Professional Sports

The Lifestyle of a Professional Basketball Player

December 27, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a professional basketball player? Does it seem all glamorous, full of fancy cars, diamond earrings, and women flocking to you? While these are aspects of a professional basketball player’s lifestyle, there’s so much more that the public never really realizes. Check out some of the less commons aspects of a professional basketball player’s lifestyle.

1. Travel. And lots of it. While this might sound like fun to a lot of people, the truth is that basketball players travel from town to town right in a row. There’s never a break for sight seeing or enjoying the new surroundings. It’s always straight into the city, to the game, and then back on the plane for the next night’s game.

2. Playing on holidays. While we all enjoy a basketball game on Thanksgiving or Christmas, the professionals are actually away from their families and friends those days in order to entertain us. Many people don’t think about the sacrifice the athlete is making in order to be playing a game while we’re home relaxing.

3. Community responsibilities. Many pro basketball players have a commitment to the community. They have to be good examples to the citizens and represent the city well. Many of the athletes often are committed to community events or charity organizations. This takes a lot of time, on and off the basketball court to make happen.

4. A lifetime of commitment. Yes, becoming a professional basketball player is a lifetime commitment. There are no days off from training or practicing. Basketball is basically your life, so you might as well forget any other hobbies, until you retire at least.

With all that being said, professional basketball players choose this career because they love the sport. They are talented and love to entertain. The next time you think about becoming a professional basketball player, be sure to consider all the lifestyle elements, not just the glamorous stuf.

Filed Under: Games, Professional Sports, Professional Teams Tagged With: Basketball, Christmas, Training

Eat Like a Professional Basketball Player

December 25, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Have you ever wondered what professional basketball players eat every day? They have to have a lot of energy in order to run up and down the court. Plus, they are strong and athletic. What do they put into their bodies to keep going so strong? Well, the answer may (or may not) surprise you. Let us take a look at the average diet of a professional basketball player.

1. Basketball players eat carbs. And lots of them. There is no such thing as an Atkin’s diet here. Carbohydrates give basketball players the energy they need to run for hours and keep up their strength. The carbs fuel their bodies and give them the energy to last the entire four quarters.

2. A variety of fruits and vegetables. Most athletes eat very healthy. That means no junk food and a lot of fruits and vegetables. You get the most nutrients from dark leafy greens and fruits of the season. Good nutrition is key to staying well and healthy. After all, a basketball player won’t be very useful on the court if he’s got a nasty cold or the flu.

3. Do not forget the protein. Lean meats like turkey and chicken are also an important part of a balanced diet. Protein helps muscles to stay strong.

4. Drink lots of water. Water keeps our bodies hydrated and it is the same for a basketball player. Downing water before, after, and during a basketball game keeps the player’s body well hydrated.

5. Add in supplements. Vitamins and antioxidants are great supplements that many pro athletes add to their diets. These legal substances help athletes to have more energy, to stay healthy, and to recover faster.

If you want to eat like a professional basketball player, keep these ideas in mind. Even if you cannot play like the pros, you certainly can eat like one.

Filed Under: Games, Professional Sports Tagged With: Basketball, Sports, Training

Greatest Basketball Teams of All Time

December 13, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

When it comes to basketball, it seems almost impossible to choose a favorite team. If you’re an East Coaster, then you are probably in love with the Celtics or the Knicks. West Coasters are pretty loyal to the Lakers. Even if you aren’t a huge fan of basketball, there are a few teams throughout history that have touched our hearts with the game. Here we take a look at some of the greatest basketball teams of all time.

1. OK Celtic fans, you win. The 1964-65 Celtic team tops our list of greatest teams. With all-stars like Bill Russell, Same Jones, and Tom Sanders, the Celtics broke the record for the most wins in a single season. The team won their seventh consecutive championship. That’s pretty impressive!

2. Let’s keep it on the East Coast and show off the 1969-70 New York Knicks. This team included one of the best passing teams in basketball history. With greats like Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, and Bill Bradley, the Knicks say their first NBA Championship in 1970.

3. Take it to the opposite coast for the 1896-87 Lakers team. There’s no denying that a team with Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and A.C. Green captured our hearts this year. This was the dream team, if there ever was a dream team.

4. Don’t forget the 1991-92 Chicago Bulls. It’s hard to forget this team with powerhouses Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. B.J. Armstrong, John Paxson, and Horace Grant also made that team great. In fact, this team held the record for the fifth winningest season in 1991.

There are definitely other great basketball teams, like the 1966 Philadelphia 76ers and the 1988-89 Detroit Pistons, but there’s just something legendary about the above teams that will stay in our hearts forever. When you think of the magic of basketball, what team pops into your mind? Who would be on your greatest teams ever list?

Filed Under: Games, Professional Sports, Professional Teams Tagged With: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, New York Knicks

Joining the NHL

December 11, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image by justinhenry via Flickr

If you love the thrill of the sport and want to be out in the open air during the coldest times of the year, then hockey is definitely your sport. If you’ve ever wanted to join the NHL, you may be wondering what the requirements are. Here’s a look at what you’ll need to do if you want to be a member of the National Hockey League.

1. First, you need some talent. You can’t just put on a pair of skates and grab a stick and suddenly become a hockey player. You need some serious talent in order to play professionally.

2. And while we’re on the subject, even the most talented people have to practice – a lot. You need to dedicate hours to the sport in order to be taken seriously.

3. In North America, you have to be at least 18 in order to be eligible to play hockey professionally. If you’re still in high school, continue to work hard and then get ready for the draft after graduation.

4. Workout. Hockey is a physically demanding sport. You have to be strong, physically and mentally, in order to handle the rigors of the sport. Add strength training to your daily workout schedule.

5. Get used to the cold. Hockey is an ice sport, so of course the temperatures are going to be cold. If you are more inclined to spend time on the beach in Maui rather than on the ice skating rink in Canada, then hockey may not be your sport.

6. Stay safe. Play it safe with a mouth guard and a helmet if you want to be around long enough to play in the big leagues.

Hockey is quickly gaining popularity in the United States. If you’re intrigued with the sport, then start practicing and you could be the next member of the NHL.

Filed Under: Professional Sports, Professional Teams Tagged With: Canada, Hockey, National Hockey League, United States

Professional Athletes Have to be Healthy

December 10, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

The professional athlete mystic is that these guys play hard and then party hard. In reality, this is not the case for most successful professionals who enjoy a long and prosperous career. Makes sense that serious professional athletes have to be healthy to survive an athletic career.

Once he makes the team, a professional athlete is put through a series of tests before he can even begin training. His aerobic capacity is tested. If you’ve ever felt like your heart was going to explode after jogging up a hill, you’re no pro. A player without top form heart and lung conditioning will never make it to game day. Other good health indicators are tested through body fat assessments, stress tests, and then those factors that are important in the game of choice. Every football player at every level remembers the dreaded forty yard dash.

Naturally, strength is key to being a healthy professional athlete. The trainers and coaches want to see how many times an athlete can bench press a determined amount of weight. Along with the other tests, the results give the coaches an idea about the athlete’s overall well being. An athlete who is an injury risk is money down the drain. A star is a star when he’s playing the game.

Proper nutrition and hydration will play a big factor in the athlete’s stamina. Just like anybody else, serious professional athletes eat plenty of lean protein and healthy carbohydrates to sustain strength and energy. The old play and then party myth is really a play and then party and then be a failure truth! Those great players who perform game after game and year after year get plenty of rest, good nutrition and proper exercise conditioning. A guy who starts to sputter out at the end of the year may not have such a healthy lifestyle.

Real pros live and play healthily.

Filed Under: Athletes, Professional Sports, Professional Teams Tagged With: Health, People, Professional sports, Sports

NFL Draft Teams Up the Best With the Worst

December 9, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

The NFL Draft is a little bit like a game of school yard kickball. The loser gets to be the first team to pick a player. Naturally, they’re going to pick the best player. By the time the best team gets to pick, they’re choices are not so good. In essence, the NFL draft teams up the best with the worst. Seems like a fair plan. After all, everybody’s getting a good paycheck.

There is definitely more to it than that. There is the supplemental draft where another round of players get a chance at the big league. And there are trades. Just because a team drafted a guy doesn’t mean they want to play him. Therefore NFL teams might draft the best to use him as leverage in a trade for a player that would suit their team and their winning aspirations better.

Depending on the number of players a team can pick, it will be allowed a corresponding amount of rookie salary money. That doesn’t mean all rookies get paid the same. It just means there’s a budget to spread around based on who is likely to be an asset in the next season. A walk-on is only getting a base salary, but draft pick number one is getting millions.

The way the NFL draft operates doesn’t mean a best player won’t become a worst player. College stars don’t always perform as expected when they get to the NFL. One of the biggest and most controversial college stars to play the game was Brain Bosworth. Does anyone remember him? All of his grandstanding and showmanship couldn’t make him a football legend. He was a total flop in the NFL. He could run his mouth, but couldn’t run down Bo Jackson. Two years into a ten year contract, he had to retire due to bad shoulders. Sounds like the Seahawks and Bosworth ended up losing on that deal.

Filed Under: Professional Sports, Professional Teams Tagged With: National Football League, National Football League Draft

Security on Sports Betting Sites

December 8, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image by Getty Images via @daylife

If you are interested in betting, and find it to be a fun past time, you may have found that betting online is a great way to go. You no longer have to make expensive trips to places like Las Vegas to get your fix. All you have to do is head to the Internet. Because of this, though, many people are becoming concerned about security. In fact, this is a topic that many people are thinking about long before they place any money on a bet.

For example, if you are heading to sports betting sites, you may be concerned about a few things. First, you might wonder if anyone has access to get to your credit card number through these sites. You may also wonder about whether or not your other personal information will get out. Some people are concerned about the security of their own computer once they have gone to one of these sites. You may have the concern that you may get a virus after going to gamble online. Luckily, in most cases, these are not concerns that you have to legitimately worry about.

In fact, many of these gambling sites are very, very strict about their security. They know that people are concerned about this, and therefore are locked down very well. They have security measures in place so that your personal information is not sold or leaked. They also do everything that they can to keep viruses from the site. Of course, with viruses, you may want to make sure that you have security on your own computer to combat this, as any website can have a virus on it. In general, though, these websites are very particular about keeping your information safe and private. They do not want to lose your business, so they will not give out your information.

Filed Under: Professional Sports Tagged With: Gambling, Las Vegas Nevada, Security, Sports betting

Professional Athletes Don’t Always Make Millions

December 7, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

There is an angry myth that professional athletes are overpaid. That’s a generalization if you apply that idea to every professional athlete. They don’t always make millions. In fact, the average salary of a professional athlete is around $30,000 per year.

The big bucks come in when there’s a big draw for the sport, the team or the athlete. Along with a salary from the team, there are endorsements, too. In that case, athletes get paid like celebrity actors and musicians. Hopefully everyone will strive to make a career in something they love. The difference between a hobbyist and a pro is that the professional athlete will work much harder than a weekend warrior. If he doesn’t produce, he won’t have that big salary and fame for long.

When you take the MLB, NBA, and NFL out of the mix, there really aren’t that many million dollar players. Soccer has David Beckham, but his fifty million a year contract in the U.S. proved to be a bad buy. Hockey has had it’s big ticket players, too, but not all professional sports teams are major league.

There are minor league teams that require professional athletes in many cities across the country and world. Since the draw is not as big, the pay isn’t either. For instance, the average salary of a Minor League Baseball player is about $1,000 a month with a $20 a day meal allowance if the game is on the road. Many of these professional athletes are forced to hold extra jobs to make ends meet.

Soccer is a sport with relative salaries based on where it’s being played. In the U.S., a Major League Soccer player can make as little as $20,000 or as much as 6.5 million. However, in Europe, soccer players average around $128,000 per week. It’s best to say that professional athletes have no pay guarantees, so they better manage the money right while they’re making it.

Filed Under: Athletes, Professional Sports, Professional Teams Tagged With: Association football, David Beckham, Minor League Baseball, Professional sports

Professional Athlete as a Career Goal

December 6, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

We all have dreams and passions and desires, and at some point in our youth we start to see some of these dreams as career goals. A professional athlete as a career goal may seem far fetched, but if you possess the talent and skill, then it shouldn’t be considered any less attainable than becoming an actor, musician or college professor, for that matter.

People who excel in a certain field typically have the talent to do so. If your best assets are your physical ability and prowess in a particular sport, then recognizing it, committing to it, and then setting a plan in motion to become a professional athlete can be a reality. It won’t be easy, but the right steps and planning can be the difference between making the cut or not.

Regardless of natural talent, practice is necessary. As a young person, get involved in community leagues, school teams, and any other opportunities to improve. Pay attention to coaches. Spend that extra time one on one, if you can. Study the sport. Learn the rules, regulations and techniques that will make you worth it. Academic grades are important, too, because many professional athletes get the boost into the pro world via a college team. Very few young athletes are good enough upon graduating from high school to make it to the pros.

Great athletes are great at the mental game, too. Therefore, a professional will have intense concentration, a great attitude, determination, and extreme discipline. Professionals get up and work out or practice without excuse. They don’t let a set back break them down. They see every failure as a challenge, and they welcome them. A pro is always looking for opportunities to get better.

How you conduct your life can make a difference, too. If you’re the best player that ever lived, you might get some slack, but if you’re in the pack, team owners don’t have time for trouble.

Filed Under: Athletes, Professional Sports, Professional Teams Tagged With: College and University, People, Professional sports, Sports

Love and Hate for Lance Armstrong

December 4, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

Lance Armstrong is a man who is as famous for polarizing sports fans as he is for winning seven consecutive Tour de France races. There’s plenty of love and hate for Lance Armstrong to go around for everyone. So what is it about this guy? Is he really more arrogant than Charles Barkley? Is his womanizing even in the same ballpark as Wilt Chamberlain’s? Maybe we just can’t believe anyone could come that close to death and still emerge as one of the greatest athletes to ever live.

Looking at the good, one can’t ignore the Livestrong Foundation. How many super famous pro athletes dedicate that much time, money and press to a cause that resonates so deeply with every family? In this case, his dogged perseverance and strong personality have helped a lot of people and inspired even more. As for athletics, he really is a contender. He doesn’t just stick to the pavement. He runs, he mountain bikes, he started as a triathlete. Lance Armstrong is a poster boy for athletic success.

Looking at the bad, he’s rude. Armstrong divorced his wife and took up with Sheryl Crow and then dumped her just before the wedding and took up with another woman and on and on and on. Maybe the comeback kid has a psychological need to comeback from his particular cancer in a prolific manner that will woo the ladies and produce a few extra kids. He seems to lack compassion at times. He can be dogmatic. Basically, not the friendliest guy in the world. Unfortunately, a man in need of remedial social graces loses his athletic mystic a little faster than the nice guy.

That being said, people just won’t give up. Lance Armstrong had to cheat. Somehow, he’s punked the system, and no one can find evidence of the performance enhancing drugs everybody just knows he took. Is it possible that the guy is just a great athlete?

Filed Under: Games, Professional Sports Tagged With: Lance Armstrong, Sports Illustrated, Tour de France