Basketball courts are a great addition to any backyard or sports complex, no matter what you’re looking for. There are so many different options to choose from when it comes to creating your own personal backyard courts that you’re sure to find exactly what you need. When you decide to build a customized basketball court, you’ll be able to choose everything from the playing surface to the colors and even the size and style of hoops that you want. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a small yard or a huge piece of land to work with. You can find custom basketball solutions for your every need.

When choosing a basketball court for your backyard, you need to first determine how big it can be, whether it will be regulation or half court, and what you want for surfacing. You can have traditional concrete or asphalt outdoor court surfacing, or you can employ the use of a turf like material that will allow you to have less maintenance and wear on your basketball courts. The colors that you have to choose from are endless, as well. You can find every color and style imaginable, and if you don’t find what you want, it can be created for you.

If you’re looking for basketball courts for a commercial complex or business, there are plenty of options to choose from, as well. For example, if you have limited space, you can have multipurpose courts put in, or even have a floating basketball court that is removable over top of another floor surface. Many of the NBA and WNBA teams have floating floors that they play on, to allow them to play in various arenas and domes around the country. For example, if an event is scheduled for the same weekend as a game, you can pick up the floor, and move it to a different location so that the event can continue.

These basketball courts are for indoor and outdoor use, and can be used for backyard play or commercial sports facilities. It doesn’t matter why you’re shopping for a basketball court, getting one that will last for a lifetime will be a great investment. The basketball courts made by Sportscapers of Texas are durable, and come with a warranty. As long as they’re properly cared for, they can create a lifetime of fun and sports playing for anyone who wants to have their very own basketball court.

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[tags]basketball court, basketball court construction, building basketball court[/tags]

Basketball trainers are becoming more, and more vital to a team’s performance, may it be on-season or off-season. The sport basketball requires a lot of training and running has become a part of a comprehensive program devised by a qualified basketball trainer.

The training also includes weights and strength development. It is common that part of the training involves the cardio vascular training that aims to develop aerobic fitness before the start of the season. Anaerobic fitness, which includes wind sprints, shuttles, sprints and intervals, completes the training program.

It is the job of a basketball trainer to work out a year-long season basketball program listed below.

- Preparations are already done by the players to adapt to the new season.

- Aerobic fitness, functional strength and hypertrophy are given much emphasis.

- Players prepare to work out, as pre-season trials are in the offing.

- Building anaerobic fitness and maximum strength and power highlight this stage.

- Players prepare for functional competition, as the competition is about to unfold.

- Speed, aerobic and anaerobic fitness and strength maintenance become the highlighting factors here.

- After a championship conquest, players can already relax; but need to be active still.

- Adequate rest and full recovery, coupled with light activities and maintenance are the main emphasis. This will have to include cross training and light gym workouts.

- Pre-season is about to unfold; and so, more aerobic fitness exercises should be done.

- The main role of a basketball trainer is to create a generic training program for a particular sport, say for example, basketball.

Guards are likely to require more agility and speed, and at the same time, less strength and bulk than centers and power forwards.

An essential technique in mobility training is building strength while minimizing bulk; in this way, speed and agility are maintained.

A concrete example is, a guard who can carry heavy loads, but with very low repetitions. A lot of rest every after workout set will build strength and agility.

Basketball trainers mull over a program, which is dedicated for a whole season. It is best suited for beginners or even with casual weight trainers, who do not have a history of weight training for basketball.

It is significant to remember the following facts in developing a workable basketball program:

- Best programs are always dependent to an individual’s current health status

- Players’ role in the team

- Access to resources

- Team coaches’ essential philosophy

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[tags]vertical exercises,vertical jump,basketball,plyometric,program,trainer[/tags]

Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Power Forward, Oklahoma and much more in analyzing the top 10 NBA picks.

Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin, Power Forward, Oklahoma: We knew the Clippers were going to select Griffin well before his name was announced on draft night. He should be able to come in and contribute right away, at least providing energy, rebounding and great finishes. He’s got the chance to be a star and should help get the franchise in the right direction. He’s going to sell NBA tickets for a long time and the Clippers are lucky to have him.

Memphis Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet, Center, UConn: Thabeet probably isn’t ready to start right away, but he’ll be a solid defensive option coming off the bench. He and Marc Gasol provide the team with different skills, so it should work in the short-term.

Oklahoma City Thunder - James Harden, Shooting Guard, Arizona State: Harden is a good fit for the Thunder. They needed a shooting guard and someone with a reliable jump shot. Harden will be a solid role player for this team that already has some emerging stars on the roster.

Sacramento Kings - Tyreke Evans, Guard, Memphis: I think passing on Ricky Rubio could come back to haunt the Kings if Evans can’t play point guard. He did at Memphis, but he was allowed to be extremely ball-dominant as a team’s main option. I’m not sure he can play the position in the pros, but he’s strong and will give opposing points fits if he can.

Minnesota Timberwolves - Ricky Rubio, Point Guard, Memphis: It looks like Rubio did not want to get drafted by Minnesota and will likely go back to Europe for a couple more years to avoid paying a buyout of any kind with DKV Joventut. The Wolves should have talked to him about this beforehand and this is a sticky situation for the franchise.

Minnesota Timberwolves - Jonny Flynn, Point Guard, Syracuse: With their second consecutive pick the Wolves took their second consecutive point guard. This one is a bit of a head scratcher, but it will end up being a solid move because Rubio looks headed back overseas.

Golden State Warriors - Stephen Curry, Guard, Davidson: The Warriors were surprised to find Curry on the board and pounced on him. He’ll be a good backcourt mate for Monta Ellis if Don Nelson gives him the playing time.

New York Knicks - Jordan Hill, Power Forward, Arizona: The Knicks wanted Curry or Rubio, but will settle for Hill. He’s an active big man with a lot of potential, but he’s still pretty raw offensively. Coach Mike D’Antoni compared him to a young Amare Stoudemire, but that may be a bit of a stretch.

Toronto Raptors - DeMar DeRozan, Shooting Guard, USC: DeRozan will need some time to develop, but he’s got star potential. He’s a good player to build around if Chris Bosh walks next summer.

Milwaukee Bucks - Brandon Jennings, Point Guard, Italy: Jennings has a ton of potential and it sounds like the Bucks fell in love with him in the days leading up to the draft. He can be a special player, but he might not be the best fit under coach Scott Skiles.

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Free agency has not completely shaken out and there still could be some trades swung this offseason, but I think it’s time to see which teams look like legitimate title contenders now that some of the summer dust has settled. Here are the teams that I think have positioned themselves for a title run in 2009-10. (Note: This article was written on July 31st.)

Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers have to be the favorite now that they’ve re-signed Lamar Odom. If they hadn’t, I don’t think they would be. The team basically flipped Trevor Ariza for Ron Artest, and though Artest will give them some toughness, he’s not the same guy he was three years ago. Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant and Odom, who is a close friend of Artest, should be able to keep the combustible New York native in check. This is one of the most talented teams in the league and there is little doubt that they’ll cruise to the Western Conference Finals. It will get difficult from there, though.

San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs has a fantastic offseason, acquiring Richard Jefferson for three irrelevant players, stealing DeJuan Blair in the second round of the draft and luring Antonio McDyess via free agency. The Spurs are the best-run organization in the league and have proven it once again. Jefferson will be able to shoulder some of the offensive load, giving the big three a break. He’ll also provide nice insurance for the oft-injured Manu Ginobili. Blair and McDyess give the Spurs great frontcourt depth and will give Tim Duncan some rest as well. You also can’t deny this team’s experience. I was tempted to declare San Antonio as the favorite; that’s how good they’re going to be.

Orlando Magic: Last season’s Eastern Conference champs have gotten better, but have they gotten good enough? They lost Hedo Turkoglu, but more than made up for that by acquiring Vince Carter from New Jersey. Carter will give the team the crunch-time scorer that it lost in Turkoglu and is a better overall player than the Turkish forward. He also gives the team a legit two-guard. The Magic also acquired Brandon Bass, a good frontcourt banger, in free agency and added Matt Barnes. They could win the title, but they’re not the most likely.
Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James might sell more NBA tickets than anyone else in the league, but he can’t win a title on his own; we saw that last season.

James got Shaquille O’Neal to help this offseason, but Shaq is getting old and he won’t have the Phoenix Suns’ miraculous training staff to keep him young all season. If this goes right, they could definitely reach the Promised Land thanks to the King, but they’ve got matchup problems that remain with the Magic and will likely need a herculean effort from James to win the title.

Boston Celtics: Age is the enemy for the Celtics and it’s hard to imagine the core of this team holding up over a full season and postseason. Garnett’s health dictates everything for this team; he’s the heart and soul, on and off the court. It’s possible they win it all, but they’d need a lot to go wrong for the other top teams.

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[tags]NBA, sports, tickets, basketball[/tags]

Here are a few teams that I think made some great offseason moves thus far. (Note: This article was written on July 29th)
San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs pulled off a fantastic deal by parlaying three players who weren’t going to get much playing time into Richard Jefferson. Jefferson still has a lot left in the tank, and is the kind of player that will fit in perfectly in San Antonio. This was a move that had to be made to keep the Spurs in contention for an NBA title as Tim Duncan ages and Manu Ginobili gets injured more and more often. Jefferson is a do-it-all small forward who gives the Spurs a shot at the Finals. The Spurs also got the steal of the draft by landing Pitt’s DeJuan Blair in the second round.

He’s a lottery talent that dropped due to concerns about his knees. It’s was worth the risk and he’ll add toughness inside and give Duncan some rest. To top it all off the Spurs acquired a quality veteran, like they always do, in Antonio McDyess. McDyess is a great role player and still a really good rebounder. The Spurs have done a great job this offseason, to no surprise of mine. Their style of play and doing business may not sell the most NBA tickets, but it sure wins basketball games.

Los Angeles Clippers: This team has not had a great offseason in a while, but their offseason was really, really good this time around. Yes, they lucked into getting the number one pick, but acquiring a talent like Blake Griffin is the type of move that could turn a franchise around. The Clippers also did a great job clearing playing time for Griffin in the frontcourt by trading away Zach Randolph.

Randolph, while talented, does not make the best decisions and has earned a reputation for being a questionable team player. The team then flipped Quentin Richardson, acquired in the Randolph trade, for Craig Smith, Mark Madsen and Sebastian Telfair. Before that trade, the Clippers were incredibly thin. Smith is a quality role player and should add some efficient scoring and rebounding off the bench. Telfair filled the team’s gaping need for a backup point guard, a role that he is very well-suited for. The Clippers are now ready to roll out a starting lineup of Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Al Thornton, Griffin and Chris Kaman, with guys like Telfair, Smith and Marcus Camby contributing off the bench. I like where this is going.

Orlando Magic: The Magic lost a major cog in their run to the Finals last season in Hedo Turkoglu, but they covered that quickly by acquiring Vince Carter form New Jersey. Carter will provide the Magic with a two-guard that can create his own offense and defend, two holes that were exploited in the NBA Finals by Kobe Bryant. Carter will give the Magic the crunch-time scorer that the team lost on Turkoglu as well. The team also acquired Brandon Bass, one of my favorite young role players in the league. They may have overpaid Marcin Gortat, but Ryan Anderson will prove to be more than just a throw-in in the VC trade and Matt Barnes can give them some length on the perimeter and nail some threes for them.

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[tags]NBA, sports, tickets, basketball[/tags]

There are still some really good players out there in free agency. Here is what I think will happen to some of the best remaining free agents this summer. (Note: This article was written on July 29th.)

Lamar Odom, Unrestricted: I thought it was a foregone conclusion that Odom would re-sign with the Lakers, but those negotiations have been pretty rocky. The Miami Heat have emerged as a potential suitor, but Odom is still waffling at this point. He wants more money, but he’s not going to get much due to his motivational issues in the past. I think he’s a great fit in Miami, where he played before being traded to L.A., but I think Odom loves living in Los Angeles too much to leave. I think he’ll re-sign with the Lakers.

David Lee, Restricted, New York Knicks: Lee is a glorified energy guy whose stats are inflated by the system that he plays in and the team he plays on. Lee is seeking something in the $8-10 million range and I just don’t think he’s going to get it. He’s a really good role player, but not much else and he’s not very versatile. There’s a chance that a team like Oklahoma City or Portland swoops in and gives him a solid deal close that that number, but it’s more likely that he returns to the Knicks on a one-year tender offer or another one-year contract. He can definitely help a team, but he wouldn’t be the kind of signing that sells NBA tickets.

Marvin Williams, Restricted, Atlanta Hawks: This is a guy that I would try to lock up for a price that the Hawks would not match. Paying more than the market price for Williams will pay off. He’s poised for a breakout year and he could be a major attraction for the big names next summer. People have forgotten how talented he is and there was a reason he was the second overall pick in 2005. I think he’ll probably sign a long-term deal with the Hawks and teams will regret failing to make him an offer as early as one year from now.
Raymond Felton, Restricted, Charlotte Bobcats: Felton is much better than people give him credit for. You can basically pencil him in for 14 points, three rebounds and seven assists per game. He plays good defense and though his shooting is not great, it’s underrated. He knows how to run a team and is really good on the break. I think he’ll get better too. Odds are he stays put, but teams like the Knicks should take a serious look.

Ramon Sessions, Restricted, Milwaukee Bucks: I was extremely surprised that it was Sessions that the team made restricted while they let Charlie Villanueva walk, especially now that they’ve drafted Brandon Jennings. Perhaps the team is hoping to keep Sessions for one more year to bridge the gap to the Jennings era. Sessions is good, though, and could be a triple-double machine in the right system. Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni is reportedly a fan and I think New York will present Sessions with an offer sheet. The Bucks probably won’t match anything significant with Jennings on board. I think Sessions will be playing in Madison Square Garden next season.

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[tags]NBA, sports, tickets, basketball[/tags]

The New Orleans Hornets recently completed a trade with the Charlotte Bobcats that sent forward/center Emeka Okafor to New Orleans for center Tyson Chandler. This deal seems lopsided on the surface, as many do, but it also appears so when you look at it from just about any angle. Teams often trade away better players in an effort to shed cap space or save money, but this deal doesn’t do much of either for Charlotte.

In Okafor, the Hornets get a quality interior defender that rebounds the ball well and has some offensive game. In Chandler they give up a quality interior defender that rebounds the ball well and has little to no offensive game. It doesn’t seem to add up. Sure, Chandler’s contract runs three years less than that of Okafor’s, but Okafor’s deal was awarded to him not too long ago and the Bobcats seemed to be ready to make a playoff push, so it’s a bit perplexing. Though his deal runs for longer, Okafor will actually save the Hornets a little over one million dollars this season, as well as the same amount in luxury tax savings.

Okafor is simply a better player than Chandler. He’s a better defender in my opinion, rebounds the ball very well and can create some offense on the low block. Chandler was very limited on the offensive end. Most of his points came on dunks, put-backs and alley-oops from Chris Paul. Paul was a huge source of offense for Chandler and I just don’t see him having much to contribute offensively in Charlotte. Okafor, on the other hand, should benefit greatly from playing with a floor general like Paul. Paul is one of the best passers in the game and should create some easy buckets for Okafor. Okafor does have some post moves as well and has developed a nice touch off the glass since being selected by Charlotte with the number two pick in the 2004 draft.

Now the Hornets have three players that will likely serve as the focus of the team’s offense. With Paul, the unquestioned superstar and leader of the team, David West, the second option, and Okafor, the post scorer, this team is a well-rounded one. West is a good power forward who depends on his jump shot a lot. Okafor will be able to provide the team with more of an offensive presence on the block. He’s a big body that can defend and they shouldn’t lose much of anything on the defensive end.

Okafor has averaged a double-double in his career thus far, something that cannot be said about too many guys in the league right now. He’s had some injury concerns in the past, but he played in all 82 games this past season. He’s only 26, but his room for improvement is marginal for his age. He’ll be solid and do everything that you ask a big man to do, but don’t expect a superstar. The team was able to part ways with Chandler, whom they’d been actively shopping for a while now, while receiving a better player in return. When considering the disparity between the two players’ offensive games and Chandler’s recent healthy issues, this deal seems like home run for the Hornets. Those who purchase New Orleans Hornets tickets should see a better team on the floor in 2009-10.

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[tags]New Orleans Hornets, sports, tickets, tickets[/tags]

Here is a look at who I consider to be the top 10 free agents of 2009. Ben Gordon, Shooting Guard, Unrestricted: Gordon can score with the best of ‘em and there will always be a place for a guy like him in the league. It’s more difficult to find guys that can get buckets like Gordon than to find guys to give you rebounding or assists. He’s undersized for his position, but he finds a way to get the job done, especially in crunch time. He’s probably best suited as a sixth man coming off the bench, but he can win you games down the stretch frequently. Most likely destination: Detroit.

David Lee, Power Forward, Restricted (New York): Lee is a great rebounder and will give you some scoring, but his defense is suspect and he doesn’t have much room to improve. Still, every team in the league would like to have Lee on their roster. He’d be a good fit on a team with another big man that could score and block shots. He might not sell a ton of NBA tickets on his own, but he’s a glue guy and a player that doesn’t mind doing the dirty work. Most likely destination: Staying in New York for (at least on a one-year tender offer).

Hedo Turkoglu, Forward, Unrestricted: Turkoglu was underrated a couple of years ago, but now I think he’s made the transition to overrated. His penchant for hitting big shots has overshadowed some of his deficiencies, namely his inconsistency and his defense. He tends to take bad shots at times, but he’s a mismatch for almost any team and can take over games. Most likely destination: Toronto.
Paul Millsap, Power Forward, Restricted (Utah): Millsap has done a lot with the minutes he’s been given in Utah over the past few seasons. Carlos Boozer will not opt out of the final year of his deal with the Jazz, leaving Utah in a financial situation where Millsap could be had by another team. He’s a great rebounder and a solid guy in the post. He’s got room for development and should be a solid pick up for any team who needs help down low. Most likely destination: Oklahoma City.

Marvin Williams, Forward, Restricted (Atlanta Hawks): Williams has star potential and he’s made good progress each year he’s been in the league. He’s still just 23 and he could be in store for a breakout season. The Hawks are going to do everything they can to re-sign him, and they should. Most likely destination: Staying in Atlanta.

Trevor Ariza, Small Forward, Unrestricted: Ariza looks like a potential All-Star in the making. He’s playing under much more control than in the past and has added a three-point shot to his repertoire. The Lakers might not be able to keep him and there will be plenty of interest. Most likely destination: Cleveland.

Lamar Odom, Forward, Unrestricted: Odom is a coveted player, but I think he loves Los Angeles and the Lakers want to keep him around for the rest of Kobe Bryant’s prime. I’d be surprised if he left L.A. Most likely destination: Staying with the Lakers.

Andre Miller, Point Guard, Unrestricted: Miller is a floor general and a leader. He’s got experience and could bring a lot to a team in need of veteran presence from a guy who can still play at a high level. Most likely destination: Portland.

Jason Kidd, Point Guard, Unrestricted: Kidd can still run a team and will bring a high rate of assists and rebounds from a guard position. He can’t play much defense anymore, but he can still run the break and hit open jumpers. Most likely destination: Back to Dallas.

Charlie Villanueva, Forward, Unrestricted: Villanueva has a ton of potential and he’s already a good player. He needs to become more consistent, but he could really help a club right now and has the talent to get better. Most likely destination: Detroit.

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[tags]NBA, sports, tickets, basketball[/tags]

Weight training is important in baseball as it helps a person to remain injury free. It also helps in building strength right from a young age so that they can pitch or hit better later on. Weight training can be started from a young age although it is done in smaller proportions. Children are able to build more strength as well as overall fitness by undergoing light resistance works like warm-ups, running, swimming, stretching etc. The weight training is done in moderate because the skeletal system of children are not fully developed. The joints like those in the elbow may be prone to injury and one has to be very careful. Heavy lifting may lead to tear in muscle fibers and hence kids are made to lift very light weights.

Children undergo rapid growth during this period and hence they require a lot of energy in the form of food. Weight training for children is specially planned and they are not like the ones you see for the professional players. They are designed especially for kids and in an entertaining and fun manner. The basic behind such training is to make the kids stronger so that they can swing or even pitch the ball with better control and more power. Weight training will differ for different age groups and as a child grows the intensity of the workout will grow. It is done in such form that kids do not get injured in the process and at the same time they become stronger. Baseball requires a lot of power and it is important that kids who are about 14 to 15 years old start performing weight training within their capacity. It is very important training program of any baseball player and starting young will help in giving you a head start.

It is practiced for the older kids and young kids are also given training in a very light form. This training program helps the kids to be more dedicated and they become stronger both mentally as well as physically. Weight training for young trainers is specially formed and is made in such a way that it focuses on strengthening all body parts and at the same time prevents any form of injuries. It also acts as resistance work and kids are able to train better and for longer durations. Weight training combined with other forms of training will help kids to evolve into complete baseball players.

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[tags]youth basketball, youth basketball training, basketball training videos[/tags]

The Dallas Mavericks recently acquired forward Shawn Marion from the Toronto Raptors in a sign-and-trade that involved three other teams. This four-way deal had the Orlando Magic sending forward Hedo Turkoglu to Toronto in a sign-and trade as well, while Toronto shipped Marion, Kris Humphries and Nathan Jawai to Dallas, as well as a second-round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies. Dallas sent Jerry Stackhouse to Memphis and shipped Devean George and Antoine Wright to Toronto. Memphis also sent Greg Buckner to Dallas.

This deal made sense for all parties, with Dallas likely being the biggest winner as it puts them in a much better position to contend for a title. The team’s offseason priority was to re-sign point guard Jason Kidd, which they did for three years at $25 million. Dallas owner Mark Cuban said that he’d be aggressive this summer in improving the team, which also served as an incentive for Kidd to stick around, as winning a title is undoubtedly the first thing on the veteran point guard’s mind. Marion certainly helps the team feel better about their title hopes, though they’ve got a lot to compete with in the Western Conference, namely the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.

Marion will fit in nicely with a point guard as good at finding the open man as Kidd is. Marion thrived in Phoenix while playing with Steve Nash thanks to his penchant for running the floor and his finishing ability. The Mavericks now have a good group of veterans that this team is built around. Along with Kidd and Marion, Dallas will look to Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard and Jason Terry to form the core of this team. They may still be a long shot to defeat the Lakers and/or Spurs, but the acquisition of Marion certainly will give them a better chance.

With Kidd, Marion should be able to sell a lot of NBA tickets with his highlight dunks, something that Mark Cuban definitely had in mind as well. Humphries and Jawai were throw-ins, but they’ve got value. Humphries can help fill the void Brandon Bass would leave if he departs via free agency and Jawai is a young center with upside.

As for the Raptors, Turkoglu gives them a good perimeter player that can consistently create his own shot, something that they’ve sorely missed since trading away Vince Carter. The Turkish forward seems to fit the style of play that the Raptors employ and he could be helpful in convincing franchise player Chris Bosh to stay beyond 2009-10. Even if Bosh leaves, though, Turkoglu gives them a go-to type of player that can help carry the team in a post-Bosh era.

The Raptors also acquired shooting guard Antoine Wright in the deal. Toronto needs players at that position and Wright has been solid in the past couple of seasons, albeit in minor roles for New Jersey and Dallas. Still, the team needed serviceable players at the position and Wright certainly fits the bill.

The Grizzlies essentially acted as facilitator in this deal and were able to shed some salary in the process by shipping Buckner and buying out Stackhouse; they also received a second-rounder. The Magic receive a trade exemption that could be used as a valuable bargaining chip in future deals. They were going to lose Turkoglu to free agency anyway, and this way they got something in return.

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[tags]NBA, sports, tickets, basketball[/tags]