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[Arty's] Week 4 NBA Power Rankings

ILoveThisGame — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:06:41 GMT

Hi my name is Arty and I am huge basketball fan, especially of the NBA. I just turned 18, and I seen the commercial for iHoops.com and was so eager to join a large basketball community to talk and share basketball thoughts. My name on here is "ILoveThisGame", Please if anyone would like to talk basketball with me I'm more than eager to talk basketball.

That being said let's get back to the basketball side, and I'm sure many people want to know how the Top 10 looks with Atlanta with two nice wins, but a nasty loss, with Orlando and Cleveland hot, and the Lakers re-submerging as the elite's in the NBA.

#30. [LW-30] New Jersey Nets - (0-13) -

Yes the Nets are dealing with some nagging injuries, with JUST getting Devin Harris back, Chris Douglas Roberts having to get his rhythm back after he came back from the swine-flu, Yi Jilian is still injured, and as is starting 2-guard Courtney Lee. This team in my opinion has potential once at full strength, but with these injuries combined with a young team, you can only expect so much. However, that does not excuse the fact, that 4 weeks in the NBA regular season your team hasn't won 1 game yet.
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#29. [LW-28] Minnesota Timberwolves - (1-12) -

With their only win being against the winless Nets on opening night, you might as well call this team the worst in the NBA with 12 straight losses, only worse being the Nets. This week only 2 games for the T-Wolves, but 2 more double-digit losses including a 13 point loss to Houston and a 18 point loss to the Blazers. It seems this team is showing no signs of hope for this season other than maybe Kevin Love's return from injury, which even won't help this teams cause. You would think it would make more sense to start G Ramon Sessions with the 1st unit and would create better chemistry and efficient offensive production, but maybe Minnesota management knows this season is heading no where so why not get the lumps and bruises out of rookie G Johnny Flynn's career as quick as possible, because an A/TO ration under 1.00 for your starting PG will never result in a winning record.
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#28. [LW-29] New York Knicks - (3-9)

Almost a perfect week for the Knicks who knocked off a hot Pacer squad, following a tough OT loss to the Celtics.
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#27. [LW-22] Charlotte Bobcats - (4-9)

A tough week for the Bobcats (1-3), with all three losses being close losses on the road, which the combined total was 15 points in all three losses. But before they beat the Pacers, their losing streak extended to 7 games.
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#26. [LW-26] Washington Wizards (3-9) -

This week started promising for the Wizards with beating the heavily favored Cavs quite convincingly, but then it ended with blowout losses at Oklahoma City and at San Antonio. Jamison is back and playing well, but the problem is being hardly anyone of the team is playing with any productive consistency, one day Caron plays well, next day he's off, and same goes for pretty much all except Gilbert and Jamison.
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#25. [LW-27] Memphis Grizzles - (4-9) -

A good week for the Grizz, which included winning at Philadelphia, blowing out the Clippers out by 15, and barely losing against a hot Milwaukee squad. Their starters are putting up nice contributing offensive numbers; Gasol is avg 15/11, Zach Randolph is close to 18/10, and Rudy Gay is putting up 21/7, etc. The problem is their defense, their allowing close to 107 points given up a game on 49% FG shooting.
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#24. [LW-23] Golden State Warriors - (4-8) -

The big move was Stephen Jackson going to Charlotte for Raja Bell, but the more important thing was getting Jackson out of their locker room for a more positive attitude for the team. This week was a good 1-2 believe it or not because they played two very good teams and nearly beat Boston and Cleveland while beating a good Portland team. However, the league worst 112 points per game on 50% shooting is down right embarrassing.
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#23. [LW-24] Los Angeles Clippers (5-9) -

The Clipps had a mild-par week going 2-2, but the highlight of their week was their nice win against the Nuggets. On most nights, the Clipps can be competitive with alot of teams, it just a matter of staying consistent, playing 48 minutes, and defense which seems to be the problem for the Clippers.
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#22. [LW-19] Detroit Pistons (5-9) -

The Pistons conclude their long road trip by finishing it up with a 0-4 mark this week. Which included two blowout losses and two close losses. Defense was their issue, giving up over 100 points three out of those four losses.
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#21. [LW-21] Philadelphia 76ers (5-9) -

Not a good week for 76ers, barely beating the struggling Bobcats, then letting the Grizz come in and beat them, followed by a loss to the Cavs. Having to play now without Speights really hurts this bench.
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#20. [LW-14] Sacramento Kings (5-7) -

After the Kings were surging, they ended this week by losing all three games. Although they came close to winning IN Dallas and IN Houston, they got beat by 10+ against the Bulls. PG Beno U. has been a wonderful replacement for injured G Kevin Martin, he is getting everyone involved and not turning the ball over.
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#19. [LW-18] Indiana Pacers (5-6) -

The Pacers also followed up their hot streak with a 3 straight losses. They gave up over 100 in every game. However, this team just got PF Troy Murphy back which seems promising, and G/F Mike Dunleavy Jr. will be back soon. They need to get back to playing defense which help them excel earlier.
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#18. [LW-16] Toronto Raptors (6-8) -

The Raptors can score no doubt, with Chris Bosh putting up MVP like numbers. But their problems lie on the defensive end. This week they went 1-3 and even in the win they gave up over 100 points in all 4 games they played. Their allowing the 2nd worst defensive points per game in over 107 with close to 48% shooting, that will never cut it.
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#17. [LW-13] Chicago Bulls - (6-6) -

The Bulls finished their West coast road trip with two bad losses at Los Angeles and at Denver, they had trouble defending primarily defending the paint..the Lakers and Nuggets crushed the Bulls on the inside, which although Joakim Noah leads the NBA in rebounds the Bulls are lacking size. Rookie Taj Gibson and Brad Miller are the only bigs they have to help Noah.
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#16. [LW-14] San Antonio Spurs (5-6) -

The Spurs are having some real problems getting some consistency out of their players, their having rely to much on some players and injuries are just inevitable to the Spurs who are really struggling to keep their big three healthy, when is Richard Jefferson going to step up and be a force?
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#15. [LW-25] New Orleans Hornets - (6-9) -

The Hornets PG Darren Collinson has been playing very well in Chris Paul's absence, especially this past week. As the Hornets beat probably the hottest team and one of the best teams in Atlanta and then beating another top team in Phoenix, the Hornets went 3-1 while losing @ Miami by only a point. Collison has scored in double digits in all 4 games including 1 22 point game, and he has had at least 5 assist in all 4 games with 1 at 11 assist. The intensity and ambition of the Hornets is now present, probably because everyone (including me) has written them off when Chris Paul went down, and Byron Scott got fired.
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#14. [LW-17] Oklahoma City Thunder (7-7) -

The Thunder finished this past week 2-2, losing in 2 blowouts and winning in 2 blowouts. The Magic and Lakers, two elite teams with far superior size to the Thunder are not surprising to blow the Thunder out. Beating Miami convincingly is impressive. This is still a VERY young team so being 7-7 at this point is impressive for them. And If Danny Granger could get to the All-Star game on Indiana last year, than Kevin Durant NEEDS to be an All-Star this year. That young man is impressive.
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#13. [LW-20] Utah Jazz (7-6) -

The Jazz are starting to look better and come full circle, they won all three games this week and they done it by playing solid defense. They finally won in San Antonio and they held all three opponents (TOR, DET, SAS) under 100 points.
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#12. [LW-10] Miami Heat (8-5) -

The Heat aren't playing that well defensively, going 1-3 this week with their lone win on a lucky shot with a CP3-less Hornets. They have given up over 100 points in all 4 games, and getting beat bad at home by the Thunder isn't too impressive.
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#11. [LW-11] Houston Rockets (8-6) -

After ending last week by beating the Lakers with defense, the Rockets have stepped a little out of their element this past week going 2-2. They lost two good teams in Phoenix and ATL, but they didn't play defense like they usually do, which doesn't end up well for Houston, they are a defense first team. Houston is 5-1 when allowing opponents UNDER 100 points, while they are 3-5 when allowing opponents OVER that amount.
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#10. [LW-12] Milwaukee Bucks - (8-3) -

The Bucks are quietly rising, playing very good basketball. They again had another productive week, losing only once in overtime to a good Dallas team. Brandon Jennings is playing like the ROY right now, and you wouldn't of even remembered SG Michael Redd, their best player has been hurt this whole time. A tough week will see if the Bucks are legit forreal or not.
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#9. [LW-8] Portland Trailblazers - (10-5) -

The Blazers had a tough week going 2-2, losing a very spectacular game in Atlanta, then getting beat by the Golden State Warriors, failing to score 100 points against the worst defense in the NBA. They did beat the Pistons and T-Wolves, but other than beating the lowly T-Wolves the Blazers never scored over 100 points. Their offense isn't bad but isn't great either. However, their defense is arguably the best in the whole entire NBA, so it's understandable somewhat if your primary focus is defense which is what is most important come playoff time.
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#8. [LW-7] Cleveland Cavaliers (10-4) -

The Cavs are actually playing better in Shaq's absence (shoulder). Lebron James is still dominating, and the Cavs are starting to become more well rounded, surprisingly their scoring more than playing defense, but importantly their winning and have won 7 of 8.
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#7. [LW-8] Orlando Magic (11-3) -

Since losing at home to Cleveland last week, the Magic are 5-0 and 4-0 this week. Defense was their key, because their now playing without G Jameer Nelson. They haven't gave up over 100 points in their last 5, since they gave up 102 in a lost to CLE.
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#6. [LW-3] Denver Nuggets (9-4) -

The Nuggets beat the Raptors and Bulls convincingly, but then got beat by the Clippers. In that game the Nuggets didn't look enthused or motivated to play. However Carmelo Anthony has finally elevated his status to that of Kobe's, Lebron's and Wade's at least scoring and offensive wise.
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#5. [LW-6] Phoenix Suns (11-3)

This team finished the week 2-1 losing to New Orleans. Their problem in that one was of course defense, letting rookie G Darren Collinson go for 22pts/11ast. They held Detroit under 100 points, and the Suns are 3-0 in games they hold other teams under 100 points. No ones asking them to be a top 10 defensive team but playing some D will go long ways for this team, with their kind of offense.
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#4. [LW-5] Dallas Mavericks (10-3) -

2 OT wins and another by only 2 points in regulation, but important thing is, they won. The Mavs stopped a streaking Milwaukee team and then beat a rolling Sacramento team. Dirk is playing MVP ball and Jason Kidd looks healthy, remember their playing without Josh Howard.
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#3. [LW-2] Boston Celtics (10-4) -

The Celtics looked terrible against the Magic, with their offense being so un stable, and then they had to struggle to beat NY. Kevin Garnett does not look like his normal self, maybe he is still injured.

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#2. [LW-1] Atlanta Hawks (11-3) -

They had a good week, but too stay #1 in the NBA it is almost asking to stay perfect every week. The Hawks beat Portland in their rematch, and same with Houston in their 2 very close home games. However, they couldn't find the basket to save their lives against New Orleans by scoring only 88 points on only 37.2 FG%. Losing G Mike Bibby will also hurt for a while, even though Jamal Crawford will fill in fine.
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#1. [LW-4] Los Angeles Lakers (10-3) -

The Lakers have regained their position as the league's best team by a number of things. They get Pau Gasol back who had 24/13 in his return game, and scored 15/7/6 against the Thunder, so he's back. And this week the Lakers went 3-0 while scoring over 100 every game, and holding their opponent to 93 or less in all 3 games.
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MVP WATCH:
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5. [LW- NR] PF Dirk Nowitzki DAL - (26.9ppg/8.6rpg/2.9apg)

4. [LW - 5] SF Lebron James CLE - (29.4ppg/6.8rpg/8.1apg)

3. [LW - 4] PG Steve Nash PHO - (17.1ppg/11.6apg/2.4rpg)

2. [LW- 1} SF Carmelo Anthony DEN - (30.5ppg/6.2rpg/3.4apg)

1. [LW - 3] SG Kobe Bryant LAL - (29.8ppg/3.6apg/5.2rpg)

Favorite Basketball Movie

Active Sara — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:23:01 GMT

So I guess you can say I'm on a sports movie kick right now and it might be due to the fact that I'm new to life without college athletics after graduating this May, but either way a kick is a kick. Here are my two favorites...Hoosiers, a definite classic, and Blue Chips. I'm not going to say Shaq and the rest of the crew should win an academy award, but it's a good flick.

What's your favorite basketball movie?

Highschool Basketball Video

Dinhster — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:14:43 GMT

Hope you guys and girls like this short docu I made about two highschool basketball players.

Please reply with comments and I hope it inspires you!

-Dinh

Where do you draw the line?

brettsp — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:29:13 GMT

Here is video I saw on cnn.com of a young bball phenom. Granted he is very good and a HOF player in Dominuque Wilkins approves of his game. Listen to how long he practices and he is 9 years old. This kid might loose his childhood or become washed up from playing too much.

Lebron James number change

brettsp — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:58:18 GMT

Lebron annoucned after last nights game that he was changing his number 23 to 6 at the end of the season in honor of Michael Jordan. So now Lebron will wear the same number as great Dr. J and Bill Russell.. Smart move?

Huge NBA News!

LetsGoBasketball — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:50:38 GMT

Please join our NBA forum, and discuss basketball with fans all over the world! LINK: http://www.LetsGoBasketball.com/forums/index.php?

Five-Star Campers: A young LeBron dreamed of being teammates with Jordan

SRB2020 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:23:53 GMT

A young LeBron dreamed of being teammates with Jordan

Posted Nov 12 2009 8:32PM

MIAMI (AP) -- A day after he cut off questions about becoming a free agent next year, LeBron James raised the idea of playing with Michael Jordan.

James said that was his dream as a kid.

With the Cleveland Cavaliers' star facing the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade for the first time this season Thursday, the focus was on the possibility they might join forces. Both can opt out of their contracts next year.

"In a fantasy world, there are a lot of guys in the NBA you would love to see how could you be on the same team and see how you match up with the rest of the NBA," James said before the game. "Not just myself, everybody in the league has visualized playing with somebody, even guys who are not in the league anymore. I visualized playing alongside Michael Jordan when I was a kid. Everyone has that vision."

Jordan was at Thursday night's game and sat next to Heat president Pat Riley.

As for Wade, James said he makes the Heat a potential postseason force.

"Any time you've got a guy who can take the game over in the fourth quarter like Dwyane Wade can, they are a contender," James said.

The two shared a warm embrace just before tip-off.

On Wednesday, Wade said the pair have talked about going to the same team. Later that day, James told reporters he wouldn't talk any more about free agency until after this season.

"It never became stressful to me," the reigning NBA MVP said Thursday. "How many ways can I answer the free-agent question? It got to a point where I can't answer it any other way, so it didn't make any sense for me to keep talking about it."

Five-Star Basketball Pre-Season Crash Course!

SRB2020 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:59:32 GMT

Five-Star Basketball Pre-Season Crash Course!

Maximize your talent by working hard every day – take care of your business !!

1) MOVES OFF THE DRIBBLE

Two Dribble Pullup – hard second dribble into shot, one / two step (don’t hop into shot)

Step Back – If you can’t get by him, get AWAY from him!

Dip inside shoulder and press hard off inside foot to created space

Keep shoulders forward as you prepare to shoot

* Add the Drive and Crossover off of Stepback

2) MOVES OFF THE CATCH ON THE WING

Back Pivot – turn back to passer on catch, creates space, gets you closer to basket to begin move

Rip Through – swing ball through on pivot, keep inside shoulder down (touch his ankle)

one dribble pullup or layup

Jab and Shoot – jab at him to show rip through (Sell It!)

stay low and come back halfway with shoulders forward for shot

Jab / Cross / One Dribble Stepback – jab hard , crossover step, 1 dribble stepback

3) MOVES IN THE POST

Forearm Post - make contact, post with forearm in defenders chest and open to middle of floor

1. Rip Through 2. Spin 3. Jab / Shot 4. Jab / 1 Dribble Stepback

4) LOST ART OF MOVING WITHOUT THE BALL

A. Why is it a lost art?

1. Most plays are designed to be either 1 on 1 or 2 on 2

2. Every player feels that they have to handle the ball to be involved and/or effective

3. It is too much work to move and not get the ball

B. Once you learn to move without the ball you will:

1. Understand how important movement is to offense

2. Be a better player

3. Know that a person in perpetual motion is harder to defend

4. Score more often and easier

C. In order to score you must be able to get open (WIDE OPEN)

1. U.S.- Uncontested shots

2. Traffic light for shooting based on if you are open or not

a. Green

b. Yellow

c. Red

5) SHOOTING DRILLS

1. UP-THE HILL/DOWN THE HILL SHOOTING DRILL

-Coach or teammate stand at top of key w/ball use chest pass!

-Use 3 chairs, space them 4ft apart!

1. Put the 1st chair inside the 3 pt line 2 ft. from baseline

2. Mid-post extended is the 2nd chair

3. Elbow extended is the 3rd chair

(All chairs inside 3-pt line)

UP THE HILL:

-Start on the wing, sprint to baseline, touch w/outside foot and curl into chair catch-n-shoot!

-Sprint back to wing, then go back to baseline, curl into mid-post and do the same @ elbow!

CHECK OUT FIVE-STAR BASKETBALL for more instruction!

June is National Basketball & Hip-Hop Culture Month

DunkadelicBron23 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:43:02 GMT

http://www.nbhhcm.org To honor the 25th Anniversary (1984-2009)of the hoops and hip-hop culture fusion (The "Dunkadelic-Era" In America, In America) born in 1984 June was selected as National Basketball & Hip-Hop Culture Month. Baltimore, MD. was the 1st US City to proclaim June as National Basketball & Hip-Hop Culture Month. Philadelphia, PA. was the 1st NBA City to proclaim June as NBHHCM.

June is Basketball ChampionsHip-Hop Month

Do you want to improve your basketball skills? Five-Star Post Workout Program!

SRB2020 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:59:08 GMT

This is the workout program we have used at Five-Star Instructional Basketball Camps which has been developed over the 45 plus years we have been in existence. This program should help you to organize both your time and skill workouts to get the maximum benefit as a post player. The time it takes to complete the program will depend upon your skill level and the efficiency of your workout program. Remember there is no getting around putting in repetitions to automate your post skills.

Ball Slaps/Mikan's/Taps

2 minutes each

Five-Spot Shooting

Makes five shots (or 1 1/2 minutes) from each of the five spots
Go around and back-Make a total of 50 shots
All Shots should be in the 5-10 foot range.

Shoot 15 Foul Shots

Footwork

This is a time drill- (30 seconds)- Go from one drill to the next, repeat the series 3 times.
Jumping Drill- Place your feet together and jump on the balls of your feet- moving left to right
Toe-Touch Drill- Place your feet apart and jump upward and touch your toes
Heel- Touch Drill- Place your feet apart and jump upward and touch your heel
Heel and Toe Touch Drill- Place your feet apart and jump upward and alternate touching your heels and toes.

Shoot 15 Foul Shots

Drop Step Moves

Make 5 shots off of each move
First start on the right side with the right hand and after all moves are completed move to the left side with the

left hand. Always have a strong base in the post-established position and feel the defender.

Drop Step Power Dribble- to the outside of the paint- straight up lay-up or dunk
Drop Step Power Dribble- to the inside of the paint- straight up lay-up or dunk
Drop Step Power Dribble to the outside of the paint- jump hook
Drop Step Power Dribble to the inside of the paint- jump hook
Drop Step Power Dribble to the outside of the paint- ball-fake, straight up lay-up or dunk
Drop Step Power Dribble to the inside of the paint- ball-fake, straight up lay-up or dunk
Drop Step Power Dribble to the outside of the paint- ball-fake, up and under move
Drop Step Power Dribble to the inside of the paint- ball-fake, up and under move

Shoot 15 Foul Shots

Back to the Basket Moves without the Drop Step

Make 5 shots off of each move
First start on the right side with the right hand and after all moves are completed move to the left side with the

left hand. Always have a strong base in the post-established position- gathering yourself prior to each move

and feel the defender.

Catch the Ball- feel the defender- Jump Hook
Catch the Ball- feel the defender- Crab Move
Catch the Ball- feel the defender- Turn and Face- Shoot the Jump Shot
Catch the Ball- feel the defender- Turn and Face- Ball fake, one dribble- attack the rim

Shoot 15 Foul Shots

Back to the Basket Moves without the Drop Step- Adding the Re-Post

Make 5 shots off of each move
First start on the right side with the right hand and after all moves are completed move to the left side with

the left hand. Always have a strong base in the post- establish position- gather yourself and feel the defender.

Shoot 15 Foul Shots

Agility and Flash Cuts

These are time drills (1 minute) -Go through each drill 3 times)
Place one ball on each block
Go Block to Block- Drop Step-Power Dribble- attack the rim
Place one ball on each elbow
Flash to each elbow from the block- Turn and Face- Jump Shot

(also good to work on for a possible high-low pass situation)

Shoot 25 Foul Shots

Program completed!

OPTIONAL PROGRAM: (You will need 2-3 passers to do these drills)

Combination Drills

Three Spot Post Move Series
This drill is tough to do unless you have at least 2-3 passers
If you have 3 passers- passer A goes to the right wing- passer B goes to the top of the key, Passer C

goes to the left wing.
(2 minutes on the clock) do the drill 3 times
Player starts under the rim, player flashes to each spot, can not use a move back to back
Moves
Drop Step Lay-up
Drop Step Ball Fake Lay-Up
Jump Hook
Jump Shot
Up and Under Move
Crab Move
Turn and Face Up- one dribble attack the rim

Shoot 15 foul shots

15 Ugliest Basketball Jerseys of All-Time

PointGuardU — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:04:11 GMT

Found a funny gallery of ugly uniforms over at this site.They have the Oregon Ducks at #13, but even as an Arizona fan I kind of like those uni's.

My vote below