10 Best Basketball Trick-Shot Videos

Posted on November 28, 2012 by sport-frenzy

Everyone knew a kid that could do crazy trick shots back in the day, but before the explosion of the internet and mobile recording devices, often those magic moments were captured only by faded summertime memories. Not any more – these days basketball trick shot videos have become a prime part of ‘viral’ videos on the net, some of them racking up millions of views. Sport Frenzy has decided to collect 10 of our favourite basketball trick shot videos here for your viewing pleasure, so without further ado, check out some of the craziest shots you’ll ever see in your life…

1.) Trick Shot Basketball | Dude Perfect | Summer Camp

8.7 million views

2.) Epic Trick Shot Battle | Dude Perfect

6.7 Million views

3.) Crazy Basketball Trick Shots

2 million views

4.) “Greatest Shot in Basketball History”

3.6 million views

5.) 10 Million Point Shot

3.3 million views

6.) The Legendary Shots: Free Fall Shot

1.8 million views

7.) Ferris Wheel Shot

1.2 Million views

8.) Kyle Gets Buckets

938,000 views

9.) Our Best Tricks So Far

785,000 views

10.) Off The Court | Kyle Singler Making Buckets

36,000 views

As you can see, these days setting up and making trick shots has come a long way from a kid shooting the ball with his eyes closed. From using Ferris Wheels, Jumbo Jets and Zero-G rides through to adding multiple players into the mix, trick shots don’t look to go away any time soon, and with the stakes raised I’m looking forward to someone mixing Felix Baumgartner’s record-setting freefall with a basketball trick shot. That should be interesting…

Felix Baumgartner – The Man Who Fell From Space

Posted on October 20, 2012 by Guest

The world was mesmerized recently when 43-year-old Austrian Felix Baumgartner, in conjunction with Red Bull Stratos, attempted a world-record skydive – going way beyond the normal limits of everyday devils by hitching a ride on an air balloon into the stratosphere, climbing to a height of 39 kilometres and breaking the speed of sound during his descent. The world-record jump coincided with the 65th anniversary of Chuck Yeager breaking the sound-barrier in an X-1 jet in 1947. Considering that Chuck was strapped into a supersonic jet, while Felix was just falling to the ground, you get an idea of the intense speed that he was subjected to as he plummeted to the ground in New Mexico, USA. While the jump took just under 10 minutes in total, Baumgartner spent around 4 mins in total freefall (the world free-fall record is actually still held by Joseph Kittinger). Here’s a video of the world-record jump:

Now, Felix is making more records, as the video of his world-record skydive is the second -fastest video to reach 50,000,000 views (second only to the infamous Kony 2012 campaign).

Best Buzzer Beaters of All Time – Part 1

Posted on September 24, 2012 by sport-frenzy

There’s something special about the buzzer beater. The heart-rate of the crowd has collectively risen, palms are sweaty and the edge of the seat becomes the only available sitting room. After 48, 60, 80, 90 minutes, the game is tied or someone leads by a score or less. It all comes down to the last few seconds – a last gasp heave into the endzone, a 1 in a 100 turnaround jumpshot, a flick pass that miraculously finds some space and turns the game on its head. These are the moments that we remember for years to come, those moments that are burned into our minds through highlight reels and glowing references. These are the best buzzer beaters of all time:

Staubach to Pearson – 1975 Dallas Cowboys vs the Minnesota Vikings

This play – a heave up the field with the Cowboys trailing 14 – 10 and only 32 seconds left in a playoff game – cemented the name ‘Hail Mary’ as a last-ditch play, with Staubach saying to the media after the game “I closed my eyes and said a Hail Mary”

BYU vs SMU – The Miracle Bowl – 1980

Down by 20 points with 4 minutes left in the game, BYU engineered a comeback that culminated in a Hail Mary from QB Jim McMahon to TE Clay Brown as time expired, the TD tied the game and BYU won the game with the extra point – one of the most amazing comebacks in sports history:

Michael Jordan vs The Cleveland Cavaliers – 1989

Known as ‘The Shot (I)’, Jordan’s high, floating, arching shot over Craig Ehlo to win Game 5 of their playoff series will go down as the most famous buzzer beater in NBA history (so far..), and has been replayed so many times as to be etched into the minds of basketball fans for almost a quarter century.

Tyreke Evens – Memphis Grizzlies vs Sacramento Kings – 2010

What makes this buzzer beater special is that the Grizzlies had essentially won the game on a last second shot themselves over a couple of seconds earlier, but Tyreke Evans managed to dribble once or twice and throw up a prayer that found nothing but net!

Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns – 2006

Filled with controversy (after the Sun’s Steve Nash tried to call a time out but a jump-ball was called instead), Kobe Bryant, by this point the unquestioned best player in the NBA, continued to show he has ice running through his veins by knocking down this buzzer beater with time expiring. Phoenix would go on to win the series but this not before a classic NBA highlight had been made.

These are just 5 of the best buzzer beaters of all time, and there are plenty more to come – which ones do you think belong here? Were you watching any of these buzzer beaters live? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!

NFL Pre-season 2012-2013 Highlights and Superbowl Picks

Posted on September 7, 2012 by sport-frenzy

The NFL pre-season is done and dusted, and over the off-season there has been a lot of exciting developments for NFL fans. Even more than that, the trades, free-agent signings and all around drama has us asking a lot of questions about this upcoming season:

Who would’ve thought that they would see Peyton Manning in any other colours that Colts blue & white?

Can Andrew Luck replace the great man? How long will it take for him to show the talent that had him at the No.1 spot in the NFL draft?

How is the Washington Redkskin’s rookie QB Robert Griffin III going to handle the pressure of being called the savior of the franchise? (And oh boy do they need one).

How will Tebow Mania play out in New York, with Jets QB Mark Sanchez sure to be under fire if they don’t secure at least 2 wins out of their first 3?

Is Seahawk’s QB Russell Wilson for real? Who’s going to be the break-out player for this season? Can Cam Newton replicate his miracle rookie season, or is he set for a sophomore slump?

How good was Hard Knocks? Will Ocho Cinco Chad Johnson play this year?

Ok, I gotta take a minute to calm down, I’m getting a little too excited at all of the excitement we’re in store for this season:) Let’s run some highlights from this year’s preseason:

Superbowl XLVII Picks

AFC

Last year I was high on the Philadelphia Eagles to go all the way, what with their ‘Dream Team’, and having a surfeit of awesome cornerbacks plus video-game-character-in-real-life QB Michael Vick, but they let me down with a shocker of a season. I think they’ll do better this year, but I just don’t think the team is mature enough to make it all the way. Superbowl champs the NY Giants are in for a big surprise this year, and they barely scraped into the playoffs after a 9-7 season, so there’s no way they’re getting back to the promised land. The 49ers should go deep, as long as the Saints have Drew Brees they’re always a threat, and the Packers have the reigning MVP at QB so you can’t count out the pack. Having said that, I’m going to really go out on a limb here and say that this is the year that the Cowboys fulfill their promise and make it to the SB after a 17 year absence.

NFC

Tom Brady almost got ring number 4, but it was an uncannily similar set of circumstances that led to Peyton’s little bro taking home the trophy. This year, I’m not as sure that the Patriots can get back to the SB, with Brady a year older and a bunch of young teams on the up-and-up, but looking at the conference I could only really see the Steelers and the Ravens standing in their way, with the Texans and the Broncos as possibilities to go deep in the playoffs. Still, it’s hard not to vote for Tom Terrific, so give me the Patriots to have another go at making history and a chance for Tom to pick up no.4 after a 7 year drought.

Superbowl XLVII will be won by…

Patriots 24 over the Cowboys 17. As much as I’d like to see Romo get a ring and finally silence all of the haters, I just can’t see Brady losing 3 Superbowls in a row. Him and Belichick are just not going to let it happen. As long as Brady stays healthy (*and Wes Welker can catch the damn ball) then they’re going to win it all:)

What do you think? Have you enjoyed all of the drama over this preseason? Who are your picks to take it home this year? Tell us who your pick is – and why – in the comments.

Is Usain Bolt the Greatest Sprinter Ever?

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Guest

Just before the Olympic Games started, Sport Frenzy asked if Usain Bolt could be beaten on the track. His young training partner Yohan Blake was breathing down his neck, and quite a few people were suggesting that Bolt’s time as the world’s greatest sprinter was coming to an end. Now that the London Olympics have come and gone, we’re no longer asking if Bolt has still got it – we’re asking whether we are witnessing the greatest sprinter of all time! Continue reading →

Usain Bolt – Sprinting towards the London Olympics 2012

Posted on June 29, 2012 by sport-frenzy

Can he be beaten?

Since setting the world on fire at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with world records in both the 100m and 200m sprint events (running 9.69 S and 19.30 S respectively), Jamaican Usain Bolt has been one of the most marketable athletes in the world. He followed up his phenomenal performances by running even faster the following year at the 2009 World Championships, setting an all-time record in both events with an astounding 9.58 S in the 100 metres and 19.19 S in the 200. Since claiming his crown as ‘fastest man on earth’ with these performances, we haven’t heard quite as much about the man they call ‘Lightning Bolt’, but with the 2012 London Olympics upon us it might be time for him to remind everyone that he’s still the top dog, especially with fellow countryman Yohan Blake breathing down his neck.

Standing at 6 feet, 5 inches (1.95 meters) and weighing in at 200 pounds (92 kg), Usain Bolt is both taller and heavier than the prototypical sprinter, yet he’s obviously been in a class of his own over the past few years. Can he go faster? Is he unbeatable? Sport Frenzy has decided to take a look at some of his best performances to see what makes Usain Bolt the fastest person on earth, whether he really can break into the 9.4 S realm at the London Olympics, or if his time is up and the crown belongs to someone else…

Here’s a great slow motion technique of Usain Bolt during a race. Interviews with some his earliest trainers indicate that he had a great amount of natural talent but really poor form, but you can see here that he’s worked a lot on his technique, combining physical gifts with solid technique.

Here are all of Usain Bolt’s world records in one video, and watching them back-to-back really drives home how far ahead he is:

In the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games, Usain Bolt has been way behind his best, with Yohan Blake beating him in both the 100m and 200m Jamaican Olympic trials, but at only 25 years of age there’s still hope that he’ll be able to regain his top speed and maybe take it a step further. Here’s a look at Bolt running against Blake and Asafa Powell at the trials:

Although Bolt got off to a bad start, Blake ran the fastest time so far in 2012 and looks mighty strong, leading many people to believe that Bolt will lose his crown at the Olympics. What do you think? Can Usain Bolt break 9.4 S? Can he keep his crown at this year’s Olympics, or is his time over?

5 of the Biggest Upsets in Olympic History

Posted on June 14, 2012 by sport-frenzy

With the 2012 London Olympic Games nearly upon us, there’s sure to be a lot of domination by the usual suspects – the USA, China, England, Russia, Australia, Germany, etc. These are the nations where victory isn’t celebrated so much as expected. Everyone now and then, however, there are moments in sport when the minnow takes on the whale, the David, Goliath.

These moments are all the more exciting because they are witnessed by billions of people around the world, and will be remembered long after the winner of the Euro Cup 2012. These great upsets are the moments that we will be delving into as we explore the 5 biggest upsets in Olympic History….

1.) The 1972 Gold Medal Basketball Game

In an era of amateur American basketball domination, this was as big as upsets come. The USA team had not lost since the beginning of the modern Olympics in 1936, and the game against the Soviet Union was supposed to be another example of American superiority. Then this happened:

After the USA team had celebrated for a few minutes on the court, the referees stopped them and told them there was still 3 seconds left on the clock. The Soviet team then threw a pass the length of the court, a centre caught it and won the game. And America has still not gotten over it.

2.) 1980 USA Miracle on Ice

Let’s make this even by showcasing how the USA got their revenge 8 years later by beating the USSR in one of the most memorable Olympic matches of all time.

The USA team was made up of a bunch of college players against a Soviet team that was absolutely on top of their game. The big payback was this 4 – 3 victory, and even though it wasn’t the gold medal game, it was still enough to bring some pride to the good ol’ US of A.

3.) Billy Mills wins the 10,000 metres in the Tokyo Olympics 1964

Billy Mills in not only remembered as the only US man (so far) in history to win the 10,000 metres, he’ll also be remembered as a racer who was virtually unknown, and came out of nowhere to win the race. Watch below to see one of the greatest moments in Olympic history.

4.) Steve Bradbury wins Gold

Steve Bradbury shot into a nation’s heart when he won the 2000 Winter Olympics 1000 metre speed skating event just before the finish – from about a mile behind. With no chance of winning, the leaders had a spill that caused every one of them to take a tumble, except for the peroxide blond skater who won a gold no-one saw coming. P.S., in this clip you’ll get to see the pinnacle of Australian television.

5.) Rulon Gardner tames Aleksandr “The Bear” Karelin

To put this one into perspective, Karelin had won gold in every single international competition he had entered since 1988. That’s 12 years of winning before this match in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He was considered unbeatable, unbackable, and his nickname was the Bear. Then Rulon Gardner came along.

What are some of your favourite upsets in sport? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear them!

Olympic Aspirations for Five Small Countries

Posted on May 16, 2012 by sport-frenzy

Large countries such as the United States, China and Russia often dominate the overall medal count at the Olympic Games. However, smaller countries have more than made their mark in individual sports that rival bigger competitors. This article focuses on five smaller countries and the sports which in which they excel and win Olympic gold.

Belarus Canoeing

The small Baltic country of Belarus began participating in the Olympics as an independent country in the 1994 Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway. The tiny country has racked up 73 medals in its18 years of participation. Four of those medals have been in canoeing.

Roman Petrushenko has won three of those medals. He won the bronze in the 500m Doubles event in 2004 with teammate Vadim Makhnev. The two repeated the feat in 2008. Petrushenko and Makhnev and two other teammates captured the gold in the 1000m Fours event in 2008. Ekaterina Karsten has been the workhorse for the women’s rowing teams for Belarus. She has four medals to her name.

Looking ahead to the 2012 London Games, Belarus stands a great chance to bring home several more medals in canoeing with Petrushenko and Karsten.

Jamaica Track and Field: Sprint

The small Caribbean country of Jamaica is home to less than three million people and has dominated the sprinting world for the last decade. The origins of the sport in the country started about 30 years ago when former world record holder Dennis Johnson returned to his home country to start developing Jamaican talent.

Usain Bolt is a name people around the world recognize. He is the embodiment of Jamaica’s dominance in sprinting events. During the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, he set world records for the 100m and 200m events by running them in an astounding 9.69 second and 19.30 seconds, respectively. He also was part of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team that set the world record at 37.10 seconds.

Shown above, the fastest man on the planet Usain Bolt. Image by Jose Goulao, Flickr

One of Bolt’s teammates on the relay team was Asafa Powell. Powell held the world record for the 100m before Bolt shattered it in Beijing. Powell has officially broken the 10 second barrier in the 100m event 80 times, more than anyone else in history.

The Jamaican training facilities would be considered second rate in most of the larger nations, but they have been more than adequate to produce some of the best sprinters over the last 10 years.

Coach Raymond “KC” Graham will have his plate full as he tries to repeat Jamaica’s success in the upcoming London Games. Usain Bolt will again be competing and anchoring a team of extremely talented athletes.

Kenya Track and Field: Long Distance

Just as Jamaica has dominated the sprints in recent Olympics, Kenya has dominated the long distance events. Training facilities located at high elevations in the Great Rift Valley have given Kenya the edge on the rest of the world at long distance running. Training at elevation is a remarkable way to build strength and lung power for the athletes.

Kenya participated in their first Olympics in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia. Since that time, the athletes from Kenya have collected a total of 75 medals, 68 of which are in track and field.

Naftali Temu was the first famous long distance runner from Kenya. He captured two medals at the 1968 Mexico City games. He won the 10,000m event and was placed third in the 5,000m event. He was rewarded with a farm for his efforts when he returned to Kenya.

Catherine Ndereba was a dominant marathon runner for the country that put the Kenyan women on the sports map. She set the world record for the event in 2001 when she completed a marathon in 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 47 seconds.

In the upcoming 2012 London Games, Kenya looks to continue their dominance in long distance events. Kenya has started to show some power in middle distance races as well. The world record holder in the 800m event is Kenyan David Rudisha. He looks to add a gold medal to his achievements this summer.

Netherlands Swimming

The Netherlands first participated in the Olympics in 1900 at the Paris Games. The country has won a total of 246 medals with the majority coming in swimming and cycling events.

Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband received 7 medals in swimming for the Netherlands in his Olympic career. He started his Olympic career at the 1996 Atlanta Games at the age of 18. He didn’t medal in any events that year but placed fourth in two events and caught the attention of the swimming world. He went on to win two gold medals in the 200m and 100m freestyle event in 2000. He also added two bronze medals that year. He followed up the performance with 3 more medals in the 2004 Athens Games.

Inge de Bruijn is one of the most dominant women swimmers of all time. She has won 8 Olympic medals including 4 which were gold. In the 2000 Sydney Olympics she won the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, and 100m butterfly events. She defended her title in the 50m freestyle at the 2004 Games. She retired in 2007 as the most successful Dutch Olympic swimmer of all time.

In the upcoming London Games, the Netherlands look forward to continuing their swimming dominance. Ranomi Kromowidjojo and her 4x100m teammates lead the team in the upcoming games.

Ukraine Shooting and Archery

Ukraine is a relative newcomer to the Olympic Games. The country first competed in 1994. They have amassed a total of 96 medals in summer events with 9 of those coming in shooting and archery events.

Dmitry Monakov was a shooter from the Ukraine that won several world championships and a single gold medal for the country at the Olympics. He won the 1988 Seoul Olympics Trap event. Afterwards he became the coach of the team that continued the winning ways in more recent Games.

Viktor Ruban won the gold medal in the men’s archery event in 2008 Beijing Games and the bronze in 2004 Athens Games in the team event. He looks to continue his winning tradition in the upcoming 2012 London Games.

One of the wonderful things about the Olympics is the even playing field it gives to all countries. The impressive list of accomplishments listed above proves that any country, regardless of size, can dominate an event or a sport at the Olympic Games. Sports fans should start looking for London Olympics rentals or London apartments to ensure they can have a front row seat at the upcoming events.

Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes in the World 2012 | Part 2

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Guest

After making our way though numbers 10 – 6 of the richest athletes in the world recently, we’re now up to the nitty-gritty – the top 5 in the world. Their numbers on the playing fields, courts and courses are phenomenal, but that’s nothing compared to the numbers going into their bank accounts. Read on to find out who the top 5 are…

World’s 5th Highest Paid Athlete 2012

Phil Mickelson, 40 years old, Golfer – $46.5 million

Known as much for his gaudy on-course outfits as he is for being one of the best golfers in the world, Phil Mickelson has made it onto the list of the world’s highest paid athletes by winning multiple major championships (including being a 3 times Masters winner) and winning fans (and sponsors) around the world with his aggressive playing style. Recently elected into the Golf Hall of Fame, look for Mickelson to remain on this list for a few years yet.

World’s 4th Highest Paid Athlete 2012

Roger Federer, 30 years old, Tennis Player – $47 million

Although in recent years his acclaim as the world’s best tennis player has come under threat from Rafael Nadal, Federer still comes out on top when it comes to earnings. With 16 Grand Slam victories his legacy is assured, as is his financial future, with multi-million dollar sponsorship deals with Rolex, Jura, Gillette and many more. Known for a reserved, silky-smooth playing style, Federer looks like he still has enough gas in the tank to challenge Nadal and Djokovic for the next 2 – 3 years at least, ensuring he’ll be one of the world’s richest athletes for the foreseeable future.

World’s 3rd Highest Paid Athlete 2012

Lebron James, 26 years old, Basketball Player – $48 million

Famous amongst fans world-wide for being an absolute beast on the court for the Miami Heat, LeBron James was destined to be on this list since he was a player in high-school. Signing a $150 million life-time deal with Nike was just the beginning, and in addition to his team salary he has a vast array of sponsorship deals meaning that he’s poised to take the crown from the only other basketball player in his way – our no.2, Kobe Bryant.

World’s 2nd Highest Paid Athlete 2012

Kobe Bryant, 33 years old, Basketball Player, $53 million

5-Time World Champion. 2-Time scoring leader. Most Valuable Player. All-Star MVP. You name it, he’s done it. Now entering the twilight of his career, there’s only one thing that Kobe Bryant has his eye on – championship rings to start filling out the other hand. His nickname ‘The Black Mamba’ is only a hint at his deadly skills on the court, but his financial prowess is just as lethal, with a fortune estimated at $150 million and growing, there’s only one athlete standing in the way of Kobe and the title of world’s richest athlete…

The World’s Number One Highest Paid Athlete 2012

Tiger Woods, 35 years old, $75 million

We’ve all heard the story. We’ve seen the fall from grace and his unsuccessful attempts at regaining the form that made him the world’s best golfer for a decade. Yes, Tiger Woods has made mistakes, but rest assured, he can go home and wipe his tears with $100 bills and have plenty to spare, with a yearly income in excess of $75 million dollars. Despite not winning any championships or even signing any new sponsorship deals in the past few years, Tiger Woods is still the World’s Number One Highest Paid Athlete. Time to pick up some clubs…

What do you think about how much these guys make? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes in the World | Richest Athletes 2012

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Guest

We hang on their every move, mourn their losses and cheer their victories. In every sport there are a chosen few who stand above the rest and do things that we can only dream of. But how much do these superstars make for their magic? Sport Frenzy has decided to do a little digging to find the richest athletes in the world, which we’ll present as a Top 10 list in 2 parts. So without further ado, here’s how the first part of the list played out:

World’s 10th Highest Paid Athlete 2012

Lionel Messi, 24 years old, Soccer Player – $32.3 million

Recognised as one of the top-3 soccer players in the world, Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or three times in a row & was named the FIFA player of the year at the age of 21. He’s broken scoring records in every league he’s played in, and this year made UEFA Champions League history by scoring 5 goals in a single match. Currently playing for Barcelona, the diminutive striker is known for his amazing footwork and evasive manoeuvres , and it’s no wonder that he is also one of the Top 10 highest paid athletes in the world.

World’s 9th Highest Paid Athlete 2012

Michael Schumacher, 43 years old, Formula One driver – $34 million

Widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, Michael Schumacher is a 7-time F1 World Champion and holds numerous driver’s records in the sport. Known mainly for his role as the no.1 driver for Ferrari, he retired in 2006 only to come back as a driver for McLaren, ensuring that he’ll be known as one of the world’s richest athletes for years to come. Known for his ability to push his cars all the way to their limit, Michael Schumacher has earned his place at No.9 on this list.

World’s 8th Highest Paid Athlete 2012

Alex Rodriguez, 36 years old, Baseball player – $35 million

As famous for scoring home-runs with Madonna & Kate Hudson as he is for being one of the world’s richest athletes, Alex Rodriguez is a long-time New York Yankee 3rd-baseman. Considered one of the best baseball players of all-time, Rodriguez is the youngest player to hit 600 home-runs, beating the record of the almighty Babe Ruth. That’s enough to put Alex Rodriguez at No.8 on the list of the world’s highest paid athletes.

World’s 7th Highest Paid Athlete 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo, 27 years old, Soccer player – $38 million

It’s no wonder that Cristiano Ronaldo sits at no.7 on the list of richest athletes in the world – his move from Manchester United to Real Madrid is the most expensive player transfer in history (costing a staggering €94 million). Having broken scoring records in multiple leagues and winning FIFA Player of the Year as well as the Ballon d’Or, Ronaldo is sure to climb the list of highest paid athletes in the years to come.

World’s 6th Highest Paid Athlete 2012

David Beckham, 36 years old, Soccer player – $40 million

David Beckham probably doesn’t need much of an introduction here as one of the most famous people on Earth and certainly one of the richest athletes in the world. From his publicised marriage to Victoria Beckham through to underwear ads and sex scandals, David Beckham has also had an illustrious soccer career that has seen him play for Manchester United, Real Madrid and the Los Angeles Galaxy.

So – that’s Part 1 of the World’s Highest Paid Athletes done! Check back soon as we countdown the Top 5 – I bet you’ll be surprised to find out who’s (still) at Number 1;)