The Phoenix Suns Play For Their First Shiny NBA Finals Trophy

"If at first you do not succeed, try, try again." The Phoenix Suns have epitomized that type of determination. Since joining the NBA, they have appeared in the playoffs on 28 occasions. In about a quarter of those years (eight times to be exact), they have reached the Conference Finals. In exactly one-fourth of those series, the Suns advanced to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, the Suns failed on both occasions to win an NBA Championship.
How did the Suns start shining? Following a "name the team" contest, the franchise chose the name "Suns" over other entries, including Cougars, Mavericks, Mustangs, Rattlers, Scorpions, Thunderbirds, and Wranglers. The name "Suns" is quite appropriate, considering that the AVERAGE Phoenix temperature in the summer is about 103°F. Here are some interesting facts about the sun:
o The Sun contains hot gases that include various elements on Earth.

o The sun is 93 million miles (give or take a few) from the Earth.

o The core of the Sun is at least 100,000,000°F.

o The Sun is roughly one million times brighter than a standard light bulb.

o You would need 100 Earths to cover the Sun's width.
The Suns were born prior to the 1968-1969 season. In fact, the team was Phoenix's first major pro sports squad. Meanwhile, Dick Van Arsdale was the first player that the Suns picked. Arsdale also scored the team's first points in their first game, which resulted in a 116-107 victory over the Seattle Supersonics. Unfortunately, the remainder of the season was less successful, with the Suns earning a 16-66 regular season record.
Though the Phoenix Suns' first playoff appearance was 1970, they advanced much further during the 1975-1976 season. The Suns were sizzling hot during the first and last part of the regular season, which gave them a 42-40 record and a return trip to the playoffs.
Unlike their first appearance in the playoffs, the Suns would achieve more success in 1976. They would first outshine the Seattle Supersonics (4-2). In the Western Conference Finals, the underdog Suns edged the Golden State Warriors, who were the NBA's defending champions (4-3). Then in the NBA Finals, Phoenix faced the powerhouse Boston Celtics. In the crucial Game 5, the Suns lost in triple overtime, and they eventually lost the series (4-2).
The Suns did not set. Prior to the 1992-1993 season, they made a bold move by acquiring "Sir" Charles Barkley. The Suns ended the season with a franchise-best 62-30 record.
Phoenix was now an official contender for the NBA Championship. In the playoffs, the Suns battled back to edge the Lakers (3-2), disposed of the San Antonio Spurs (4-2), and then outlasted the Seattle Supersonics (4-3) in the Western Conference Finals. However, the Bulls won the NBA Final series (4-2) after John Paxton hit an open 3-pointer with five seconds left in Game 6.
The sun has never set on the Phoenix Suns' chance of winning an NBA Championship. Use Phoenix Suns merchandise to cheer on the team to a shiny NBA Finals Trophy!







Rick Grantham is an avid sports fan. Most of Rick's articles focus on Phoenix Suns merchandise. Many articles are related to NBA stores and other sports related topics. Rick is a contributing author to BooYah Village

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NBA Signature Shoes

The NBA shoes are more than mere footwear. They are actually a fashion statement. An NBA fan would most probably search to buy basketball shoes that a particular player endorses or uses during a game. The popularity of the game is noted in part by the fact that NBA sportswear flies off the shelves and the racks as soon as it is put there. Sports is a big business and for the NBA, that business is getting bigger. However, while choosing NBA shoes, the main consideration should be comfort, and not style. NBA basketball league fans wait for shoe giants like Adidas, Reebok and Nike to announce their product line before the NBA season.
The NBA basketball players can select a shoe according to the position in which they play. The most famous is high-cut shoes, because they provide strong ankle support. The NBA shoes of some popular players get written, because they have their names or numbers stitched on their shoes. The most unique case is that of Mark Jackson. He used to tie his wedding ring into the shoelaces to remind him of his wife and family.
Shoe giants initially used to name shoes after super stars like Michael Jordan. But now, Reebok has designed an exclusive NBA sports shoes line, made to meet with professional basketball player's expectations and performance. Two famous Reebok brands consist of Reebok NBA Downtime Mid Basketball Men's Shoe and Reebok NBA Downtime Low Basketball Men's Shoe. These shoes bearing the NBA logoare made from full-grain leather that lends ultimate solace. The sole is made of high-abrasion rubber that is quite long lasting.
Another popular one is Adidas NBA shoes. Adidas NBA shoes are being sported by various famous NBA star players throughout the NBA season. Depending on their individual preference different people like to buy basketball shoes by different brands.
The Air Jordan Legacy - One of the most powerful footwear brands has to be the Jordan Brand. Michael Jordan and Nike started a NBA sports shoe revolution. It all started with NBA legend Michael Jordan wearing his own shoes in the NBA, and since then, the company has been growing with no signs of slowing down. Famous NBA players like Derek Lee and CC Sbathia from Chicago Cubs too have a pair of Air Jordan shoes.
Jordanzone.com is a site dedicated to Michael Jordan and the shoes that bear his name - Air Jordan. It focuses on all the different Air Jordan shoes produced by Nike that have been released from 1985 to the present. It is the classic original that began the Jordan legacy. Now, while it is not recommended as a performance shoe by today's standards due to the paper-thin sole, it stands up compared with the other basketball shoes of its day.
As the game involves quick physical movements such as jumping, running and turning, the shoes that you choose should provide you maximum comfort, support, stability, shock absorption and flexibility. Make sure you have done your research before you go out to buy basketball shoes and hit the court this summer.







There are many online resources to buy basketball shoes, especially NBA shoes. Simply search for them and you will find an amazing number of results. Choose sites that provide a detailed description of the items with reasonable pricing, high quality images and other relevant options. My favorite website for NBA shoes is http://www.nbagoodies.com [http://www.nbagoodies.com/store/id/nba-shoes]. You might want to check them out and even if you don't buy from them it will give a good idea of various styles of latest NBA shoes

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Your Guide to NBA Jerseys for Basketball Fans

If you are looking to buy a gift for a true basketball fan, then official NBA jerseys are the way to go. Basketball fans can support their favorite team on or off the court with authentic NBA jerseys, NBA replica jerseys or the popular Swingman jerseys. All of these jerseys are made of high quality fabric and designed with the team name, official team logo and your favorite player's number featured on the front and back, just like those that the NBA stars wear on the court. The difference between them is quality, cut, trim and cost. Depending on your budget you can determine which is best the hoops fan in your life.
Most basketball fans are true in their support and wish to wear the real thing, however this is not practical for everyone. Because authentic jerseys are like the real ones worn on the court, they can often be too large for most fans. Authentic jerseys are cut with the same trim, fabric and application as the pros and although various sizes are available, they will still fit for function and performance. Because they are made to withstand intense wear and tear, they are much more durable. This is ideal if you only want the best, but if a fan is more interested in showing support, an NBA replica jersey may be a better choice. Replica jerseys offer the same styling as the authentic jerseys, but have screen printed lettering made of a lighter mesh material, making them less expensive and a bit more comfortable. Another option for your NBA fan are the Swingman jerseys. These jerseys are favorites among fans because they are less expensive than the authentic, yet carry many of the same qualities. The biggest difference between the Swingman jersey and the authentic jersey is the material and the lettering. The Swingman jersey features screenprinted tackle twill lettering.
If you're shopping for women or kids, you'll probably want to stick to the replica jerseys or even select jerseys made specifically for youth and women's sizes. The material used on replica jerseys is softer and more comfortable. Regardless of the jersey that is best for your fan, all official NBA jerseys carry the official NBA and team logos.
You can find jerseys at a number of places, you can either shop at apparel stores or you can take your shopping online. I'm a big proponent of online shopping for many reasons, but beyond selection and availability, price is the biggest benefit of online shopping. You do need to make sure that the retailer is reputable and carries only authentic products. While it's not fool proof, you can get a pretty good idea of the level of service based on customer testimonials and reviews. Another sign of quality service is the ease of transaction and the availability of live support or telephone support. Being in business for a longer period of time doesn't' always mean that the service will be the best, but it is definitely a good indicator. There is one site that I found that makes the online shopping experience not only worthwhile but convenient. SidelineApparel.com offers a great incentive in their One Size, One Price Program. Often times, retailers will charge more for larger sizes. Here you will experience significant savings in that regardless of the size, you pay the same price.
There are a number of reputable retailers that carry jerseys and apparel for all the NBA teams and often times you can find the same jersey for a fraction of the cost. So whether you are shopping for yourself or looking for a gift for an avid basketball fan, NBA jerseys are one of the best ways to support your team of choice. Nothing makes more of an impact than the real thing. Giving your fan a pair of tickets to a home game partnered with an authentic NBA jersey is an excellent anniversary gift, birthday gift, Christmas gift or just because.







As a personal shopper, Sam Brown searches for the best gift ideas and popular shopping must haves. This article is designed to help basketball fans celebrate in style with the best selections of NBA Jerseys, Youth NBA Swingman Jerseys [http://www.sidelineapparel.com/youth-nba-swingman-jerseys.html] & NBA Replica Jerseys

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Looking for NBA Gifts?

Confused in selecting gift for a Basketball fan? Don't know what to select for a hardcore basketball fan? And don't know his her favorite team? Then don't worry

Basketball is America's one of the favorite games. Basketball is mostly played and widely watched game in America. The thing about basketball is that it has very big fan club and basketball fans are crazy about their teams, and they love to have the collectibles of their teams and if you give shirt or other stuff of the team he/she hates as gift then it is your worst day.

National Basket Ball Association (NBA) is men's professional basketball league in North America and it has thirty clubs, and each has big fan following. And the best gift you can give to a basketball fan is the collectibles of his/her favorite team. The fans of basketball are very loyal to their team and they hate to get anything of their opposing team, this passion and zeal is what a sport is all about.

So the best gifts for the fans are the collectibles of their team. But it is very hard to pick the collectibles when you don't know the favorite team of the person you want to give gift. So what to do in this situation??

Well there is a solution, despite the fact that you don't know the favorite team, it is understood that the person is basketball fan so you can give NBA collectibles. NBA is the biggest basketball league so it has large number of collectible items available and fans love to have these items.

NBA Jerseys are very good gift items for basketball fans, fans love to wear NBA jerseys because by wearing jerseys they show others that they are true basketball fans. NBA Jerseys are available in different colors and there are jerseys of famous players like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Rajon Rondo etc. these are famous basketball players and fans would love to have these jerseys irrespective of the teams they play in. Michael Jordan is one of the most famous basketball players of all times, so fans love to have Michael Jordan Jerseys. So if you are looking to give a gift to NBA fan then NBA Jerseys is what you are looking for.

NBA Shoes are also very good gifting items and fans love to have these shoes. NBA shoes are also great for the fans because most of the fans love to play basketball as well so if they have NBA shoes then it would be a treat for them. There are several NBA shoes available in market of different colors and designs and fans love to have them. Adidas, Reebok and Nike are the major companies that make NBA shoes and their quality is the best, but if you want at low prices then there are replicas of these companies also available and their prices are low as compared to originals. Fans are fans they don't care about the prices; the collectibles are priceless for them. If you give a tissue paper to the basketball fan signed by his favorite player it would be a treat for that fan.

NBA Basketball is a perfect gift for those NBA fans who don't only love to watch basketball but also loves to play it as well. There are different basketballs available in market which fans can easily buy. But if you want to give basketball as gift then NBA Basketball is what you are looking for. NBA Basketball is available easily in market and it is a good gifting item as well.

The price range of NBA Basketball ranges from $7 and it goes up to $229. Kevin McHale Signed Basketball and John Havlicek Signed Basketball, are expensive because they are collectible items, and true fans love to have collectibles, these are very expensive but makes for great gifting items.

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NBA 2K11 Review

NBA 2K11 is the deepest sports game I have ever played. There is so much on the table, I could probably go the rest of my life without another yearly iteration of NBA 2K11, and that would not bother me a bit. Michael Jordon graces the cover, the UI, and several game modes, serving as the central theme for NBA 2K11. The game opens with a bombastic tribute to MJ, and instead of initially being presented with a menu to select the desired game mode, NBA 2K11 immediately throws players into one of Michael's signature games.
This will be players' first taste of the Michael Jordan challenge mode available NBA 2K11. This mode puts the player in Michael's shoes, with various objectives to complete for each game. Objectives include scoring a certain number of points before the half, completing a designated number of assists, and a multitude of other objectives. Completing all of the Michael Jordan challenges allows the player access to the 'MJ: Creating a Legend' game mode. This puts a rookie level Michael directly into the players hands, allowing them to develop his career as they see fit.
Beyond the Jordan challenges, the game offers various other quick play modes encompassing both current and classic teams. There is an NBA blacktop mode with various mini-challenges such as three point shootouts and dunk contests. Snoop Dogg, Drake, and other celebrities are available for play beyond the normal NBA roster. Players have the option of taking their own custom character through a 'My Player' mode, which has them managing the player's entry into the NBA. This mode is more about the journey than the player's actual NBA career, and its a long road before reaching the NBA itself. This mode is pretty cool and has the player reacting to game decisions at press conferences, signing sponsors, etc. This is another long term game mode that will have players continuously coming back to NBA 2K11.
NBA 2K11's actual gameplay is infinitely deep, being not only difficult to master, but pretty difficult to learn as well. This can prove troublesome for players new to the NBA 2K series, as there are virtually no tutorials or in-game help provided within the UI. This leaves one to consult the physical game manual instead, which is simply blasphemous. Simple actions such as shooting or passing have a multitude of variations depending on what other buttons are pressed in conjunction. More advanced players will want to get the analog sticks involved for on the fly play changes, such as dribbling behind the back to get around a defender, or making a last minute hand change on a layup. After taking the time to learn the system players can make some truly flashy plays, pushing the momentum of each game off the charts.
NBA 2K11 is truly a joy to watch. Onlookers will believe they are watching an actual live game if not told otherwise. Player animations are the most believable I've ever seen in any game, let alone a sports game, with court textures, crowd behavior, and amazing commentators all chiming in on the level of immersion. The biggest folly graphically is in player models themselves. While the animations are a sight to behold when looking down on the court, player faces are just plain goofy, and in many occasions look nothing like their real life counterparts. Low textures and sub-par facial capture are most likely to blame, but this probably factors into the games unbelievably smooth frame rate as well.
There are a few issues I've encountered in my short time with NBA 2K11. Passing can be a chore, and one that should be handled carefully. The computer will constantly be intercepting passes with a ferocious tenacity. Every pass made needs to be deliberate and calculated to avoid a turnover. To make matters works, quick passing with the left analog stick is not as accurate as one would assume, demanding further attention that could have been devoted to play tactics. The commentators can be off at times as well. When playing as the Miami Heat, my team was referred to as the L.A. Lakers more than once. Beyond those items, I haven't run into any other major hiccups with NBA 2K11.
Online play is fairly stable, though when the game demands precision, a small amount of lag can alter the effectiveness of shots, passes, and especially free throws. I've occasionally been disconnected during online games. I'm not sure if the other player simply lost connection or quit the game, as rather than providing a brief explanation of the issue, the player is presented with a simple network error message. Players have the option to join crews, similar to clans or groups in other games, and is a nice feature to include this time around. The game does support Move on the PS3, but I have not had an opportunity to try this out.
NBA 2K11 is a vast paradise for NBA fans and gamers alike. The good comes in spades, and the bad is mostly non-existent. The title has enough content to keep players busy until NBA 2K12, but 2K Sports has set the bar so high they will have a hard time surpassing NBA 2K11 with their next installment. Sports fans absolutely need to pick this up, and any gamer should give NBA 2K11 a try, as it's more than deserving of their attention.







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