Rickey Green A Chicago Legend

Rickey Green...One of the fastest to ever dribble a ball 3/4 court. I can really agrue that Rickey was THE FASTEST! Ricky grew up on the south side of Chicago,stood six feet tall and was a skinny guy,Rickey Green went to Hirsh High School,won a state title in 1973.I can still remember running up the court as fast as we can trying to be like Rickey Green...Hollering "Rickey"! He went on to the University of Michigan to earn acclaims as an explosive scorer and super fast ball handler. Ricky Green was he was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the first round. He struggled his rookie year and found himself in the CBA. It doesn't end there. The Rickey Green we all saw and grew up with worked on his jump shooting skills and refined how to set up his teammates. Rickey Green was back! Back in the NBA! He found himself playing in the league 14 years and making the All-Star team for the Utah Jazz also being one of the oldest players to be in the NBA. Always carring the tag as the league's fastest point guard. It was one thing to see him on TV playing in the NBA, and a whole another thing to see him playing in the summer leagues. I thought If Rickey was playing today's game, he'd been a superstar! There was so much control on players back then compared to the game today. If you see him today,Rickey Green can still play! He's over 50 and getting up the court,shooting from half-court now! Don't let the age fool you. Rickey Green is truly a CHICAGO LEGEND.

NBA PLAYOFFS UPON US

How time goes by! I just looked at my post from the start of the NBA season...WOW! I said that the Phoenix Suns,Yes,THE SUNS would win it all! They are not even going to make the playoffs! Shaq is still my man! I was riding Shaq,he didn't disappoint,playing in the most games this year for the first time in his carrer.Shaq had a very good season,he also made the All-Star team,however his teammates let him down,Steve Nash for one...this guy can't play a lick of defense! Nash is a one dimensional player! I'd get rid of him over the summer and pick up Allen Iverson. Yes, Allen Iverson! He's even worse you say! A.I. has something to prove after the Detroit disaster this year.I also picked the Los Angles Lakers,New Orleans Hornets,or Phoenix Suns. See what happens when you go out on the limb. L.A. still has a good chance. Everyone will be looking at Cleveland with Bron Bron leading the way! LeBron of my picks for MVP of the year.Yeah I know...that was a no-brainer. I think this is LeBron's year. I fail to even mention Dwayne Wade! He's had an outstanding season with more to come in the playoffs. Chicago leads the way again with 18 players in the league...more than any city in the country. That list include New York! We should have great NBA playoffs this year..Let's sit back watch and enjoy history being made.

Don’t Be Afraid To Be Different

Following the crowd is a road to mediocrity. Do your own thing. Be a trendsetter! Back in the day, NBA basketball players wore very short uniform bottoms. Today, the bottoms are very long[Thanks,to the Fab Five.I have to remind you one of the Fab Five was from Chicago...Jawan Howard]. The shorts are knee length and below now. Ankle socks, headbands, leather gym shoes, tattoos[I don't like one,I think Dennis Rodman has a lot to do with this one.], cross over dribble[came from Chicago...Tim Hardaway, tear drop shot[by the way,it started in Chicago.You better ask somebody!], sky hook, backward slam, behind the back pass, finger roll[that's George Gervin,ol' skool], alley-oop, and trash talking[Chicago took that to another level,although I don't like that we get credit for this one started], all came from somewhere so, don’t be afraid to start something new. Don’t be afraid to do whatever it is that you like. It may become the new trend in basketball. Hope you enjoyed the Ten Secrets For Basketball Sucess.

"OFFENSIVE" Game

Offense is 50% of the game. In order to be that Ultimate Player, one has to have an inside,outside game,and be able to take a person off the dribble. If your opponent is not guarding you close enough, you can shoot your jump shot. If your opponent is on you too close, you can take him to the basket. Remember, offense is just a strategy of action and reaction. You have the ball – you have the advantage. So, you are always creating the action which means the defender has to react to what you do. This gives you the ultimate advantage. The three point shot is a very big weapon that you have to put in your arsenal. What’s your strategy for successful offense? You want to be the "leader" and the "performer". The leader is highly reliable. You just know that in the 4th quarter, you will shine. The other players will feed off your drive. The leader knows when to let the game come to him and when to take the game over. On the offense, the "performer" does things to ignite his teammates and ignite the crowd (slam dunks, behind the back passes, no-look passes, crossovers). Keep the crowd in the game when you’re playing at home. Take the crowd out of the game when you are playing away from home. The "performer’ can act on a moments notice. And, don’t forget, you have the mindset of the Wolverine! 9 of 10