than one, if possible) to start shooting photographs of pre-game activities, practices, games and awards banquets

for all the sports at the school. Take random photos on the bus when various teams travel to and from games and events. Contact the sports photographer from your local newspaper and request any photos they have on file of your school’s football, basketball, baseball games.

  •  Set a deadline date and request that all photos be compiled on that date.
  • Form a committee to arrange the sports photos for a calendar.
  • Contact a local printing company. Many times these companies will offer heavy discounts or even print your publication for free if you trade their donation for a large ad.
  • Sell the calendars during lunch breaks at school, near the concession stand during various sporting events and through the teams and families.

People who love sports will be creative and find ways to support young athletes and their development.

-Pat of the Basketball Goal Store Blog Team

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Cause benefits from basketball fundraiser

April 10th, 2012

Great moments come from great games of basketball on your home Goalrilla Goal basketball court, a school gym or a professional arena. Cheers in the crowd get the athletes pumped up for their best game, positive feedback from the coaches offers lasting learning opportunities and increased confidence. Leaving a game- win or lose- knowing you tried your best, is one of those feelings that makes for a great moment.

Knowing the excitement of sports fans and the needs of the community, one young man, BJ Viau, of Minnesota, decided nine years ago to mix the two for an awesome cause.

He formed an event called Twin Cities Shoot for a Cure, Huntington Disease Hoop-a-Thon. During this benefit, which raises money for medical research, Viau offers two choices:

  • Solo shooters may stand anywhere on the court, as close to the basket as they choose. When the whistle sounds, the person has five minutes to sink as many shots as possible.
  • Teams of four take three 10-minute rounds, shooting as many baskets as they can.

Pledges for fundraising may be made per free throw or per three-pointer or a flat donation. Prizes are often based on the number of baskets and are offered by community sponsors, such as gift cards from local eateries or sports stores.

When Viau founded this event, he was 19 years old. Each year it has expanded and grown, to include more participants, which computes to more money raised. In eight years, nearly $300,000 has been donated through this event, for Huntington Disease research dollars. This disease affect more than 30,000 people.

The Basketball Goal Store staff notes two points that are important here; first, basketball can be awesome for so many reasons, and it can actually change people’s lives. And second, you’re never too young to create something wonderful and lasting for your community.

-Pat of the Basketball Goal Store Blog Team

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Your feet may never touch a basketball, but they keep you in the game

April 5th, 2012

If you’re looking for a few boats with shoelaces attached, you can find them on lots of basketball courts. In fact, if you’re trying to find Will Perdue, Bulls Center champ in 1991, 1992 and 1993, you might actually see his feet before you see the rest of his body. This is true stuff, basketball fans, Pervin wears a tennis shoe size of 21 AAAAA.

If you’re amazed by that and trying to envision how in the world he can sit comfortably between a couch and a coffee table, think about Shaquille O’Neal, who happens to have the biggest feet in the NBA with a shoe size of 24 EEE.

No matter what size your shoe size happens to be, however, it’s important to take extremely good care of your feet, even as a kid playing on your own Goalrilla Basketball Goal court at home.  Basketball games place a lot of pressure on the foot and ankle, which can result in various injuries, such as ankle sprains, muscle pulls, torn ligaments, shin splints and fractures.

The Basketball Goal Store encourages players of all ages and abilities to play safely. Some ways to avoid injury on the basketball court:

  • Don’t rush through warm-up. When your body is not adequately prepared, that’s when landing wrong from a jump shot or twisting your body in a fall can result in an injury that can cost you the season.
  • Wear shoes specifically made for the game. Basketball shoes are designed with lots of ankle support and shock absorption, which makes the jump shot and the fast dribble down the court not only more safe but more possible, in even the most difficult moments on the court.
  • Always replace your basketball shoes before the soles are smooth. A good rule of thumb to follow: replace your shoes every two to three months if you play five days a week.
  • Wear acrylic socks

Your body and your footwear are tools for the game of basketball. If you take the game seriously, take your tools seriously, too!

-Pat of the Basketball Goal Store Blog Team

 

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Stars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shine after basketball careers

April 3rd, 2012

Some people might think that a professional basketball player’s life in the limelight ends the moment he blows his knee out one too many times, or maybe when he’s too old to compete anymore with younger guys on the court. At the Basketball Goal Store, we know there are stories to share about these athletes:

Those who think a retired basketball player might just be all washed up and ready to live life as a yawn don’t know the story of one of the NBA’s favorites, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Born April 16, 1947 in Manhattan as an only child, Abdul-Jabbar entered the world at a whopping 12 lbs. 10 ounces. To match that astounding birth weight, he was 22 and a half inches long and was named Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., after his father.

It was no surprise that very early in life, this young man gravitated toward a basketball court. As a high school basketball star, he took the team to repeated victories.  In the late 1960s, he converted to Islam, changed his name from Ferdinand to Kareem and began to gain fame as a basketball force few other athletes could match.

Once drafted by the NBA, Abdul-Jabbar, who towered above the world at 7′ 2″ tall, was NBA history in the making. He played for the Milwaukee Bucks as well as the Los Angeles Lakers. He became the NBA’s all-time highest scorer with 38,387 points and took six championships as well as six MVP awards.  Crowds went wild to see Abdul-Jabbar rush toward the basket with his signature move, called a “Sky Hook.”

After retiring, this amazing athlete coached for a while and then co-authored a couple of books.  When an entirely new challenge revealed itself, Abdul-Jabbar happily embraced it. Soon after 2012 was celebrated, U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, appointed Abdul-Jabbar as a cultural ambassador. He will now travel the globe to promote diplomacy among youth.

Legendary athletes on the basketball court continue to be leaders even after they sink their last basket in an NBA game. You never know how far you may go from playing a game under your Goalrilla Basketball Goal on your home court. The sky really is the limit!

-Pat of the Basketball Goal Store Blog Team

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Basketball game traditions bring the sport home to the heart of the fans

March 29th, 2012

Sometimes it’s impossible to trace back to where and how something began. Maybe that’s not always important information.  Sometimes we can just be entertained by the fact that someone somewhere started a tradition for a basketball game that lives on and brings lots of entertainment along the way and the Basketball Goal Store staff is all for entertainment and basketball!

We didn’t say, however, that all of these traditions are necessarily “nice.”

For example, at the University of Houston during the starting line-up for the opposing team, Cougar fans immerse themselves in reading copies of The Cougar Daily. As an opposing player’s name is announced, Cougar fans yell out in unison, “Who’s he?”   By the time the home team is introduced, newspapers have been torn into bits. So when the Cougars take the floor, confetti is thrown the moment the last player is introduced to the crowd.  Toward the end of a winning game, Cougar fans jingle house keys and cars keys as a message for the team to bring home victory.  This key jingling is a message for the opposing team’s bus driver- to go ahead and start the bus so the losers can head home.

At John Brown University, hundreds of rolls of toilet paper flew from the crowd for years. The moment the team scored the first 10 points, the stadium was a messy mix of celebration and hours of clean-up.  Even with the mess, this tradition somehow stretched into three decades before it was finally forbidden. We wouldn’t be a bit surprised to learn that janitorial staff were the ones to put the clamp on the fun.

When the coach barked the order for University of Maryland’s team to kick off the season by running a few laps around campus, a tradition was born. Called “Midnight Madness,” it began in the 1970s and blossomed into an annual event for basketball lovers. These days, “Midnight Madness” includes fireworks and a laser show while the team runs the laps.

Does your school have a pre-game tradition or a signature way to begin the basketball season?  Maybe you can get a tradition started with the neighborhood on your own home court complete with a Goalrilla Basketball Goal. It might just be time to create some fun ways to celebrate the team, the fans and the game of basketball in your hometown!

-Pat of the Basketball Goal Store Blog Team

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Stay on the basketball court by preventing injuries

March 27th, 2012

Anything you do in life can result in an accidental injury. Walk through the house while texting, for example, and you can flip over the coffee table and break your collar bone.

Athletes know better than anyone how injury can affect not only each game, but the championship game and the shot at a scholarship. It’s always important to take care of your body, but here at the Basketball Goal Store, we believe it’s got to be a priority when you play basketball.

Being aware of safety even during pick-up games or just practicing free throws under a Goalrilla Goal on your basketball court at home is as important as game play.

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, injuries such as stress fractures, Achilles heel, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and shin splints can develop into chronic physical conditions due to recurrent injury and over use.

Something many players don’t quite understand is that an injury- if it’s serious enough- can take the entire game away from you for weeks, months or even always. It’s important to remember to swallow your ego and leave the game when you are hurt. Continuing to play a quarter even though your ankle is swollen or your knee is throbbing doesn’t make you a hero, it makes you a bench warmer for the next game – or longer. So if you’re on the court, let the coach know you’ve been injured and take a seat to rest. It gives the coach time to assess your injury.

If you’ve played a neighborhood game and limped home with a twisted ankle, follow this advice:

  • Immediately place ice on the injury
  • Elevate the injury
  • Get lots of rest
  • Reduce activity
  • Take anti-inflammatory (Check with mom or dad first to see what is best for you.)
  • See your family physician if necessary

Basketball is fun – and is meant to be exercise and fun. Do your best to prevent injuries and take care of injuries that happen right away. That way, you stay in the game!

-Pat of the Basketball Goal Store Blog Team

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Females on the basketball court continue to improve salaries

March 22nd, 2012

Here it is 2012 and although women have climbed higher on the rungs of that ladder of opportunity, females in the workplace continue to earn 70 cents to every male’s dollar. Unfortunately, that fact is a huge social bruise when we examine gender differences on the basketball court.

  •  Marian Jones, a well-known athlete who lost all five gold medals in 2000 when she admitted to using steroids, is now a rookie, playing guard for Tulsa Shock in Oklahoma. Her salary? $35,000.
  • Veteran WNBA member, Lisa Leslie, began when the league was launched 13 years ago. She gained a fast reputation for points and rebounds, playing for the Los Angeles. When Leslie retired in 2009, her ending salary was $91,000.
  • Candace Parker, the number one pick in 2008 to play alongside Lisa Leslie in Los Angeles picked up endorsements for Gatorade and Adidas, to boost her overall income to $3 million.
  • Sheryl Swoopes, WNBA player for Seattle Storm in Washington, is a gold medal winner who made an annual salary of $99,000 as a basketball player. Her income rose significantly when Nike created “Swoopes Shoes,” with this well-known athlete as the focus.

All of us here at the Basketball Goal Store know that female athletes dedicate the same hours to conditioning, practice and games. Their bodies suffer the same amount of exertion on the basketball court as male players. They make the same personal sacrifices, as far as travel and appearances to promote their teams. It would appear that the only difference really, between male and female professional basketball players is the size of their bank accounts. Veteran players for the WNBA average $101,000. Veteran members of the NBA, however, take hope a whopping $5 million.

That old saying, “You’ve come a long way, Baby,” doesn’t necessarily score any points when we compare gender earnings on the basketball court. But don’t let that discourage you, girls. You have nowhere to go but higher- toward the basket and the pay rates.So continue to practice shooting free throws and three pointers at your Goalrilla Basketball Goal. Concentrate on those defensive drills and moving the ball down the court.

The dedicated female athletes before you have blazed the trail for you and now you can take it even further into the future!

-Pat of the Basketball Goal Store Blog Team

 

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