A professional provides a service in exchange for payment in accordance with established protocols for licensing, ethics, procedures, standards of service and training/certification. A professional is a member of a licensing body which is legally established within the laws of a given state, county, province or nation.
The term "professional" is widely used to refer to individuals with recognized expertise within a field of endeavor even though they are not a member of a licensing body or legal entity. The distinction between professional sports and amateur sports simply refers to how the athlete is funded. Similarly the distinction within creative pursuits between professional and amateur becomes somewhat grey.
Historically, behaving professionally would indicate that the person's actions remain in accordance with specific rules, written or unwritten, pertaining to behavior, dress, speech, etc. By extension, the adjective professional identified somebody recognized for expertise or skill in a craft or activity.
Curry Gets First Taste of Knicks’ Faster Pace Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:17:38 -0000 Eddy Curry and the Knicks are not ready for prime time, but Mike D’Antoni hopes they will play respectably enough when they open the preseason in Toronto.
Shock 76, Silver Stars 60: Shock Takes Title at Its Second Home Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:21:13 -0000 The Shock overcame all obstacles in winning its third W.N.B.A. title in six seasons on Sunday, beating the San Antonio Silver Stars in Game 3 of the best-of-five series.
At 19, Plotting New Path to N.B.A., via Europe Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:38:27 -0000 Brandon Jennings, a high school all-American, skipped college and is playing professional basketball in Italy.
Jeffries’s Injury Further Complicates the Knicks’ Plans Sat, 04 Oct 2008 06:16:22 -0000 After cracking his left fibula Thursday afternoon, Jared Jeffries may not return to play until late November.
Nets Need Forward to Return to Form Sat, 04 Oct 2008 06:15:13 -0000 The Nets need a third offensive option behind Vince Carter and Devin Harris, and Bobby Simmons is as likely a candidate as anyone.
Shock 69, Silver Stars 61: Shock Builds 2-0 Series Lead in Finals Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:35:34 -0000 Katie Smith scored 22 points and the Detroit Shock built a big lead in the first quarter leading them to victory over the Silver Stars.
Adande: Heavy burden on Bynum's big shoulders J.A. Adande Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:31:34 -0700 Now that he's fully healthy, expectations for the Lakers' Andrew Bynum are through the roof, J.A. Adande writes. Report on NBA refs released; Stern vows action ESPN.com news services Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:09:13 -0700 A review of the NBA's officiating program has made recommendations for significant changes, but found no evidence of illegal activity by any referees other than Tim Donaghy. Knicks' Curry practices with team for first time Associated Press Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:40:23 -0700 New York Knicks center Eddy Curry practiced for the first time this season Monday after he was sidelined last week because of a bacterial infection.
Women's Pro Basketball Showcase - Invites players to showcase their skills in front of pro scouts, GM's, coaches and agents representing international teams specifically looking for players to fill jobs.
Jack Wilshere's compilation I did this video like a book, with Chapters... like a story. This is my second video on Jack ...