Prior to this assignment, I believed that I knew a fair deal of information about Yao Ming’s past, being the basketball fan that I am. It was my assumption that he was randomly blessed with extraordinary height and happened to play very well overseas, leading to him being drafted into the NBA. However, Yao’s rise to superstardom is nowhere near as natural as I thought. Brook Larmer’s 2005 biographical exposé, Operation Yao Ming: The Chinese Sports Empire, American Big Business, and the Making of…
What is their family history?: David Thompson was born on July, 7th, 1954. He was born to the parents of Vellie Thompson, and Ida thompson in Shelby, North Carolina. He grew up in the small town of Shelby, and he had somewhat of just a normal childhood. Everything was fine until he hit ten years old. When he was ten years old his father Vellie went out of his job and his family was going into debt. They had nothing paying the house for a year, and they had to think of something quick. When this…
Len Bias was born in 1963 and was only twenty-two when he died of a cocaine related overdose. Bias was and still is considered one of the most exceptional players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Bias rose to stardom after being a star collegiate athlete at the University of Maryland, drafted into the NBA only two years on the collegiate level (Boren…). After being drafted into the NBA in 1986 and the buzz that surrounded him was loud. However, as Bias gained popularity even though…
The Ultimate NBA Playoff Experience “They need a three to tie, Lowry half court heave a prayer at the buzzer, oh Kyle Lowry he hits and we are going to overtime in Toronto (Eastern).” This is what Kevin Harlen, a NBA commentator, said during the game as Kyle Lowry hit a buzzer beater to go into overtime in the playoffs. The NBA playoffs are a huge attraction in the United States, Canada, and even countries overseas to many people. Basketball can be one of the most exciting sporting events in…
As many gamblers from the 1970s, 80s and 90s were quick to learn, players like Moses Malone can have a profound effect on the outcome of free bets or real money wagers. September 13, 2015 will forever be remember as a sad day for NBA fans, owners, coaches and players after hearing the announcement regarding the sudden passing of NBA great Moses Malone at the age of 60 from apparent heart complications. Malone will forever be remember by his now famous moniker "Chairman of the Board", a title he…
WHO’S THE BEST??? It was July 4th. It was the offseason for the NBA. Kevin Durant, one of the top players in the league is a free agent. He gets to go to any team he wants and one of those teams is the Golden State Warriors, one of the greatest teams in the NBA and maybe even all-time. They had the best regular season record in the NBA which was a new record and have three all-stars. Kevin Durant announces that his next team is the Warriors. The Warriors are now the greatest team in the NBA.…
Professional sport figures have been criticized for making lots of money, and showing the money off in a un useful way. Earvin Magic Johnson has proven this statement wrong by contradicting it through his actions. Known as a point guard and is arguably one of the best laker of all time, Earvin Magic Johnson has been a leader, and a selfless athlete on and off the court which made the lives of others change for the better. Furthermore, leading people to success was a key in the life of Earvin…
Issues That Tennis Players Deal With According to Nick Bollettieri (as cited in Mental Training For Peak Perfomance, 2005) ‘’it isn’t the skill these athletes possess that makes them standouts. It’s their passion – their mental focus on the game. Being a greatest athlete in the world doesn’t matter if you don’t have the love, the positive attitude, and the passion to play and care for the game.’’ (pg. 188) In addition, Nick Bollettieri is a legend in tennis world and one of the best coaches in…
Nowadays, when somebody talks about their favorite NBA Basketball player , Kobe Bryant and Lebron James are always the top two that come up in such conversations. These conversations are brought up because of their remarkable performances since the start of their basketball careers from a young kid to the professionals. Kobe Bryant plays as a 6 feet 6 inch shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers and Lebron James plays as a 6 feet 8 inch small forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers and is…
I’m meeting Kyrie Irving! He’s meeting me at Oracle Arena at the end of the NBA finals, game seven. Plus, he said i get to sit with the team. He is the best basketball player in the NBA right now. It is the fourth quarter, and it's tied with one minute left to go. They inbound it and give the ball to kyrie. Kyrie splashed a three in stephen Curry’s face. I went crazy. Then curry took it up and missed a three point shot. Then lebron took it up and just held it until the buzzer. They are NBA…