Memorable Performances of the 2000’s

Kobe Bryant, Jan, 22, 2006 (81 points)… Bryant scored 81 of the Lakers’ 122 points in a victory against the Raptors, the second-highest-scoring game in NBA history, behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point performance in 1962.

LeBron James, May 31, 2007 (48 points)… The Cavs’ 109-107 double-overtime victory in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals… James finished with 48 points, nine rebounds and seven assists… He scored Cleveland’s final 25 points and 29 of its last 30.

Allen Iverson, June 6, 2001 (48 points)… The 76ers, a heavy underdog, stunned the host Lakers in Game 1 of the 2001 Finals thanks to Iverson’s tour de force.He finished with 48 points, including a seven-point flurry in a 58-second stretch of overtime, as Philadelphia won 107-101 to hand the Lakers their first loss of the playoffs.

Tracy McGrady, Dec. 9, 2004… McGrady scored 13 points in the final 35 seconds to rally the Rockets past the Spurs 81-80.

Dwyane Wade, June 13, 2006 (42 points)… Already in a 2-0 hole in the NBA Finals, Miami trailed Dallas 89-76 midway through the fourth quarter of Game 3. But Wade scored 12 of his 42 points during a game-ending 22-7 run as Miami won 98-96, the first of its four consecutive victories en route to the franchise’s first championship. Read more ->

Beauty of Flight

Here’s a block to enjoy. Sit back, relax, enjoy… LeBron’s timing, elevation, the way he sent the ball into the stands. Yes, this is the kind of a block which goes against Bill Russell’s art of blocking, tap-it-to-yourself (not send-it-to-the-stands) kind, but even that can’t take away from its power and beauty.

Five Tool Player – Kobe Bryant

Five tools of a great basketball player:

1. Shoot - Off the dribble, the post, three point range.
2. Pass – Correct pass at the right time, give it to a teammate in a position where they can make a play.
3. Dribble – Handle the basketball, go left, go right, create the shot.
4. Defend – Guard multiple positions.
5. Intangibles – Know the time, read the situations, rise to the occasion, make the right play to win the game.

Jodie Meeks, a Lesson in Shooting

What makes Jodie Meeks’ efficient shooting?

• Perfect form
• Perfect footwork
• Impeccable shot preparation
• Ten toes pointed to the rim
• Square with the target with his shoulders
• Straight up and down (lands in the same spot that he took off)

Why Bad Shooting Days Happen to Good Shooters

I always try to match a video to the basketball drill, routine, or aspect of the game. For certain things, there is no adequate video. In Why Bad Shooting Days Happen to Good Shooters article Brian McCormick explains that bad shooting often has to do with poor body balance, not necessarily the shooting form itself.

Many missed shots occurred because players shot with poor balance.They rushed their shot or they worried too much about the defense and leaned backward or they never got to a zero-point before jumping for the shot when catching on the move.

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