1.
Washington Wizards
–
The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D. C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association, as a club of the leagues Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team plays its games at the Verizon Center, in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington. The team now known as the Wizards began playing as the Chicago Packers in 1961, as the first modern expansion team in NBA history, an expansion prompted by Abe Sapersteins American Basketball League. Rookie Walt Bellamy was the star, averaging 31.6 points per game,19.0 rebounds per game. During the All-Star game, Bellamy represented the team while scoring 23 points, Bellamy was named the league Rookie of the Year, but was the team finished with the NBAs worst record at 18-62. The teams original nickname was a nod to Chicagos meatpacking industry, their home arena, however, it was extremely unpopular since it was the same nickname used by the NFLs Green Bay Packers, bitter rivals of the Chicago Bears. After only one year, the changed its name to the Chicago Zephyrs. Their only season as the Zephyrs boasted former Purdue star Terry Dischinger, in their first year in Baltimore, the Bullets finished fourth in a five–team Western Division. Prior to the 1964–65 NBA season the Bullets pulled off a trade, sending Dischinger, Rod Thorn and Don Kojis to the Detroit Pistons for Bailey Howell, Don Ohl, Bob Ferry. The trade worked out well, Howell proved to be a hustling, in the 1965 NBA Playoffs, the Bullets stunned the St. Louis Hawks 3–1, and advanced to the Western Conference finals. In the finals, Baltimore managed to split the first four games with the Los Angeles Lakers before losing the series 4–2. In the late 1960s, the Bullets drafted two future Hall of Fame members, Earl Monroe, in the 1967 draft, number two overall, and Wes Unseld, in the 1968 draft, also number two overall. The team improved dramatically, from 36 wins the season to 57 in the 1968–69 season. The Bullets reached the playoffs with high expectations to go far, the next season the two teams met again in the first round, and although this one went to seven games, the Knicks emerged victorious again. In the 1970–71 season, the 42–40 Bullets again met the 1970–71 Knicks and they were swept in four games by the powerful Milwaukee Bucks led by future Hall of Fame members Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson. Even after the trades of Earl Monroe and Gus Johnson, the Bullets remained a playoff contender throughout the 1970s. Following a less than spectacular 1971–72 season, Baltimore acquired Elvin Hayes from the Houston Rockets and drafted Kevin Porter in the third round, out of St. Francis in Pennsylvania
2.
Shooting guard
–
The shooting guard, also known as the two or off guard, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. A shooting guards main objective is to score points for his team, some teams ask their shooting guards to bring up the ball as well, these players are known colloquially as combo guards. A player who can switch between playing shooting guard and small forward is known as a swingman, notable swing men include Jimmy Butler, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Joe Johnson, Andre Iguodala, Andrew Wiggins, Evan Turner and Tyreke Evans. In the NBA, shooting guards usually range from 64 to 67, the Basketball Handbook by Lee Rose describes a shooting guard as someone whose primary role is to score points. As the name suggests, most shooting guards are good long-range shooters, typically, shooting guards are taller than point guards. Height at the position varies, many bigger shooting guards also play small forward, Shooting guards should be good ball handlers and be able to pass reasonably well, though passing is not their main priority. Since good shooting guards may attract double-teams, they are frequently the teams back-up ball handlers to the point guard, Shooting guards must be able to score in various ways, especially late in a close game when defenses are tighter. They need to have a free throw percentage too, to be reliable in close games. Because of the level of offensive skills shooting guards need, they are often a teams primary scoring option. Good shooting guards can usually play point guard to a certain extent, Lee H. Rose ISBN 0-7360-4906-1 Media related to Shooting guards at Wikimedia Commons
3.
Small forward
–
The small forward, also known as the three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers. The small forward position is considered to be perhaps the most versatile of the five basketball positions. In the NBA, small forwards usually range from 66 to 69, the ideal position for a small forward would be between the key and three-point line. Many small forwards in professional basketball, however, are prolific scorers, therefore, accurate foul shooting is an imperative skill for small forwards, many of whom record a large portion of their points at the foul line. Small forwards who are defensive specialists are very versatile as they can often guard multiple positions using their size, speed, and strength such as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George
4.
Las Vegas
–
The city anchors the Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area and is the largest city within the greater Mojave Desert. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city known primarily for its gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment and it is the leading financial, commercial, and cultural center for Nevada. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World and it is a top three destination in the United States for business conventions and a global leader in the hospitality industry, claiming more AAA Five Diamond hotels than any city in the world. Today, Las Vegas annually ranks as one of the worlds most visited tourist destinations. The citys tolerance for numerous forms of adult entertainment earned it the title of Sin City, and has made Las Vegas a popular setting for literature, films, television programs, Las Vegas was settled in 1905 and officially incorporated in 1911. At the close of the 20th century, it was the most populated American city founded within that century, population growth has accelerated since the 1960s, and between 1990 and 2000 the population nearly doubled, increasing by 85. 2%. Rapid growth has continued into the 21st century, and according to a 2013 estimate, perhaps the earliest visitors to the Las Vegas area were nomadic Paleo-Indians, who traveled there 10,000 years ago, leaving behind petroglyphs. Anasazi and Paiute tribes followed at least 2,000 years ago, a young Mexican scout named Rafael Rivera is credited as the first non-Native American to encounter the valley, in 1829. Trader Antonio Armijo led a 60-man party along the Spanish Trail to Los Angeles, the area was named Las Vegas, which is Spanish for the meadows, as it featured abundant wild grasses, as well as desert spring waters for westward travelers. The year 1844 marked the arrival of John C, frémont, whose writings helped lure pioneers to the area. Downtown Las Vegas Fremont Street is named after him, eleven years later members of the LDS Church chose Las Vegas as the site to build a fort halfway between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, where they would travel to gather supplies. The fort was abandoned several years afterward, the remainder of this Old Mormon Fort can still be seen at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Washington Avenue. Las Vegas was founded as a city in 1905, when 110 acres of adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks were auctioned in what would become the downtown area. In 1911, Las Vegas was incorporated as a city,1931 was a pivotal year for Las Vegas. At that time, Nevada legalized casino gambling and reduced residency requirements for divorce to six weeks and this year also witnessed the beginning of construction on nearby Hoover Dam. The influx of workers and their families helped Las Vegas avoid economic calamity during the Great Depression. The construction work was completed in 1935, in 1941, the Las Vegas Army Air Corps Gunnery School was established. Currently known as Nellis Air Force Base, it is home to the team called the Thunderbirds
5.
Nevada
–
Nevada is a state in the Western, Mountain West, and Southwestern regions of the United States of America. Nevada is the 7th most extensive, the 34th most populous, nearly three-quarters of Nevadas people live in Clark County, which contains the Las Vegas–Paradise metropolitan area where three of the states four largest incorporated cities are located. Nevada is officially known as the Silver State because of the importance of silver to its history and economy. It is also known as the Battle Born State, because it achieved statehood during the Civil War, as the Sage-brush State, for the plant of the same name. Nevada borders Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, Nevada is largely desert and semi-arid, much of it located within the Great Basin. Areas south of the Great Basin are located within the Mojave Desert, while Lake Tahoe, about 86% of the states land is managed by various jurisdictions of the U. S. federal government, both civilian and military. Before European contact, Native Americans of the Paiute, Shoshone, the first Europeans to explore the region were Spanish. They called the region Nevada because of the snow covered the mountains in winter. The area formed part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, the United States annexed the area in 1848 after its victory in the Mexican–American War, and it was incorporated as part of Utah Territory in 1850. The discovery of silver at the Comstock Lode in 1859 led to a boom that became an impetus to the creation of Nevada Territory out of western Utah Territory in 1861. Nevada became the 36th state on October 31,1864, as the second of two added to the Union during the Civil War. Nevada has a reputation for its libertarian laws, in 1940, with a population of just over 110,000 people, Nevada was by far the least-populated state, with less than half the population of the next least-populated state. However, legalized gambling and lenient marriage and divorce laws transformed Nevada into a major tourist destination in the 20th century, Nevada is the only U. S. state where prostitution is legal, though it is illegal in Clark County, Washoe County and Carson City. The tourism industry remains Nevadas largest employer, with mining continuing as a sector of the economy. The name Nevada comes from the Spanish nevada, meaning snow-covered, most Nevadans pronounce the second syllable of their state name using the vowel of trap. Many from outside the Western United States pronounce it with the vowel of father, although the latter pronunciation is closer to the Spanish pronunciation, it is not the pronunciation preferred by most Nevadans. State Assemblyman Harry Mortenson proposed a bill to recognize the alternate pronunciation of Nevada, though the bill was not supported by most legislators, the Nevadan pronunciation is the de facto official one, since it is the one used by the state legislature. Nevada is almost entirely within the Basin and Range Province, and is broken up by many mountain ranges
6.
Goodyear, Arizona
–
Goodyear is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is a suburb of Phoenix and is in the Phoenix metropolitan area, according to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 65,275. Goodyear was the third fastest-growing place among all cities and towns in Arizona of any size between 1990 and 2000, the July 1,2015, MAG population estimate was 79,003. The city is home to the Goodyear Ballpark, where the Cleveland Indians, on June 6,2008, Goodyear won the All-America City Award, sponsored by the National Civic League. The city is named after the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Goodyear was established in 1917 with the purchase of 16,000 acres of land by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company to cultivate cotton for vehicle tire threads. World War II was important to Goodyear in the 1940s as the current Phoenix Goodyear Airport was built, but after the war, Goodyear became a town on November 19,1946. At the time, it had 151 homes and 250 apartments, a store, a barber shop, beauty shop. In January 1965, the Phoenix Trotting Park, a racing track opened. At the time, there was no Interstate 10 or any major roads from Phoenix to Goodyear for access to the track and it closed under two years later, but still stands, and has been abandoned ever since. It is located south of Interstate 10 and is visible from the freeway. The town became a city in 1985, in the same decade, the remaining 10,000 acres of the original farmland was sold for future development. The Phoenix Goodyear Airport received its current name in 1986, throughout the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, new homes and communities brought the population increasing rapidly. Goodyear continues to grow as more communities and homes are continuing to be built, Goodyears population is projected to be 358,000 by 2035. Goodyear is located at 33°27′00″N 112°21′30″W, nearby cities include Avondale, Litchfield Park, Tolleson and Buckeye. Goodyear is about 17 miles west of downtown Phoenix, according to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 116.5 square miles, all of it land. The Gila River passes through the city, the largest master planned community is Estrella, south of the Gila River, located near the Estrella Mountains. The Estrella Mountain Regional Park covers almost 20,000 acres and it contains eight trails over 30 mi in length combined, two baseball fields, and a 9.5 mi track. Goodyear has a desert climate due to its location in the Sonoran Desert
7.
College of Southern Idaho
–
College of Southern Idaho is a public community college in Twin Falls, Idaho, United States, with outreach programs in Boise, Hailey, Burley and Gooding. College of Southern Idaho offers associate of arts, associate of science, associate of applied science degrees, additional upper-division courses through the University of Idaho, Idaho State University and Boise State University are also offered. Credits transfer from CSI to these other Idaho schools very easily, CSIs enrollment is approximately 7,000 students with an additional 3,000 in non-credit courses. Approximately 85% of the student body is from Idahos Magic Valley region, the college is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees elected at large by voters in Twin Falls and Jerome Counties. Until the foundation of the College of Western Idaho in 2007, robert E. Smylie signed the Junior College Act in 1963 that the foundation of what became the College of Southern Idaho began in earnest. In November 1964 voters in Twin Falls County formed a college district under the provisions of the Junior College Act. Neighboring Jerome County joined the district in 1965, CSI held its first classes at Twin Falls High School later that year. In 1967 a mens program was founded at CSI by Eddie Sutton. The CSI mens basketball team has consistently been a contender at the community college level ever since. Home games routinely sell out season after season and rank as one of Twin Falls main entertainment draws, since moving to its own campus in 1968, CSI has been one of the fastest-growing colleges in Idaho. It has also become a part of the Twin Falls area. Despite its continued growth, the college has stated it has no desire to become a four-year university. Major campus buildings are named for the colleges first two presidents, James L. Taylor and Gerald R. Meyerhoeffer, most CSI students commute from off-campus. A single on-campus residence hall houses approximately 250 students, approximately 58% of the student body is over the age of 21. College and community activities are held at the College of Southern Idaho Fine Arts Center, the Herrett Center for Arts and Science. Frontier Field hosts a variety of community softball leagues during the summer months, student government is administered by the Associated Students of CSI which is controlled by a student senate elected from the student body. CSI sponsors approximately 50 student clubs and organizations, the College of Southern Idaho Golden Eagles compete in Region 18 of the National Junior College Athletic Association. As of 2009 CSI has won a total of 11 NJCAA national championships, including titles in volleyball, mens basketball
8.
Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball
–
The Arizona State Sun Devils mens basketball team is the basketball team that represents Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, United States. The schools team competes in the Pac-12 Conference. The Arizona State Sun Devils have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 13 times and they have won 8 conference championships and finished in the final AP rankings 7 times. The highest national ranking the Sun Devils have achieved was #3 under Ned Wulk during the 1980–81 season when the lineup included Byron Scott, Fat Lever. Ned Wulk was the basketball coach from 1958 to 1982. Arizona State appeared in the NAIA Mens Basketball National Tournament two years, both years losing in the second round, leaving the NAIA with a tournament record of 2–2. Arizona State is currently led by head coach Bobby Hurley. Former coach Herb Sendek, who stepped down as coach of the North Carolina State Wolfpack to accept the head coaching job in 2006, was fired at the end of the 2014–15 season. During a somewhat successful career in Raleigh, Sendek led the Wolfpack to five consecutive NCAA Tournaments and was named Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year in 2004, Sendek was credited for bringing a basketball atmosphere and level of excitement to Arizona State that had been absent for years. Arizona State has the following series records vs. The Sun Devils lead three series with conference opponents and are tied in their series with the California Bears, the Sun Devils have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 14* times. ASUs 1995 NCAA tournament appearance were vacated by the NCAA, the Sun Devils have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament 13 times. Arizona State appeared in the NAIA Mens Division I Basketball Tournament twice, Arizona State appeared in the National Commissioners Invitational Tournament once
