Sports Equipment

Wigans Ovation – Skiing In The Snow [UK 1975]…. Here’s what the UK media believed to be ‘Northern Soul’ in 1975, this 45 reached #12 in the Pop Charts. The Group were managed by the Wigan Casino management, played quite of few gigs at the Casino and by the sounds of it – had a Good time in doing so…. The Group mainly covered records that were recent plays at Wigan Casino, having hits with cover versions of Bobby Paris – Per-so-nal-ly #38 and David & The Giants – Super Love #41 All were …

The Indiana Pacers season did not live up their standards in 08′-09′ winning only 36 games. This is not how most remember the Pacers, but the Miller days are over.

With Reggie Miller now gone the state of Indiana looks to Danny Granger to help create a perennial playoff team, once again like in the’90′s.

The Pacers defense was one of the worst in the NBA giving up more then 106 points per game for 26th in the NBA.

Granger was a one man show in Indiana, single handedly responsible for many of the team’s 36 wins. His 25.8 points per game were the fifth highest in the NBA, and he was one of the only players in the league to average over one block and one steal per game.

Guard T.J. Ford had one of his best seasons to date with scoring 15 points per game and 5 assists. If the Pacers ever expect to compete in the same division as the Cleveland Cavaliers, their defense must improve and improve fast.

The Pacers will have to improve on their 36 win season if they expect to make the playoffs. The Pacers did draft A.J. Price and Tyler Hansbrough – what playing time they will see should probably be limited in the beginning of the season but increase as the season moves forward. Unless you are an outstanding rookie, rookies see little action their first season.

The Pacers lack a scoring big man. Mike Dunleavy averaged 15 points per game but at 6-9 he isn’t a true center but more a forward. Roy Hibbert should have a better year then he did in 08′-09′, as a rookie Hibbert averaged 7 points per game. If Hibbert can develop a more refined inside game he should be a force because at 7-2 he is one of the tallest players in the NBA.

The Pacers should win more then 36 games this upcoming season. The Pacers have a chance at the 8th or 7th seed even if everyone plays up to their potential and the defense improves. Granger should have an all-star season and be among the leaders in scoring once again.

For more on the Pacers, check out the Pacers forum at RootZoo Sports. Be sure to play their free sports trivia with over 60,000 questions.

The Los Angeles Lakers made a statement last season. In the face of so many naysayers, Kobe Bryant proved that this team had what it takes to win a championship. Many fans and experts doubted Kobe Bryant once the Lakers lost Shaq.

The Lakers were one of the few teams in the NBA that showed what they did in regular season didn’t matter. The Lakers weren’t playing for more then 60 wins, having home court advantage or just a finals appearance, their whole season was based on winning the championship.

It should also be noted that the only significant player the Lakers have lost is Trevor Ariza. While Ariza was a valuable role player in Los Angeles, he’s not one of the team’s stars, so all indicators would point to the notion that they should be okay without him.

More importantly, the Lakers have made a big acquisition during the off season and this has led many to believe that the team will dominate the league flat out during the 2009-2010 NBA basketball season.

Andrew Bynum needs to have a break out year this season because he has contributed little in his career thus far. Bynum has improved his scoring average every year he has been in the league but can’t stay healthy. Bynum is a good talent; he has size and has shown signs of having the potential to be a great big man.

The only issues with Ron Artest is problems he may face off the court, but I believe those days are pretty much behind him as he’s learned his lesson.

Still, other teams in the league have steadily improved over the past few years, and some like Orlando, Cleveland, San Antonio, and Boston have all made worthy acquisitions too.

Having said that, I’d peg the Lakers as the favorite but wouldn’t expect them to dominate. It’s definitely up for grabs, but Artest makes this powerhouse even stronger. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do with Kobe.

For more on the Lakers, check out the Los Angeles Lakers forum at RootZoo Sports. Enjoy their NBA pick ‘em game and more, all for free.

Baron Davis has a lot of questions coming into the season to answer. The Clippers guard missed 17 games last season, and in the games he did play, he was somewhat of a letdown. With a healthier team around him, and the addition of #1 pick Blake Griffin, will Davis return to his old form?

My verdict so far is that he can. In preseason games, he has played with a definite chip on his shoulder. He came to Los Angeles with the goal of resurrecting a franchise in desperate need of success.

It’s unfair to Blake Griffin that he has to come in this situation and change the team completely. Griffin is a highly talented player who should do well in his first season in the NBA.

An extremely versatile player, Griffin’s power and forcefulness are the type that can positively impact any team. He’s a franchise player in the mold of a Tim Duncan.

Being picked number 1 overall doesn’t mean success for example – 98′ Michael Olowokandi draft by Clippers, 01′ Kwame Brown drafter by Washington Wizards, and 05′ Andrew Bogut drafted by Milwaukee Bucks. There have been many number 1 draft picks that have found success, its not a guarantee a player drafted number 1 will be great.

The Clippers have a very long history of failures and never found that core group of players that meshed long enough to make a serious playoff run. The leading scorer on the Clippers last season Zach Randolph, who isn’t on the team anymore. They only won’ games with him as the leading scorer so it was time to make a change one would assume.

Griffin’s presence in the middle should easily free up the lane for Baron Davis, and create additional opportunities for players like Al Thornton to shine. He’s one of the strongest players coming out of college I’ve seen in a long time. Give him some time and he should be a stud.

Clippers fans should feel very grateful for the outcome of there draft. There’s a new big name in Los Angeles. If Baron and Camby can both stay healthy, this team has a lot of potential.

For the most exciting NBA forums online, check out RootZoo Sports. Continue this conversation on their Clippers forums with other Clipper fans.

The Houston Rockets possibly over achieved last season stretching a 7 game series with the champs Los Angeles Lakers. They fought hard, but just couldn’t pull it out.

The Rockets went 53-29, which in the Western Conference is very good. The Rockets racked up wins by their defensive efforts holding teams under 95 points per game. The Rockets were 17th in scoring – which is why they couldn’t beat the Lakers, not enough fire power.

The Rockets have many good players such as Shane Battier, Luis Scola, Aaron Brooks, Trevor Ariza, Tracy McGrady (when healthy), and Yao Ming (when healthy).

The loss of Ron Artest will be felt because he was the second leading scorer on the team at 17 points per game behind Yao Ming. The Rockets are hoping Trevor Ariza will be a superstar and his playoff performance was a glimpse of the future.

The loss of Ron Artest is a blow because he was one of their best defenders. The Rockets ranked 6th in opposing team scoring last season but should see a drop off without Artest this season.

Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, Shane Battier, Aaron Brooks, and the rest of the team have a lot of work cut out for them. These guys do like a challenge.

The Rockets are a playoff team with the current roster they have. If the Rockets are ever going to contend for a championship they must stay healthy. Every year someone seems to get hurt thus limiting their chances at a serious title run.

With that in mind, they do still have a deep team and have done well without him. If T-Mac can stay healthy and Yao does return this year, that’s a dangerous combo.

For more on the Rockets check out the Rockets forumss at RootZoo Sports. Be sure to get the latest fantasy basketball news there as well.

The Golden State Warriors were the feel good story of 2007. Everyone was rooting for them come playoff time. The slogan, “Ya gotta believe” was the theme going on out west.

The 2007 playoffs for the Warriors was something they wish they can recreate, making the playoffs and winning the first round. The Warriors had the 2nd highest scoring average at 109 points per game but were the worst defensive team giving up 112 points per game, last in the NBA. If they ever hope to make the playoffs they can not give up that many points this coming season.

If one thing needs to change it’s their defensive mentality, otherwise the Warriors will be the Phoenix Suns of old – a very exciting team but can’t make critical stops when the game is on the line.

A few more cards were shuffled for the Warriors. Jamal Crawford came in, as did Corey Maggette. Still, the Golden State Warriors weren’t the same team.

Monte Ellis will need to have a huge year for the Warriors to go anywhere. Ellis only played 25 games last season and his absence was well missed -Ellis is a career 16 point per game scorer.

Anthony Morrow proved himself as a very capable scorer and an exciting young player. Brandan Wright should emerge some more after a quiet rookie year, and Anthony Randolph showed the basketball world that he has the potential to be one of the best big men in the game a few years down the line.

Monta Ellis is healthy, Andris Biedrins is ready for another season of basketball, and Stephen Jackson and Stephen Curry are both talented offensive players.

The Gold State Warriors are a “tweener” team – meaning they could have a fairly good season maybe be around .500 or their season can be a disaster and they are looking at a 30 win season at the bottom of the West.

For more on the Warriors, check out the Warriors forums at RootZoo Sports, the most active basketball forums s online.