Hoop-It-Up: Game 3

Game 3 was do or die. Lose this one and we don't even get to come back on Sunday. It was a 3:00 game; the hottest part of the day. Everybody is tired at this point. This team looked like the hardest competition we had encountered so far. They had come down from Oklahoma for Hoop-It-Up. We won the toss for once and got first possession of the ball. I was hyped up for this game and couldn't wait to get it going.

Of all our games so far, we started this one the best. We got up a few points early on them but for the most part we were just trading licks. Like the first team we played, they had a heavy tank-like guy that could dominate the lane. You couldn't move him out of there and apparently the HIU refs have a very loose interpretation of the lane violation rule. (Loose interpretation mean they didn't call it, period.)

This game was physical beyond belief. It didn't matter where I was - I could be five feet behind the three point line - the guy had his hands on me the whole time pushing and shoving. In fact, I got an offensive foul called on me from behind the line because I was being smothered by this guy and decided to use my elbows and body to get him off me and make some space to breathe. For some odd reason the ref called this a foul. There seemed to be a double standard here. I protested (of course) and after that Mr. Ref seemed to pay a little more attention to how much defensive pushing and grabbing was going on.

Mid way through the game the trash talking started. The game was so close that the "posse" that had accompanied this team decided that they needed some help. Alot of mouthing starting going on from the sidelines. Then they started mouthing too. Surprise, surprise, I couldn't just keep my mouth shut as this was going on. They got up on us by a few points and it started to look like this one would slip away. My determination to win as well as my mouth went into overdrive.

I got into the zone this game. I was at a point where I felt like anytime I got the ball I could score; and I did. I was taking it at them every chance I could. I would either score or get fouled and go the free throw line and score. I was frustrating them. I was going off at the mouth too. I don't even know what it was that I said to this one particular guy but evidently it was too much. He got up in my face and I think everyone thought we were close to a fight. I just looked at him and smiled, which pissed him off even more. He got ejected from the game. I ate it up. More ammo for me and my ability to frustrate these guys.

This game was a close one down to the end. They stayed just a couple of points ahead but I was literally scoring every time I got the ball. I had a great game but unfortunately we ended up losing this one 20-18. And that was it. Hoop-It-Up 2007 was done for us. 0 and 3 but this thing was still unbelievably fun. We were all exhausted and pretty close to a heat stroke. It was time to go drink some beer and celebrate our losses.

Dallas Hoop It Up - Game 2

Game one was really the first time we had ever played together as a team. Even though we lost we at least got a feel for how we worked together on the court and we came off that first game pissed that we lost but more confident than we were going into it. We felt good going into game two and by all outward appearance, this looked like an easier team to beat.

Note to my fellow b-ballers: Appearances can be deceiving.

Now I will say this for them; they did have some fancy matching jerseys and they were here from across the country and clearly had been playing together for a long time. We found all of this out before the game and that should have been a clue for us to take them very seriously. Don't get me wrong, we didn't think they were a joke or anything but I think we all figured we'd take this game. I know I did. So much so that I volunteered to start out on the bench.

I guess the best way to start describing this game was to say that after about five minutes into it we were down 8-2 and I was about to go crazy on the sidelines. They had this one guy who didn't miss a shot from three point land. He had knocked a few down before we even knew what hit us. By the time we realized that we couldn't give these guys an open look from behind the line, it was too late.

These guys hustled like their lives were at stake. They were also just fundamentally good as a team. They were the Indiana Hoosiers. I got in the game and was able to get some points on the board by taking it to the basket and even knocking down one from behind the line. But it wasn't enough. We were down so far so fast that it was tough to come back. One bit of satisfaction I got was a really nice block on their little "star" player. He tried to drive to the basket but didn't realize I was headed that direction fast to help my teammate who was guarding him. Or maybe he did realize and went for it anyway. In either case, I damn near jumped over him and blocked his shot with the bottom of my elbow, all ball, no foul. That was fun but they sure had the last laugh.

Again, I think as a team we didn't play aggressively enough on offense and sure didn't crash the boards enough on defense. They lit us up with the threes. In fact, minus a point or two I think that's all they did, three pointers (which count as 2 in Hoop It Up). But I gotta say, if I have to lose, this is the kind of team I want to lose to. These guys were gracious winners and should probably also receive some kind of good sportsmanship (or Miss Congeniality) award. This was probably one of the friendliest games I've ever played in hoop it up. That may also have been one of our problems.

This was our only bad loss, 20-11. I even had some blood shed this game after sliding and hitting the pavement one time. Scraped up knee and hands and not even a win to show for it.

Kadour Ziani

I know my next post is really supposed to be about game two of Dallas Hoop-It-Up but I came across something this weekend that is post-worthy. I currently own a website that gives free information on how to increase your vertical jumping ability (www.howtojumphighernow.com) so I'm always scouring the web for information related to this. I was playing around on YouTube over the weekend and came across a video clip titled "Worlds Greatest Dunker". I expected to see one of the usual suspects like Vince, MJ, or someone like that but instead it was someone I didn't recognize at all. The guy's name is Kadour Ziani. He's a French citizen originally from Algeria (yeah I know, sounds like the profile of a jihadist) and he's a self-titled "professional dunker".

Okay. I'm impressed. I'm VERY impressed. Why? Gee, maybe because he's only 5'11" but has a 56" vertical!! The guy can jump up and kick the rim. No that's not a typo.
He can kick the rim. This is a guy who has centered his life around training to jump and dunk. There's videos of him jumping over a crowd of people while doing a 360 and dunking. I read an interview where he said his next goal is to do a 360 from the free-throw line. I'm sorry folks but this guy puts MJ, Vince, and pretty much about anyone else to shame when it comes to jumping.

This gets better. He's 33 years old. This is especially meaningful for me since I'm also about 5'11" (slightly taller) and 30 years old. There really aren't that many people under 6' that can honestly dunk. This guy is 5'11" and can do 360 windmills and make it look as easy as taking a nap. He sounds like a very disciplined individual and an all around interesting character. I think I'll put a better write up about him on my actual website. No jumping website would be complete without giving this guy props.

For any of us trying to increase our vertical, here is a big clue. Kadour claims to spend 4 hours a day stretching. That's right, stretching. Not running around with ankle weights or wearing platform shoes. Stretching. What more proof do you need that there is a direct correlation between flexibility and vertical jump?? Personally I have about a 32-33" vertical (on a good day). But my flexibility is almost non-existent. I've recently started working on it a little and seen improvement but I think hearing about Kadour really drives home the importance of flexibility. Makes me wonder what I could do if I could even improve my flexibility 20 or 30%?

Kadour, thanks for the inspiration.

For anyone reading this who wants to increase their vertical, go check out my website www.howtojumphighernow.com. Be looking in the near future for a more comprehensive article about Kadour. And go check out his insanity on YouTube.

Dallas Hoop-It-Up: Game 1

The first game at HIU is always pretty interesting. One of my teammates was a guy I hadn't seen in about six years. The other I hadn't seen in about two, and the other guy I had never even met. This was our first game together and we decided to do a little pick-and-roll away from the ball routine to try to get some open shots. My teammates were shooters, not dunkers; guys with good fundamentals. I don't mind this kind of a team at all.

Our opponents looked like some decent ballers. The competition in our division was pretty tight this year and this team was no exception. We were matched up good with them except for one bigger guy they had, a heavy-set dude that could camp out in the lane like a mack truck. Guys that take up that much space down low are always tough to defend against in 3 on 3 half court. We handled him though. He wasn't that much of a scoring factor for them.

We started out a little jittery but got in the groove pretty quick. This game was just a series of trading licks. This team didn't look like guys that would light you up from three point land but that's exactly what they did. We went shot for shot with them though. My teammates were hittin' from the outside and I was the only one who would take it to the hole. I got most of my points off of put backs or quick moves to the basket. I did hit one from behind the three point line though.

For a first game, this one was tiring. It seemed to go on forever. They stayed a point or two ahead of us the whole game and we ended up losing 20-17. If anything I think we just got out hustled. I think our team played a little too conservative and textbook, probably too many passes and waiting to long for the "perfect" shot. That kind of play may work ok indoors with a referee and 5 on 5, but street ball is different. You've gotta be able to improvise.

We had a pretty respectable game and our scoring was pretty even between three of us. Of course we were pissed that we lost but really didn't feel too bad about this one. They were a good team and it was really anyone's game. Everyone was cool. This was a good warm up. Next game was in an hour.

Hoop-It-Up 2007 (Dallas)

After two years in a row of someone having to back out at the last minute or otherwise being unable to get a team together, we finally made it back to Dallas Hoop-It-Up this year. With every passing year it seems that much harder for everyone to get away from other obligations for a weekend on the basketball court. Even the last few years that we did play we usually ended up with only about two decent players (myself and E) and then whoever else happened to be available. Let me tell you, two good players is NOT enough when you play Dallas Hoop-It-Up competitive division. Recreational division would've been fine but just on principle E and myself have a hard time playing in the rec league.

This year was a little different. We had four solid players; not 4 great players, but four solid players. No doubt this was the best team we've had in recent years. The only problem is that our first game at HIU was also the first time we'd all played together as a team. Not only that but I hadn't played much at all during the last year or two and I know the same could be said for one of our other guys. This is worth mentioning because our competition were guys that had been playing together forever and even had their little custom made jerseys and everything. (How precious.)

The weather was almost a factor this year. I think it rained every day for the two weeks leading up to HIU. It finally started to let up on the Friday before and by Saturday the weather did it's usual thing for HIU weekend...sunny and hot. Things were looking good. Best team in recent history. Perfect b-ball weather. I packed a small cooler with water, powerade, and beer just in case we decided to go that route. For whatever reason HIU was at Fair Park this year. What the hell would possess them to have it out there is beyond me but I'm sure they had their reasons. Next year maybe they'll just host it at a landfill. That was really my only complaint this year, location.

Our first game was at 10:30 (nice!) and I rolled into Fair Park about 10:00. This was also the first year I recall not having to set my alarm for way too early in the morning and having to drag myself out there by 8:00 or 8:30. Much as I love basketball, I really don't want to try to hoop before 10:00 AM.

Anyway...I make my way onto the scene, find my squad and our court and it's on. The rundown on each game will come in the next few posts.

The Guaranteed Way To Get Better

What would a basketball blog be without some advice on how to improve your skills? Hopefully you're always trying to improve your game and take it to the next level. Even if you're just a weekend streetball player like myself you'd probably like to be a better player than you are right now.

Well, in my not so humble opinion this one is simple. I'm not going to suggest that you buy Dr. Whoever's basketball skill improvement training program or invest in any kind of silly device to strap to your arms or some other body part to improve your form. In fact, I would strongly advise against messing with your shot unless it's always getting blocked because it takes too long for you to get it up there or you are releasing the ball somewhere below your head. In that case you might want to work on that. Pick any good college or NBA shooter and watch how they release the ball. (Hint: It's NOT below their head.) (Another Hint: It doesn't take them five minutes to release the ball.)

Next quick thing to mention is ballhandling. There's just no excuse not to be a good ball handler. This just takes practice. Practice dribbling with your left and right hand, you should be equally good with both. Practice dribbling between your legs and around your back. Practice making quick moves off the dribble. Work on your first step. This is where you want to blow by the defender. Dribble firmly and make sure you can do all of this without staring at the ball. Anybody can do this, just practice until you get it.

I don't really have too much to say about fundamentals. This is all stuff you can develop with practice. If you've been playing for any length of time, this should just be second nature.

If you want to develop your GAME, there is one crucial thing you must do. This is a guaranteed way to increase your skills. What is this great "secret"? Very simple. Get on the court with players that are better than you are. And I mean find the best people you can get on the court with. If you're a young kid this is super easy...play with older kids and adults. Play with people bigger, faster, and stronger than you are. Do this as often as you can. Play with college players. If you're on JV, try to get as much time as you can with the varsity players.

If your goal is to drastically and quickly improve your game, you want to get out there in games where you are the worst one on the court. Keep playing with these people and eventually you will find yourself holding your own.

Get in games where they like to play physical. Real basketball is a very physical sport. Find the best defensive player you can, the guy that just smothers you, and match up with him every time. Do this kind of thing and I assure you that you will get better at a faster rate than you thought possible.

When I was in elementary school I played with the junior high kids. When I was in junior high I played with the high school kids. It works.

Even now I match myself up with the best player on the other team every chance I get. I step up to the guy who can dunk on me. That's who I want to guard and that's who I want guarding me. When you do this your game will naturally move up to the next level. Just do it.

An A and B Conversation

Well it's Sunday and all across the country b-ballers are getting ready to hit the parks and rec centers for an afternoon of hoops. This is by far the biggest day of the week for ballin'. Unfortunately it's about 104 degrees here and that means the really good games won't start until much later in the day. But still you'd be surprised how many folks will venture out onto the courts as early as three or four o'clock in the heat of the day. In some areas they'll probably even be there as early as two; and of course, if you're playing indoors it really doesn't matter.

howtojumphighernow.com

One thing about indoor ball though; it just doesn't have the same feel as toughing it out on the pavement in the blistering summer sun. Don't get me wrong, it's nice in it's own way and has it's obvious advantages but in my opinion the best basketball happens out on the pavement and generally in weather that is uncomfortably hot. After awhile it feels more like a struggle for survival than a recreational activity but there's something strangely relaxing about it.

Whether or not I hit the courts this afternoon still remains in question. The day is filling up quickly but I hope to make it to the courts this evening. This is a large metropolitan area and there are dozens of places to find a game but to stay pretty close to home I usually show up at one of two parks. One place is always sure to be packed and sure to have the best players. That's where you go and bring your A-game...especially if you stand out in the crowd a little bit for being a bit lighter skinned than everybody else. The other place is more laid back and I'll generally be the best on the court. (Not bragging, just a fact.)

Either spot can be fun depending on how you feel. We'll see if and where I end hoopin today. Honestly it's looking more like a B-game day for me.

Bringing your "B" game to the "A" level park can be embarrasing but bringing your "A" game to the "B" level park can make you feel like Michael Jordan. What to do, what to do....

Stock Market Hysteria

This is probably the only basketball blog where you'll see talk about the stock market but how can I avoid a subject that has been so entertaining this week. If this week's stock market activity was a basketball game, fans would be on the edge of their seats and several players would have already been ejected. As the game came closer to the end of the fourth quarter some of the more rowdy fans would be getting escorted out of the building by police and Za Za Gabor would be running around the stadium topless. Small children would be crying and some of the more sensitive fans would be tossing their cookies; desperation, heartbreak, pandemonium.

Seriously, this thing needs to be appreciated for the spectacle that it is. The way people tend to overreact and the old adage of how the individual is rational but a crowd is psychopathic certainly applies. People do things in groups that they would never do on their own. Personally I'm having a hard time understanding the rationale that mortgage problems have the power to bring down the whole market. But people seem to be eating this up. The media says it's so it must be so. It's like that with most things, isn't it?

Folks, check out the return of the stock market over the last five years. Now compare that to the declines we've seen this week. Now smack yourself upside the head for holding on so tightly to the silly notion that numbers are only supposed to go up, ever.

Ok I know this post is lost on the crowd that would actually expect something about basketball to be written on a blog titled "Basketball Chronicles" and I extend my apologies for that. If you are more concerned with basketball than with stock market hysteria, you are certainly in the more fortunate crowd. I won't make this posting so far off topic thing a habit, I promise.

So it looks like the market is declining again today. I'm gonna fuggedaboutit and go shoot some hoops.

(PS: Go check out www.howtojumphighernow.com )

Ugly Basketball Shoes

Went out a couple nights ago to try to find some new basketball shoes. I've been playing strictly outdoor ball (where the right shoes don't seem nearly as important to me) and wearing shoes that are probably about three years old now. They still look decent and feel great. That's the thing about shoes, they feel better the longer you have them. Probably the worse they look the more comfortable they are.

Problem is, summer league starts next week and that's indoor ball. Haven't played traditional indoor, refereed, full court basketball in quite a long time. I much prefer three on three half court at the park, out in the sun. But I'll jump on any chance I get to play competitive ball so I was pretty happy when I was asked to play in this upcoming league. After playing strictly outdoors for the past few years it will probably be interesting too get back into an air conditioned gym. It's easier to jump on a wood floor than it is concrete and my hops a have been pretty good this year so I'm anxious to see how I can get up in the gym.

But back to the shoes...

Maybe this is a sign I really am getting old (30 now) but the basketball shoes I saw were hideous. What is it with all these ugly shoes? I've never like buying new shoes to ball in but I never remember it being this bad. Went to two different places and spent about an hour and a half and came home empty handed... And first game is next week! I've got this weekend to try again but it's looking an awful lot like I'm going to have to settle for some goofy ass looking footwear. I may even just go with cross trainers instead of basketball shoes because they seem to be more my style. I'm just not in to the high tops.

So there you have it. Me and my shoe dilemma. My question to all you young hoopsters who are buying up these clown shoes...how do wear those things with a straight face??

Zen and Basketball

Here's one of the best things about basketball; It clears your mind. If you're in a good, competitive game, your mind is 100% focused on what you're doing. There's no time for problems or worries or regrets of any kind. You're in the moment. Really this applies to any activity that you are passionate about or enjoy. In fact, I would argue that the reason people enjoy a given activity or hobby really has nothing to do with that activity or hobby. It has to do with the fact that the activity involves all of their attention and that clear state of mind, focused intently on what one is doing, allows a person to truly be happy and enjoy being alive.


The thinking mind gets in the way of everything. Most people don't really "experience" life, they just experience what is going on their head at any given moment. That's why life often feels heavy or more commonly, boring. The minute your attention is pulled out of your inner dialogue and fully into the experience around you in the present moment...POOF...you're happy! At those times you are truly awake and truly alive. That's why you love that activity so much, and b-ball is most definitely one of those activities for me. Of course, ideally we would learn to live like that all of the time and in every activity. That's what Zen is all about.


Now if you're just out shooting around all by yourself, the opposite may be true. That may be a time when you are thinking about everything, trying to figure things out or solve some particular problem. There's nothing wrong with that in my opinion, it's just not as beneficial of a state as the fully "here and now" state mentioned above. I know I've worked all kinds of things out in my head while shooting hoops solo. That can be relaxing too.


Until next time...

www.howtojumphighernow.com

Intro

Wow, my first post on my new blog. The point of this blog is to chronicle my adventures in basketball, whatever those may end up being.

Basketball was my first love and even though I'm now 30 years old, married, and have to hold down a demanding job, I'm determined to stay in the game; whether that means city leagues, parks, rec centers, or wherever else I can find folks to hoop with.

Played in Dallas Hoop-It-Up and had a blast. We just didn't have enough practice together as a team (because we didn't have ANY practice!) to get alot of wins. We held our own though. The only team that beat us by more than 2 or 3 points was a team that looked like the Indiana Hoosiers and unfortutately had a dude that could shoot threes like Larry Bird. I don't think the guy missed a freakin shot from three point land. Ridiculous.

Anyway...this is just an intro post. We'll talk about Hoop-It-Up more later. It was hot as hell out there but still great fun. Next up is summer league with some fellows that I met at my gym. We're supposed to have a pretty good team, we'll see. I haven't played indoor full court, refereed basketball in a very long time. I'm a street ball guy. This ought to be interesting. Basketball without the wind, the scorching sun, the pavement??? What is this blasphemy?! Hehe. Well, we shall see.

Game 1 is coming up next week ( I think). I'm ready to hoop.

Peace out until next time...

www.howtojumphighernow.com