cardio question

I want to get really good cardio to play basketball. i want to start running about 20 minutes a day. would this be enough and how long does it take to get results???
should i try something else besides running?

If you can run for 20 minutes, start doing Taku's intervals

Intervals are great, but for your regular running it's better to work up to 45 minutes, then focus on intensity. You could do a few interval days and a regular day or two a week.

Running 20 minutes a day isn't going to get you very far unless you are out of shape then it is better than nothing. You should be doing alot of sprints mixed in w/ explosive movements For example:

5 rounds for time of:
400m run, 10 power cleans (choose a weight that's good for you, work up to 135lbs.)

mix in a long run of 4-6 miles every 10 days or so. High intensity training along w/ building up your posterior chain (hams, low back, glutes) is what's going to make you fast. Intervals on the C2 Rower is another knarly one.

5 rounds for time of:
500m row
Bench press 15 reps (work up to Body weight)

strive to keep your 500's under 2 min.

High rep Clean and jerk will really help w/ your jumping/vertical. You should get a coach to help you out w/ these lifts. Pick an appropriate wieght and see how long it takes you to C&J it 30 times (work your way up to 135)

Find a basketball court, and do suicides, run the perimeter, do line
drills, etc.

-doug-

I think intervals is your best bet. Having done that and just jogging I can say that intervals are a far more effective way to spend your time.
But if you're doing nothing now, running 20 mins a day is probably a good start before diving into intervals.