For a superstar like Kobe Bryant, getting into the playoffs is a given. But for all of the other supporting athletes on the best deep squad in the NBA, the L.A. Lakers, nerves could be settling in as they make their final playoff stretch run and head into the playoffs themselves. Luckily the Lakers players are experienced and playoff tested. There are no rookies on this squad, just veteran champions for the most part.

Lakers players like Andrew Bynum know what to expect. After all, he was there last year when they powered their way through the playoffs, though he sat out most of the year recovering from a knee operation. Bynum is one of the Lakers players that has greatly improved their game this year. He has started just about every game and has dominated in most of them. This kid is only 22 years old but has been on the Lakers for a few years now since coming straight out of high school. He is seven foot tall, fast, agile, and very highly skilled. He can post up and back down any player in the league. When he gets the ball deep in the paint, there is not one other center that can stop him.

Pau Gasol at forward has been called by many the highest skilled big man in the game today. He can do it all: shoot, rebound, pass, make plays, score from any angle, even his defense has vastly improved. Gasol is much stronger and more aggressive now. Gone is the graceful but weaker player that the Celtics ran over two years ago in the Finals. Pau hits back now and is no pushover in the paint. The fans rewarded his efforts by voting him into the All-Star game at Dallas. Gasol’s great play is one of the biggest reasons the Lakers will win another championship.

Lamar Odom has been much more aggressive lately than he was all of last year when he was just learning to play the triangle with Gasol and Bynum. Another Lakers player big man, Odom does more than just clog up the middle. He is an aggressive rebounder and big playmaker. He is super fast and can slash to the basket of take off from the free throw line, rise above the rim and slam in the blink of an eye. His three point shooting has been more accurate since the beginning of the year when he struggled a bit more.

Of all the Lakers players, none stands above Kobe Bryant. Although suffering from some nagging injuries this year, Kobe has still absolutely dominated most of the games he has played in this year and has led the Lakers players to the best record in the league for most of the season. Even though he has played with a broken finger for most of the last three months, his shooting numbers have been staggering. He has also done what the Black Mamba has always done and that is take over a close game at the end or take the game winning shot at the buzzer. This guy doesn’t just beat you, he humiliates you by showing you just how crappy you are compared to him.

The bench is very deep and Jordan Farmar has been playing well coming off the bench for Fisher who just has not had a very good year this year overall. Of all the Lakers players Fisher is the one that has struggled the most. On the other hand, he is still a clutch shooter and no one knows the triangle as well as he does. Many experts think that Fisher is destined to be the future head coach of the Lakers.

Leo has been writing articles online for nearly 4 years now. Come visit his latest website www.ViralSubmitterProReviews.org that discusses the new software Viral Submitter Pro by Adeel Chowdhry, Bobby Walker, and Jeff Schwerdt.

Ever feel like you’re not getting the most out of your daily workout? Want to get the best bang for your buck out of your exercise routine? Consider these workout tips to help you increase efficiency and effectiveness.

One of the best workout tips you’ll ever hear is this one: workout in the A.M., not after noon, nor in the evening. Working out first thing in the morning will give you energy for your entire day, and keep the calorie burn going as long as you’re awake that day. Even if you have to wake up an hour earlier, don’t disregard this workout tip. Make it happen.

The next on our list of best workout tips: do interval training! Interval training means varying the intensity of your cardio workout from minute-to-minute. Instead of jogging or biking or doing the elliptical machine for 30 minutes straight or more, all at the same intensity, do 20 – 30 minutes while varying your intensity (speed, resistance, incline, etc.) This workout tip will make a huge difference. You’ll build muscle instead of burning muscle. You’ll notice the difference immediately.

Another one of the greatest workout tips I’ve ever heard is about motivation. Everyone finds it hard to get motivated and get started with their workout. It doesn’t matter how many great workout tips you’ve read or heard; great tips do you no good if you don’t put them into action! So to get motivated and keep your energy up, try this: work out in front of a mirror. Don’t shy away from mirrors, but use them to motivate you.

Also, what you do after your workout matters too. Make sure you eat some lean protein within the first half-hour after your workout. This workout secret came from a professional marathoner, and it’s one of the most useful workout tips I’ve ever heard. It will curb your appetite later in the day, and help you build muscle (which burns more calories in the long run).

Having the discipline to work out 5 or 6 times a week is great, but how can you be sure you’re making the most of each workout? Follow the above workout tips, and you’ll see an immediate improvement in your weight, muscle tone, and energy level. These workout tips come from exercise experts and years of experience. Try them out and see if it doesn’t magnify your workout effectiveness within the first week.

Julie has been writing articles online for nearly 4 years now. In addition to writing health related articles, she also publishes reviews of various consumer products. Come visit her latest website that discusses energy efficient space heater and natural gas space heaters.

Every time spring rolls around I start to look for baseball deals. Whether it’s a new piece of equipment like a bat or glove, an instructional dvd or some cool jerseys to wear in my slowpitch league, it amazes me how much new stuff comes on the market each year. Are there that many new players out there?

Well the answer is yes. Softball and baseball participation is on the rise and the outfield is filled with flyballs. The latest titanium bats promise more power, the kangaroo leather in the gloves is softer and the batting gloves or softball shoes are slicker than ever.

Check out the great online sites, (go to a site with buying advice), and start the season in style. Remember, you’ve got to have the right equipment to play the game right.

When learning how to gain muscle mass fast, many people fail to understand the importance of sticking to the fundamentals. Sure there are thousands of fancy techniques and “cutting-edge” bodybuilding supplements that you can implement into your bodybuilding program, but at the end of the day, the only thing that actually helps you gain muscle mass is applying the fundamental muscle gain principles.

When it comes to gaining muscle fast, there is a very simple three-part process that you must always follow. There are absolutely no exceptions to this rule, so pay close attention!

#1 – In order to build muscle you must first stimulate muscle growth through some type of intense weight-training exercise.

While it’s true that everyone’s body responds differently to different types of training, it is universally accepted that heavy weight training inflicts the type of muscle damage that is required to stimulate both bone density and muscle growth.