NBA Rivalry Chamberlain and Russell

The greatest rivalry in NBA history was between Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. The 1950s and 1960s displayed the two most fiercest competitors in all sports. Russell from the Boston Celtics and Chamberlain from Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and the L.A. Lakers defined the role of the dominating big man in basketball in different ways. Chamberlain was the better offensive player, providing his team with low-post scoring while passing out of double-teams to open teammates. Russell was the greater defender, providing an intimidating presence for his team by blocking shots and rebounding This started the famous Celtic fast break which led to many easy baskets.

The record books are filled with Chamberlain's accomplishments. He is the only NBA player to score 4,000 points in a single season. He holds the single-game scoring record with 100 points and the most rebounds in one game "55". In 1961-1962 season he averaged an unbelievable50.4 points per game. Wilt won 2 NBA titles with two different teams.

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Other Chamberlain scoring feats: Most games with50 pts. or more, 118. Most consecutive games with40 pts. or more 14. Highest soring average for a rookie 37.6. Wilt also hold the highest field goal % for a single season .727.

Wilt retired as the all-time career points leader with 31,419 which has been surpassed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Karl Malone. Chamberlain is still No.1 in career rebounds with23,924. he lead the NBA in scoring seven straight seasons. He also lead the league in assists in 1967-68 to prove scoring is not all that he could do.11 out of his 14 seasons Wilt lead the league in rebounding.

Bill Russell was the main cog in the Boston Celtics dynasty of 1950s and 1960s. Russell was an uncanny shot blocker who revolutionized the way the NBA played defense. Although blocked shots were not an official statistic until 1973-74, Russell changed the game in ways that were clearly understood, even if they were not measured with statistics. He had the ability to leave his man and slide over to cover an opponent that had gotten by a teammate and block or alter their shots.

Russell averaged 15.1 pts. a game and pulled down 22.5 rebounds a contest. The 12-time all star and 5-time NBA Most Valuable Player accumulated 21,620 career rebounds. Bill led the league in rebounding 4 times and had 51 boards in 1 game and 49 in 2 others. He also had 12 consecutive 1,000 or more rebounds in a season.

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His individual accomplishments were great but that is not all Russell brought to the table. His philosophy of team play brought the Boston Celtics 11 championships in 13 seasons. Bill also was a player coach for 3 years winning the NBA Championship 2 times.

Wilt Chamberlain dominated the game as few players in any sport ever have, Chamberlain seemed capable of scoring and rebounding at will. As Oscar Robertson put it when asked whether Wilt was the best ever, " The books don't lie."

Bill Russell defensively did things no other NBA players have been able to do. As Celtics player Don Nelson told the Boston Herald, "There are two types of Superstars. One makes himself look good at the expense of the other guys on the floor. But there's another type who makes the players around him look better then they are, and thats the type Russell was.

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To choose one over the other is a tough call. Watching them both play basketball in the 60's, Wilt was my favorite player by far, but if I was starting a new franchise in the NBA, Bill Russell would be my first pick.

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Teaching Baseball Fundamentals

Baseball fundamentals are essential to a successful team and your ability to teach those baseball skills is going to be a major factor on how fast your players learn. As a coach you want to provide the best baseball instruction you possibly can. We will go into the instructions later, but let's first set up a good coaching philosophy.

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When meeting your players for the first time set up good guidelines for them to follow. I had three rules:

1. Always give your best effort.

2. Never bad mouth a coach or a teammate.

3. The most important rule: Have Fun!

Remember you are not just a baseball coach, you are also a role model. The players not only are going to look at you for guidance and instruction, but they also will be watching and listening to how you react to every situation. Many baseball players attribute a large portion of their success in life to the things they learned on the baseball field and from their coaches. The lessons they learned are not just about fielding grounders or how to hit a baseball, but are about teamwork, work ethic and having a positive attitude.These skills not only helped them on the baseball field but helped them in life.

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Whether you are the manager, a coach or a parent helping your child, you must show patience, be supportive and have a positive attitude. The message will never get across if they are not having fun and think of the great game of baseball as a chore

Getting their first baseball glove or baseball bat is an experience a child will never forget. Remember the most important rule of all is to " Have Fun. "

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Some sound advise I followed included making sure players got to play multiple positions and were provided good baseball instruction on how to play those positions. Most young players that have to play in the outfield all year long are going to get bored. Every ball player had a job to do on every play. In the outfield when the ball was in play I taught my ballplayers to back up the base they were behind for wild throws. My right fielder who didn't have the greatest talent but would run through a brick wall for you, came running in to back up first base on a throw from third base. The throw was over the first baseman's head, hit the fence and was headed to right field. The runner not thinking twice took off towards second base, our little right fielder picked up the overthrow and threw him out at second. I've never seen a happier ballplayer and a more proud coach all because hustle and love for the game.

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Through out this article I tried to focus on how to set up a team concept so that everyone from the coach, players and parents understand that its about the kids. Being part of a team not just an individual ballplayer is something they will take with them through out life.

In up coming articles we will go into batting, fielding, pitching, base running and other fundamental.

Remember baseball is about Having Fun!

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NHL'S New Star Players

The 2008 Stanley Cup Finals will showcase the NHL's new star players and dynamic duos from both the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Sidney Crosby was a legend before his first NHL game, and now, three years later in his pro career, he is the face of hockey. His Pittsburgh teammate, Evgeni Malkin, after scoring 106 points during the regular season is a Hart Trophy finalist as league MVP.

Pavel Datsyuk this year had 31 goals 66 assists and had a plus/minus of 41. He also led the league in takeaways and is up for the Selke Trophy as the leagues top defensive forward. Henrik Zetterberg, his Detroit Red Wing linemate, had 45 goals 49 assists a plus/minus of 30 and is also up for the Selke Trophy. These two greats along with linemate Tomas Holmstom formed the best line in hockey.

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Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland has said Pittsburgh center Sidney Crosby is the face of hockey. Judging by a great number of the fans at Joe Louis Arena wearing Sidney Crosby jerseys, he could also be the chest, back and shoulders of hockey.

Sidney's Number "87" has replaced Mario Lemieux's number "66" as the top selling jersey not only in Pittburgh, but through out the NHL. Evgini Malkin number "71" is also a big seller.

In Detroit, Steve Yzerman's Number "19" and Sergei Fedorov's number "91" are still top sellers, but the jerseys of Pavel Datsyuk "13" and Henrik Zetterberg "40" are now fan favorites.

Crosby and Malkin center their own lines but play together on the power play. Datsyuk and Zetterberg play on the same line at even strength and on the power play. Those who watch the Detroit duo regularly know how dominant they are. Whether it is scoring a key goal or coming up with a great defensive play when killing off a penalty they are worth the price of admission.

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In the first game of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals, Zetterberg scored his "12th" goal and his "22nd" playoff leading point. Sid the Kid is one point behind at"21" and Datsyuk and Malkin are tied for third with "19" points each.

All four are stars but where they were drafted you would never had thought this could happen. Sidney Crosby was the number "1" pick in 2005. Evgeni Malkin was the number "2 " pick in the 2004 NHL draft. Detroit's duo were picked a lot lower. Henrik Zetterberg was chosen "210" over all in the 1999 draft and Pavel Datsyuk the "171"th pick in 1998.

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The NHL is in good hands with young stars from Detroit and Pittsburgh. NHL jerseys are doing well with Sidney, Henrik, Pavel and Evgeni leading the way.

These are truly the two best teams in Hockey so sit back and let the new breed of NHL Stars entertain you in 2008.

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