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Larry Bird’s impact on NBA basketball history was immediate. For the 1980 season Larry Bird led the Celtics to superstardom legacy. Bird was named the league’s Rookie lingerie The Year and was voted onto the Eastern Conference All Star-Team. He was honored with this title all for all of his twelve seasons of his career in the NBA. He was scoring 12 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, an outstanding 143 steals and second in assists.

In Bird’s second professional season- he led the Celtics to the NBA Playoffs. Larry Bird helped the Celtics’ deficit by helping them overcome and winning the last three games, which propelled the Celtics into the NBA Finals. They defeated the Houston Rockets in six games.

In 1984 Bird earned the award for Most Valuable Player by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in a seven game final. The following year, the Boston Celtics would have another incredible winning year by defeating The Rockets in six games. Bird again was honored with the Finals MVP Award for that year, averaging 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

In 1987 Bird made his final appearance for the Celtics against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Detroit Pistons. That year the Celtics ended up losing to the unmatched Lakers in six games and to the Detroit Pistons in 1988.

Bird’s body continued to deteriorate to injuries to debilitating back problems and to bone spurs in his heels. Both these conditions would eventually lead to his retirement in 1992. Unwilling to stop due to injuries, he joined Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan to play in the United States basketball team for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Names the “Dream Team”- they defeated their competition to win the Gold Medal for the United States Basketball Olympic Team.

Larry Bird’s NBA honors include; elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Fame (1988), NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986), NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986), NBA MVP ( 1984, 1985, 1986), Nine-Time All-NBA First Team ( 1980-88), All NBA Second Team (1990), All-Defensive Second Team (1982, 1983, 1984), NBA Rookie of The Year (1980), One of the Fifty Greatest Players in NBA History (1996), Olympic Gold Medalist (1992).

About the Author: Eddie Delgado is the owner and writer for http://www.VintageSportsCardMemorabilia.com VSCM is the ultimate NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL sports card and memorabilia site for Abecita collectors.

In my research into the difference between the American game and the International game some interesting observations are evident. This article will share with you my thoughts after watching many teams over the past month. The differences will surprise you!

In the past month I have worked diligently on a project for FIBA, the Federation of International Basketball. The task is to watch and develop scouting reports on each team, men’s and women’s, that participated int he 2006 World Championships.
The men’s teams include Spain (Champion), Turkey, USA, Argentina, Germany, France and Greece. Women’s teams include Australia, France, Russia, Spain, USA, Czechoslovakia, Brazil and Lithuania.

One of the most interesting observations I’ve made during the past month is the differences in our game and the game played Internationally. The style of play contains some differences but our way of playing is severely being overshadowed by the creativity of our foreign counterparts.

Imagine a player from the USA flying down the lane with his defender riding his shoulder. As the pivot foot is planted firmly, the anticipation is that of a thunderous slam dunk, right? We’ve become brain washed to expect a vicious attack on the rim. Nothing wrong with a dunk down the lane, but creativity has become a lost art.

Do you remember the artistry demonstrated by Dave Bing, Pistol Pete Maravich, Tiny Archibald, Magic Johnson, and George Gervin? I loved the way those guys “finished” a play. The variety of shots were endless from the finger roll to the scoop shot, these guys had it all. Those shots are a thing of the past because the game has become so physical and aggressive. Is there a place in the game for these shots to make a comeback? The International game would say “YES” and I’ve got the DVD’s to prove it.

My plan is to put together several groups of clips to show the differences in the two games. Here are some areas where the “Spain’s” of the word have an advantage on us.

1. The art of the on ball screen is at an extremely high level in International ball. The usage of this screen is creative and very hard to guard. Why? The fact that they “read the defense” vs. the defense reading the dribbler makes it an art form all by itself. There are no less than six unique ways that are used to attack the defense in these on ball screening situations.

2. Pass-oriented basketball. The passing is impressive on teams like Argentina, Greece, and Spain. The passes are quick, crisp and have a definite purpose. The number of passes per possession by these teams is higher than Team USA. I know you can’t score points for passing, but it sure can move the defense and lead to some very good scoring opportunities. I thought the idea was to “move the defense” with ball and player movement. My beef with team USA in this summer 2006 tournament is the lack of ball and player movement. It seems that a team is easier to guard if it is more stagnant in its movement.

3. Movement away from the ball. I’m amazed at how well the International players play off of each other. Every move is calculated and done efficiently. There are no “ball watchers” on ball penetration. Again, this kind of feel for the game and awareness of your teammates is impressive. You could blindfold the dribbler and he would still hit his teammate as if he has 18 sets of eyes in his head.

4. Finishing with a variety of shots. It seems that in our game you must power or muscle the ball to the basket. At some point, the finesse needed to finish shots went out the window. The International women in particular are very adept as they approach the basket on the dribble. Rolling layups, hook shots, and reverse over-the-shoulder shots are common place in their game. Shots are made with both hands with amazing precision.

5. Team play. There is nothing like it in my book. Basketball is a team game and needs to be played like it. I get ill watching 4 players stand and watch a teammate try to beat his man AND the rest of the defense to the basket. Is that team ball?

I am using an incredible editing system for this project; the Sideline Analyzer and Organizer. If you have this software you could easily watch hundreds of clips that I have stored on my Sideline system. Sideline is easy to use and cost effective. I would recommend this system to the high school and college coach without hesitation or reservation. I will be making more observations as time goes due to this fascinating project.

Randy Brown has passion for the game of basketball. He works as a basketball consultant and mentor for coaches. Visit him at http://www.coachrb.com for free resources, Q & A, newsletter, and coaching programs. A speaker and writer, he has authored 75 articles on coaching and is nationally published. His 18 years in college basketball highlights a successful 23-year career. Mentored by Basketball Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson at Arizona. Resume includes positions at Arizona, Iowa State, lips Drake, and Miami of Ohio, 5 Conference Championships and 5 NCAA appearances. His efforts have helped develop 12 NBA players including Steve Kerr, spa Elliott, and Jaamal Tinsley. To contact Randy, email him at rb@coachrb.com.

Last season the Portland Trail Blazers finished with the worst record in the NBA and the mood in the Blazers camp was down. However, this season though the Blazers did not make it to the playoffs, they are excited.

The reason for the excitement are the three rookies — Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Sergio Rodriguez. They have given Portland high hopes for the future.

This season the Blazers finished 32-50, 11 more wins than the previous season.

Coach Nate McMillian said that he likes the current team and is excited about summer with the draft, free agency and summer league. He hopes to get a player or two to help the team over the final hurdle.

Roy was named the rookie of the month in West three times. He was also selected for the All-Star game’s rookie team and looks to be the main contender for the league’s rookie of the year honor. This season Roy averaged 16.8 points and had 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

Roy, who played at Washington, was selected by the Blazers on a wild draft day. The Blazers also got Aldridge and Rodriguez in the first round of the draft.

Aldridge averaged 9.0 points and 5.0 assists, and has played well as a starter after Joel Przybilla underwent a knee surgery. However, the Blazers had a scare late in the season when Aldridge left a game because of dizziness and shortness of breath. Tests conducted on Aldridge revealed a heart condition called Wolf-Parkinson-White Syndrome, which is treatable and not career-threatening.

Rodriguez is from Spain and he has been compared to Steve Nash. Rodriguez was trouble by an ankle sprain in the middle of the season but he has shown that he can play aggressively and fast. He is averaging 3.7 points and 3.3 assists.

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For many of us going on holiday is a fun, adventurous and exciting time, however; there are some who aren’t that lucky.

Every year travel insurance companies receive numerous claims as a result of holiday disasters. Here are just a few of the more bizarre claims that insurers deal with:

1. A couple on their holiday in Malaysia had returned to their hotel room only to find that some local monkeys had scattered their clothes around the resort and the local rainforest. Fortunately, the travel insurance company paid their claim.

2. An unlucky pensioner was on a cruise holiday when a particularly strong gust of wind blew his toupee off into the sea. His insurer did pay out for the cost of his hairpiece though.

3. One really unlucky holidaymaker dropped his wallet down a drain in Natanya. However; his claim wasn’t for a reimbursement, it was to pay for the hospital treatment for his scorpion sting which he got when he put his hand down the drain to get his wallet back.

4. A family enjoying a camping holiday in a remote area in Wales were surprised to say the least that a parachutist from a local airbase had missed his target and landed on the family’s camping equipment, destroying it. The family did try to claim but as they were not covered for accidental damage the insurance company didn’t pay out.

5. Another unlucky pensioner on a cruise holiday felt a bit unwell and whilst losing his lunch over the side of the ship he also lost his false teeth. As the dentures were covered under lost baggage, his claim was paid.

6. A couple away for their wedding definitely had a day to remember as the bride’s dress caught fire after a piece of coal from the barbecue fell off. Tragedy was averted by the quick-thinking groom who picked up his new wife and threw her into the ocean. Fortunately, the couple had taken out wedding cover and they were able to claim for their ruined wedding outfits.

7. Another claim that was unable to be paid was the case of a family on holiday in Spain. A father was the hero of the hour when he rushed his daughter to the local hairdressers after she had frazzled her hair on the oven. Unfortunately, the results of the impromptu hairstyle were less than satisfying. Their claim went unpaid due to them not being covered for accidental damage in their holiday insurance policy.

8. A man who was enjoying a holiday in Greece managed to break his chocolate when he walked into a glass panel in a bus shelter. It turned out it was because he had been distracted by two attractive Greek girls in their bikinis. Fortunately, he was able to claim for his hospital bills.

9. Parents were very shocked to find that their children had thought it a good idea to bury their £600 camcorder in the sand. Luckily for them, the insurance company had seen the humorous side and had accepted the claim.

10. In France, a woman had her make-up fashion stolen and later disclosed that she had transferred a strong hemorrhoid cream into an empty moisturizer bottle. Her claim for the stolen cosmetics was paid.

The travel insurance company paid the claim when a couple had their clothes strewn around the resort by a group of mischievous monkeys.

A family’s claim for damaged camping equipment was not paid by their insurance company as they were not covered for accidental damage.

Another claim that went unpaid was that of a girl who had frazzled her hair on the oven whilst on holiday in Spain. Trying to fix it had not worked and the family’s claim was denied as they weren’t covered in their holiday insurance policy for accidental damage.