Basketball training: Tips for a more accurate shot

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There are three basic skills a basketball player needs to master to play the game.  These are dribbling, passing, and shooting.  These skills are all of equal importance.  Dribbling allows a player to move the ball on his own.  Passing is important since basketball is a team game.  And shooting scores the points. 

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Let’s take a look at how people can develop a better shot.

Practice, practice, practice

This is a no-brainer.  Practice makes perfect.  The greatest shooters in the NBA practice shooting the ball from all angles of the court, at least 300 times a day.  Through practice, players can develop their stroke and have a feel of the amount of power every shot needs.

Get power from the legs

Whether practicing a jump shot or a free throw, players should start with bent legs.  Legs should be part of the shot for two reasons: they improve a player’s form up to the release, and add power to prevent fatigue in the arms.

Follow through on the stroke

When shooting, players should follow through on their stroke.  Avoid making the mistake of a quick release and pulling the shooting hand back as soon as it feels like the ball has left the hand.  Following through secures a smoother shot.

Bob Mims, CPA promotes the importance of staying active through several physical exercises, such as yoga, P90X, and swimming. During his free time, he loves re-watching his favorite Star Wars episodes. Learn more about him and his interests here.

Ranking The 'Star Wars' Episodes

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Very few film franchises in history can measure up to "Star Wars" in terms of sheer fan base. Even after the incredibly divisive “The Last Jedi," "Star Wars" fans still remain loyal to the saga. And even with "Solo: A Star Wars Story" coming up as a box-office disappointment, it was by no means a flop.

In the years to come, Disney and Lucasfilm have announced releases for "Star Wars," which everyone is sure will be at the very least, moderate hits. The closest one is J.J. Abrams’ Episode IX, which is slated for release in December 2019. But before that happens, let’s check out the episode rankings of "Star Wars."

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Note that these rankings only include episodes, and not standalone films such as "Rogue One," "Solo," or "The Clone Wars."
 1."The Empire Strikes Back" – The one Star Wars movie that had everything.
 2."A New Hope" – The movie that started it all.
3."Revenge of the Sith" – The most action-packed, and arguably, most important Star Wars movie. 4."The Return of the Jedi" – A great way to end the saga.
5."The Last Jedi" – The riskiest and most divisive, and also a great effort on its own merit.
6."The Force Awakens" – A fun ride that seemed too similar to "A New Hope."
7."The Phantom Menace” – Too flawed to be fully enjoyed, with hammed up acting and an incredibly uneven script.
8."Attack of the Clones" – Overpowered by a sappy romance.

Bob Mims, CPA, promotes the importance of staying active through several physical exercises, such as yoga, P90X, and swimming. During his free time, he loves re-watching his favorite 'Star Wars' episodes. Learn more about him and his interests here.

Top Destinations For Lebron James

With the breaking news that LeBron James has decided to opt out of his Cavaliers contract to become a free agent next season, all the speculations on James’ eventual departure from Cleveland have more or less been proven true. Of course, James can still decide to stay put and sign a new contract. But this option is becoming more unlikely by the minute, especially with many analysts insisting that James is at odds with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert.

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LeBron has been quoted as saying that his decision will depend mainly on his talks with his family. But if King James does leave, the prime destination team is the Los Angeles Lakers. This is because the Lakers have the best salary cap space to accommodate LeBron. Also, the possibility of teaming up with his friend Paul George is there, also bolstered by the existing cap space. The Lakers are likewise very keen on trading for Kawhi Leonard to better woo James.

The Philadelphia 76ers is the next best destination option, as aside from also having the salary space to grant LeBron a multi-million-dollar contract, the Sixers boasts of the dynamic tandem of Embiid and Simmons to help James get another championship ring soonest.

Boston is likewise a sound choice if LeBron is out to add another title to his resume quickly. However, an Irving-James reunion might prove difficult since Kyrie has explicitly stated that he left Cleveland to be the leader of his own team. But don’t count out Danny Ainge from pulling off a hat trick, as he could work a trade for Kyrie and the Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard.

Other plausible options are Houston and, well, Golden State. But the chances of James leaving for these teams are slim and won’t really look good as far as James’ legacy is concerned. No one wants existing superteams to be even more overpowered.

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Bob Mims CPA is a former basketball coach and now a sports and fitness aficionado. He values the importance of maintaining health through constant physical activity. A few of his favorite fitness routines include yoga, swimming, and the P90X. Know more about Bob on this website.

The Best Basketball Players In Ole Miss History

Over the course of the history of Ole Miss’s basketball program, many players had taken their talents to Oxford, MI. Some of the most notable ones are discussed below:

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Johnny Neumann

The player affectionately called “Johnny Reb” played just two seasons for the Rebels. He became known as the first player in basketball history to take advantage of a hardship clause, a now-defunct rule that allowed a professional team to sign a college player even before the expiration of his college eligibility due to financial difficulties.

Neumann, though, made a mark in Ole Miss history during his short-lived collegiate career. He is the only Rebel to lead the nation in scoring during a season when he posted an average of 40.1 points per game in 1971.

Elston Turner

Ole Miss has rarely reached the NCAA Tournament – just eight time to be exact. The first time it ever did so was back in 1981 when Elston Turner led the team in scoring and rebounding. His great feel for the game has resulted in him being a sought-after assistant coach in the National Basketball Association since 1996.

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Rahim Lockhart

The Rebels have reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament only once – in 2001. The exciting run during that season, which included 27 wins and a final national ranking of number 9 (both school records), was led by All-American Rahim Lockhart.

Bob Mims, CPA, is a huge fan of the Ole Miss sports teams, which are discussed more on this blog.

Can Yoga Help Swimmers Improve?

Olympic swimmers, including American gold medalist Natalie Coughlin, attest to the many benefits of yoga. The following are the performance improvements provided by yoga:

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Flexibility 

One of the most common reasons swimmers practice yoga is to improve their flexibility. The strokes and the leg kicks take their heavy toll on the shoulder and the lower limb. With yoga, the range of motion of joints can be increased, easing the burden the movements cause on these body parts. Yoga can also lengthen muscle tissues and release muscular tension, giving them greater integrity and strength. 

Body awareness 

Swimming requires a high level of body awareness, with every movement pattern, from the maintenance of the body line to the entry of the fingers in the water during strokes, being critical in swimming speed. Yoga helps athletes develop technical proficiency in this aspect. 

Recovery

Swimming is one of the most taxing sports; an hour or two of hard practice can result in tightness and stiffness of muscles or aches in joints. Yoga, particularly restorative yoga, can allow the body to recover more quickly than usual. 

Mental strength

This sport is as mentally challenging as it is physically. Psychological stability may mean gaining or losing seconds in the pool; and in a race, every second counts. By practicing yoga regularly, one gains the ability to regulate his or her emotions, reduce anxiety, and relax mentally.

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Bob Mims, CPA promotes the importance of staying healthy, and believes that one way of doing so is by regularly swimming. Follow this Twitter page  for more discussions on sports training.

Stay Fit For Life: Sports For Seniors

The most common problem seniors have when working out is that their bodies can sometimes no longer handle the stress.  The joints and muscles aren’t as sturdy as they used to be.  But this shouldn’t stop them from exercising.  Here are some of the best exercises for senior citizens that aren’t as high impact as the rest, but effective nonetheless.

Swimming

If everyone had a swimming pool to do laps in, what a wonderful world it would be.  Swimming is the perfect full-body exercise for many reasons.  This goes double for seniors.  The activity itself is low-impact, and the water aids in alleviating joint and body pains.  It’s good for the heart and lungs, which is essential for seniors.

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Golf

There are two fantastic things about golf.  First, it affords a person to walk long distances and get fresh air.  These are low-impact activities and are good for the lungs, heart, and easy on the joints.  Second, to play golf, one has to keep proper posture, which helps senior from hunching. 

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Cycling/Spinning

It doesn’t matter whether you are cycling outdoors or attending a spinning class, getting on a bike and pedaling do have amazing health advantages.  Another low-impact exercise, cycling is great for muscle development and heart and lung health.  Although, many people still prefer doing it outdoors to get the most of fresh air.

Former basketball coach Bob Mims, CPA, is a firm believer in the importance of physical activity in long-term fitness. A few of his favorite fitness routines include yoga, swimming, and the P90X. For similar reads, click here.

P90X: How It Helps Golfers

A decade-and-a-half ago, the Power 90 Extreme, P90X, for short, was developed as a 90-day home exercise regimen that employs cross-training, systematic planning, and an appropriate nutrition program. The regimen helps people with varying reasons for working out, from weight loss to achieving peak-performance shape.

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Even golfers could benefit from P90X, whether they play casually or join amateur or professional competitions.

Arm and back strength:  The tone of a hole in golf is set by the drive, or the first shot right off the tee. Its distance is highly dependent on one’s arm and back strength, both of which can be improved with a few P90X tools.

Core strength:  Any golfer worth his salt knows that swing strength and control do not depend on merely arm strength, but also on the ability to twist the body while hitting the ball. P90X programs can build the core and improve the swing.

Leg strength:  Another important body part to target by golfers are the legs, as the lower limbs can give one better control and stability when swinging or putting. P90X can help sculpt the legs, providing golfers the necessary strength to play the sport.

Range of motion:  P90X is known for improving flexibility, which can aid golfers in capturing an increased range of motion while swinging.

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To learn more about the revolutionary P90X and its benefits for practitioners, follow this Twitter page for Bob Mims, CPA.