Spokane Stars Basketball

Archive for December, 2008

Rick Grantham asked:




Who does not know the Pistons? Any basketball fan would know that they are the beloved basketball team of Detroit. However, very few know its origin. So let us take a time out and discover the history of the Pistons.

They first played for the National basketball League or the NBL. The team carried the name Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons. The team then played for the Basketball Association of America or the BAA as the Fort Wayne Pistons. The two leagues, NBL and BAA, merged in 1949 and formed the National Basketball Association, the NBA.

The team was famous during that time. They were even a runner up in the 1955 and 1956 NBA finals. However, the team was very controversial as well. There were many speculations that the team was involved in gambling. There were rumors that they have thrown numbers of games including the 1955 NBA Finals. This was because of a series of mistakes and turnovers that caused them the winning shot.

The team moved from Fort Wayne to Detroit in 1957 because of profit generation issues. They then became what we now know as the Detroit Pistons.

In the 1960s, Dave DeBusschere and Dave Bing made exciting moments. At that time, DeBusschere was a playing coach. At 24, he was the youngest coach in the league history. Bing was also a promising basketball superstar. He was averaging 20 points a game with four rebounds. However, this was not enough to get the team pass the second round. It was unfortunate for the team to trade DeBusschere to the New York Knicks in 1968. The Detroit native has helped the Knicks earn two NBA championships.

The seventies was a roller coaster ride for the Pistons. They had some great winning seasons in the early years but posted its worst at 16-60 from 1979 to 1980.They changed their coaches eight times and they also changed ownership. In 1974, Fred Zollner sold the team to William Davidson. They also changed their home from the Cobo Home to the Silverdome.

The 1980s were one of the best decades in the history of the franchise. The fate of the team changed when they drafted Kelly Tripucka and Isiah Thomas. The team also acquired Vinnie Johnson and Bill Laimbeer. Although they had a tough time, the team was able to manage. Players like Dennis Rodman, Rick Mahorn, and Mark Aguirre became part of the team. The team play was tough and physical. This gave birth to their Bad Boys nickname. They became one of the most hated teams in the NBA. In addition, they earned two consecutive NBA titles in 1989 and 1990.

The nineties paved the way for young basketball stars. The time of the Bad Boys ended after the trading of key players and retirement of Thomas and Laimbeer. One of the rising stars was Grant Hill. The Detroit Pistons had strong seasons in the late 90s. However, Hill suffered from a serious injury that ended their play off attempt.

There were several changes in their roster in the ensuing years. This paid off because they won the NBA title in 2004, defeating the strong team of the LA Lakers.

Today, the team has five national titles including the two titles they earned in the NBL. They have seven conference titles and sixteen division titles including the four titles they earned from NBL.

Matthew Finn asked:




The city of Philadelphia, home to the NBA’s first franchise, the 76ers, has been a basketball town for generations. The 76ers have hosted such stars as Wilt Chamberlain and Charles Barkley, and have inspired hundreds of Philly kids to take up the game. Boys and girls interested in improving their skills have a number of Philadelphia basketball camps to choose from:

Sixers Camps
Operating for over thirty years, the Sixers Camps are the most well known of the Philadelphia basketball camps. 76ers players and former players regularly visit the camp, and participating youngsters learn from the pros as well as take part in traditional camp activities at their overnight facility in the Poconos. Sixers camps are open to boys and girls. Campers can also enjoy boating, swimming, batting cages, volleyball, and other fun activities.

Phil Martelli’s Basketball Camp
Phil Martelli was named Associated Press coach of the year for 2004 when his Saint Joseph’s Hawks went undefeated for the NCAA’s regular season, the most recent team to do so. Now Martelli offers boys aged 8-17 the opportunity to stay at the University and hone their skills. Camp features guest lectures as well as individual and team competition, with campers staying on campus in air-conditioned dormitories under supervision.

Future Stars Camps
Future Stars is another organization specializing in Philadelphia basketball camps, offering a special overnight camp just for girls. As head coach at Immaculata College, Cathy Rush, founder of Future Stars, led her teams to five national championships. The camp staff includes many top basketball players at the women’s college level.

Herb Magee’s Basketball Camps
One of the best coaches in the country, Herb Magee has racked up 41 seasons as coach at Philadelphia University and offers a one week camp each summer for boys and girls in the Philadelphia area who would like to improve their shooting skills. The camp focuses on small group instruction, with a high instructor to camper ratio.

City of Philadelphia Day Camps
Many Philadelphia basketball camps are overnight programs. For those looking for a day camp experience, the City of Philadelphia offers basketball camps Monday through Friday during the summer. The city’s basketball camp provides lunch and snacks for campers, as well as a report on each individual’s progress as an athlete.

There are several important factors to consider when choosing a basketball camp. Be sure to look into the reputation of the camp and the staff, as well as the camp’s goals and itinerary. The cost, location, and duration of the program may also play into making the right decision. Don’t be afraid to contact staff to ask detailed questions, or ask for a tour of an overnight camp’s facilities. A good basketball camp provides the tools to improve your game as well as an exciting week.