British gymnasts announced for 2021 Artistic European Championships

We’re delighted to announce the artistic gymnasts selected to represent Great Britain at the 2021 European Championships, set to take place in Basel, Switzerland, from 21st – 25th April. 

The men’s line up will be led by Max Whitlock MBE (South Essex) who is looking to add a fifth European title to his growing list of accolades. He’s joined by 2019 parallel bars world champion Joe Fraser from City of Birmingham and two-time individual European medallist Courtney Tulloch from Pegasus. In the six-strong team will also be Giarnni Regini-Moran from Manchester Academy, Joshua Nathan from City of Birmingham and Jake Jarman from Huntingdon. 

Selected in the women’s team are 2019 European beam champion Alice Kinsella from Park Wrekin and Amelie Morgan from The Academy alongside twin sisters Jessica Gadirova and Jennifer Gadirova from Aylesbury who will compete at their first major senior Championships.
*Update 15th April; Phoebe Jakubczyk from the Academy will now compete for the British team in Basel, with Jennifer Gadirova withdrawing as a precaution. Jennifer will continue training at her home gym ahead of the final Olympic trials in May.

The Championships represent an opportunity for gymnasts to qualify additional places for Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. They can do this by placing in the top two in the all-around competition, however any gymnast that competed in the 2019 World Championships event is not eligible to qualify a place this way.

British Gymnastics Performance Director, James Thomas, said: “To be back announcing teams for major championships feels like a huge landmark for the sport which has been affected so starkly at all levels by the COVID outbreak. Both the reopening of community clubs and elite gymnasts in competing on the world stage in April represents a really positive step towards seeing gymnastics fully back in action. We are grateful to our close community of coaches and clubs who have gone above and beyond to provide a safe training facility for our elite athletes in spite of the many challenges they have faced over the last 12 months. 

“This European Championships is unique and the selections take into account a wide range of factors specific to this event, not least the opportunity to qualify extra Team GB places via the all-around competition with some new faces drafted in who we are really excited to see compete. The fantastic depth of talent in Great Britain is demonstrated by those not competing at this event and it’s important to note again that multiple factors came into consideration and that also this event in no way pre-curses the Olympic selection process which continues into May. 

“We are all extremely excited to see such incredibly talented gymnasts back proudly competing with the GB flag as we aim for a safe and successful championships.” 

Ondine Achampong (Sapphire), Phoebe Jakubczyk (The Academy), Brinn Bevan (South Essex), James Hall (Pegasus) and Adam Tobin (Falcons) have been named as non-travelling reserves.

Competition schedule

Wednesday 21st April

Women’s qualification (including all-around and individual apparatus)

Thursday 22nd April
Men’s qualification (including all-around and individual apparatus)

Friday 23rd April
Women’s all-around final
Men’s all-around final

Saturday 24th April

Women’s vault and uneven bars apparatus finals

Men’s floor, pommel horse and rings apparatus finals

Sunday 25th April
Women’s beam and floor apparatus finals
Men’s vault, parallel bars and high bar apparatus finals

Roadmap for the return of gymnastics in England following Prime Minister announcement

Following the latest announcement from the Prime Minister, we’re delighted to communicate the roadmap for the return of gymnastics in England.

We understand and appreciate how difficult this time continues to be for everyone involved in the sport, from club officials and coaches, to gymnasts of all ages, but we hope that this news brings some hope that a return to normality isn’t too far away.

At this stage it is important to note that the guidance and dates announced could change depending on how successful the easing of restrictions are.

Full guidance is expected to be published on the government website, and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) FAQs in the next week which will hopefully provide further clarity.

Please find below our understanding of government’s four-step roadmap and how this could affect gymnastics;

Step 1 – (not before 8th March)
Under 18 sport can take place at school as part of educational provision, or as part of wraparound childcare (where it is needed to enable parents or carers to work, seek work, attend education, seek medical care or attend a support group), but should not otherwise take place at this time.

Gymnastics activities not being primarily used by parents for childcare purposes should remain closed for face-to-face provision unless registered childcare is provided. Unfortunately, this means Easter Holiday Clubs may not go ahead unless they are part of pre-existing childcare agreements.

Step 1 (not before 29th March)
Under 18 sport should not take place indoors at sports clubs at this time and therefore indoor gymnastics activity is not permitted.

Formally organised outdoor sports – for adults and under 18s – can restart, but will need to be compliant with the outdoor gymnastics activity guidance. This will be updated in the Step Forward Plan in due course.

Step 2 (not before 12th April)
Clubs and leisure centres in England can reopen their doors to under 18’s, ensuring that social distancing* measures are in place. We’re anticipating DCMS guidance to be updated in the coming weeks and we will update our Step Forward Plan when this is available.

This includes pre-school gymnastics sessions and parent and child groups also being able to resume indoor activity.

Gymnasts over the age of 18 will be able to return to clubs and leisure centres for individual training or to train with adults from the same household. Group sessions for over 18 gymnasts will not be permitted.

Step 3 (not before 17th May)
Group adult gymnastics sessions can resume with social distancing* in place.

At this time, all age groups will be able to take part in socially distanced gymnastics sessions.

Step 4 (not before 21st June)
Dependant on the successful lifting of restrictions, we hope that at this step in the roadmap, a level of normality can return. Here we will hopefully see gymnastics sessions run with fewer restrictions. We’ll continue to communicate with you throughout this process.

As restrictions do ease, we’ll continue to communicate the latest guidance with clubs and partners.

We’re excited by the prospect that gymnasts of all ages and abilities across England will hopefully be able to return to their gyms in the coming months.

*social distancing must be implemented at this time, unless gymnasts are following the team sport framework
**Elite gymnasts are exempt from the current restrictions and can continue to follow the Elite Training Guidance

 

What to expect when you return to gymnastics

As the UK slowly comes out of lockdown, the number of restrictions on gymnastics will lift as we move back to normality. Here are the key dates to be aware of and what you can expect when you return.

Key dates to be aware of:

England

– Monday 29th March – outdoor gymnastics sessions for all and indoor gymnastics for disabled people
– Monday 12th April – indoor gymnastics for under 18s, coach led preschool gymnastics and parent and child groups and individual training for over 18s
– Not before Monday 17th May – indoor gymnastics for groups of over 18s and free roam preschool gymnastics and parent and child groups
– Not before Monday 21st June – gymnastics sessions with fewer restrictions

Northern Ireland

– Monday 12th April – outdoor gymnastics sessions for all
– TBD on other activities

For guidance in Scotland and Wales, see our Home Country guidance page or visit Scottish Gymnastics/ Welsh Gymnastics.

Think before you go

It’s important that we enjoy our return to gymnastics in Covid-secure environments and we continue to follow the recommended guidance that has been implemented to combat the coronavirus. This includes:

• Washing hands regularly
• Staying away from gymnastics if you feel unwell
• Social distancing
• Listening to instructions from your coaches and instructors
• Getting ready before your session as changing rooms may be unavailable
• Bringing your own training aids if necessary

New procedures in place
It is likely when you return your club or facility will have a number of procedures in place for before, during and after your session, similar to what was put in place before the last lockdown. This could include:

• Set arrival and pick up times
• Directions for entering and exiting
• Capacity restrictions
• Additional hand washing and hand sanitising stations
• Floor markers and signage

Session changes
After months of inactivity, clubs, delivery partners and coaches have been advised to plan a phased, fun, and inclusive return to activity, ensuring that all gymnasts’ physical and mental health is considered. This means gymnasts may have to practice certain skills more than others at this time. Due to capacity restrictions, groups may be split and gymnasts may be asked to practice in certain areas of the gym to ensure social distancing guidelines are adhered to. Sessions may also be shorter in length to allow time for extra cleaning and crossover of classes within the venue.

Pair and group activities and coach contact
If you or your child are involved in team sport activities or activities that involve the return of coach contact, please be reassured that the actions being followed by clubs in our plans have been approved by the government. Therefore, some contact may be able to take place as long as the club or facility have put the appropriate control measures in place.

All contact in gymnastics sessions is optional and any gymnasts wishing to return to pair and group activities and/ or activities that involve coach contact must opt in.

For more information, please see our guides at the bottom of this article. 

Foam pits and equipment
Clubs can now reintroduce foam pits as part of sessions after research concluded that the risk of Covid-19 transmission in foam was low after one minute. Guidance has been shared on how to use pits safely whilst reducing the risk of transmission of the virus whilst also conforming to other cleaning protocols with other pieces of equipment.

Personal equipment such as hand guards/ gloves and loops should be taken home after each session and must not be shared. Gymnasts should also use their own chalk rather than communal chalk to reduce the rate of transmission.

Post session
Due to the timings of sessions, parents may not have the opportunity to discuss their child’s progress with their coach after their class however, we advise that you contact the relevant person via phone or email to discuss any queries, concerns or questions you may have about your child or their session. Of course, if you have any immediate concerns regarding Covid-19 or a child’s welfare then this should be reported immediately to your club or facility’s Covid-19 representative or the Welfare Officer or Safeguarding Officer.

To read our guides on returning to gymnastics, click on the links below.

Parents’ Guide
Gymnasts’ Guide
Team Sport Parents and Gymnast Guide (England)
Parent and Gymnast Guide to Return to Coach Contact
Covid-19 Code of Behaviour (England)

How to follow the 2021 Artistic European Championships

More than 550 days on from the last major artistic championship, gymnastics returns this month with the highly anticipated 2021 Artistic European Championships taking place in Basel, Switzerland, from 21st-25th April. 

We’re excited that live gymnastics is back, and we’re delighted to announce that you’ll be able to watch the all-around and apparatus finals live on BBC online and BBC iPlayer. There will also be special highlight shows on BBC Two on the last two days of the Championships. 

Qualifying is also due to be streamed live online.

For updates throughout the event, make sure you’re following us on Twitter, and visit our event page for all of the latest news and reports following each day of competition. For more information, you can also visit the European Gymnastics event page.

The Championships represent an opportunity for gymnasts to qualify additional places for Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. They can do this by placing in the top two in all-around qualifying, however any gymnast that competed in the 2019 World Championships event is not eligible to qualify a place this way.

Competition schedule, timings and where to watch

Wednesday 21st April
Women’s all-around and individual apparatus qualification
British gymnasts will compete in the second and third subdivisions. These subdivisions are due to take place from 12.30pm-2.30pm and 3pm-5pm UK time.

Thursday 22nd April

Men’s all-around and individual apparatus qualification

British gymnasts will compete in the first and third subdivisions. These subdivisions are due to take place from 9am-11.40am and 4pm-6.40pm UK time.  

Friday 23rd April 
All-around finals
Watch live in full on BBC Online and BBC iPlayer.
Women’s all-around final (12.30pm-2.30pm)
Men’s all-around final (4pm-6.45pm)

Saturday 24th April
Apparatus finals
Watch all-around final highlights on BBC2 from 12pm-1.30pm, including live coverage of the men’s floor final. Live coverage of all other finals will be available on BBC Online and BBC iPlayer throughout the day.
Men’s floor final (12.30pm-1pm)
Women’s vault final and men’s pommel horse final (1.10pm-1.55pm)
Women’s uneven bars final and men’s rings final (2.10pm-2.55pm)

Sunday 25th April

Apparatus finals

From 9am-10am on BBC2 catch highlights of Saturday’s apparatus finals. Sunday’s apparatus finals will be live in full on BBC Online and BBC iPlayer throughout the day. Highlights of Sunday’s apparatus finals will be on BBC2 from 6pm-7pm. 
Women’s beam final and men’s vault final (12pm-12.45pm)

Women’s floor final and men’s parallel bars final (1pm-1.45pm)

Men’s high bar final (2pm-2.30pm)

 

We would like to wish all of the gymnasts and coaches the best of luck for a safe and successful competition. 

5 Reasons the NBA is the Best Pro League in the World?

A sports loving nation, the US is home to a number of prominent sports leagues that attract hordes of fans. From football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and ice hockey, fans have more choice of home-based leagues than any other country.

That said, there is a strong argument that one league is the best of them all – the National Basketball League. Why, well this article will show you X reasons why the NBA should be considered the best sports league in the world.

Who are the Favorites to Win the 20/21 NBA Championship?

Before we get started on the reasons why the NBA is the world’s best sport, let’s have a quick look at how the current season is going.

Thanks to an excellent season so far, the LA Lakers are attracting the shortest odds at the online sports betting sites. They are followed by the LA Clippers and the Milwaukee Bucks who are neck and neck. Virgin Bet currently offer odds of 9/4 for the Lakers and 5/1 and 11/2 for the Bucks and Clippers respectively.

As for the Regular Season MVP, it is a close call right now with Giannis Antetokounmp and Luka Doncic equal favorites with most online betting sites at 17/4. Outsiders include LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Stephen Curry.

1. Generates the Third Highest Revenue

It might not sit at the top of the pile in terms of generating revenue but the NBA is now third in the list. Last season alone the NBA generated 8 billion in revenue thanks to having close to a billion fans worldwide. This revenue allows the best players to earn millions in salaries each year putting them amongst the world’s best paid sports stars.

2. It is Always Competitive

In many other sports around the world, there are usually one or two dominant teams that always win the championship. In France, Paris St Germain win the top division every year while the same could be said for Bayern Munich in Germany.

Not in the NBA, in the last ten seasons, there have been seven different winners of the NBA Championship. This just shows how competitive each season is and that any team has the chance for some glory.

3. Continuously Creates Global Stars

Whether you are a fan of basketball or not, you have probably heard of Micheal Jordan, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and Scottie Pippen. These are just some of the best and most prominent basketball players of all time. They transcend the sport of basketball and become global icons thanks to the sport they excelled at.

The good news is that there are sure to be many future superstars to unearth. Basketball consistently creates them.

4. The Games Involve More Action

In soccer, you regularly see one or two goals and that is it. In the NBA scores go into the hundreds and are usually close affairs. Sure, those scores are increased thanks to three pointers and lots of free throws but that is not the point, the games are end-to-end and always contain tons of action and excitement. Why settle for anything but a full-on battle every time you watch a sport?

5. It Doesn’t Cost Money to Start Playing

For kids looking for a sport to play, basketball is one of the easiest. All you need is a ball! Sure, a hoop would be cool too and these can be found on public courts all around the country but at the minimum the ball is all you need for some fun. Compare that to ice hockey, baseball, and tennis which require quite a bit of equipment and not too many public courts/rinks.

Convinced?

If not, you should be. Basketball has always proved to be one of the best sports in the world but, right now, it has to be considered the best for the above reasons. It will only get stronger too!

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Things to consider when betting on the NBA in 2021

When it comes to betting on the NBA in 2021, you need to start by throwing everything you used to know out the window. The rules you applied to bet on the NBA pre-COVID, will likely come back into play at some point, but for now, with teams playing in front of (mostly) empty arenas, with unusual, baseball-like two game series in a specific city, and with players every night missing due to COVID protocols, you need to adjust to a new normal in NBA betting.

Of course, the biggest difference with the NBA this year is that most teams are playing in front of empty crowds. According to many studies, the primary advantage of a home crowd is that a loud crowd can subtly influence the referees’ decisions. Without the threat of 18,000 booing fans, home teams have lost nearly all of their traditional advantage.

Through the first three weeks of the NBA season, home teams are only 75-78 overall on the year. That means road teams are winning 51 percent of all NBA games, which would easily set the all-time record. There may not be any home court advantage right now. As recently as the 2015-16 season, the Golden State Warriors went 39-2 at home, which was not even the best mark in the NBA that year because the San Antonio Spurs went 40-1. This year, every team has already lost a home game in the season’s opening weeks, and within the first month of the season there likely won’t be a single team with fewer than 2 home losses.

The data that home teams struggle goes deeper than the simple fact that home teams are losing more than they are winning, as well. Home teams this season were 70-83 against the spread in the season’s opening weeks, for a winning percentage of 45.2%. This means that the NBA betting odds have not yet caught up with the lack of a home court advantage in the NBA this season. Traditionally, if two teams are even, the home team will be about a 4 point favorite in an NBA game. This data shows that maybe that number should be closer to even in an empty-arena environment.

Another major factor when considering NBA betting odds in 2021 is the proliferation of the two game series. In the past, a back-to-back in the NBA meant that, say, the Atlanta Hawks would host the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, then both teams would fly to Detroit and play a game there, either on consecutive nights, or with a one day break in between. In 2021, the NBA schedule has a new wrinkle where teams fly to a city to play two games, à la baseball. This has essentially never happened before and significantly changes the odds for the games affected.

Take the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks, who played games on back-to-back nights in Miami. In the first game of the series, with the Bucks favored by 6 points, Milwaukee hammered the Heat, beating them 144-97. That moved the line to Milwaukee -6.5 for the second game, which Miami won 119-108. It’s hard to learn too much from such a large swing, but take the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks who played a two game set in Brooklyn early in the season. The Nets won the opening game 145-141 as 5.5 point favorites, which actually moved the line for the second game in Brooklyn to -6. Atlanta ended up winning the second game outright, 114-96.

All told, there is not enough data to make sweeping conclusions, but it is worth noting that when teams play two consecutive games in one NBA city, the team that won the first game is only 9-8 overall. If the first game moves the line in any significant way, you might want to take the team that lost the second game against the spread, because you are getting a better number than you could have two nights earlier for the exact same matchup.

The last major factor to consider when betting on the NBA in 2021 is COVID-related absences. If NBA teams can’t field a roster of 8 players, the rules dictate the game is postponed. But that means that teams are sometimes playing with a skeleton roster. The most prominent of these games in the early season was when the Philadelphia 76ers had to play a game without their entire starting lineup and some of their key bench players. Whereas on a normal NBA night, the 76ers would have been about a 4 point favorite when hosting the Denver Nuggets, the line actually moved all the way to Denver by 13.5 points.

Even though the 76ers were starting multiple players who even serious NBA fans were unfamiliar with, the team fought valiantly and only lost 115-102, covering the 13.5 point spread. The lesson here is that even the players on the back of an NBA bench can be competitive with anyone, especially for one night. In a season with so many new variables, maybe the thing to be most afraid of was the 13.5 point spread, not the obscure players.

So, the key lessons when looking at NBA betting odds in 2021 are: To completely ignore home court advantage, to not be scared off by the first game in a back-to-back series, and to avoid massive lines, even when one team is missing many key players.

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The Most Underrated NBA Players of the Late 90’s Early 00’s

Basketball is the greatest game loved worldwide. It has even more fans than live bets online. Yet, not all of the basketball players are so well-known. These are the most underrated NBA players from the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.

Mike Bibby

Mike Bibby is one of the most underrated basketball players of all time. He consistently made a significant impact early on with the Vancouver Grizzlies and was the leading point guard on some really good Sacramento Kings lineups in the early 2000s.

In his best season in 2005/06 with Sacramento, Bibby helped the team make the playoffs, which is still the last time the Kings participated in the postseason.

Although Bibby never took part in the All-Star Game or won a title, his leadership qualities and enthusiasm were respected on any team he played on. He was a valuable player, from the Grizzlies to the Miami Heat, with whom he played in the 2011 NBA Finals.

Peja Stojakovic

Sacramento selected Stojakovic in the 1996 draft. Stojakovic made an immediate impact during the 1998/99 season after transferring from the Croatian championship. He was a three-time All-Star performer in the non-tough and challenging Western Conference, playing a major role in the Kings’ run to the playoffs in the early 2000s, including reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2002.

Stojakovic ended his career by winning a title with the Dallas Mavericks. He finished a thrilling run as one of the greatest tacklers among foreign players ever to play in the league.

Kevin Martin

One of the best pure scorers of the past decade and a half, Kevin Martin has been a consummate leader on every team he has represented, from the Sacramento Kings to the San Antonio Spurs. From 2006 to 2011, Martin averaged at least 20 points per game, reaching a high of 24.6 points in the 2008/09 season with the Kings.

At the peak of his career, Martin was performing at an outstanding level. Had he not fallen victim to injury, many believe Martin would have cemented his reputation as one of the best point guards of the past 20 years.

Michael Redd

Michael Redd is another injury victim. He excelled for the Milwaukee Bucks during his 11-year tenure with the team. Many scouts did not expect the 43rd pick of the 200 draft, Redd, to be a valuable NBA player. Yet, the experts were quick to admit their mistake.

Redd failed to have much team success in Milwaukee. Injuries forced him to end his career at just 32. Yet, true fans will never forget Redd’s scoring performances and his impact on the game.

Antawn Jamison

He is one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. Antawn Jamison has played for six different teams throughout his career. Most notably, he is known for his stints with the Golden State Warriors and Washington Wizards. In his third season in 2000/01, Jamison averaged 25 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors. He won best-sixth player honors in 2004 with the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 14 points and six rebounds while appearing in all 82 regular-season games.

After joining the Wizards in 2004, Jamison was paired with Gilbert Arenas. This duo could take Washington to the playoffs from 2005 to 2007, including the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2005. The two-time All-Star Game participant provided consistent and consistent productivity on the court for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers until his career ended after the 2013/14 season.

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Basketball Betting – The Top NBA Betting Providers in 2021

The basketball bet is one of the most popular sports. Which betting providers have the best basketball betting offers and the best betting odds? The Canadian educator and doctor James Naismith developed basketball in 1891. He is said to have written the 13 basic rules within just an hour of a sports session.

The game of tossing a ball into a ‘basket’ is now one of the world’s most common games. In some European countries, basketball is becoming more and more popular among fans of sports betting …

That is why most online betting providers like the 1xbet sportsbook have a pervasive and extensive range of basketball betting in their portfolio.

The best online betting providers for basketball betting

1. Bet365

As in many other sports, the bookmaker giant from the United Kingdom is arguably the best provider in the industry for basketball betting. Everything a basketball heart desires can be found at Bet365.

Starting with a top betting program for the NBA – after all, the best and most popular basketball league in the world – to the most important leagues globally: the offer ranges from Germany to the top division of Barbados.

As usual with the British bookie, there is a selection of additional online betting options for each game, such as over/under, victory advantage, etc. As with other sports, there is also a large selection of live streams in “basket sport, ” making real-time betting even more fun.

2. Tipico

One of Europe’s best-known betting provider cuts a perfect figure on the smooth basketball floor – in all areas. In Tipico, there is an excellent range of Basketball betting leagues from around the world. Even the divisions from Latin American countries are listed on their website.

Although the portfolio is on side bets and ice hockey and handball – something minimal, but in the live betting and especially in the odds of the German bookie can again consistently score points. The most important thing for basketball players in the NBA package anyway – and here Tipico definitely belongs to the top group.

3. Betfair

The bookmaker from Great Britain is already one of those online bookmakers who have a very extensive betting program – including basketball real money bets, of course. Starting with the NBA, Betfair has all the major European leagues in its basketball range. The focus of the bookie from Great Britain is clearly on the NBA!

All games with a hundred additional bets, plus a large selection of long-term bets (division winners, conference winners, player awards, etc.) Since an outstanding basketball betting offer is also presented for live betting – and all of this with a good odds level – Betfair is more than suitable for basketball.

4. Inter Wetten

As usual, the “yellow giant” from Austria is there to select the best betting providers for a sport. Interwetten scores with a really great overall package: the range of real money bets from the basketball world is just as great as the live bets.

In addition, the Austro-Bookie also shows its strengths in basketball betting with regard to the favorite win odds. But especially in the NBA, Interwetten can show a large selection of additional and long-term bets.

5. Bet-at-home

When it comes to basketball bets, which are very popular with betting enthusiasts, the Austrian online bookmaker is one of the top players. What is striking at Bet-at-Home is the wide range of leagues and additional bets, especially of course with the NBA.

The basketball offer is supplemented with a large selection of long-term bets and a very decent live betting performance.

6. Bwin

The bookmaker oldie from the Austrian alpine republic is naturally well-positioned in one of the world’s most important betting sports. Especially in the NBA – this is where the majority of basketball bets fall – Bwin flexes its muscles … There are tons of additional bets for every NBA game, as well as many different long-term bets.

But basketball, aside from the NBA, does not go under at Bwin either – on the contrary … There are leagues from all over the world. In addition, the live bets at Austro-Bookie with a state-of-the-art live betting console, including streams, are entertaining. Only the betting odds have some room for improvement. All of the competitors are, in some cases, much better positioned here.

7. Unibet

An established betting company like the one from Sweden naturally also has its strengths in a world sport like basketball – and shows them too. With a large selection of leagues and many additional bets per game and with a very good odds level, Unibet is definitely one of the best providers for basketball bets.

Here, too, everything is geared towards the NBA – with a large number of betting markets for each game as well as an abundance of ante-post bets.

8. Betsafe

A top betting provider for everyone who wants to bet on basketball games is another online bookmaker from the Scandinavian region. Besides leagues from almost 20 countries, Betsafe also has a great range of pre-match and live bets.

Betsafe also offers very good odds for basketball betting.

How to bet on basketball?

Although NFL gambling remains the most common among betting practices, NBA betting is narrowing the gap. A new survey revealed that 24% of all respondents had made a bet with their families and friends. This is a big difference from past years, reflecting the increasing success and usability of the league.

Sportsbooks take advantage of the surging competition in the NBA, allowing much more profits to be made. There is no grand moment for people to hop on the NBA betting bandwagon. Follow these NBA betting tips and increase the sports betting profitability. Each person may hope to gain a few bets, but anyone trying to excel would need to log all their chances.

A spreadsheet that contains the year, sportsbook, wager, chances, and the sum you earned or lost from each bet should be packed. Provide an alternative column for the responses and thoughts following the operation. This data will help you properly grasp the tactics and betting procedures involved.

If your profitability increases, you’ll note the advantages of spending the requisite time and money to do extensive analysis on each of your bets. Keep a close eye on NBA basketball betting so that you may not skip any of the Association’s best headlines and updates.

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Top 3 Basketball Documentary Films of All-Time

Basketball is one of the most spectacular games in the world. Yet, during the pandemic, there are not as many amateur games on as usual. If you want to feel the amateur basketball atmosphere, you can go to Playamo now or watch documentaries on this topic. These 3 basketball documentary films will surely satisfy your hoop cravings. It is worth noting, we didn’t count the Jordan documentaries Airtime or his latest Netflix The Last Dance as they are in a stratosphere of their own like all of Jordan’s accolades!

Hoop Dreams, 1994

This movie shows the game as the only means for most African-American teenagers to get out in public. The game itself, though it takes up most of the film, increasingly recedes into the background, giving way to social problems and an incredibly colorful portrayal of the unhappy realities of poor neighborhoods. It is no coincidence that Hoop dreams was very warmly received by critics, winning more than one prize and being included in lists of the best documentaries.

Reality and cinema merged into one. The brutal reality documented in the film didn’t leave the guys in life either. After the shooting, Ajie had his half-brother and father killed, and Gates had his older brother killed. When the movie came out, both were already in college, and the NCAA prohibited their families from receiving filming royalties, threatening that otherwise they would lose their scholarships and amateur status.

Fab Five, 2011

The film covers two years of the Fab Five, a University of Michigan brigade that became a true phenomenon in the cultural life of the USA.

Fab Five is the highest-rated documentary in ESPN history. The resonance of the film was enormous. But the most unexpected consequence was that Kendall Gill and Stephan Bardot disagreed that it was the Fab Five who changed basketball fashion. In their opinion, it was they who did it, playing for the University of Illinois team.

Chris Webber refused to take part in the shoot without explanation, which spawned more than one version. As Jalen Rose said, everything that happened at the university still gnaws at him so much that he refuses to address it in any way. Webber also didn’t attend the 2013 NCAA Finals, where the University of Michigan went after all these years.

Once Brothers, 2010

Drazen Petrovic RIP, and Vlade Divac. The unique development of the relationship between these two NBA stars, superimposed over their country’s history, was itself destined to become a movie phenomenon. For Divac himself, the most important thing in the film is not so much its philosophical message, but simply its message of life: after so many years, it was important to close the infamous flag moment and reconcile with the Croats, who hate him almost more than they hate Serbian politicians.

Silly conventions did get in the way of what was most important. The significance of the story was mostly felt by those to whom it was not addressed. In Croatia, the film was looked at very critically. Firstly, they began to look for factual inaccuracies. Secondly, they started looking for facts that would debunk the whole Divac legend. For example, one version claimed that his friendship with Petrovic ended not because of the flag incident and subsequent comments, but because Divac stepped over Drazen in the Lakers vs. Nets game. In fact, they were never really best friends at all.

Don’t miss these other top basketball movies, like He Got Game or White Men Can’t Jump….

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Record-Breaking VanVleet Turning Toronto’s Fortunes Around

Fred VanVleet set a new NBA record recently, and his Raptors side have seemingly turned their fortunes around after a slow start. Can Toronto keep up their recent form and make a push for the playoffs? Just how far can they go if VanVleet keeps producing the goods?

Outsiders This Year

It’s arguably a little too late for the Raptors to make any sort of run this season to put themselves in the mix alongside the likes of the Lakers, Nets, Clippers and the Bucks. They seem to be the four standout sides this year. However, we’ve seen teams have long streaks before, so why not again this year?

Although they’ve been playing well recently, Toronto’s odds of winning the NBA Championship suggest that they’re just playing for pride until next year. They’re priced at odds of around +6500 with some of the top sportsbooks for sports betting in Canada such as bet365 and William Hill. In contrast, the smart money looks to be on the Lakers or the Nets at +250 and +500 respective with leading sportsbook bet365.

Franchise Record for VanVleet

Fred VanVleet added two new records to his resume recently when Toronto earned a 123-108 victory at the Orlando Magic. His first record of the season was when he signed the biggest contract for an undrafted free agent. This was an NBA record at $85 million over four years.

Against Orlando, he scored an astounding 54 points, the most ever in NBA history by an undrafted player. He also eclipsed DeMar DeRozan’s single-game franchise record of 52 points. He was over the moon to claim the record:

“Unbelievable. I’m very humbled and honored to be in the same sentence as both of those guys,” said VanVleet. “Just a special night, obviously, a lot of different levels,” he said. “So just trying to enjoy it for now, but it’s not a championship or anything like that. It was a good game for me, and I’ll enjoy all the love for a couple hours and get ready for the next one.”

He finished the game with three rebounds, two assists, three steals and three blocks in 37 minutes. With a record of 17 for 23 from the field, 9 for 9 from the foul line, and 11 for 14 from the three-point line, it was a night to remember for the Raptors guard.

It’s been a while since Toronto experienced such excitement in a game – a moment that can certainly bring them together as a team. Perhaps VanVleet’s record-breaking night could be their spark to finish the season well.

Yuta Watanabe Turning Heads

Fred VanVleet may be the one getting all the accolades at the moment, but first-year Raptor Yuta Watanabe is enjoying his time in Canada as only the third Japanese player to ever play in the NBA. He joined fan’s favourite Rui Hachimura on the roster and is starting to put some great performances together. Now a role model for those in his home country where basketball is still growing, Watanabe wants to continue to be a positive influence:

“I think that helps basketball in Japan a lot,” Watanabe said in January about he and Hachimura’s impact on the best sport in the world.

“I hope a lot of kids will play in the NBA…just like me and Rui. I think this is great for us. I still have to do a better job. I mean, obviously Rui’s been great. I think I can do a better job. More people will watch basketball and then basketball gets bigger. I’ve got a lot of work to do.”

It remains to be seen just how the Raptors will fare come the end of the campaign, but VanVLeet and Watanabe can both have a big say on how it goes down. However, the title may well end up in LA or New York this time around. Can the Lakers win another title in memory of Kobe Bryant or will the Brooklyn Nets and James Harden claim their first-ever NBA Championship?

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Curry Brand Partners with Devin Allen to Celebrate Black History Month With UNDR ARMR x DVNLLN

For Black History Month, Stephen Curry and Curry Brand have partnered with Baltimore artist, community leader, Gordon Parks Foundation Fellow, and Under Armour photographer, Devin Allen, to celebrate Baltimore’s Black community.

As part of the UNDR ARMR x DVNLLN collection, the special edition Curry 8 colorway is inspired by Devin’s recent book “Beautiful Ghetto”—a collection of iconic photographs that immortalizes the beauty in Baltimore’s overlooked communities. The new “Beautiful Flow” celebrates the resilience of Baltimore’s young athletes and represents the power of community.

“I have memories of playing out on the streets: broke my collarbone playing two-hand touch, mattresses outside to play WWF, drilling jugs to walls to play basketball. We might not have much, but we will find a way.”
– Devin Allen

Additionally, Stephen and Devin are teaming up with former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith and Level 82 Fund to build an outdoor court at West Baltimore’s Hilton Recreation Center.

“I didn’t really know much about Baltimore. And then when I had the opportunity to live here, you quickly fall in love with the city—a blue collar city, a city for the fighters, a resilient city with resilient people.”
– Torrey Smith

The UNDR ARMR x DVNLLN collection, including the Curry 8 “Beautiful Flow”, is available for purchase at UA.com and Under Armour North America Brand Houses and helps to support Wide Angle Youth Media’s youth development programming, and summer programming at Hilton Recreation Center in partnership with Level 82 Fund.

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How Long Will It Be Before NBA Arenas can have fans back in for games?

Just like any other professional sports league, the NBA was hit hard by the Coronavirus pandemic. The NBA was in fact the first of all the major sports leagues in the United States to stop their competition because of the outbreak of the virus. While sportsbook betting basketball fans were left in a stand still for what seemed like an eternity the NBA managed to come back with a bubble style tournament that saw the LA Lakers win the NBA Championship. While it was a good idea and effort in order to try and give fans their beloved action back, the absence of said fans in the arena made the game visibly different to what we’re used to. 2021 is here, the new NBA season is already here, so when will fans be allowed back?

How Safe Is It for Sports Teams to Welcome Fans Back?

With the Coronavirus pandemic forcing sports leagues and organizations to totally rethink their strategies moving forward, one of the pivotal factors to be rethought was the attendance of fans to live games. According to a Yahoo Sports Interview, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases talked about the limited possibilities of NBA games hosting full arenas in the 2020-2021 season. In said interview Dr. Fauci was adamant in viewing more chances for there to be full venues for NFL games come next year rather than NBA games.

While strides have been made with the vaccination campaigns rolling through the country, the idea of hosting up to 20,000 fans per night in closed up arenas across the country is not one that excites health and safety officers. The main issue here is the fact that since arenas are closed buildings, air circulation is superiorly limited in comparison to any outdoor stadium.

When Will Normality Be Back?

The NBA has put in their fair share of work in order to be able to offer fans the best experience available even under the circumstances we are living through. The first main effort was to find a way to be able to finish off the 2019-2020 season, with a bubble style flash tournament played in Walt Disney Complex in Florida. While fans were not allowed to attend games, screens showing fans watching the game, fans who previously paid for that right tried to give this new scenario a sense of normality.

With the moving back of games to each teams’ arena and the vaccination efforts hoping to pay off in the biggest way possible, the NBA is already thinking of what percentage of fans should be a safe and secure number to host. Anywhere from 25 to 50% of the arenas total capacity has been discussed but all under the assumption that the vaccination efforts will help turn the general situation of the country around sooner rather than later.

While Money is Important, Health and Security Are Non Negotiable

One of the biggest problems the NBA has gone through, as well as other sports leagues has been the severe economic hit they’ve had to endure because of the non-attendance of fans to the games. But while money is important, keeping fans safe and healthy is much more important. As long as professional basketball organizations can offer the best health and safety rules and protocols, then the idea of hosting fans back can become a reality for as soon as the NBA playoff season. Measures like social distancing between groups of attendees as well as making sure all health procedures like proper hand washing be followed by all attendees need to become a new minimum for fans to be allowed to go back to games. An effort made by both parties, the NBA and fans is the best strategy for a reunion to happen sooner rather than later.

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Golden State Warriors’ Star Sniper is Ready For Action!

Stephen Curry, the sniper of the Golden State Warriors, who during last Tuesday, in which they faced the Charlotte Hornets, had to be isolated from playing time, because he presented general discomfort, which prevented him from continuing his performance on the court.

However, the possibility of suffering from Covid-19 was ruled out, so he was not confined by the team’s medical staff. Curry currently manages statistics of 29.9 points and 6.22 points for assistance, which makes him one of the best options for the Golden State team; that he finds himself lower and lower on the ranking table.

Following Curry’s absence, the Warriors found defeat against the Charlotte Hornets, who are also trying to give their all to reach a higher spot on the disadvantageous scoreboard.

Curry returned to support his team at a key moment!

Now everything seems to indicate that Curry is ready to return to the ring, preparing to battle against the New York Knicks, who are also battling for a more favorable position within the victory rankings.

The return of Stephen Curry to the court has re-fueled the passions of the fans, who do not sacrifice their loyalty and maintain faith until the last minute for the resurgence of their team, continuing the betting at online platforms such as Zulabet Casino.

Warriors seek to excel!

Despite remaining low in the standings, the statistics still do not determine the fate of the Golden State Warriors, as they have 16 wins and 15 lost, with two consecutive lost games and 516 points, they are still looking for how to position themselves appropriately; an aspect that has been quite difficult for them.

Many fans and specialists attribute this situation to problems within the technical decisions of the team, which are constantly questioned.

Technical failures and expulsions from important pieces of the team such as forward Draymond Green were aspects that ended up sentencing and making the loss official against the Charlotte Hornets.

This is the time to resurface for the Warriors

The expectation continues to grow for many teams and the Golden State Warriors are one of them, but for this a great change will have to be brought about, from the foundations of the demoralized team, which does not admit the position in which it is or its abilities to come back on board.

With the correct decisions commanded by Steve Kerr, which improves the performance of the players within the squad, it could be possible to change the destiny of a team that tries with all its might to resurface. Breaking the streak could be a bit complex, but if we know anything about the sport, it is that more difficult things to achieve have been achieved previously in history.

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A Look at the Three Canadians Who Have Played for the Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have seen three Canadians play for the team; two of which are members of the current line-up. Let’s take a closer look at the Warriors’ Canadian players.

Andrew Wiggins

It was a year ago that Toronto-born Andrew Wiggins was traded to the Golden State Warriors. In his debut game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Wiggins managed to score 24 points and had 5 steals. Warriors fans are now waiting to see what Wiggins can accomplish this season. But judging by his past record, it looks like Wiggins could become a key part of the Warriors line-up.

The twenty-five-year-old Canadian started out playing college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks before being drafted in 2014 by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first overall pick, making Wiggins only the second Canadian to be taken number one overall in the history of the NBA draft. Wiggins also plays for the Canadian national team, and in 2016, he was part of the Summer Olympics team, where he led the way by scoring 15.1 points per game.

Chris Boucher

Chris Boucher was born in Saint Lucia but he moved to Montreal, the home of his Canadian father, when he was five years old. He played college basketball for the Oregon Ducks, and in only his second game with the Ducks, in 2015, Boucher scored 15 points and gathered 8 rebounds. He set a single-season blocks record with 110. Due to an injury, he wasn’t drafted for the NBA until the 2017-2018 season, when the Golden State Warriors signed him to a two-way contract. In fact, Boucher was one of the first players to sign up for the new two-way contract policy of the NBA.

On March 14, 2018, Boucher played his first game with the Golden State Warriors, where he achieved one rebound and one 3-point attempt. Although Boucher wasn’t able to play in the playoffs because of his two-way contract, he was part of the Warriors’ championship team that beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2018 NBA Finals. Boucher didn’t last long with the Warriors, though. On June 22, 2018, the Warriors waived Boucher. He then signed with the Toronto Raptors, for which he still currently plays. In a game between the Raptors and the Warriors, on January 11, 2021, Boucher could only look on in dismay as his old team narrowly beat the Raptors 106-105. Even the most ardent sports betting fans would have struggled to call the result of that game.

Mychal Mulder

Another Canadian signed by the Warriors in 2020 was Mychal Mulder, although he was only signed on a ten-day contract. On February 27, the Ontario-born player debuted against the Los Angeles Lakers, where he had 2 points and 4 rebounds, although the game was a 116-86 loss. Shortly after, in his third game with the Warriors on March 1, 2020, Mulder achieved his career-high of 17 points, alongside 2 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block, in a game against the Washington Wizards, although the Golden State Warriors just missed out on winning. The game ended as a 124-110 loss for the Warriors.

Less than a week later, on March 7, Mulder set a new career-high in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, with 18 points and 3 assists, helping the Warriors to win the game 118-114. After Mulder’s contract expired on March 10, the Warriors signed Mulder to a multi-year contract, and Warriors fans are eagerly waiting to see what more Mulder can do.

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Which NBA players have the most remarkable hobbies?

When NBA players have free time in their busy schedule of matches and training, they happily go about their hobbies to relax and unwind. In this article, Telecomasia.net will tell you about the most unusual hobbies of famous basketball players.

Chris Paul

The Phoenix Suns point guard loves to play bowling with family and friends in his spare time. So Chris not only rests but also trains. It takes good concentration, accuracy, body control and muscularity to send a ball precisely to the target and knock down all the pins.

He developed the hobby when he was still in high school. When his parents, knowing their son’s love of basketball and bowling, gave him an NBA-colored ball for Christmas, Chris was insanely happy.

However, the athlete is sure that his hobby should benefit not only himself but for others as well. Therefore, he participates in various charity bowling tournaments among the stars as the head of the CP3 social fund. The basketball player also owns a franchise in the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) called LAX.

Brook and Robin Lopez

Brook, who plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, and Robin, who plays for the Washington Wizards, are twin brothers. However, they are united not only by this but also by a passion for collecting comics, which the brothers have been collecting for several decades. They can often be seen at various festivals and events for storytellers in pictures.

Robin once joked in an interview that Brooke spends most of the money he earns on DC comics. Whether it is true or not, we do not know, but we can say for sure that the Lopez brothers devote a lot of time to their hobby and compete to see who has the coolest collection of them. And if Brook prefers superheroes, then Robin loves Disney cartoons. The 213-centimetre basketball player has cards with characters from animated stories and various character items, such as Aladdin’s carpet.

Paul George

For the Los Angeles Clippers forward, fishing is not just fun, but a real way to relieve stress and restore mental balance (read more about mental health on Centreforum.org). George’s passion for this activity was instilled by his father, who took the boy to the lake since childhood. Paul did not give up fishing even when he grew up and became a professional sportsman. Now he’s happy to share his trophy photos with his followers on social media and encourage other basketball players to go fishing.

Kyrie Irving

The Brooklyn Nets point guard is a very versatile person. He loves to read, sing and dance. However, among his hobbies, one can single out playing the baritone saxophone. The instrument is one of the biggest of its kind, and therefore it would be difficult for Irving to take it on the frequent flights around the country that he has to make with the team. Kyrie found a way out. He takes a portable alto saxophone with an electronic mute with him and listens to the sound using headphones so as not to annoy his teammates.

At one of the press conferences, Irving said that music lessons helped him a lot on the court. According to the point guard, the human body is also a kind of instrument that must be learned to play. While practicing playing the saxophone, Kyrie trains his breathing with movements, setting a certain rhythm.

Marc Gasol

The Los Angeles Lakers center is fond of farming. He enjoys growing cucumbers, watermelons, zucchini, apples, melons, pears and many other fruits and vegetables at his villa in Spain. Thanks to his own vegetable garden, Marc has seriously reconsidered his diet and attitude towards nutrition. He used to love going to McDonald’s and eating not the healthiest food. Because of this, his physical shape was far from ideal. But that all changed when Marc decided to go into farming. He switched to salads, eliminated heavy meat and sugar from his diet.

Gasol can spend hours talking about the taste of homemade gazpacho and the benefits of vegetables from its own garden. However, in the garden, he also gains wisdom. Thanks to farming, Marc says he has become even more patient. Growing vegetables, the basketball player realized that you always need to be prepared for failure, make every effort and patiently wait for the result.

If you like not only watching basketball but also betting on NBA games, go to Meta.reviews. There you will find ratings and reviews of the best bookmakers.

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Most Common NBA Betting Mistakes and How To Avoid Them

Just like with any other type of gambling, winning when betting on NBA games isn’t all about luck. Also, a lot of people get excited thinking that players’ long streaks and winning records are enough to guarantee some easy cash. However, betting in professional sports is a lot more complex, as many variables can influence the outcome. Fortunately, various betting guides on the internet can help those starting out by teaching them the basics of online sports betting.

Here are some of the biggest rookie mistakes that gamblers tend to make when betting on NBA games.

Being Biased

Every avid NBA fan wants their favorite team to win, and many people start betting precisely for this reason. Say Orlando Magic randomly goes on a 10-game win streak, and you’re a fan. You’ll finally feel confident enough to start betting on your beloved players. This is perhaps one of the worst mistakes you could make, as there’s no place for personal likings when it comes to betting. The same applies to all-star players and those leading on the stat boards.

Even if you root for a single team, you should always diversify your bets. Betting on multiple teams and results is more profitable than investing solely in your favorites.

Forgetting To Check Lineup Updates

This mistake can cost you big time. A last-minute roster change can affect the odds depending on who is suiting up to play that day. Injuries in practice are quite common as star players often get injured during pre-game workout routines. It’s important to stay alert and updated in the days leading up to the match you want to bet on to avoid sudden lineup changes. For instance, just before the playoffs, some of the best players can be pulled out from competing to get some rest or treat any persistent injuries.

Relying on Winning Streaks Only

Winning streaks can be a double-edged sword since they inevitably have to end at some point. The same goes for losing streaks. Although it may seem counterintuitive, betting against a consecutively winning team can result in a massive return on your investment. You have to be smart about it, though. Always do some research beforehand and follow up on both hot and cold streaks, as you can discover a golden opportunity to get an enormous payout, especially if an underdog wins.

Disregarding the Underdogs

Most players favor and bet on teams with the best records since that’s the logical thing to do. However, everyone else also does the same, making the odds against the favorites considerably bigger. Although riskier, a well-placed bet on a rising underdog can fill your pockets. That said, it usually takes years of experience and extensive research to pull that kind of bet off. If you are only beginning your betting journey, simply keeping an eye on the underdogs will suffice. Upsets often happen in the NBA, and there is no such thing as a guaranteed win – even for teams such as the Lakers.

Not Monitoring Player Injuries

NBA players in real life aren’t like in the videogames and do tire themselves out over the course of a season. Even the most gifted players like LeBron James reach a point where fatigue starts affecting their performance. As previously mentioned, this can also affect your betting. The players struggling with injuries can be temporarily removed from the games, resulting in a last-minute lineup change that can instantly affect the betting odds.

Fatigued players are more likely to get injured and hence are a liability. It’s important to keep this in mind and bet on players who are rested and generally able to deliver good performance. Always check if a player recently took a vacation and include other factors that can affect the players’ physical wellbeing.

Getting Caught Up in the Hype

The media have a massive influence on many sports bets, providing a wide range of expert opinions, NBA analysis, podcasts, and everything in between. It’s only natural that conflicting opinions will emerge, and some people will tend to favor a particular media outlet or NBA expert over another. However, never get carried away by the hype. At the end of the day, it’s simply a matter of opinion, and that shouldn’t affect your betting strategies.

Only rely on the media for information on stats. Sports news can often make an injury sound worse than it actually is or make predictions based on trade speculations and other “in-depth” newsworthy information. If you end up getting swayed by the media hype, it’s very likely that, sooner or later, you’ll start making bad betting decisions.

In short, the best way to avoid losing money when betting on NBA matches is to back up your intuition with factual data and statistics. Of course, being successful at sports betting often involves a bit of luck, but thorough research and crunching the numbers separate expert bettors from the rest of the bunch.

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The Best Hairline in the NBA: Jayson Tatum

In his rookie season, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum emerged as one of the best young talents in the NBA. He has been a key cog in helping the Celtics qualify for the Eastern Conference Finals three of the last four seasons. He joined Utah Jazz rookie (at the time) Donovan Mitchell as the only rookies to score 20 or more points in seven consecutive postseason games since Julius Erving did in the ABA in 1972.

Tatum was later signed to a max-contract for his talents on the court, but he’s not only great at basketball. Tatum’s hairline, crafted by gloved barbers wearing an Andis Professional Styliner II trimmer, is fantastic. Compared to LeBron James’ hairline, which is a close second, Tatum has the best in the league.

On The Court

Tatum finished last season with a line of 23.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals are solid. This likely isn’t even his ceiling as he is just 22 years old. However, we often forget because Tatum came into the league producing right away.

At 6-foot-8 and 204 pounds, there are concerns that Tatum is fragile. However, even with his physique, he is a great rebounder. He can shoot from outside the arc (40.3%) but does better when the ball is distributed to him. With Year 4 in the works this year, this will be Tatum’s year to separate himself as the true alpha on the team.

The Hair

If the league gave NBA awards for best hair, Tatum would be right up there with the likes of LeBron, Zach LaVine, and Paul George. However, we are going to give captain honors to Tatum. Dating back to his rookie days, his veteran teammates knew it was great. He doesn’t use trimmers and meets up with his barber to cut his hair. Despite playing in Boston, Tatum makes the trip back to St. Louis to let the person he trusts work with his hairline.

The better question is who is the true MVP here? Tatum’s hairline or Julian Gutierrez, his barber? Since the draft day, Gutierrez has kept that same look going for four years of professional basketball, plus his younger days.

Benefits of the Eastern Conference

Since Tatum plays for the Celtics, he has the luxury of playing most of his games in the East Cost. That means on days that the team plays the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, or Cleveland Cavaliers, he can make one extra trip to fit St. Louis and Gutierrez and Jules Unique Studio.

Tatum is just 22 years old, so we should appreciate this hair for many years to come. Hopefully, he doesn’t have to resort to any headbands like his former teammate Marcus Morris to protect balding. At the end of the day, you work with what is given to you, and Tatum rewarded some sort of beauty.

Who do you believe has the best hairline in the NBA?

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The Staggering Odds of Nailing a Perfect March Madness Bracket

It is more likely that you will be struck by a lightning bolt, have quintuplets, and even win the lottery, than picking a perfect NCAA Tournament bracket.

Millions upon millions of people fill out their NCAA Tournament brackets every year; each of those brackets being busted without fail.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a casual fan or you are a true enthusiast who spends months researching the potential championships; there are pretty high chances that you will never come close to a perfect March Madness Bracket.

Just like betting in sports, trying to nail the bracket is now a huge part of enjoying the tournament.
When you look at the odds of correctly predicting all the 63 games, it will become apparent to you why no one has ever succeeded, and why nobody ever will.

If you are to correctly pick all 63 randomly, it means overcoming the odds of one in 9,223,372,036,854,775,808. This is 9.2 quintillion. To shed a little light on this, 9.2 quintillion seconds is the same as 292 billion years.
People never fill out their brackets entirely randomly. If, however, they were to do that, their chances of getting it right would be significantly lower, than if they had some knowledge of college basketball.

In 2020, data from the Bracket Challenge Game revealed that an average player had a one in 120.2 billion chance of being successful in picking a perfect bracket.

An easy way to contextualize this probability, is to compare it with certain occurrences that also have extreme probabilities, but which are more likely to happen compared to one nailing a perfect bracket.

First, let’s start with becoming a professional basketball player.

Out of the nearly 540,000 players who take part in men’s high school basketball, less than one in 35 will proceed to play basketball in college, and less than one in 75 will go on to get drafted into the NBA.

This implies that a high school basketball player has a one in 3,300 chance of making it to the NBA. But even with that, it is 36 million times more likely than nailing a perfect bracket.

Secondly, let us look at being dealt a royal flush in a game of poker. This is normally the rarest hand, and it has a chance of one in 854,315. Surprisingly, this is 185,000 more likely to happen than you getting a perfect bracket.
Now, think about the odds of being struck by lightning. There is a one in a million chance of this happening. And, this is 120,000 times less likely to happen than you nailing a perfect bracket.

If you think of being hit by a meteorite from space, then you have to be the hugely unlucky one out of a pack of 1.6million people. This is laughably improbable, but it is still 75,000 times more likely to happen than you nailing the perfect bracket.

If you think about winning the Lotto Max Jackpot, you have a one in 33.3 million chance, and if you consider the odds birthing quintuplets, then you have just one chance out of every 55 million natural births. The former is 3610 times and the latter is 2185 times more likely to happen than you correctly predicting all the outcomes of the 63 matches in the NCAA tournament.

The hunt for the perfect bracket is still on, and millions of people this year will be motivated by the progress of Gregg Nigl who came closer than anyone else before him, in 2019.

He managed to correctly predict 49 of 49 right from the start of the tournament. His luck, however, ran out when Purdue beat Tennessee in the Sweet Sixteen.

This was a super-impressive run, considering that there is a 17,000 to one chance of picking just the first few games correctly, back-to-back.

Even with that amount of consistent success, the perfect bracket was still out of reach. In order for him to correctly predict the final 15 games from the Sweet Sixteen, he needed to overcome odds of one in 32, 786.
Maybe it is time to finally throw in the towel and admit that no one is ever going to nail the perfect NCAA Tournament bracket. This March, millions of hopefuls are going to scrutinize the stats, and the seeding.

Unfortunately, they will watch in dismay as their bracket is busted within the very first few games of the tournament.

That said, it takes just one winner to shake this trend. It could be you!

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How to Learn to Recycle Basketball Tips

When it comes to getting tips on basketball, the internet provides plenty of them. From videos featuring pros to articles written by people who have mastered the game, it’s easy to get a ton of information. And thanks to technology, a lot of this information is actually quite good.

If you’re looking for great basketball tips, YouTube is a great resource. There are videos covering all aspects of the game, from how to play at different skill levels to how to drive to the hole in basketball and so forth. There are also short video clips highlighting how to do certain things, like dunking the ball or making lay-ups.

If you enjoy basketball but don’t think you’re a good shooter, there are video lessons on that as well. One of the best video tutorials out there shows how to get a nice shot every time. It’s simple, really. All you’ve got to do is move your feet a bit to the right and point up. If you make the shot, the ball rises and goes into the hoop. It’s not rocket science, but it beats shooting anywhere.

You can also search for basketball tips on the internet through blogs and websites dedicated to the sport. Here, you’ll find tons of knowledge on everything from how to practice correctly and how to develop a game plan. A great tip is to read up on strategies used by professionals, because these will often work for you, too. For instance, the coach of a team might tell his players to set a screen every time they’re close to the basket. This can be very useful because it forces the defender to chase the ball every time it goes near the basket.

Other great basketball tips are offered on sports message boards. These websites are filled with people who are passionate about the sport, and they love to share tips with newcomers and veterans alike. On message boards, you can learn about drills and skills, from how to improve your free throw stroke to the importance of learning when to go for jumpers.

A great resource for all kinds of basketball tips is the “NBA on TV” network. Not only does it offer up-to-date news and information on games and players, but it also shows highlights of some of the best moments in NBA history, along with interviews from the players themselves. It’s a great way to get motivated and get the ball rolling for a great game.

The most important aspect of getting basketball tips is listening. That sounds simple, but sometimes people miss information or they don’t take in enough information to make a good decision. When someone tells you something about a game, it’s better to hear it straight from the source. Don’t take their advice as gospel, because if you don’t know what you’re talking about, how can you really know if it’s good advice? Also, listen to others’ opinions – there are always people out there who are happy to share their secrets with you. Don’t let their negative comments influence you, but use them to sharpen your own perspective.

Take the time to listen, learn, and implement what you’ve learned. No one can do it for you, but with a little hard work and a lot of patience, you can make a difference in your basketball life. If you take the time to get the right basketball tips and watch the videos that highlight the best shots, you’ll increase your efficiency and your success as a player. It’s a great feeling when you’re doing everything right, too!

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ESPY Award Winner Tyler Lagasse

 

 

On Thursday July 6th, Tyler Lagasse received a 2017 Honorary ESPY Award at the Special Olympics Massachusetts Yawkey Sports Training Center. Tyler was given this reward in order to recognize his, talent, dedication, hard work and enthusiasm for athletics. In addition to beating Gary Woodland with a birdie on the 18th hole at the AT&T National Pro-Am, Tyler also won the Silver medal at the 2010 Special Olympics USA games. Tyler hopes to be attending next years 2018 Special Olympic USA games, where he can continue to inspire other athletes and embody what it means to be a true ESPY athlete.