By analyzing dribble techniques, shot form, footwork and many of the other components of a true player’s game, Magic and his friends take care to draw attention to the fine details that cause good players to become great. Other such tapes often ignore the subtleties of a spin dribble or overlook the minutiae of something as apparently simple as a change of direction, whereas Magic goes to lengths to ensure that all has been explained thoroughly and clearly.
The guest instructors are a welcome feature in this DVD, allowing the fan a glimpse into the training methods of some of the world’s best athletes, among them Amaré Stoudemire,
Carmelo Anthony, Rip Hamilton and Diana Taurasi. Also featured are legends of the game Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kenny Smith and famous high school coach Gary McKnight, all of whom make cameo appearances to impart a little wisdom and add another drill or two to a DVD already bursting with good advice.
If you are what you’d consider an “advanced” player and feel this DVD can do you no good, I strongly urge you to reconsider. I, for one, came to this tape with the idea that nothing would test me even slightly and that, after my five summers of basketball camps, I would be able to confidently perform the vast majority of that which was demonstrated in the instructional features. However, it soon became clear that not only were there several drills I had never before seen, but also that a little time away from the court can cause a lot rust. This is where such a DVD as this can come in handy, refreshing the one-time expert on the minor points they had long forgotten.
As one who had not specifically practiced their handles in some time, it came as a shock to me that I could no longer do what I could with ease at the age of twelve. Although this initially resulted in several items of dented furniture, one spilt soda and two angry neighbours (note: do not perform moves while indoors as I did), the expert tutoring of the players and coaches soon had me threading the ball between my legs and firing jab steps like I once did.
All in all, Magic Fundamentals is a DVD useful for any baller on any stage. Whether you’re an expert or a first-timer, it will serve as a real booster to your game, both adding moves to your repertoire and sharpening those already learnt. In short, if you’re looking to improve as a basketball player, you’ll want this DVD in your home collection.
