Life In The Weeds

The Invention of Basketball

Dr. James Naismith invented the game of basketball in 1891.  Naismith was a Director at a YMCA Training School and was looking for a an activity that could be played indoors during the harsh winters in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was interested in developing something for the students that required skill and not just strength.

And yes, it's true, the first time it was played the goals were peach baskets affixed to the Gymnasium walls and a soccer ball was used in play.

Here are the original 13 rules Naismith used to distinguish his game:

1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands, but never with the fist.
3. A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it, allowance to be made for a man running at good speed.
4. The ball must be held in or between the hands. The arms or body must not be used for holding it.
5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent. The first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made or, if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game. No substitution shall be allowed.
6. A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of Rules 3 and 4 and such as described in Rule 5.
7. If either side make three consecutive fouls it shall count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul).
8. Goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the ground into the basket and stays there, providing those defending the goal do not touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edge and the opponents move the basket, it shall count as a goal.
9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first person touching it. In case of dispute the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed five seconds. If he holds it longer, it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on them.
10. The umpire shall be judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have the power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.
11. The referee shall be the judge of the ball and decide when it is in play in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.
12. The time shall be two 15-minute halves with five minutes' rest between.
13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winners.

mj

All-Time Best Basketball Players from the Big East

Last night I was flipping through the channels and came across a program highlighting the all-time best basketball players from the Big East.  Needless to say, I stopped.

Growing up on Long Island, I was a huge St. Johns fan...back when they were The Redmen!  I was fortunate to have attended a few Big East tournament match-ups in Madison Square Garden.  Instant classics between St. Johns and Georgetown during the mid 80's were unforgettable.

#1 and #2 on the list are no surprise.  I think there is room for debate on the rest of the top 10...or, at the very least, debate on where they fall on the list.

10 - Eric "Sleepy" Floyd

9 - Kerry Kittles

8 - Ray Allen

7 - Richard Hamilton

6 - Dwayne "Pearl" Washington

5 - Walter Berry

4 - Derrick Coleman

3 - Allen Iverson

2 - Chris Mullin

1 - Patrick Ewing

Thoughts?

mj

What's up with the Stink Bugs

Do you have a pre-historic looking bug hiding in the folds of your window treatments?  Or, under the lampshade down the hall?  And, when you kill said bug, the entire area stinks?  Well, that is a Stink Bug!

 

Where did they come from?  As it turns out, stink bugs are Chinese imports, first reported around Allentown, Pa., in 1996.  They were first identified in New Jersey in 1999 and are now found throughout the area. 

They probably arrived in packing material with shipped goods — isn’t everything we buy these days made in China? Since touching down in America, the Asian stink bug has made remarkable progress for an insect that can take half an afternoon to make its way across your living room.

The good news is that that are totally harmless...the bad news is that, like skunks, they are equipped with glands that squirt a foul-smelling liquid as a defense against predators. The smell, is released when they are crushed or disturbed.

You’ll be happy to know that your government is on the case. The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service is working on a pheromone trap, similar to those that attract Japanese beetles.

Unfortunately, I have not seen anything on the market yet...so, co-habitation with Mr. Stink Bug is the only solution.

mj

 

Drive the Speed Limit, please!

Why are people compelled to drive below the speed limit?  On a clear evening, driving down Rosedale Road going under 30...REALLY?  The speed limit is 45 mph.

[I am screaming right now in frustration!!]

mj

Looting, a Moral Dilemma?

When is looting, not considered looting?  

According to Merriam-Webster:

Looting - 1 a : to plunder or sack in war b : to rob especially on a large scale and usually by violence or corruption 2 : to seize and carry away by force especially in war

With the recent 8.8 earthquake in Chile, there have been many pictures of residents "looting" throughout neighborhoods.  Though, if you look closely, it's not flat screen televisions and jewelery these folks are carrying...it's milk, food and basic essentials.  

Is it still considered looting, if what you are taking is needed to survive?

I think not!  When a cataclysmic event occurs, your survival instinct kick in...do whatever you can to keep your family alive and well.  Once life as you know it returns to normalcy, then go wait on-line to buy groceries...

mj

Rahm n Nancy ?

What exactly is Rahm Emanuel doing? 

 

Looks like he is dreamily sniffing Nancy Pelosi's hair or just finished uttering a sweet nothing into her ear.  She looks a bit content herself.

Where's Jon Stewart when you need him?

O.D.O.o.O.D.B.

Of traffic circles & short track speed skating

I love the Olympics and short track speed skating is a favorite - the skill, the strategy, the athleticism, the conditioning, the guts, the coordination, the burst of amazing speed, the ability to avoid a razor sharp blade.

I have always been aggressive when entering and driving thru the various pressure points in the storied Jersey traffic circles. But, ever since I was reacquainted with speed skating, I have been taking an even more steely tack, squeezing past the out of state drivers at the last moment around the turns - take that!

Hey, I'm know I'm no Apolo Anton Ohno but I can try, can't I, or at least make him proud of me. 

O.D.O.o.O.D.B.

Shamu gone Wild

Recently, an orca whale killed a Sea World trainer...a tragedy to be sure!

As it turns out, this is the third trainer related death involving this particular orca, named Tilikum. From what I have read, the whale grabbed the veteran trainer by her long pony-tail and dragged her into the water.  According to the medical examiner, she likely died of traumatic injuries and drowning.

So the questions have been swirling about what to do with the whale.  In a recent statement, by the President of Sea World, Tilikum will not be punished and will remain an "active, contributing member of the team."

What other choice do they really have?  Release it into the wild?  Keep the whale even more isolated?

Scary thing about orca whales...they are smart as hell.  I think Tilkum new exactly what it was doing when it grabbed this trainer. 

Take a look at this video showing a group of orca whales teaching a young calf how to hunt.  Or this clip sneaking up on it's pray...ON THE BEACH.  Or this one!

You tell me...you think these whales know what they are doing?  

mj

Silver or Bronze

Obviously, the Olympic athletes in Vancouver have one thing in mind while competing...winning the Gold medal.  Standing on the highest podium and listening to your countries National Anthem must be the most thrilling experience for any athlete.

But, what about those athletes that win Silver or Bronze?  Which would you prefer?  The obvious answer that jumps to mind is Silver, right?   Maybe, not...

I guess it all depends on the sport and how close you were to finishing Gold..I would imagine that the athletes that finish in 2nd place, and take Silver, spend much of their time saying...what if or if I only did x or y...it could have been me up on the top podium.  The Silver Medal up on their mantel could haunt them for the rest of their days.  After all, Silver represents "first loser"...

Bronze, on the other hand, might, in fact, be more satisfying!  The athlete coming in third may say to themselves...hey, I pushed it hard and was so psyched to just "make it to the podium."   Their Bronze medal may sit on their mantel as a great achievement, with no lingering memories of a slow start or missed step somewhere along the line.  

Silver or Bronze?  Which one could you live with?

mj

The Hurricane

I'm still glued to the Olympics...and the United States is still kicking some significant ass!

Last night, Jeret "Speedy" Peterson took silver in aerial freestyle skiing...he landed "the hurricane" to put him into medal contention. This jump consists of five twists and three flips as he soars about 60 feet into the air.  It was the same jump he tried 4 years earlier - and missed. Big props to Speedy for going for it again.  

Here is a cool graphic that breaks-down The Hurricane.

Two things jumped out at me while watching Speedy last night after his jump:

1. He was wearing a brown leather belt...completely out of place...must be a superstition?

2. He was wearing an Under Armour top...first I have seen at the games...hhmm?

mj