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How to pick a basketball team
USA Basketball - 5 Tips for Choosing a Summer Basketball Team
In today's landscape of high school and club basketball, players don't really get a break between seasons so much as change uniforms. As playoffs and state tournaments crown their champions the club teams are in the gym getting ready for the ever busier spring and summer schedule.
Whether you're staying with a club you've played with in the past or moving to a new program, get some assurances before investing your time and recruitment prospects with any group or individual.
With so much of the collegiate recruiting process based on nonscholastic teams and events, there's way too much on the line to settle for less than you deserve from a club coach or program director.
Look for a club that offers continued skill development. It's a critical time in the career of any high school recruit and simply playing games doesn't serve the top-ranked prospects or those just hoping to gain some attention.![]()
Sadder still are the number of squads that hold a minimal number of team practices if they hold any at all.
Demand that your coach gets you on the floor beyond just game time. Get a guarantee that they'll do their best to both make you a better player individually as well as prepare your team for the events you're going to compete in. It's not enough to play the game; you have to work at it, too.
Check the club's schedule of events closely. Before you commit to a team be sure you know definitively what events they're going to be playing in this spring and summer. Don't simply take their word that they're going to be at "all the top events." Ask them to provide the complete schedule up front. You need to let recruiters know where you'll be playing and your family needs to be able to make travel plans.
Also be sure what bracket or tier they may be playing in during each event. Playing in the third or fourth division at an event isn't going to get too many recruiters courtside.
Additionally, if it's a talented, young group ask if they'll be "playing up." It's important to be challenged by older and better competition to show college coaches your true potential. Playing in a younger age group may help you constantly win by 20 and take home some trophies, but won't do much to advance your game.
Be careful about overscheduling. Obviously the spring evaluation period only allows for one event, but July has the potential to be a real problem. There are two separate 10-day evaluation segments with a five day break in between. Playing two events each segment doesn't overextend the athletes and allows for travel time.
In the past, teams who have tried to squeeze three events into one or both segments have ended up exhausted and it showed in their play. The extra events aren't worth the price you pay and in terms of fatigue, risk of injury and poor performance. Besides, if coaches can't find the time to see you play in the other four tournaments, you're probably not at the top of their list.
Check out your club's roster. Be sure you know up front what position you'll be playing and how many others on the team will occupy that same spot. If you're a high school post hoping to play the wing during the summer you don't want to be playing for a team lacking inside players. One injury or some bad performances and you'll be back on the block missing your opportunity to expand and grow your game.
Do your homework on the talent level of your potential teammates as well. There's nothing advantageous about being the go-to player if you don't have any help around you. Conversely, if you're in over your head, it will be hard to be evaluated and recruited while sitting on the bench.
The club coach's relationship with college coaches is not as important as you think. When club coaches make their "pitch" to athletes and parents, this is one of the most overplayed selling points. No doubt it's important, but not remotely to the degree some would have you believe.
If recruiters see you play and they like what you do they'll be there whether they know your coach or not. An established relationship with the college crowd can sometimes get them in the gym to see you play, but it won't get you an offer.
If you're talented enough and playing well, they'll find you anyway. Recruiters are a resourceful and greedy bunch. With job security being extraordinarily fragile these days, college coaches have more riding on every recruit than ever before. The word of even the most reliable club coach by itself isn't enough to get a good evaluator past any concerns they may have with aspects of your game. It's up to you to do that on the floor.
Somewhere along the line club coaches and program directors became de facto recruiting coordinators and many aspects of club basketball got bumped down the priority list.
There are a limitless number of concerns that could be raised by different players and parents, each looking for different things from their club experience.
The most important thing is to ask questions and get confirmation on what you'll be getting from a particular coach or team.
Even if it's a coach you've played with for years, he or she still needs to provide you with the answers to your questions. New team or old team, the failure to ask can lead to a long, "hot" summer.
Basketball: How to Choose Your NBA Team – A Guide for New Fans
Josh Davis has assessed every one of the NBA’s 30 teams, so you can a pick a franchise to ride from here to eternity.
It’s happened again. The NBA season has once again caught you by surprise. Every year you promise yourself you’ll pick a team, sign up to League Pass and waste away otherwise productive afternoons watching some gangly dudes throw a ball at a circle, but every year you don’t quite manage to get around to it.
When the Playoffs come around you attempt to lock in, pick a team to support, but it’s not the same. You haven’t earned any success, all victories feel hollow.
You weren’t there when times were tough, when the coach was too stubborn to play the exciting young rookie over the declining veteran. You weren’t there when the team’s best player thought it would be cool to not attempt to play defense. Where were you when the entire team got on the piss in their only night out in New York for the year, resulting in a hungover 30-point blowout loss the next day?
It’s OK, though, this year will be different. I am here to help you, and happen to be an idiot savant when it comes to choosing NBA teams to support.
In 2007 I started supporting the Orlando Magic, who were at that point a borderline playoff team coming off years of mediocrity. In 2009 they played in the NBA Finals. In 2009 I started supporting the Golden State Warriors, when they drafted my favourite college player, Steph Curry. Last season they were the NBA Champions.
I am NBA team-picking God.
Here is the criteria I will be using:
WATCHABILITY
Are they fun to watch? Whether it’s via a star player, an attractive, fast-paced style of play or they do dumb, goofy shit, it’s important the team you choose is actually fun to watch because otherwise why bother?
LIKABILITY OF PLAYERS/COACHES
Although athletes are almost uniformly bad, constantly making us regret getting emotionally invested in their lives and successes, the NBA is chocka full of intelligent, funny and eccentric sweethearts and it’s a lot more fun to support a team if you actually like the players on your team.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
You’re picking a team not just for this season, but for the rest of your life. This decision will follow, perhaps even haunt you for the rest of your life so you better pick a team that has a chance to be really good for a really long time.
MISCELLANEOUS, SUBJECTIVE THOUGHTS
Do cool celebs go to their games? Do they have fans with funny tweets? How horny are their players? Shit like that.
What we’re really looking for here is a team on the way up. For victories to be truly satisfying, you need to go through some hardships with your boys.
We’ve divided the teams up into five groups, corresponding with how you should approach each set of teams.
GROUP ONE: NAH, DON’T DO IT
(I’m serious, do not choose the following teams unless you despise yourself)
Philadelphia 76ers
Watchability: In theory they play a nice style of basketball, but besides Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel, they are completely unwatchable.
Tall, athletic players that cannot shoot or pass. Gross, IMO.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Honestly, not sure any of these guys are sentient beings. Boring, nondescript, living, breathing basketball assets. Their GM, Sam Hinkie, is essentially just biding his time to trade any of these players for a player with even slightly higher value. Sam Hinkie looks at this team like it’s an Excel spreadsheet, is a nerd.
Future Prospects: They might be good in the future but who cares. Fuck this team.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: Players on this team are so often traded/released that is it is actually noticeable that none of the players want to get to close to one another for fear that their mate will be swiftly sent to another team. They have been burnt before. Sam Hinkie is a nerd.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Charlotte Hornets
Watchability: Worst shooting team in the league last year, they have added some shooters but, idk, they just reek of mediocrity.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Frank Kaminsky, their rookie, the 2014-15 College Player of the Year, is a big goofy nerd, so that’s chill. Jeremy Lin, Harvard graduate, is also a goofy nerd, which is also chill.
Future Prospects: The Hornets are owned by Michael Jordan, AKA the Jumpman, AKA the Jordan crying meme, allegedly a former basketball player(?) is a bad owner who makes bad personnel decisions. They will be mediocre-to-terrible for as long as he reigns.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: Jumpman Jumpman Jumpman Jumpman Jumpman.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Denver Nuggets
Watchability: Rookie Emmanuel Mudiay will be exciting to watch.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Nah.
Future Prospects: Mudiay and maybe huge man Jusuf Nurkic.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: They play at altitude, is that interesting?
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
I tried to find a cool Denver Nuggets Vine but I somehow found myself watching Steph Curry Vines for two hours instead.
Sacramento Kings
Watchability: Demarcus “Boogie” Cousins is a true joy to watch and everyone else is a nightmare. They have almost no shooting, so their best player will have no space to operate.
Likeability Players/Coaches: It’s a bunch of mad dudes. Boogie is very emotional and demonstrative as is Rajon Rondo.
Future Prospects: Boogie. They have fired three coaches in two years. They are, and will continue to be a disaster.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: Their owner, Vivek Ranadive, wants them to play defense with four people, leaving one person seagulling down the other end waiting for a long outlet pass on the off chance they actually stop the other team. This man wants to do everything you thought would be a good idea when you were a 12 year-old, dreaming of owning an NBA team. This man is probably about to suggest the players wear sneakers with springs in the soles.
“All I’m saying is, it’s a brilliant idea that is worth trying. Heck, maybe they could even just wear tiny trampolines on their feet! Owning an NBA team is fun.”
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Orlando Magic
Watchability: They have a lot of fun, young players, most of whom cannot shoot a basketball. That’s problematic! Putting the ball in the basket is kinda important! Just my opinion.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Mario Hezonja, their Croatian rookie, is very confident and talks a lot of trash.
Future Prospects: They are a young, talented team. They have a very bright future.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: Sometimes horny-ass Tiger Woods comes to the games to scout the cheerleaders, so if you’re into cutaway shots of famous athletes staring and biting their bottom lip this could be the team for you! Too bad their owner is a big ol’ conservative homophobe who actively campaigns against LGBT rights! You cannot in good conscience support this team! Sorry friends.![]()
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Memphis Grizzlies
Watchability: The Griz are some real Kiwi battlers but, my god, they are ugly to watch.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Tony Allen is really cool and an otherworldly defender but that doesn’t put bums in seats.
Future Prospects: They have peaked and are on a downward trajectory.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: There is nothing fun about these grouchy old men. These guys probably spend their timeouts complaining about millennials taking too many selfies.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
I’m honestly not even sure Memphis Grizzlies games are televised.
Brooklyn Nets
Watchability: Nah.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Boring, quasi-journeymen who are just getting their cheques.![]()
Future Prospects: Grim AF.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: Jay Z used to pretend to own the team, do you like Jay Z?
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Indiana Pacers
Watchability: They have revamped their team, deciding to ditch their slow, bang ‘em in the paint style in favour of an up-tempo, spread ‘em out style on offensive. Paul George was one of the 10 best players in the league until he literally snapped his leg in half a year ago.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Nah. Future Prospects: PG still could be one of the 10 best players in the league, maybe. During the Draft I tweeted that I thought Myles Turner would be the steal of the Draft, so it would be extremely chill if that happened.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: I kinda just assume all their fans are racist.
Isn’t Indiana the birthplace of the KKK? This is very good analysis I’m doing here.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
I would post the Vine of Paul George snapping his leg here, but it’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen. Don’t look it up. You know what, I made it up. It never happened. Paul George never snapped his leg. Please don’t google this.
GROUP TWO: TEAMS THAT MAY STAY MEDIOCRE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE AND MAKE YOU SAD
Detroit Pistons
Watchability: Stan Van Gundy will have them playing a fun style with a pick and roll surrounded by three-point shooters. Andre Drummond dunks on people, which is, in my opinion, cool.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Stan Van is great.
Future Prospects: They’re in the Eastern conference, which is weaker than the West, so maybe they can fluke their way to the conference finals in a few years, but they really don’t have elite talent.![]()
Stan Van is a good coach.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: New signing Aron Baynes was born in Gisborne, New Zealand. If you are nostalgic about your first post-high school new years in Gizzy, maybe this is the team for you? Rhythm & Baynes might be a chill, kinda’ niche nickname for Aron? Or the title of a middling RomCom where big Baynesy learns to dance and falls in love with his emotionally guarded dance instructor? Just spitballin’ here, folks.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Toronto Raptors
Watchability: Nah.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Not really.
Future Prospects: Middling East playoff team til the end of time.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: The only reason to support this team is that the rapper Drake is their official ambassador AKA he goes to games sometimes when he’s in the 6.![]()
Essentially the only reason to support this team is that you might get to make a good Drake meme whilst watching one of their games, which is low key an excellent reason to support a basketball team
Bonus Pop Culture Joke:
And I know when that hotline bling, that can only mean one thing:
Don’t support this team.
LMFAO
Two Vines That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Miami Heat
Watchability: Pretty fun to watch, guess.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Chris Bosh a goofy dude.
Future Prospects: This team is getting old but Pat Riley, the team president, is a savage, and will swing for a big trade. But yeah, they’re old. Not many years left.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: All Miami Heat fans are bad. Both fans in Miami (all their fans look like they own boats) and here in humble New Zealand (leftover LeBron bandwagoners).![]()
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Went down another Steph Curry rabbit hole here, please forgive me.
Atlanta Hawks
Watchability: Good to watch if you’re a B-ball purist (ball movement! Cutting! Kyle Korver’s knee-high socks!), boring for the b-ball layman (nobody’s gonna dunk on nobody’s head)
Likeability Players/Coaches: Boring players.
Future Prospects: This is probably quite controversial, they were one of the best teams in the East last year, but they’re low key old and they don’t have a superstar/potential future superstar. They peaked last year.
Future Prospects: The rapper Future is from Atlanta and you might see him at one of the Atlanta Hawks basketball matches!
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: Boring.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Dallas Mavericks
Watchability: Rick Carlisle will make their offense pretty.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Dirk is cool, Chandler Parsons is a chill-ass bro.
Future Prospects: Gonna’ have to rebuild after their future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki retires in the next couple of years.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: Their owner Mark Cuban is crazy and played the President of the United States of America in Sharknado 3.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Phoenix Suns
Watchability: Young and they play up-tempo.
Likeability Players/Coaches: IDK
Future Prospects: Some good young players. Good coach.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: These guys used to be exciting, what happened?
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
I’m just gonna’ move on to the next team, now.
I won’t lie, I didn’t even look for a Vine for these guys.
GROUP THREE: TEAMS WITH EXCITING FUTURES BUT THEY AREN’T QUITE THERE YET
Boston Celtics
Watchability: Good to watch for basketball purists, no star power.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Coach Brad Stevens is a boy genius, can give good interviews.
Future Prospects: Good, young hungry players. Young, wunderkind coach. They have trade assets and draft picks. This team will be fun to watch for a while. They’re still bad enough that you can feel like you’re getting in on the ground floor.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: People from Boston kinda suck. You might hate Bill Simmons?
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Scrappy Boston battlers.
Los Angeles Lakers
Watchability: Exciting young players, Kobe Bryant, curmudgeonly old man, raging against the dying of the light.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Swaggy P is quotable yet his relationship with Iggy Azalea is PROBLEMATIC. Kobe will talk a lot of shit about the inexperienced whipper snappers on this team.
Future Prospects: D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, desirable trade/free agent destination.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: They have HELLA celebs.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Portland Trailblazers
Watchability: Damian Lillard is an All Star; their offense will be aesthetically pleasing.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Nope.
Future Prospects: Damian Lillard will be very good in this league for the foreseeable future. CJ McCollum is kinda nice, too. They will be pretty bad for the next few years, though.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: Damian Lillard raps, but does not have bars.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Utah Jazz
Watchability: Young team with exciting players, who compete. That’s fun.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Gordon Hayward, ostensibly their star player, is a gaming nerd. That might be interesting to you? What are your interests?
Future Prospects: They have a chance to be a good team for a long time. Good coach.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: Maybe you don’t think Mormonism is chill? They peaked down the stretch last season, winning against teams that were resting their players ahead of the playoffs. Can we trust that that version of the Jazz is who they really are?
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Milwaukee Bucks
Watchability: Fun young players, struggle offensively.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Giannis Antetokounmpo is seven foot tall and athletic. That’s fun.
Future Prospects: Jabari Parker, Giannis and Middleton are nice. Jason Kidd is a good coach.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: They’re some nice boys.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Washington Wizards
Watchability: John Wall is going to be very good for a very long time.
Likeability Players/Coaches: John Wall is an angel who does a lot for his community and his friendship with a little girl who was terminally ill with cancer was very heartwarming and made me cry a bunch.
Future Prospects: John Wall and Bradley Beal are legit and there is also the chance that Kevin Durant, top three player in the NBA, will be coming to the Wizards – his hometown team – after this season.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: The rapper Wale commentates their games sometimes which is cool, in my opinion.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
GROUP FOUR: TEAMS THAT WOULD BE FUN TO SUPPORT BUT IT’S PROBABLY NOT COOL TO SUPPORT THEM BECAUSE THEY’RE ALREADY VERY GOOD
Chicago Bulls
Watchability: Offense will be much better to watch this year with new coach Fred Hoiberg.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Some people hate Joakim Noah because he talks much trash, but I like him.
Future Prospects: Window closing as presently constructed, but Jimmy Butler is a superstar and the team will be built around him.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: I feel like everyone supports the Bulls so, um, don’t do it. Up to you, though.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Joakim, ILY.
Los Angeles Clippers
Watchability: Objectively fun to watch. Dunks, threes, all the good shit.
Likeability Players/Coaches: A team of detestable whingers, particularly Chris Paul and Doc Rivers. Blake Griffin is quite funny.
Future Prospects: Another 4-5 years of Chris Paul. Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan are the future.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: I really hate this team.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Houston Rockets
Watchability: The most unwatchable, loathsome up-tempo three-point shooting team of all time.
Likeability Players/Coaches: James Harden, MVP, only exists to dry and draw fouls. He is the worst. Got curved by Khloe Kardashian for her nice-guy ex, so that might be relatable to you?
Future Prospects: They will be contending in the West for the foreseeable future.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: Don’t Support this team.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Cleveland Cavaliers
Watchability: Very, deeply watchable. Dunks, threes, broken ankles, ball movement. It’s lit.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Bunch of likeable dudes.
Future Prospects: They have LeBron and Kyrie Irving (and K-Love, I guess), they’re gonna’ be elite for a long time.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: JR Smith is the horniest player in the league, which is saying something. His Twitter DMs will be leaked at some point during the season and will be incredibly depraved. Iman Shumpert raps and actually has bars. David Blatt, long-time resident of Israel, thinks it’s cool to bomb Palestine so, uh, fuck him.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
San Antonio Spurs
Watchability: So good to watch.
Likeability Players/Coaches: They are all incredible people.
Future Prospects: Lamarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard are the future.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: This team is old and they love each other. Tim Duncan has, maybe two seasons left in him, same with Manu Ginobili, so their sense of desperation to get one last ring before they bow out is palpable, and fun to watch. I will not begrudge you supporting this team.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Yeah, baby. That’s the good stuff.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Watchability: YUP. They have an actual offense now (spacing, ball movement, etc) and two of the best, most explosive players on the planet in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Likeability Players/Coaches: They’re all pretty great but especially Kiwi legend, Steve Adams.
Future Prospects: Depends what KD and Russ do in free agency. If they stick around they will contend for years to come.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: If you don’t at least partially support this team, you aren’t a real Kiwi, I’m just bein’ honest here.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Golden State Warriors
Watchability: The best team to watch in the NBA. Beautiful basketball.
Likeability Players/Coaches: They are all the finest folk you could ever hope to meet.
Future Prospects: Young and they are the defending NBA Champions.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: I love them. They are my boys. I’m sorry but it’s just not okay to just start supporting the defending champions. It’s just not. I’d love you to experience this, but it’s just not okay.
They are my boys. Not your boys.
Several Vines That Remind Us That Life Should Be Celebrated, Every Moment Savoured:
GROUP FIVE: PICK ONE OF THESE TEAMS, YOU PROBABLY WON’T REGRET IT
New Orleans Pelicans
Watchability: By the end of the season, Anthony Davis might be regarded as the best player on this here planet.
Likeability Players/Coaches: New coach, Alvin Gentry, is extremely quotable and funny.
Future Prospects: Anthony Davis.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: Anthony Davis.
Vines That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Minnesota Timberwolves
Watchability: Extremely exciting young talent.
Likeability Players/Coaches: Ricky Rubio is cute AF.
Future Prospects: Karl Towns and Andrew Wiggins are certified future superstars.
The team is gonna’ be bad this year despite the two potential superstars, so you can really feel like you came in at the start of something special.
Miscellaneous, Subjective Thoughts: Their coach, Flip Saunders, just tragically passed away. This season could be could be a goddamn Disney movie. Prepare yourself for an emotional journey.
A Vine That Concisely and Accurately Illustrates The Fan Experience of Supporting This Team:
Good luck, godspeed, and I am very sorry that the teams I told you to choose will be bad and make you sad.
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How to choose a basketball uniform, how to choose a basketball uniform
Basketball is a very popular team game that has a huge number of fans and admirers all over the world. At the same time, it should be said that many fans of this sport not only like to watch basketball competitions and tournaments, but also play quite well themselves.
In addition, unlike other team sports, basketball has a huge number of different street variations, which allows you to practice this sport even on the street. However, even if the game of basketball takes place outdoors, the basketball player must be dressed in the most comfortable or comfortable clothing, as otherwise the likelihood of injury is high. In this article, the LYNX full-cycle sportswear sewing production, where you will be offered a basketball uniform to order, tailoring a volleyball uniform, making T-shirts or rashguards with your own design, will tell you how to choose and buy a basketball uniform.
The main purpose of running shoes in sports is to provide maximum comfort and safety to the athlete. It is worth noting the fact that modern manufacturers of high-quality shoes develop and manufacture sports shoes that are designed for practicing a particular sport. Basketball is no exception, especially since high-quality and comfortable sneakers are one of the most important elements of the equipment of a modern basketball player, on which the quality of the game and the safety of the athlete directly depend.
At the same time, unlike other types of team sports, the choice of high-quality sneakers for basketball depends on the specialization of the basketball player on the court. It is also very important not to save on buying shoes, since the presence of rapid movements on the parquet, the presence of complex jumps, instant turns, power struggle, a sharp change in direction of movement - all this causes the basketball player's legs to experience very high loads. In this regard, the most common injury in both professional and amateur basketball is ankle dislocation.
Why is it necessary to be very careful and responsible when choosing basketball shoes?
The use of properly selected shoes during training and playing will allow the basketball player to securely fix his own ankle and, thus, significantly reduce the possibility of injury. In addition, high-quality sneakers will help absorb the force of impacts during jumps, create stability during movement, and also contribute to a faster set of high starting speeds.![]()
Basic requirements for quality basketball shoes:
- high stability when performing lateral movements;
- excellent grip on the surface that the playground has;
- the presence of a function to mitigate shock loads that occur during the performance of jumps;
- tight fixation of the foot and ankle with shoes;
- providing the athlete with maximum comfort while moving around the playing field;
- the presence of high wear resistance.
It is worth noting that cheap sneakers from Chinese manufacturers or little-known brands very rarely meet all of the above characteristics and therefore it is best not to save on the purchase of shoes for playing basketball.
We choose basketball shoes depending on the specialization of the player on the court
At the moment, the leading manufacturers specializing in the manufacture of basketball shoes offer their customers three different types of sneakers. At the same time, professional basketball players recommend that novice athletes choose playing shoes depending on the playing role on the court.
Next, we will tell readers about the varieties of sneakers and their right choice depending on the game specialization:
- High sneakers or High. This type of shoe has a high last and is best suited for centers or heavy hitters. It is worth noting that in most basketball teams, the tallest and largest players act as centers and heavy attackers. The main advantages of shoes of this type include the presence of high stability, providing maximum shock absorption during jumps, full closure and rigid fixation of the ankle joint. If we talk about the shortcomings of sneakers with a high last, then they include a lot of weight, a decrease in speed, as well as a stiffening of the step.
- Medium, versatile sneakers or Mid. Mid-type sneakers are a great solution for versatile players, small forwards and snipers. The main advantages of shoes of this type are the presence of a relatively small weight, and the disadvantages are less reliable fixation of the foot and the presence of a rather hard sole.
- Low running shoes. These shoes are ideal for highly agile players such as attacking guards or point guards who have to move in jerks throughout the game, often change direction or make sudden stops. The main advantage of this shoe can be called lightness. The presence of excellent practicality and maneuverability. Speaking of shortcomings, it should be noted a high level of wear and poor fixation of the ankle.
What do you need to know about choosing the right uniform for basketball?
When choosing clothes for training and playing basketball, it is very important to pay your own attention to the following most important factors:
- The presence of high comfort. When choosing a game or training uniform, you should definitely remember that it should not hamper your movements. Therefore, the ideal option would be to purchase playing basketball shorts and jerseys made from soft synthetic fabrics. The use of these fabrics in the process of manufacturing shorts allows you to get sports equipment that almost instantly removes moisture from the athlete's skin.
In addition, when buying a uniform for playing basketball, be sure to inspect the seams of the equipment you choose, they should be as flat, closed and durable as possible. The presence of such seams in the form will allow you not to be afraid that the equipment will rub your skin during training and games. Another important selection criterion is the correct selection of the size of the uniform, since sports equipment for basketball should not fit the athlete tightly. Therefore, it is best to purchase a shape that is one size larger. - Breathability. With high physical exertion, it is very important to provide the skin with a constant and systematic supply of air. Therefore, choosing a sportswear that has breathable properties, you can ensure optimal thermoregulation, which will positively affect the preservation of strength and increase endurance during the game. It should be understood that the right choice of fabrics will ensure the comfort of the athlete, and will also have a positive impact on his game and training progress.
- Shirt and shoes must be identical in design. According to FIBA rules, the basketball uniform used for performances in competitions must have a single design and one predominant color scheme. The uniform should have a rather bright color scheme so that the judges and spectators can distinguish between the players of the two teams. In the event that you want to get a basketball uniform with an original design, then it is best to entrust its creation to a specialist who has all the knowledge and experience necessary for this.
Where can I order customized basketball uniforms?
Our tailoring is the ideal choice for athletes and basketball teams who want to quickly and cost-effectively design and manufacture custom-designed basketball uniforms to the highest quality standards. It should be noted that our company employs professional designers with extensive practical experience in creating sports equipment with an individual design. In addition, when developing and creating a design layout for a future basketball uniform, our company's specialists use modern trends in the field of sports fashion, and also take into account all the wishes of the client.
At the same time, unlike most competitors, we will offer you free uniform design when ordering equipment tailoring services. Even a client who decides to order one set of uniforms from our company can get a free design development.
It is worth emphasizing that the form produced at our enterprise is produced on modern equipment using only high-quality, certified fabrics. The use of high-quality, certified fabrics in the process of tailoring, as well as professional sewing equipment, allows us to create playing and training basketball equipment that meets the highest quality standards and has high wear resistance. Specialized reinforced seams, as well as the anatomical cut of the equipment, are responsible for ensuring the durability of the products. Thus, each client who decides to order the manufacture of a basketball uniform in our company becomes the owner of modern, high-quality and durable equipment that has an attractive price.
Basic positions of players in the basketball team
Basketball is a team sport in which everything depends on the unique abilities of each of the team members.
And while the players on today's basketball teams are multifunctional and can substitute for each other to a greater or lesser extent, each of them has a role to play.
In this article, we'll talk about the five traditional roles in basketball without which no game will take place. Why know this? To understand how the team is initially built and, accordingly, how the game itself works.
Knowing your position in the team, you will be able to successfully lead your team to victory! For fans, this knowledge will help to better analyze the course of the game and assess the complexity of each movement on the field.
So, here are the roles that will be discussed:
- point guard
- Attacking defender
- small forward
- Power forward
- Center
The point guard is usually the shortest player on the team, but has highly developed ball handling skills and a high basketball IQ.
Such players are usually responsible for dribbling the ball around the field. They are behind the fact that the attack was built taking into account the weaknesses and strengths of the enemy. It is no coincidence that the point guard is often referred to as the outfield general or coach on the court.
On defense, these players are responsible for holding back the other team's point guard, and their ability to analyze, predict, and disrupt the opponent's strategy is critical to the outcome of the game. Therefore, it is important that the rest of the team listens to the point guard's recommendations, and that he himself is good at communicating with others.
Attacker is the position of a player interchangeable with the point guard role as their roles are similar. However, unlike the point guard, who focuses more on building up the attack, the offensive player's goal is to score from anywhere on the court. Because of this, many offensive tactics are centered around defender throws.
This position is more focused on the offensive, and such a player implements defensive tactics around the weakest member of the opposing team. Attackers may also assist the point guard in ball play if the point guard is heavily guarded.
The small forward is the most versatile player on the team both offensively and defensively. This is due to the fact that they are usually slightly smaller than the power forward and center in height and build, but have the accuracy, ball control and basketball IQ of defensemen.
These players usually play near the edges of the three-point arc, as there is relative freedom of movement and a shot can be made from there. Small forwards usually block the best player on the opposing team because they have the ability to reach and block the shot, they have the weight to push the opponent away, and they are endowed with the speed and agility of the defenders.
The power forward is usually the second tallest player on the team and plays near the free throw circle.
This player is responsible for blocking the opponent; it depends on him whether the offensive will be successful. Because the power forward plays such an important role in offense, he also needs to be able to accurately shoot the ball from medium range to score if the ball is passed to him after a screen by a defender.
In addition, the power forward is often responsible for holding the ball, allowing stronger team members to advance. With defensive tactics, such players take on the protection and blocking of those opponent's shots that the center cannot reach.
The center is the tallest and heaviest player on the team, playing under the basket. Posts dominate with weight and strength, using height and jump to get the ball over the heads of shorter players. Such players also block the opponent near the edge of the field to give space for a defender or small forward to shoot.
Traditionally, centers have not been able to shoot with high accuracy, but today everything is different: centers at least know how to make medium-range shots, and some are capable of three-point shots.
