NBA Larry O’Brien Trophy: NBA Champions

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2024 Boston Celtics defeat Dallas Mavericks 4-1

2023 Denver Nuggets defeat Miami Heat 4–1

2022 Golden State Warriors defeat Boston Celtics 4–2

2020 Los Angeles Lakers defeat Miami Heat 4–1

2019 Golden State Warriors defeat Toronto Raptors 4-2

2018 Golden State Warriors defeat Cleveland Cavaliers 4–0

2017 Golden State Warriors defeat Cleveland Cavaliers 4–1

2016 Cleveland Cavaliers defeat Golden State Warriors 4-3

2015 Golden State Warriors Steve Kerr defeat Cleveland Cavaliers 4–2

2014 San Antonio Spurs defeat Miami Heat 4–1

2013 Miami Heat defeat San Antonio Spurs 4-3

2012 Miami Heat defeat Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1

2011 Dallas Mavericks defeat Miami Heat 4–2

2010 Los Angeles Lakers defeat Boston Celtics 4–3

2009 Los Angeles Lakers defeat Orlando Magic 4–1

2008 Boston Celtics defeat Los Angeles Lakers 4-2

2007 San Antonio Spurs defeat Cleveland Cavaliers 4–0

2006 Miami Heat defeat Dallas Mavericks 4-2

2005 San Antonio Spurs defeat Detroit Pistons 4–3

2004 Detroit Pistons defeat Los Angeles Lakers 4-1

2003 San Antonio Spurs defeat New Jersey Nets 4–2

2002 Los Angeles Lakers defeat New Jersey Nets 4–0

2001 Los Angeles Lakers defeat Philadelphia 76ers 4–1

2000 Los Angeles Lakers defeat Indiana Pacers 4–2

1999 San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich defeat New York Knicks 4–1

1998 Chicago Bulls Phil Jackson Michael Jordan defeat Utah Jazz 4-2

1997 Chicago Bulls Phil Jackson Michael Jordan defeat Utah Jazz 4-2

1996 Chicago Bulls Phil Jackson defeat Seattle SuperSonics 4-2

1995 Houston Rockets Rudy Tomjanovich defeat Orlando Magic 4–0

1994 Houston Rockets Rudy Tomjanovich defeat New York Knicks 4-3

1993 Chicago Bulls Phil Jackson defeat Phoenix Suns 4-2

1992 Chicago Bulls Phil Jackson Michael Jordan defeat Portland Trail Blazers 4-2

1991 Chicago Bulls Phil Jackson defeat Los Angeles Lakers 4-1

1990 Detroit Pistons Chuck Daly defeat Portland Trail Blazers 4-1

1989 Detroit Pistons Chuck Daly defeat Los Angeles Lakers 4-0

1988 Los Angeles Lakers defeat Detroit Pistons 4–3

1987 Los Angeles Lakers defeat Boston Celtics 4–2

1986 Boston Celtics defeat Houston Rockets 4-2

1985 Los Angeles Lakers defeat Boston Celtics 4-2

1984 Boston Celtics defeat Los Angeles Lakers 4-3

1983 Philadelphia 76ers defeat Los Angeles Lakers 4-0

1982 Los Angeles Lakers defeat Philadelphia 76ers 4–2

1981 Boston Celtics defeat Bill Fitch Houston Rockets 4-2

1980 Los Angeles Lakers defeat Philadelphia 76ers 4–2

1979 Seattle SuperSonics defeat Washington Bullets 4–1

1978 Washington Bullets defeat Seattle SuperSonics 4-3

1977 Portland Trail Blazers defeat Philadelphia 76ers 4–2

1976 Boston Celtics Tom Heinsohn defeat Phoenix Suns 4-2

1975 Golden State Warriors defeat Washington Bullets 4–0

1974 Boston Celtics defeat Milwaukee Bucks 4-3

1973 New York Knicks defeat Los Angeles Lakers 4-1

1972 Los Angeles Lakers defeat Bill Sharman New York Knicks 4–1

1971 Milwaukee Bucks defeat Baltimore Bullets 4–0

1970 New York Knicks defeat Los Angeles Lakers 4-3

1969 Boston Celtics defeat Los Angeles Lakers 4-3

1968 Boston Celtics defeat Los Angeles Lakers 4-2

1967 Philadelphia 76ers defeat San Francisco Warriors 4-2

1966 Boston Celtics defeat Los Angeles Lakers 4-3

1965 Boston Celtics defeat Los Angeles Lakers 4-1

1964 Boston Celtics defeat San Francisco Warriors 4-1

1963 Boston Celtics defeat Los Angeles Lakers 4-2

1962 Boston Celtics defeat Los Angeles Lakers 4-3

1961 Boston Celtics defeat St. Louis Hawks 4-1

1960 Boston Celtics defeat St. Louis Hawks 4-3

1959 Boston Celtics defeat Minneapolis Lakers 4-0

1958 St. Louis Hawks defeat Boston Celtics 4–2

1957 Boston Celtics defeat St. Louis Hawks 4-3

1956 Philadelphia Warriors defeat Fort Wayne Pistons 4-1 George Senesky

1955 Syracuse Nationals Fort Wayne Pistons 4-3

1954 Minneapolis Lakers defeat Syracuse Nationals 4–3

1953 Minneapolis Lakers defeat New York Knicks 4–1

1952 Minneapolis Lakers defeat New York Knicks 4–3

1951 Rochester Royals defeat New York Knicks 4–3

1950 Minneapolis Lakers defeat Syracuse Nationals 4–2

NBA Bill Russell Award: NBA Finals MVP

Bill Russell Award Winners

Bill Russell Award Winners

2024 Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

2023: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

2021-22: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

2020-21: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

2019-20: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

2018-19: Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors

2017-18: Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors

2016-17: Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors

2015-16: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

2014-15: Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors

2013-14: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

2012-13: LeBron James, Miami Heat

2011-12: LeBron James, Miami Heat

2010-11: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

2009-10: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

2008-09: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

2007-08: Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics

NBA Finals MVPS

2006-07: Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

2005-06: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

2004-05: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

2003-04: Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons

2002-03: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

2001-02: Shaquille O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers

2000-01: Shaquille O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers

1999-00: Shaquille O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers

1998-99: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

1997-98: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls

1996-97: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls

1995-96: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls

1994-95: Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets

1993-94: Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets

1992-93: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls

1991-92: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls

1990-91: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls

1989-90: Isiah Thomas, Detroit Pistons

1988-89: Joe Dumars, Detroit Pistons

1987-88: James Worthy, Los Angeles Lakers

1986-87: Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers

1985-86: Larry Bird, Boston Celtics

1984-85: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers

1983-84: Larry Bird, Boston Celtics

1982-83: Moses Malone, Philadelphia 76ers

1981-82: Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers

1980-81: Cedric Maxwell, Boston Celtics

1979-80: Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers

1978-79: Dennis Johnson, Seattle SuperSonics

1977-78: Wes Unseld, Washington Bullets

1976-77: Bill Walton, Portland Trail Blazers

1975-76: Jo Jo White, Boston Celtics

1974-75: Rick Barry, Golden State Warriors

1973-74: John Havlicek, Boston Celtics

1972-73: Willis Reed, New York Knicks

1971-72: Wilt Chamberlain, Los Angeles Lakers

1970-71: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks

1969-70: Willis Reed, New York Knicks

1968-69: Jerry West, Los Angeles Lakers (Lakers lost to the Celtics)

NBA Magic Johnson Trophy: Western Conference MVP

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Magic Johnson Trophy Winners

2024: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks (Voting)

2023: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets (Voting)

2022: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (Voting)

NBA Oscar Robertson Trophy: NBA Western Conference Champions

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NBA Larry Bird Trophy: Eastern Conference MVP

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Larry Bird Trophy Winners

2024: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (Voting)

2023: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat (Voting)

2022: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (Voting)

NBA Bob Cousy Trophy: NBA Eastern Conference Champions

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NBA Bob Cousy Award

2024: Boston Celtics defeat Indiana Pacers (4 – 0)

2023: Miami Heat defeat Boston Celtics (4 – 3)

2022: Boston Celtics defeat Miami Heat (4 – 3)

Basketball Jokes for Memorial Day

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(Memorial Day Jokes)

  1. Knock knock?…Who is there?…Boo… Boo Who?… Don’t cry! We have the best basketball jokes for Memorial Day.
  2. 2023 NBA Draft: The Thompson Twins Amen Houston Rockets #4 pick & Ausar #5 Detroit Pistons pick have a sharp shooting dad. They often entered Memorial Day 3 on 3 basketball tournaments and stunned opponents…. No one had an answer for the pick and pop.
  3. What is the favorite NBA team of Indy 500 fans?… The Indiana Pacers. (NBA Basketball Jokes)
  4. What NBA team has the best Memorial Day cookouts?… The Houston Rockets,
  5. What team should you support on Memorial Day?… The Philadelphia 76ers.

Basketball: One Hand Form Shooting With TWO Hands?

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Every basketball player who has attended a camp or received shooting instruction has learned the one-hand form shooting drill. One-hand form shooting is a warm-up for so many basketball players from youth to NBA. Below are a some videos from some respected websites. 

Let me start by saying I am a huge, huge, huge proponent of one hand form shooting. I think it is essential to developing the skills required to make a player a consistent shooter with deeper range. However, after decades of teaching one-hand form shooting, I think it is important to make one MINOR adjustment because the traditional one-hand form shooting drill can create some problems that can be detrimental to a player’s shot development. 

When selecting basketball drills, t is important to always look at the big picture for development. The ultimate goal of all players is to be able to make shots during a game. So we want to create a game-like environment for shooting drills.

Below are some variations of one hand shooter and a few of the problems with the traditional drills.

One hand form, shooting with hand behind back. It is very common for youth players to get introduced to this drill at an early age. I have never encouraged a player to have his hand behind the back. Usually the player simply has his hand to the side of his body,  It is not natural to have a hand held behind the back and NEVER in the history of basketball has someone shot an open game shot with a hand behind their back. 

Additionally, having  a player have his hand behind his back will often result in twisting the body slightly. One of the biggest shooting problems is most players do not freeze the follow through with BOTH hands at the end of the shot. For these reasons, I strongly discourage completing one hand form shooting with a hand behind the back.

One hand form shooting with guide hand on the side of the head. One variation I have tried in the past is having a player place the guide hand on the side of his head. This is a huge step in the right direction. This variation can be very useful to teaching players to freeze both hands on their follow through. The hand on the head also keeps the shoulders square to the basket, which is very important. It also teaches the player to keep the hand up at the same time as shooting follow through. And for younger kids, this may be a teaching progression you might introduce.

Two hand form shooting with the guide hand slightly off. I must admit this is a recent teaching tool for me (2024). I have seen players train with this method and I was not a huge fan. However, after a little more thought and reflection, I believe this is the best option for one hand form shooting because it replicates nearly 100% what a game shot should look like. It is very, very simple to instruct a player to do make this small adjustment. Simply have the player prepare to take a shot and have him take the guide hand off the ball slightly. One to two inches. Now the player can shoot the one hand form shot that is so critical to becoming an elite shooter and practice freezing the guide hand too.

It should be stressed that the 22 follow through is the goal of all shooters. As you watch high school, youth, college, NBA and WNBA games, look at the really elite shooters and focus on their form and follow through,  At times, it may not be perfect. There may be many professional shooters that don’t freeze both hands, but I would say the majority of elite shooters come as close to the 22 follow through as possible. There are always exceptions, but it is nearly 100% true that when there is not a 22 follow through or something close to it a player is a poor and inconsistent shooter.

Being a consistent shooter separates good players from average players. If a player can develop good shooting habits and can practice this drill consistently, the chances of success will improve drastically.

WNBA Draft Picks

  1. Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark, G, Iowa @CaitlinClark22 (321K followers)
  2. Los Angeles Sparks: Cameron Brink, F, Stanford @cameronbrink22 (20K followers)
  3. Chicago Sky (via Phoenix Mercury): Kamilla Cardoso, C, South Carolina @Kamillascsilva (38K followers)
  4. Los Angeles Sparks: (via Seattle Storm): Rickea Jackson, F, Tennessee @iamthathooper (14.4K followers)
  5. Dallas Wings (via Chicago Sky): Jacy Sheldon, G, Ohio State @JacySheldon (6K followers)
  6. Washington Mystics: Aaliyah Edwards, F, UConn @AaliyahEdwards_ (7K followers)
  7. Chicago Sky (via Minnesota Lynx): Angel Reese, F, LSU @Reese10Angel (441K followers)
  8. Minnesota Lynx (via Atlanta Dream): Alissa Pili, F, Utah @alissa_pili (8K followers)
  9. Dallas Wings: Carla Leite, G, France
  10. Connecticut Sun: Leïla Lacan, G, France
  11. New York Liberty: Marquesha Davis, G, Ole Miss @MarqueshaDavis (2K followers)
  12. Atlanta Dream (via Las Vegas Aces): Nyadiew Puoch, F, Australia

WNBA Basketball Jokes

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  1. Indiana doctors were busy after Caitlin Clark was made the #1 Pick of the 2024 WNBA draft… Big increase in Indiana Fever!
  2. June 16th Basketball Jokes for Father’s Day: Caitlin Clark and her dad always play in a Father’s Day 2 vs. 2 tournament. Her dad is a sharp shooter too. They are unstoppable…. No one had an answer for the pick and pop. (Basketball Jokes for Father’s Day & WNBA Jokes)
  3. The sickest team in the WNBA just got sicker… The Indiana Fever added Caitlin Clark to their roster.
  4. The #2 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft was Cameron Brink, a forward from Stanford… Los Angeles hopes she can be a real spark for the team on both ends of the floor.
  5. WNBA = We NoLonger Back Seat.
  6. Who is the sickest team in the WNBA?… The Indiana Fever.
  7. Which WNBA team has the brightest players?… The Connecticut Sun.
  8. How did Kamilla Cardoso, a center from South Carolina feel after being the 3rd pick in the WNBA Draft?… She was SKY high!
  9. Who is Smokey the Bear’s least favorite WNBA team?… The Los Angeles Sparks!
  10. The Indiana Fever hope their #1 draft pick, Caitlin Clark, is right on the mark… just like her shot.
  11. I am betting the Las Vegas Access will have a great season.
  12. What is a weather reporters favorite WNBA team?… The Seattle Storm.
  13. Do you know what is Caitlin Clark’s , the #1 Pick of the 2024 WNBA draft, #1 TV show?… MASH, she loves Hawkeye Pierce.
  14. What did the Phoenix fans think of the most recent draft picks?… Mercurys are rising.
  15. Who is the unofficial sponsor of the Atlanta Dream?… Serta Matress!
  16. Who is Caitlin Clark’s favorite TV character?… Hawkeye Pierce, from M*A*S*H.
  17. What WNBA team is mostly to have a cannabis company as a sponsor?… The LA Sparks.
  18. What is the favorite WNBA team of Sigmund Freud?… The Atlantic Dream.
  19. What WNBA team has the brightest fans?… The Connecticut Sun.
  20. Caitlin Clark and her parents always play in 3 on 3 tournaments. The mom is a defender and hustle player. Her dad is a sharp shooter too. They are unstoppable…. No one had an answer for the pick and pop.
  21. What WNBA team has the brightest coaches?… The Connecticut Sun.
  22. Why are there so many jump shots in the WNBA?… Because women can’t drive