Editorial Review

Foreword by Malcolm Gladwell
 
Newly updated with fresh takes on LeBron, Kobe, the Celtics & more*
 
*Including even more footnotes!


Bill Simmons, the wildly opinionated and thoroughly entertaining hoops addict known to millions as ESPN.com’s Sports Guy, has written the definitive book on the past, present, and future of the NBA. From the age-old question of who actually won the rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to the one about which team was truly the best of all time, Simmons opens—and then closes, once and for all—every major pro basketball debate. Then he takes it further by completely reevaluating not only how NBA Hall of Fame inductees should be chosen but how the institution must be reshaped from the ground up, the result being the Pyramid: Simmons’s one-of-a-kind five-level shrine to the ninety-six greatest players in the history of pro basketball. And ultimately he takes fans to the heart of it all, as he uses a conversation with one NBA great to uncover that coveted thing: The Secret of Basketball.

Comprehensive, authoritative, controversial, hilarious, and impossible to put down (even for Celtic-haters), The Book of Basketball offers every hardwood fan a courtside seat beside the game’s finest, funniest, and fiercest chronicler. ... Read more

Reviews

Fantastic read, absurd amount of information, October 27, 2009
I need to preface this by saying that I've been reading Bill Simmons for over 8 years now, before the fame, before the podcasts and almost frightening fan following.I've seen him mature from the old Boston Sports Guy to this all-media presence now, and in the process, his writing has greatly improved. The culmination of such an improvement is this wonderful book, "The Book of Basketball".

I managed to get an early copy of this book, and spent the next 48 hours plowing through it as fast as I could. It's very clear that Simmons put everything he had into the book. There aren't a lot of loose words around. Even the genitalia jokes are well-constructed. Yes, it's pretty good.

The basis of this book is determining who mattered in the NBA. Which teams, players, coaches, etc. played the biggest role in getting us to where we are today, in shaping our perception of what it takes to win in the NBA, and how we remember different players and events. It's very interesting to see him go back into the 60s and 70s and try to write about Walton, Russell, and Chamberlain and how they were perceived then, and try to get to see what forces created and changed that perception. This is ultimately what the book is all about. It reads almost like a history of the NBA, in a very easy-to-read style.

My personal favorites are his ABA pieces. Not nearly enough has been written about this crazy league, and Simmons did a very good job looking at just how things broke down, at what could have been, and how the ABA led to many fundamental changes in the NBA itself.

Finally, this is definitely a book for the NBA junkie. It's comic style and easy-to-read writing style does make it accessible to those with only mild-to-intermediate interest in the NBA, but at its core, it's for the junkies who want to fill up with as much NBA knowledge as possible. It's a great book, and for its price (as of October 27, 2009), a great deal.

buy the dead tree edition instead of the Kindle edition, October 28, 2009
(10/28) Still working my way through it, but here are my impressions so far:

(1) Buy the dead tree version even if you have a Kindle. Simmons buries an absurd amount of information in the footnotes, a lot more than just citations. They're set up as endnotes at the end of each chapter, which is awkward for Kindle users. The footnotes are almost like one of those extra audio tracks in a DVD where the director provides running commentary on a film; for better or worse, you're missing out on a lot if you skip the footnotes. Why he thought this was a good way to write a book is beyond me. But you're going to want to read the footnotes.

(2) if you bet "under 1.5" as the first chapter in which an NBA moment is compared to a scene in Shawshank Redemption, you covered.

(3) if this book had an MPAA rating, it would be rated R. He says things that he could never get away with in his ESPN columns. For example, he refers to going off birth control as "pulling the goalie" and calls the Hawks' selection of Marvin Williams in the 2005 draft (instead of Chris Paul or Deron Williams) "an Aretha Franklin sized mistake."

(4) I've probably read half a dozen different "Wilt or Russell?" articles over the years, and Simmons' handling of the debate is probably the best one.

Will update in coming days.

Update (11/3): Man Reads Entire Book of Basketball -- And Lives!

If the Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract is the '86 Celtics of sports history books -- a timeless classic that could succeed in any era -- then TBOB is the '79 Sonics: a championship team but not one that will be remembered forever, and one that could probably only have won a championship in its own time. Why does TBOB fall short of the absolute pinnacle? Is it because of the salty language? (No; recall that James' entry on Don Mattingly in the Abstract is "100% ballplayer, 0% bulls&%$.") Is it because Simmons can barely contain his disdain for players like Kareem and Laimbeer? (Again, no; James can barely contain his disdain for Rogers Hornsby, Dick Allen, Maury Wills, etc.) Is it the fact that the book contains some post-consumer content (e.g. the entry on Pete Maravich is basically lifted directly from an [...] column he wrote about Pistol a few years back?) Again, James recycled old material for the Abstract, so that's not it. Ultimately it's the endless barrage of throwaway pop culture references that is going to make this book feel dated quickly (people might still remember Teen Wolf or Rocky IV in ten years, but is anybody going to care about Keeping Up With the Kardashians in 2019?)

All told, this book has freakish athleticism, jumpability, length, and tremendous upside.

3.5 stars. Would have been twice as good at half the length., November 11, 2009
If you know who the Sports Guy is, then you know what this book is like. I enjoyed it well enough, but by the end it got a bit tiresome. I've got no problem with 700-page books, but I can do without a 700-page book that recycles the same gags over and over and over (and over) again.

The positive side is that it's a fun ride and an easy read; there's a ton of info about the NBA and players who should be remembered; and Simmons' love of the game leaps off of the page.

The negative side is that there's a lot of padding, a lot of opinion presented as fact, and a whole lot of pseudo-statistics that are less convincing the more you think about them.* Editors are your friends, Simmons. You don't use the verb "sauntered" twice in three pages. The game is Bid Whist, not Bid Wist. You can't use your own "Trade Value" columns as independent evidence to support your own opinions. And "infinitely better" does not mean the same thing as "a lot better."

If Simmons had taken his best 400 pages this would have been a really great book. But he didn't. But if you like Simmons you'll like this. Buy it and read it like he recommends: dip into it for 50 pages, then walk away for a while. Because it's kind of like eating Halloween candy - enjoyable at the moment, but if you do it for too long you get sick of it.

*(My favorite is the table comparing performances for two guards from ages 22 through 24. Except for Allen Iverson he makes the "executive decision" to show ages 23-25 because AI "spent five months in jail and missed his senior year in high school." Yeah...that's not really how stats work. You can't just toss the numbers you don't like and pick the ones that support your argument. Well, obviously you CAN, but that's cherry-picking, not statistics.)

For better of worse, reads like a typical Simmons column..., December 9, 2009
I've been reading Simmons on [...] for some time now. His columns have often provided me comic relief during a taxing work day or a grueling law school class. However, his columns are just that -- brief and instant gratification. The problem with this book is that it reads like a series of hundreds of mini-Simmons columns. At times, his grasp of the subject matter and eloquence in describing it shines through (for instance -- the Wilt v. Russell debate, his childhood Celtics memories, and his excerpt on Elgin Baylor), but more often than not, any given passage of the book reads like a shoddily put together column. The book is replete with cocaine and porn jokes, as well as references to obscure movies that only a limited cohort of his readers can comprehend. Furthermore, it is altogether too clear when Simmons is discussing an era or player that is foreign to his own experience. Take his section on the history of the NBA: it literally reads like a summary of 5-10 books that other people have written -- Simmons' only contribution to this section is, well, typical Simmons-column language (i.e., "X player ACTUALLY didn't do that, but wouldn't it be crazy if he did??"). Additionally, the book is unfortunately filled with several typos (numbers, years, improper tenses) -- I myself noticed nearly 10. All that being said, I think it's worth a read -- any dedicated NBA fan can certainly appreciate portions of the book. Just know going in that a significant portion of the book is terribly biased -- at times it just seems like Simmons is way in over his head.

Decent but imperfect, November 30, 2009
Overall it's hard to bag on this book since I enjoyed reading it and kept my interest. But objectively it had a ton of flaws. It felt disjointed...when I got to certain players in his Hall of Fame list I had already heard a ton about them from his MVP and what-if section. I wonder if the book would have worked better going in chronological order of the league as I kept forgetting who won what in the late 1960s and which guys were overrated. He also repeats the same jokes over and over with too many porn references and too many "____ was a name that could have only existed in the 50s!!" or jokes about smoking cigarettes or drinking scotch.

There's a good book in here as the author is truly passionate about the game and does a nice job balancing historical statistics with how piers felt about the players and the true legacy. But this isn't the Bill James version of a basketball book as a lot of the "statistical" breakdowns are overly simplistic. And I think this is where the book fails to be a true great...it's an enjoyable read but that's about it as I can't take a lot of the analysis seriously.

Informative but poorly written, November 12, 2009
I have been reading Bill Simmons work since his Sports Guy website (about 9 years now) and have always been a huge fan. I've seen a decline in his writing in recent years, but I always assumed that was because ESPN was "holding him back", however I think this book pretty much solidifies his writing for me.

This book could have been something different. He could have written from his perspective as a viewer watching all those Celtics game as a young kid or focus on an era. Instead, he tried to write about everything about basketball. He could write a 10 part series and still wouldn't be enough.

Bill also references a lot of books that influenced him. You figure he would have at least attempted to write a book instead of just a 700-page ESPN column. This was probably my biggest gripe. There was no attempt whatsoever and along with those endless footnotes, it completely ruins the flow of reading a book. Part of me believes Bill wrote it this way because that is how he got to this point in the first place. Why try to write like someone else? I feel like Bill is smart enough to make some attempt and put a good piece of literature together.

The way I see this book is like Hollywood adapting a novel into a movie. They'll have to strip a lot of details and parts in a book and cram it into a 2 hour film. This works brilliantly sometimes, but many times, it doesn't work. This book to me is the Hollywood version of a book.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's great to see him grow from a self-made website to #1 on NYTimes best seller and I will continue to read his columns, listen to his podcasts, and read his tweets. He's entertaining and I think that is part of the problem with this book. I am just trying to give my unbiased opinion on the book. I've learned a lot about the history of basketball from this book and I've learned a lot from Bill, not just in sports, but as a thinker - I just wish he could have written it better.

The book needed an editor., December 4, 2009
Thoughts (Simmons style):

Simmons must have hired John Iriving's editor to edit this book... and that's not a complement. What was the point of the Grumpy Old Editor? To not edit?

I think this is the world longest coffee table book.

The Most Valuable Chapter? Why was this in the book? This was excruciating to read...

Over all, it's hard to disagree with where Simmons ranked everyone. The only WTF ranking I saw was Garnett over Isiah and Pippen. But everything else is nitpicking.

I'm not sure I needed a few thousand words about how Simmons once sat next to Jordan at a resturant. Actually, I'm positive.

Again, the editing of this book killed my rating of it. Stories are told twice, footnotes are repeated, guys are mislabeled or represented... crappy editing that absolutely killed this book. When talking about the '83 Philadelphia 76ers, when mentioning who they lose to in the playoffs next year, it says Philly in five. Apperently Vancouver and Minnesota entered the league at the same time (they didn't, Toronto and Vancouver did). These mistakes happen all the time. I know mistakes are made in a 700 page book, I expect three or five things to get past people... but twenty-five or more?

Most annoying aspect of the Book of Basketball? When Simmons starts out with quote from a former player (say Bill Bradley) discussing another player (random 70s player). Simmons tells us that this PERFECTLY describes random 70s player... and then Bill spends a few thousand words discussing random 70s player. 'hey look, I know that Bill Bradley just totally nailed Jerry West, but I'm going to lob on an extra 2,900 words to hammer home my own views on a guy I never saw play and as I said, is perfectly described by what Bill Bradley said already!'

Finally, I should say, Simmons' passion and love of basketball comes though and his endearing style makes the book hard to hate. But the flaws are too great to over come what should have been a fantastic book. The book wasn't a history of basketball as much as a review of the games great players and a few teams. I can't help but think that a "Fever Pitch" type book where Bill discusses his love for the Celtics would have been a trillion times better. I know Bill has said that this is the best book he'll ever write... but he's setting the bar far too low.

It's entertainment, and not for the Kindle., December 2, 2009
Bill Simmons writes the most entertaining sports column on the internet, and his podcasts are lively and fun. His book is an exhaustive foray into a sport he feels passionate about, and his writing reflects his love for basketball. He does not come across as the foremost authority, but instead as a fan who thinks about things like "Pantheons" and ranking players by their abilities and impact on the game. I found myself frustrated by the Kindle version for not being able to skip forward to find out who ranked #1 in his list of best players, and I say that as a compliment. However, I feel that sometimes his love for the Celtics clouds his judgment at times (KG that high? Really?) but as any sports fan who sometimes takes things too seriously, this is entirely understandable, and ultimately forgivable. The Kindle version gets a lower mark due to the inability to readily access footnotes, which makes Bill's book unique, and takes the fun out of reading it. As a previous reviewer stated, buy the dead tree version.

Lenthy...but where's the meat?, December 1, 2009
"The Book of Basketball" is certainly long but I found author Simmons lack of in depth knowledge of the game disappointing. The one facet of this book that sticks out to me is that it is a fan's guide to the game, and as such, I could have written a similar book: Would I want someone to read 700 plus pages of my own ramblings about the game that admittedly I love so much? Not sure.

Simmons is not an insider. He is just a guy who has always loved basketball. But he possesses no special knowledge or understanding of the NBA, having never coached, played, or even covered the league. Again, the thought I kept having is that, "I could have written this book!"

I would tell any serious readers of sports lit to read "Breaks of the Game" or "Heaven is a Playground" or any of dozens of books on the game before diving into "TBOB." I can recommend it to fans of Simmons (and there certainly are plenty of those) but not to serious fans of the game of basketball.

The Bloated Book of Basketball, January 19, 2010
I thought I would enjoy this book, as I did Simmons's 'Now I Can Die in Peace'. After a promising introduction, it goes downhill. I lost track of how many times Simmons has to remind the reader Wilt was in it for the records... 4 times? 5? This book could have used a good editor, someone who would have said, "Bill, trees don't need to die for this." My editing technique was to say the hell with this and bring it back to the library.
As for the author photo, it was the first time I wished I could have reached out and smacked the author. ... Read more

Editorial Review

In September 2008, Northern State University men’s basketball coach Don Meyer stood on the brink of immortality. He was about to surpass the legendary Bobby Knight to become the all-time NCAA wins leader in men’s basketball. Then, on a two-lane road in South Dakota, everything changed in an instant.

In How Lucky You Can Be, acclaimed sports journalist Buster Olney tells the remarkable story of the successive tragedies that befell Coach Meyer but could not defeat him. Laid low by a horrific car accident that led to the amputation of his left leg below the knee, Coach Meyer had barely emerged from surgery when his doctors informed him that he also had terminal cancer. In the blink of an eye, this prototypical 24/7 workaholic coach—who arrived at the gym most mornings before 6 a.m.—found himself forced to reexamine his priorities at the age of sixty-three. A model of reserve, Coach Meyer had sacrificed much of his emotional life to his program. His wife, Carmen, felt disconnected because of his habitual reticence, while his three children—all now well into adulthood—had long had to compete with basketball for his attention.

With sensitivity and skill, Olney shows how Coach Meyer mined his physical ordeal for the spiritual strength to transform his life. In the months that followed his accident and diagnosis, he reached out to family, friends, and former players in a way he had never been able to do before, making the most of this one last opportunity to tell those close to him how he felt about them—and in turn he received an outpouring of affirmation that confirmed how deeply he had affected others. Sustained throughout an often painful recovery by his love of basketball, he would return to the court once more—with a newfound appreciation for the game’s place in his life.

The inspirational story of a life renewed by unimaginable hardship, How Lucky You Can Be proves that it’s never too late to start making changes—and reminds us that fortune can smile upon us even in our most trying hours.
  ... Read more

Reviews

Spot on!
Knowing and having worked with Coach Meyer I thought this book was spot on! Coach Meyer is an amazing man and his is an amazing story, well worth the read. Buster Olney did a wonderful job portraying coach, I couldn't put the book down!

Absolute Must Read for Everyone - Not Just Sports Fans
This book exceeded my expectations. I just bought a case and plan on handing them out at church this Sunday. This book has the potential to transform lives. I know it has caused me to think about what's truly important in life. Buster did a fantastic job telling Coach Meyer's story. He made it relevant to all of us - not just sports fans. My favorite part was when Coach talks about the "F" words getting him through - faith, family and friends. May God continue to bless and use Coach Meyer. Thank you Buster Olney for bringing this story to the people!

An Inspiration To All
While we were in Minneapolis for our little girl's cancer treatments a couple yrs ago, we had the "chance" privelege of meeting Coach Meyer & his beautiful wife Carmen. Although it was a very brief encounter, Don leaves such a positive impression on people. We have kept in touch with him through letters & e-mails. Less than 2 wks ago, we received a wonderful care package from him. He is a remarkable man who gives true meaning to the terms "wounded healer" and "prayer warrior!" We have been blessed to have him come into our lives & rally behind us with our fight with childhood cancer! (Our little girl, Cedar, is kicking cancer's butt too!!!) Unlimited blessings to Coach Meyer & his family. This book is SOOOOOO WELL WRITTEN! Kudos to Mr. Olney on telling Don's miraculous story so well. It captures your attention from the first page & is hard to put down! I love this book and am gifting several copies this year for Christmas. Our love & prayers continue to be lifted up to Don, Carmen & their entire family ~ thank you for blessing us!!!

Great Coach - Great Read
Buster Olney has a lot of insight into this humble,incredible man, Coach Meyer.One does not have to be a diehard basketball fan to love this book -- Meyer has had many triumphs, and one horrendous car accident -- his attitude and love of God pulled him through so he can now tell others to persevere. I loved the read, book just left we wanting to know even more about this wonderful human being.

How Lucky You Can Be
America's Galactic Foreign Legion - Book 1: Feeling Lucky

We all need inspiration from time to time, and this book give that and more. Good read. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Amazon.com ReviewProduct Description

A Look Inside FreeDarko Presents: The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History
(Click on Images to Enlarge)

"Loud, Fat, and Gifted: The Irrepressible Charles Barkley"

"The Hair Up There"

"The Nuclear Option: Wilt Chamberlain, The Man Who Went Too Far"

Reviews

Growing up Kareem, October 27, 2010
My father loves the game of Basketball more than anyone I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I grew up watching my dad come home on crutches, blowing his knees out countless times, feeling the bump on his knee that made almost a right angle. Then sitting on the couch and watching hours of recorded tapes of the Milwaukee Bucks title run and the LA Lakers title runs. He would talk to me about his favorite player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and how he himself had also perfected the "Sky Hook,"(he still kicks my ass with that damn sky hook and with his bad knees the guy can't do anything else).
That being said this is not so much a review of "The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History," as it is a thank you. This book approaches basketball the same way, and I couldn't help but be reminded of my childhood. Each story and illustration is utterly perfect in showing such great enthusiasm for the sport. Reading each story brought the basketball games and players, I didn't live through, to life as much as my dad's energetic stories did. Receiving it today I've read the book from cover to cover with a smile on my face the whole time.
Last year, for Christmas, I got my dad "The Breaks of the Game," and this year I have no doubt that he'll be receiving "The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History," from me.

A Work of Art In Its Own Right, October 30, 2010
In Bethlehem Shoals's writing for the FD blog (or one of the other 18 sites he writes for) I can always count on at least one display of casual writerly irreverence that will stop me in my tracks and make me wonder what the Hell just happened, exactly as the most amazing basketball athletes do. From his music blog:

"...I prefer to think of it as Sun Ra making peace with an unfamiliar life form, one that tries to strangle him twice, then eats the Saltines he offers, then radiates orange light and [defecates] sundaes."

Its the verbal equivalent of playground ball, where the informal nature of the session leads to greater risk taking and more stunning displays of athletic ability.

To write a full scale book however, requires a whole other set of skills. It takes the fundamental game that too many playground legends unfortunately lack, which spells their doom in the NBA. In short, it requires structure. Form to allow a topic like history to be developed in a meaningful sense.

In this book, I'm happy to state that the writerly flair he applies to his shorter work is reworked directly into the structure of this book. The same creative skills set up frameworks that don't just show off his skill but actually help present the information at hand in a more informative manner. George Mikan isn't just the first superstar of the NBA, he is related to the same questions of "Time and Space" that led to a standardization of basketball rules.

At the end of a 2 or 3 page essay, several issues have been presented clearly, efficiently, coherently and with an enjoyable aesthetic style.

The entire book is similarly structured. Shoals is only one member of the Free Darko High Counsel, and the other members contribute hundreds of asides, detail shots, etc. that act as a harmonic balance to the primary soundtrack.

And then there's the art. Jacob Weinstein brings the exact same qualities to the table as I attributed to Shoals above. In detail they are beautiful, with unexpected elements (I could stare a long time at a piece comprised entirely of the chain link fences in the Connie Hawkins illustration), but their overall structure- how they present their subjects, is just as impressive.

In short, this book is the whole package. It is enjoyable not just as something that pertains to basketball but as a work of art in its own right. Even if you don't know basketball, you can appreciate this work of craft. Though it would probably help to like basketball

Buy this book!, October 26, 2010
I just received this book in the mail yesterday, so I've only read the first few chapters, but it's already been exceptional. Anyone who loves the NBA, or just casually watches games, should read this book (or at least check out the incredible artwork). I have loved every word and pciture, and I am fighting the urge to flip ahead to "spoil" the rest of the artwork.

This book does exactly what FreeDarko set out to do: tell the history of the NBA in a riveting, entertaining and bring-the-past-to-life way, rather than simply regurgitating stats and facts as so many other history books have done.

FreeDarko's previous book: "The Macrophenomenal Pro Basketball Almanac" portrayed current players in a different light, and brought the personalities within game to the forefront. It wasn't just about players and stats, but about how these players fit within the game itself. This book takes the same approach with players and teams of the past. FD's Almanac used to be my favorite basketball book, but I can safely bet that "The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History" will edge it out as my personal favorite.

Basketball as Imagined by a Room of Trained Monkey Typewriter Philosophers, October 29, 2010
The FreeDarko collective, a group of ninja-clad government agents tasked with researching wind patterns off the coast of Bora Bora, blog and podcast incessantly at [...] and have at turns been labeled hyperliterate, erudite, off-putting and Ernest Hemingway, but never boring. With "The Undisputed Guide to Basketball History," the colorfully nombred hombres can add another title: romantics. They've managed a great galumphing graphic novel of a slightly biased history of professional basketball, and both readers and FreeDarko fans are the better for it.

The fabulously detailed illustrations (some are for sale as prints and, indeed, rise to the level of great pop art) go toe-to-toe with some of the best writing this side of Papa, which is saying something, because the collective brings a lot of ability to the party. Michael Jordan, while looming large (as he must) over the enterprise doesn't dominate the proceedings, which is to the opus' advantage. This one does the collective's previous effort, "The Macrophenomenal Pro Basketball Almanac," (a great piece in its own right) several ones better. Readers are in for a treat.

Most anticipated book in years, October 26, 2010
What's not to love here? The prose is brilliant, if you've read any FreeDarko before, you'll of course know that they could write a book on any topic and it'd be a riveting, interesting and insightful read. By nature, Shoals and co. write in such a way that they make the reader think in new ways and see new angles on seemingly static topics. I never grew up watching Hakeem Olajuwon, yet found their series of essays on him to be the best preseason writing of the summer. Anyone who likes the NBA or reading or art (don't get me going on the spectacular illustrations) should buy this. I personally guarantee a satisfactory experience and a new favorite blog.

Macrophenomenal, October 26, 2010
Do you ever feel a little dumb for liking sports? A hint of self-awareness makes you realize how silly and how much time is wasted on them. Somehow, though, the guys at freedarko make you feel smarter for liking sports. The prose is brilliant, the graphics are worth buying on their own, and the insights are a mix of knowingly over-the-top and understated but riveting. These guys make me glad I love the NBA.

Brilliant, November 4, 2010
Not much to say other than kudos. This is a fantastic book filled with graphics, art, and a short yet insightful history of professional basketball. If you like the NBA, buy this book.

Add this to your bucket list!!!!!!!!!!, October 26, 2010
But I'm in the game live by the game and in the game I'mma die
But if I die or should I say if I go
Bury me in Hiram Clarke next to the Come and Go
Cause tomorrow ain't promised to me
The only thing promised to a playa is the penitentiary
So I'm a take care of my business on the smoo(ooo)th tip
Watch my back sellin crack and pack two(ooo) clips

When ya think about that you say
"it'll be on"
Its a trip you're here today
but the next day you're gone ... Read more

Editorial Review

Eight years of unfettered access, a keen sense of a story’s deepest truths, and a genuine compassion for his subject allow Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist George Dohrmann to take readers inside the machine that produces America’s basketball stars.
 
Hoop dreams aren’t just for players. The fever that grips college basketball prospects hoping to strike big-time NBA gold afflicts coaches, parents, and sneaker executives as well. Every one of them has a stake in keeping America’s wildly dysfunctional, incredibly lucrative youth basketball machine up and running—no matter the consequences.

In Play Their Hearts Out, George Dohrmann offers an up-close and unforgettable look inside the maw of that machine. He shares what he learned from his years spent embedded with a group of talented young recruits from Southern California as they traveled the country playing in elite Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) events. It’s a cutthroat world where boys as young as eight or nine are subjected to a dizzying torrent of scrutiny and exploitation. Coaches vie to have them on their teams. Sneaker companies ply them with free shoes and gear. “All-star camps” are glorified cattle auctions, providing make-or-break opportunities to secure the promise of an elusive college scholarship.
 
At the book’s heart are the personal stories of two compelling figures: Joe Keller, an ambitious AAU coach with a master plan to find and promote “the next LeBron”—thereby paving his own path to power and riches; and Demetrius Walker, a fatherless latchkey kid who falls under Keller’s sway and struggles to live up to the unrealistic expectations his supposed benefactor has set for him. As their fortunes take shape and the pressure mounts—Demetrius finds himself profiled in Sports Illustrated at age fourteen, while Keller cultivates his business empire—Dohrmann weaves in the stories of numerous other parents, coaches, and players. Some of them see their prospects evaporate as a result of poor decisions and worse luck. Others learn how to thrive in a corrupt system by playing the right angles.

Written with incomparable detail and insight, Play Their Hearts Out is a thoroughly unique narrative that reveals the inner workings of an American game, exposing the gritty reality that lies beneath so many dreams of fame and glory. ... Read more

Reviews

A rich, detailed and unforgettable look at modern basketball., September 16, 2010

Very good. The shocking story of youth "pro" basketball., September 25, 2010

Insightful, a book with a purpose, October 10, 2010
What if I were to tell you that if you come with me and read this review, you'll make it someday. I'll do whatever it takes for you to read this review, because that's how confident I am that you are special. Honestly, I've never met anyone like you. You're incredible. We're going to be a team, you and I. You're so awesome. What? Your mom can't afford rent? Done. Helping you means that much to me. I'll always be there for you. OK, yes, we're like family. Every step of the way, you can rely on me. I can get you where you need to go. I have connections. Trust me.

Review:

What's great about this book is that it's not just for the basketball minded. In fact, it's an interesting study in human behavior, people using people to get ahead - only, in part, the people being used are 10 year olds. From chapter to chapter you have to remind yourself that these are just kids. Seriously. The pictures before every chapter helped remind you of that important detail. The narrative does a great job depicting the decisions and scenarios that surround these children at every turn. They're children. Before you know it, you involve yourself in those decisions. But believe me, you very rarely win. Shoe companies are using the coaches, coaches are using the kids, and the kids (rather their parents) are using the coaches. In the end, who wins? Bittersweet wins. College scholarships are on the horizon for some of these kids, that's the sweet part, and there are some real heroes in this story. The bitter comes with the success of the main (adult) antagonist/protagonist that with every chapter aims to "coach" his way into millions. Disliking he and the system he rode in on is the easy part. The hard part comes with, perhaps, finding yourself rooting against his teams at these kids expenses. Yes, he is THAT unlikable. It's not until (spoiler alert) he rather rudely drops them from his life, along with all of his promises, that these kids begin to run into some serious trouble dealing with that change in speed. It's then where you start to really feel terrible for them, regretting having felt angst when they succeeded under his tutelage (if you want to call it that). All the elements in a great story are here, live and in person. There are cautionary tales. There is some coming of age. And, unfortunately for a chapter or two, there is seduction. This book comes highly recommended, whether you are in it for the basketball or not. You'll get incredible access to the underworld of grassroots basketball, provided with the keys to the minivans that once drove the likes of Kobe Bryant, Lebron James and other highly touted phenoms of our generation. More importantly, you're also driving those that fell short, that's the rub. So punch your ticket, take the ride, it will cost you less than a pair of basketball shoes...you'll know what I mean.

Now that you read my review:

It's a shame we can't continue our relationship. I guess we have to go our separate ways. I wish we could solve all our issues but I guess we will have to go our separate ways.

My message to parents and guardians of talented athletes, November 29, 2010
What can be gained by reading this book? If you're a parent of a talented basketball player, it's a must read. You'll learn a lot about the pitfalls of youth basketball and the importance of shepherding your child through this maze of deceit, corruption and confusion.

Hopefully, readers will understand the folly that is grassroots basketball and how it's not necessary in the middle or early high school years to expose your child to the endless stream of games that are a part of travel team basketball. Sonny Vaccaro's advice to Roberto Nelson's dad about being selective about the camps/tournaments a child attends and making certain that young players are mentally and psychologically ready to handle the stress of these events sounds the strongest chord with me: [...] I also appreciate the comments of Ryan Smith, Demetrius Walker's High School coach in his sophomore year at Fontana High: "Going to tournaments all over the country isn't going to help you. What you need is to spend every hour in the gym, working on individual skills. I don't think you should play grassroots basketball at all."

There's no substitute for skill development in basketball. You can play all of the basketball you want, but if you don't master the fundamentals of the game, your game will be exposed at higher levels of competition. Best to strike a balance between skill development and playing the game. Don't rush the process parents! Find a trustworthy coach, who knows the game of basketball. Watch various practices before committing your child to a program. If you watch a variety of practices conducted by different coaches,you'll eventually be able to tell if a coach is organized and has a sound philosophy and teaching style.

Don't sell your son to the highest bidder. So many stories in this book about parents who abrogated their duties as a parent. Chasing the celebrity of basketball is a powerful elixir for both parent and child. Don't fall for the hype!

The amount of rules violations conducted at the college level is to be expected. I'm not naive, but the rules violations and payoffs that are detailed in this book at the high school and travel team level is very disconcerting. How the hell do you garner the respect of a kid when you're paying his mother's rent or putting him up in an apartment by himself in an affluent area at the age of 16. Talk about growing up too fast!

Athletes often talk about the plantation mentality that schools, teams and people have towards them because of their unique talents. Joe Keller, the antagonist in this book devised a sophisticated form of slavery to build his fortune, his American dream. The fact that he did it and is still doing it off middle school athletes with the blessing of their parents is the tragic component of this tale.

Parents, please let your children be children! This book is a wake-up call to parents of young athletes to slow the process down. Don't let your child be "The Hurried Child." If you don't understand the ramifications of "The Hurried Child," read David Elkind's fine book [...] on the consequences of putting children in harms way by exposing them to too much too soon. I hope parents heed my message, but I'm not counting on it.

NOTE TO BASKETBALL PARENTS - I'm a former NBA scout. Rankings at the highest level never mattered to me. All I cared about was a player's game, not a number on a piece of paper. That Demetrius Walker's mind was programmed at such an early age by Joe Keller to fixate on a number is the highest form of psychological child abuse. Demetrius' growth as a basketball player and a human being was stunted as a result of adults prioritizing an "agenda" instead of a long range "objective." It's a testimony to him and the positive adults that he encountered post Keller that he is as well adjusted today as is represented in the Epilogue.

My hero in this book is Ryan Smith, Demetrius' High School Coach in his sophomore year. A young coach with old school values who turned the tide for Demetrius by stressing fundamentals and discipline. That he was Demetrius' accidental coach is just one more example that there is a God. When Demetrius needed a positive mentor at a crossroads moment in his life, out of nowhere came Ryan Smith. Parents always go for substance and character over style and flash when choosing a coach/program for your child.

A must read for anyone who has ever filled out an NCAA Tourney bracket, October 15, 2010
This excellent, engaging book is perfect for both dedicated sports fans and for any casual observer who has so much as filled out an NCAA Tournament bracket. I've often wondered about the NCAA or NBA players I see on TV. How did these young men end up in front of thousands of fans in the arena and millions more watching on TV? Dohrmann's reporting allows us to be present at the creation of these stars and the boys who never "made it." He crafts a layered tale of boys becoming young men - often before they should - and their struggles, failures and triumphs. "Play Their Hearts Out" is an unvarnished look at the youth sports culture and the coaches and parents who both prey on and selflessly support children. It's a must-read for parents thinking about allowing their children to play on a travel team in any sport.

A must read grass roots basketball book, November 26, 2010
"Play Your Hearts Out" is an absolute essential read for all middle school and high school basketball players and their parents who want to understand the grassroots basketball scene and pitfalls. Unfortunately players and parents go through a lot!. I personally know many of the coaches first hand and have had dealings with Joe Keller and my son has been through a lot of the problems and drama mentioned in the book first hand.

This book explains all the issues and all that is bad about grassroots and AAU basketball and what it does to these young boys through the lives of the boys in the book. Any parent wanting to put their son on an AAU team should read this book and it will help them avoid the many pitfalls that will come. The book is true and one cannot put it down once started. I actually ordered the audio book as my son is presently applying for High Schools so extremely busy so we listened to the book in the car and every evening and finished it with a few days and it really helped my son feel a little better about himself as he heard that so many others have gone through what he has gone through.

This book is a true 5 star book and very educational.

One of the best, November 11, 2010
Talented young basketball players face intense recruiting pressure from time they are pre-teens. Many self-styled scouts or agents unscrupulously fish the waters of school basketball courts for likely prospects, hoping as much to connect with their own mega-paydays as the right placement for their young charges. George Dohrmann, a Pulitzer Prize winner, digs into this world of grammar school athletes who face the lure of corporate gold without adequate guidance and advocacy.

Rated one of the top 20 new sports books - see [...]

Thank the shoe companies for the sleeze in youth basketball, November 15, 2010
Just the tip of the iceberg. George Dohrmann, an award winnng Sports Illustrated senior writer, does a great job of exposing the underbelly of youth basketball. You have to feel for the kids who become pawns for the power brokers tied to shoe company grassroots promotion money and major alumni benefactors "donations" to the tax exempt "foundations" of these same AAU coaches and organizations. Pretty naive to believe that all these elite athletes are going to play at the college level for only scholarships covering tuition, room and board, and a small stipend after coming up through organizations where they received gifts, clothing, cars,phones, and spending money, and maybe their mom's rent paid for by their AAU coaches and/or their AAU coaches agent buddies. Sad commentary on how the whole "high level" youth basketball industry - and that is what it is - an industry - has evolved on the backs of kids with dreams of making it in the NBA.

The Friday Night Lights of Basketball, November 4, 2010
Foremost, the book is very entertaining. In simple terms, it is the Friday Night Lights of basketball. The book methodically illustrates the good, the bad and unfortunately a basket full ugly with competitive traveling / grassroots basketball.

A must read for every parent who has child considering, is currently playing or has played for a competitive traveling team You will be better informed, educated, wiser and more equipped to be positive influence in your young athlete's life

Both enlightening & a great story, November 1, 2010
This story must be well written for someone like me to enjoy it from beginning to end. I dont follow college or youth basketball & have nothing in common with mostly inner city athletes. To become so engaged with their individual stories & the inner workings of the business end of youth basket ball was an exposure to a whole new & interesting world. And not being the most voracious reader these days, I'm surprised & pleased how easy it was to follow, enjoy & be engaged by.

Also feared the authors background might cause him to write in a manner requiring a solid understanding of the game. Or that his writting style would be too influenced by his ivy league education & vocabulary; and could make the story difficult to read. not at all...

I tend to be quick to judge talented athletes due to my low tolerance for all the cockiness & arrogance that comes with greatness. I think this story will help me to cut em some slack in the future. There are powerfull influences & forces at work. This book humanizes these guys & tells a wonderful inside story.

... Read more

Editorial Review

Evoking days gone by when coaches were expected as much for their off-court performance as for their success on the court, this unique and intimate work presents the timeless wisdom of legendary basketball coach John Wooden.

In honest and telling passages about virtually every aspect of life, Wooden shares the important personal philosophies that helped make him the winningest coach of all time. ... Read more

Reviews

A "Wizard", Yes, But Also Human
Having once coached varsity high school basketball for 13 years and having heard Coach Wooden speak at numerous clinics, I can personally attest to the authenticity of this book's contents. It correctly suggests both the man's wizardry and humanity. Jabbar and Walton have almost nothing in common except their talent to play basketball and their love and respect for Coach Wooden. He is proud of them but probably just as proud of hundreds of other players (most known only to him, their families, and friends) who are physicians, educators, artists, attorneys, public servants, corporate executives, entertainers, etc. He set very high standards, especially for himself. He prepared for each practice and each game with meticulous care. He hated losing for lack of a maximum effort but accepted defeat (after a maximum effort) with exceptional style and grace. Anyone who has any association with children, especially those privileged to coach at any level, should read this book. And may I add, anyone who feels adrift in her or his life should also read this book. The "lessons" provided helped to win so many NCAA national basketball champlionships; they also helped to develop the character of those who played on the U.C.L.A. teams which won them.

Wisdom from a master teacher
Listen to anyone who speaks about him, or read anything that anyone writes about him, and you will instantly know that John Wooden is truly a national treasure. This book of Wooden's wisdom and life philosophies is definitely on my short list of the best books of all time about character and leadership.

This book is a collection of the simple and direct beliefs and observations of John Wooden, arguably the best (college) basketball coach of all time. Interestingly, very little of what Wooden wants to teach is about basketball. His quick stories, short vignettes, and detailed memories focus on life and relationships with others.

Coach Wooden is a gentle man with the courage and discipline to live his life according to his deepest held ideals, values, and principles. Despite his teams' unbelievable success (10 NCAA national basketball championships in 12 years (including 7 in a row!), 88 consecutive victories, and 38 straight NCAA tournament victories), and his own fame (many coach-of-the-year honors, "Sports Illustrated's" sportsman of the year, a lifetime winning percentage of over 80%, and the first man to be elected to college basketball's hall of fame as both a player (3-time All-American at Purdue) and coach), he resisted the public pressures and temptations to stay true to himself and his beliefs.

Coach Wooden defines success as the "peace of mind that is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming." The book finishes with 30 pages devoted to Wooden's legendary "Pyramid of Success" and another 5 pages of his favorite sayings - 35 priceless pages in a priceless book.

At a time when America is re-defining and searching for true heroes to lead us forward from our darkest days, this book is a beacon of hope and guidance and should serve as a blueprint for making heroes of us all.

Wooden- The Wizard does it again!
I bought this book while visiting the UCLA campus to attend a mens' basketball game. I received "Practical Modern Basketball" from my high school coach as a gift when I began my teaching and coaching career in 1976. This became my coaching bible for years to come. When I saw this new book, Wooden, I bought it without hesitation, thinking that John Wooden's "Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court" was as much a mystery as it was curiosity relative to my appreciation and utilization of the words of wisdom provided in the book I received as a gift in 1976.

My career in public education has allowed me to seriously reflect on my life as it pertains to personal gratification of preparing for unknown opportunities and being able to rationalize with poise and confidence. I attribute many successes in my life to the Wooden philosophy that I followed in my early years of my career. Wooden's, reflections, is an outstanding assessment of what a man of Mr. Wooden's character achieved through hard work, dedication to his own philosophy, and the love for life and people. I have recommended this book to personnel within my organization,to coaches and friends. It is also a great asset for parents who need direction in how to raise their children, basing all dialoge and communication on respect. I truly respect the real value of this book as an asset to my future and my family and my responsibities as Assistant Superintendent of Schools!

Thanks, Eddie Booth, Winnemucca, NV

Not a book about basketball, but about life!
John Wooden had one of the most successful basketball careers as both a player in coach. He also had a strong family life with his parents, wife and kids. In this book, you'll read all his secrets to success that makes him a truly special person of strong moral values and organizational skills. He surely was a great influence on almost everyone he associated with.

There's nothing here about basketball strategy. The book is broken up into 1-4 paragraph anecdotes about subjects relating to family values, organization, and success.

His basic philosophy in winning was not which team scored the most, but whether or not his team played to their maximum ability. He also has some interesting stories about Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

The best part of the book, in my opinion, is where he outlines his pyramid of success. The pyramid is a step-by-step, building block of characteristics you must master which lead you to maximizing your potential and perform at the highest level possible, whether it's sports, business, or family. A must read.

"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."
John Wooden, former UCLA Basketball coach, came together with Steve Jamison to compile a book based on John Wooden's philosophies. This book, "A Lifetime of Reflections and Observations On and Off the Court" appeals to everybody. If you're a fan of basketball, play basketball, or are a father or mother, son or daughter, John Wooden gives his advice to everybody. Most people will think that this book is only about basketball, not at all. If you're looking for answers for any kind of problem you are facing, I'm sure John Wooden will have some affect on you.

John Wooden is an 88 year old who was a former UCLA basketball coach, leading the Bruins to 10 championships in 12 years. He grew up in a small town and has lived a simple and basic life. In the book, he talks about success as a person, personal goals, acting towards others, behaviour, discipline, parenting, leadership, adversity, and numerous other topics - of course including basketball.

This book has made me a better person and a better basketball player. It has taught me that I can learn from experience, not things that I can learn before-hand. It has taught me how to constantly improve and how to always work harder. To be industrious and enthusiastic in everything I do! With that said, I'll leave you with a quote from John Wooden that has helped me improve in school, on the court, or whenever I'm working; "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."

An outstanding work of art.
Quite simply the most impressive book of this nature I have ever read. John Wooden provides all readers with inspiration and a challenge. I only wish I could have met the man. All the people who have been behind the creation of this masterpiece, should be congratulated. It will stand the test of time.

Basketball & More, Wooden's lessons on life
John Wooden is more content with his role in this world than any person I know. But that's easy when you have touched so many people positively. I hated the Bruins until they beat my beloved UofMemphis Tigers in 73 behind Walton's 21-22 shooting, still considered on of the greatest performances in basketball. After that I listened to Wooden as a television analyst and it was inspiring. No words were wasted. Not maximum entertainment. Just pure knowledge for those willing to listen and learn.

That's what Wooden was and wanted to be, a teacher. In this one book, he states his simple principles, where he learned them, and why they are important. Imagine a man growing up early in this century in Indiana in a hardworking Midwestern family. That's what Wooden was and that's what this book relays to the reader.

Don't read this book to get a basketball lesson. Read this book to learn life's lesson and relish in a man who has no ego because he knows that it is a detriment.

I cannot say enough good things about this man and the life he led. This book was given to me by a friend of John Wooden's, autographed and enclosed with his personal business card. The business card contains the Pyramid for success. John Wooden, always coaching, always teaching.

The Plain and Simple Truth
It's just a small little book, how can it be anything more than a collection of cliches? Hmmm, good question. This is all I can tell you: it works. Philosophy often has so little practical application in the real world. Not so with Wooden's message. Read it, absorb it, live it. You'll see.

Ten year's ago I wrote a letter to coach Wooden. He was so very kind to respond. His letter remains on my wall to this day, and the words of wisdom in that letter are within this book. I asked Coach Wooden how you can get players to "over-achieve." He corrected me. "Nobody can overachieve," he wrote, "you can only do the best that you're capable of doing. It's the leader's job to create an environment where the followers can rise to their own level of competence."

That is the key.

Create an evironment where you can become the best that you can be. Follow his words of advice and before you realize it you are within that "healthy environment." Next thing you know, good things just start happening more often than they did before.

Life is hard no matter what you do. Coach Wooden doesn't claim anything different, but his philosophy, which is really a country blend of Christianity, Zen, and a host of other philosophies simplified, creates that "healthy environment."

Short, simple, genius.

Took my game - and life - to another level.
This book has had perhaps the greatest influence on me as of late. I have drank from this book deeply, and read it several times. In fact, when I seek advice, I open up the little blue book and look for something that says about problems. Not only has this book took my basketball skills to a whole nother level, but it has made me a better person all around. I have changed many of my bad habits, and I'm pretty glad I have changed, as many of my friends like my new attitude, etc. For basketball players, this book will get you into it mentally. Before I read this book, I only had the physical talent to play the game, now I feel as if I have a stable mental view and I am in the game mentally. This book teaches you so much, I cannot say enough. Coach Wooden even guides you step by step, pillar by pillar, through the period of success. This book is a must for basketball fans, players, and for the average person. Even if you despise sports, this book contains information on life itself, it's a must for all.

Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and reflections On and ..
I have long been a John Wooden and UCLA fan. Growing up in N.C., everyone was expected to be a UNC or NC State fan. I was neither.

I have owned "They Call Me Coach" for many years, and recently purchased Coach's "Lifetime Observations". While most of the information is similar to "They Call Me Coach", this book reinforces the solid principles and values upon which Coach Wooden has built his life. It contains fewer stories about basketball, and more about life, values and worthwhile achievement. It is another opportunity to gain insight into how this man has accomplished such great success as a person, not just as a coach. For the reader, it is also an opportunity for for self-examination.

Thanks to Coach Wooden and Steve Jamison for offering to those of us who cherish the Coach's contributions to life another chance to absorb the teaching of a lifetime. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Wisdom of Wooden is John Wooden’s final book, completed just weeks before his passing in June 2010. In it he shares his most treasured memories and never-before-seen photographs as he looks back on an extraordinary life on and off the court.

Hailed by many as the greatest coach in the history of American sports, John Wooden is as famous for his personal philosophy as he is for his career achievements. He inspired, guided, and motivated generations of fans with his bestselling books on leadership, values, family, and the true meaning of success.

Coach Wooden wrote his final book, The Wisdom of Wooden: My Century On and Off the Court, in the last months before his death. Filled with his most treasured memories and more than 100 photographs, many never-before seen, it captures a life spent teaching, guiding, and serving others. Starting with his father’s now-famous 7 Point Creed—including “Make Each Day Your Masterpiece,” “Help Others,” and “Be True to Yourself,”—Coach Wooden affirms the principles to true success that helped him become an All American at Purdue University, a winning coach at Indiana State University, and an iconic sports figure at UCLA.

Yet anyone who knows John Wooden knows his record on the court was only part of the story. In The Wisdom of Wooden the legendary coach offers readers a rare glimpse not just behind the scenes but inside the man; not just on the court but in the huddles; not just his maxims but his poems, those he wrote and those he loved; not just the people he inspired, but the family, friends, and fans who inspired him; not just the lessons he taught but the lessons he learned; not just what was on his mind but what was in his heart.

Ultimately it was the life he lived that served as a model for his greatest lesson of all: a deep commitment to family, friends, and faith—the bedrock values of the man we all called, “Coach.”

Praise for John Wooden

“The Wisdom of Wooden has given me the life that I have . . . Thanks, Coach, for your faith and patience.”
—Bill Walton

“The Wisdom of Wooden is a lifetime of Coach Wooden’s ideas on how to live life without sacrificing your moral principles. His life is a prime example of how this can be done--one that we can all learn from.”
—Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

“John Wooden sets an example for all of us by constantly striving to be the best in every aspect of his life. Throughout my life, I have found inspiration and direction in the Bible. Today, I also find inspiration and direction in the words of John Wooden.”
—Tom Coughlin, Head Coach, New York Giants

“One hundred years—what an amazing life. But here’s what's even more amazing about John Wooden and the timeless verities his life has embodied. One hundred years from now they will still be talking about his accomplishments and his approach.”
—Bob Costas

"There has never been a finer man in American sports than John Wooden, or a finer coach."
--Sports Illustrated ... Read more

Reviews

A how-to guide for living an extraordinary life, August 26, 2010
This charming book celebrates the extraordinary life of coach John Wooden and shares the principles that guided him throughout his career. Contents include the 7 point creed and the two sets of threes from Wooden's father, Wooden's own Pyramid of Success, the Pyramid of Success modified for children, and his Sportsmanship pledge for youngsters. You don't have to be a sports fan to benefit from the collected wisdom and quotes in here. His words are simple, powerful, and sane. Buy this book and read it together with your children, your parents, or your grandparents.

The Wisdom Of Wooden, August 22, 2010
I have become a real fan of John Wooden and his great wisdom!!I am very glad that we have his books through which he can share his wisdom with us. I am giving these books to my grandson and some young friends so that they, too, can learn to be a man like Coach John Wooden. He has put his ideas down so simply that anyone can learn from them. His life can continue to change and mold young people for years to come.

WOODEN, October 24, 2010
Can't just have one or some of Woodens's books. He is a teacher and there are life lessons in all Wooden did. This is a book that's style is easy to read but many visuals. Follow what he says and learn. A great summary/

A Legacy in quotes and photos., September 6, 2010
A great way to remember a great man. Open any page for
a memory or a memorable and inspiring quotation.

I thought it was great., July 29, 2010
I thought it was great. It encompasses all of Coach Wooden's thoughts and beliefs combined with his life story. I plan on putting it out for my students to read. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Magic and Bird Together Again At Last

RICK SHAQ GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "YOU CAN HEAR FROM LARRY & MAGIC WHAT THEY FELT WHILE PLAYING IN NCAA & NBA CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
For twenty-years basketball fans have heard and read from many sources what the true feelings of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were like as these two unbelievably competitive men changed the game of basketball. They were so totally different... and yet at the core... so totally alike. For the first time Larry and Magic collaborate to reveal what they "really" thought about each other through each and every step of their game-changing careers. It's like having a split screen with Magic on one side and Larry on the other as they share their childhoods... college... and NBA careers... and even their post playing lives. At the end of each historical milepost the split screen becomes one as both Hall of Famers summarize in real-time... adding comments that are more sage with the blessing of age and maturity.

When Magic and his Michigan State team met Larry's Indiana State team for the National Championship Game in 1979 it drew a 24.1 Nielsen rating, "THE HIGHEST IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL HISTORY, A NOTEWORTHY MILESTONE THAT REMAINED UNTOUCHED THREE DECADES LATER." From that time forward Larry and Magic were forever linked-compared-and-intertwined for the rest of their lives. A mutual hatred breeded mutual respect and in the end a lifetime friendship. Along the way they were universally credited with saving the NBA. "IN 1979 THE LEAGUES FOUR-YEAR DEAL WITH CBS WAS WORTH $74 MILLION. BY 2002 THE LEAGUE HAD INKED A SIX-YEAR DEAL WITH ABC, ESPN, AND TNT VALUED AT 4.6 BILLION." The author's pull no punches as they both admit that starting in the aftermath of their NCAA showdown that one hated the other. After Magic won the NBA championship in his rookie year Bird now admits extreme jealousy. Though neither one admitted it in those days they each followed the others stats and accomplishments like madmen possessed. As some individual awards went Bird's way... Johnson felt slighted. But through it all they both admit this feverish competition between the two made them both rise to athletic levels they would never have reached without the burning desire to outdo the other. And then in 1985 they both agreed to take part in the now infamous Converse commercial entitled "CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON"... and Magic came to Larry's home in Indiana... and the miraculous took place. These two fiery... hating... competitors... started to talk and found out they were very much alike... and their childhoods were extremely similar. And then in the unlikeliest of scenario's they became extremely good friends. They realized then... and now... that their lives were forever interlaced. Magic couldn't go anywhere without people asking how Larry was doing... and Larry couldn't go anywhere without being asked how Magic was doing.

Any true basketball fan will not only share the exhilaration of the glorious pinnacles of the author's careers... but you will also feel the grief as their careers come to an end. And of course Magic becoming HIV positive. The definitive epitome of the friendship that had been born through these competitive games... was when Magic demanded that Larry be contacted and made aware of his disease before it was made public. Along with the accepted fact that Bird and Magic saved the NBA... potential readers will also truly enjoy the coverage regarding Michael Jordan taking the baton and leading the NBA to reach even higher goals. The detailed story telling regarding the 1992 Olympic Basketball Dream Team is a must read for all basketball fans. A scene between the greatest players in the world at the Olympic Village during a game of pool with Jordan, Magic, Larry, Barkley, Ewing... and others... as they banter between themselves as to who "was" the greatest... "is" the greatest... and "would-have" been the greatest... if time had been shuffled differently... is one of the greatest behind the scenes look at these famous stars I've ever come across. It is akin to the stalking of lions in the jungle as they contemplate changing the pecking order.

The rabid rivalry that was Magic and Bird raised each of these legendary "team-first" ballplayers to levels... that in this retrospection... they publicly agree... they would have never reached without the other. It's left to the imagination how much higher Jordan may have gone if he had had his own Larry or Magic in their prime. Basketball is forever greater because of this rivalry... and no discussion of one... will ever take place without a discussion of the other... for all eternity!

The best book about basketball I've ever read

Poignant, Funny, and Real--A Slam Dunk!!!

It's all about RESPECT

Editorial Review

Continuing Sports Illustrated's tradition of producing best-selling coffee-table books for the holiday season, SI presents The Basketball Book, a lavish celebration of the athleticism and pageantry of both the college and professional game. With the same kind of unforgettable photographs and award-winning writing that propelled The Baseball Book, The Football Book and The Anniversary Book to The New York Times best-seller list over the past three years, this volume brings to life the legendary players, the classic action and the great rivalries of the court. In 294 oversized pages, The Basketball Book commemorates the epic teams and characters, the personalities and performances and artifacts that have created legions of passionate fans since Dr. James Naismith nailed up a peach basket and devised the Original 13 Rules of the game more than 100 years ago. ... Read more

Reviews

Sposts Illustrated " The basketball Book " scores again !, January 8, 2008


I bought the SI Basketball book because I had already bought the baseball and football books, and was very pleased with them.. I expected the basketball book to be of the same quality of writing and photos of the other two. I was not diapointed. The book is full of great articles by quality writers, and with many photos by the famed photo staff at SI. If you want a good quaility book, and are a basketball fan, this book is worth the more then fair asking price. The origins of the game to the present day game is covered as well as profiles on the superstars of each decade, is excellent. This is an exceptional book, buy it, it is worth it.

The Basketball Book, December 31, 2007
Great basketball book. Excellent if you'd like to get an appreciation of the 60's and 70's of NBA basketball (as well as current information).

Highly recommended ! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

This is the must-have book for Tar Heel fans and college basketball lovers everywhere.Boasting six national championships and scores of Hall of Fame coaches and players, Carolina Basketball has come a long way from the first season--when the campus newspaper published a notice asking an unknown culprit to return the team's basketball. These pages are packed with little-known stories from the program's earliest days and new insights into its best-loved moments. All the greats are here, from Jack Cobb and the "Blind Bomber" George Glamack to Lennie Rosenbluth, Phil Ford, James Worthy, Michael Jordan, Antawn Jamison, and Tyler Hansbrough. Lucas reveals the meaning of the "Carolina family" and the origins and evolution of Tar Heel traditions that have made North Carolina one of the premier teams in men's college basketball.

These stories are brought to life with more than 200 color and black-and-white photos; a foreword by Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith and an afterword by fellow Hall of Famer Roy Williams; and an appendix of records and statistics. Some 30 sidebars feature first-person recollections from prominent players including Rosenbluth, Ford, and Jordan; opposing coaches like Lefty Driesell; and national broadcasters like Dick Vitale. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Chris Ballard sits down with the NBA’s most passionate, cerebral players to discover their tricks of the trade and to learn what drives them. He reveals the roots of Kobe Bryant’s limitless competitiveness; shadows LeBron James to figure out how he deploys his prodigious talent; and challenges Steve Kerr to a three-point shootout to analyze the mind-set of a pure shooter. Ballard tracks down renowned dunkers to explore the slam’s impact on today’s game, follows Shane Battier during his extensive pregame preparations, gets pointers from a free-throw shooting guru who once hit 2,750 in a row, and attends an elite NBA training camp to experience the pain that turns a prospect into a pro.

Packed with fascinating characters and startling anecdotes, and grounded in the superb writing and the reportage that is the hallmark of Sports Illustrated, The Art of a Beautiful Game is an often witty, always insightful look at the men like Steve Nash, Dwight Howard, and Dirk Nowitzki who devote themselves to this elegant and complicated sport. It’s an inside read on the game that will surprise even diehard fans. ... Read more

Reviews

Fun, informative read, November 17, 2009
It's fashionable to say that pro athletes don't have anything interesting to say. Maybe that's because they're not being asked the right questions. Chris Ballard, who covers the NBA for Sports Illustrated, asks the right questions. Namely, he gets players to talk at length on what they're most passionate about -- the intricacies of the sport that is their life's work. These men are justifiably proud of their tricks of their trade, and they'd much rather describe how best to challenge a shooter without fouling him or block a shot from the weak side than answer the umpteenth question on where they might sign their next contract. It helps, too, that Ballard is a former college player and lifelong gym rat who can convince the players that he speaks their language, even if it turns out (SPOILER ALERT!) he may or may not be able to beat Steve Kerr in a 3-point shootout.

Perhaps best of all, Ballard relates all this insider scoop as if he was one of your buddies sharing a beer. That's presuming that one of your pals is able to get face time with Kobe, LeBron, Yao and company and report back not just with the hard facts but the juicy nuggets and gossip that make a night at the bar so sublime. That's what this book is: the ideal virtual drinking companion for the NBA fan. Bottoms up.

Entertaining as hell, A gem of reporting by a true Insider, November 30, 2009
This book is a real insider's gem of reporting. Chris Ballard does for basketball what George Will did for baseball, in Men at Work. Ballard's tenacious reporting skills, and obvious passion for the NBA make this book a treat for NBA fans (like myself), who want to know how the best NBA players approach their craft. Additionally, Ballard has a gift for getting behind the stars' carefully groomed personas, to give us glimpses of the players' passions and fears (who knew that Eric Snow made a highlights dvd of him dunking in college, to silence the mockery of his younger teammates). I just loved how Ballard tracked down Kobe's benchwarmer hs teammate and nash's hs coach, to gain a sense of their character. This kind of shoe-leather-heavy effort makes it seem that most sports reporters are lazy. Maybe they aren't, but with this book Ballard stands out from the pack. If you like the NBA, buy this book.

Read it and Enjoy NBA Games More, March 1, 2010
I chose Ballard's book over Bill Simmons' better-selling tome to serve a specific purpose: introduce my wife - who has developed an obsessive rooting interest in our local five (the 17-time champion Celtics) - to some of the finer points of the NBA game.

That, it turns out well for us, is a perfect use for Ballard's work. I don't say this to imply that it was beneath me (I am no basketball maven myself), or that it was great "for the little lady," but mean it as a recommendation of the book as a very smart, very accessible look at the finer points of the mechanical and strategic points of the game.

Ballard uses access to specific well-known NBA stars to explain the mechanics of things like the jump shot (Steve Kerr) and the box out (Dwight Howard), and he is able to fit in some anecdotes that never really feel too cutesy.

Between Ballard's book and the DVR rewind feature, my wife is now appreciating the games even more thoroughly, picking out pick and rolls but also beginning to really stretch her legs by doing things like watching action off the ball. That is the way to enjoy the NBA. Ballard's book will help you do it.

The art of a beautiful book, December 2, 2009
I think Chris Ballard has used this book to write from a very unique perspective. The author as fan. What I love about the
book is that he doesn't just dig into questions he assumes the fan-at-large might want to know. He asks questions he as a
hoop fan would want to know. And I think that makes him more connected to the reader. I found tips on bettering my game, stats
that'll sell my hoop talk with friends, and a sympatico soul -- someone who loves the game as much as I do.

Fascinating Insights into the Thinking of NBA Players, November 29, 2009
I love NBA basketball and I loved this book. Chris Ballard does an excellent job covering the quintessential areas of basketball: Pure shooting, rebounding nuances, the dunk, the paradoxes of the free throw, shot blocking and more. He has carefully selected examples about well-known players, past games, and basketball highlights worth reviewing again and again. His spin is not so much on basketball mechanics, but the mental aspect of players and how that effects their performances for better or worse. Reading this book will forever change the way I watch a basketball game. Ballard's chapter on the art of rebounding has made me pay much more attention to those like Dwight Howard, who have honed this skill. It is the kind of book that I didn't want to put down.

I really liked it. Eye-opening & funny, November 13, 2009
I've always thought that NBA players rely pretty much on god-given athleticism to go out and score 20. But this book shows just how insanely dedicated the best ballplayers are about mastering skills like shot-blocking, boxing out or shooting a trey. I mean, they really study the stuff. Each of the profiles - Kobe, Yao Ming, Reggie Miller, etc. - could be titled, "Here's exactly what I'm thinking when I'm on the court. Glad you asked." Players actually love talking about the six different foot drills they do each day, the angle they hold their hands when they push off a screen, etc. And when they open up about that stuff, you start to get a sense about who they really are as people. Well, at least a far better sense than with most of the stuff I read or see about the NBA.

The author, who played college hoops, also engages players on and off the court for some pretty funny personal anecdotes - his story about meeting Shaq on his big, bad motorcycle is priceless. There's just tons of great details in the book about locker room rituals, player rivalries, etc, too. Call it a cliche, but I don't think I'll watch an NBA game the same way again.

Easy reading, entertaining, informative., December 23, 2009
Basically this book takes individual skills per chapter (mindset, shooting, passing, defense, rebounding, etc.), breaks them down by analyzing players that excel in each skill (Nash for passing, Dwight Howard for rebounding, Battier for d) and explains how each of them has perfected their particular skill through interviews, analysis, and actual experience.

My favorite part of the book was the chapter on Kobe Bryant's competitiveness and killer instinct. I am not a Kobe fan but after reading this, it gives me better understanding on why he is the way he is.

Overall, I would recommend this book. It's easy to read and it makes you appreciate the game better.

Finally, a book with more substance than style, December 1, 2009
I never played a day of organized basketball, despite my 6-6 height and a wingspan reminiscent of Tayshaun Prince. Only in recent years, now that my vertical measures the same as a crippled hippo, have I started playing rec ball on anything approaching a regular basis. I just never connected with the game in a way that many of my friends have. I never liked the style-over-substance impression I always got from watching NBA ball. Playing more regularly helps me appreciate the sport in a way I never did in the past. This book actually got me appreciating the NBA game in a way I never did in the past.

I had to read a lot of reviews about this book before deciding to buy a copy. I have zero interest in reading yet another image-controlled, David Stern-approved look at NBA stardom. (If you're on the fence, like I was, go online and Google this book. Read the reviews from the people who live and breathe the game.) Like those guys, I didn't want the same random crap about a player's life off the court. Hell, I'm just starting to find myself enjoying the game on a new level; I want to know why the greatest players in the world love it as much as they do. What motivates them? How do they approach the game? What is the substance behind all that NBA-approved sheen? This book, more than any other I've read, peels away all the crap and carves right down to what makes Kobe so lethal, LeBron so powerful and Battier so maddening to opponents.

I think Ballard is the kind of guy who loves the monster dunk, yet knows when it's just another two points and when it truly swings momentum. There's a difference there that never shows up on those ridiculous ESPN highlights. That's the substance of the game, the stuff I'm starting to really connect with now that I'm playing. And that's the stuff that Ballard brings out so well in this book.

Three words: Buy this book., August 7, 2010
Three words: Buy this book.

Unless you definitively dislike basketball or are just a generally unhappy person, you will be instantly drawn into this colorful and insightful tour of the fundamental skills, subtle techniques, and diverse personalities of today's NBA. Ballard's remarkable access to the NBA's top talents, familiarity with the game, and immediately accessible and entertaining writing style make this the best sports book I have read in years.

Ballard's only mistake was in limiting his sub-title to "The Thinking Fan's Tour of the NBA." While the finer points in every chapter are no doubt informative and stimulating for even the most advanced fan, the fact is that this is a great book for those (like me) who haven't had the time, energy or interest in keeping abreadst of the NBA, but who remember basketball from our youth and hope that the art of a beautiful game is not lost on today's slam-dunk talent. Ballard's book clearly demonstrates that the art is not only alive and well, but soaring to new levels in today's NBA. Even for those who have never played basketball, this book is a winner simply because of Ballard's talents as a storyteller. Thanks for the great ride, Mr. Ballard!

Good, but not quite great, February 17, 2010
A very interesting collection of articles and episodes from various players and insiders that will interest most readers who follow the NBA.

Downside is that much of the articles and episodes were introduced in bits and pieces before, so not many of the material in the book is really new or revealing if you are an avid follower of the NBA blogs and such.

... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Masterful History of Soccer Tactics, March 31, 2009
Outstanding. The book traces the evolution of soccer tactics throughout the world, with recurring chapters on England, continental Europe, Russia, Brazil, and Argentina. The journey begins in England and Scotland in the 19th century, then expands outward.

Wilson masterfully weaves together the stories of some of the most famous teams, the formation they used, and how they played. He writes with the eye for detail of a historian and the writing skills of a novelist. Social and political tie-ins are noted as well, such as the Central European soccer culture of the 1920s and 30's that had strong Jewish roots, the influence of the Brazilian military government in 1970, and of Dutch liberalism in the late 1960s and 1970s and the great Ajax/Holland side.

The quality of his writing far exceeds the norm for sports journalism, whether he's writing about Hungary in the 1950's, the France of Zidane, or Mourinho's Chelsea.

If you've ever wondered about the subtle differences among different formations, such as 4-3-3 vs. 3-5-2 vs. 4-4-2 vs. 4-2-3-1, and the variations within those formations and why they evolved, or for example the playing style of Argentina in 1978 vs. 1986, this is the place to come.

The book dates to late 2008, and includes insights about the formations and playing style of recent and contemporary sides (Roma, Man U, Chelsea, AC Milan, African Nations Cup 2008).

A masterpiece, but a seriously flawed masterpiece, June 12, 2010
This book is admirable for its erudition and its focus on the evolution of tactics from the playing fields of nineteenth century public schools to the present. One really must admire a British specialist who digs into the entire global picture of football and comes up with a relatively comprehensible narrative out of what must have been reams of club histories and match reports that probably contain very little of the information the author seeks. It is readable, informative and occasionally funny. Here comes the "but". Quality really declines toward the end, as if the author was rushing to meet a publishing deadline or simply outsourced the job to a football fan with a bizarre form of Tourrette's that forces him to spout senseless combinations of numbers such as "3-3-3-1, 4-5-1, 3-4-1-2". The next-to-last chapter is completely unreadable. Whereas other chapters developed the story of a single innovator or the situation in a single country, this one just rushed through a myriad of modern formations and discusses sweeping issues such as the disappearance of the playmaker. Another late chapter devotes incomprehensible amounts of space to an obscure polemic between a football statistician and a future England coach. The central narrative is lost completely, which is tied to another central weakness: the lack of occasional paragraphs to sum up the evolution of tactics as the long procession of teams, coaches and players parade through the foreground of the book and just as quickly disappear from view. The title "Inverting the Pyramid" is a brilliant example of this: it sums up an immense amount of information into a neat little compact literary phrase, but that kind of brilliance is somewhat absent from the rest of the book. In short, I enjoyed the book, I learned a lot from it and I will probably return to it frequently after matches, but it really could have used a little more tidying up from an editor (hopefully in a future edition).

Surprisingly Good, February 12, 2010
This is definitely a book for the committed fan but if you are a committed fan, you'll definitely enjoy this book. The quality of writing is very good, well above the level of the great majority of sports journalism, and Wilson appears to be a very thorough researcher. The bibliography is impressive and Wilson deserves credit for grinding through and analyzing a large volume of material, some recondite in the extreme (club histories) and a great deal that must have been rather boring to read (memoirs by famous managers). The result is an interesting, comprehensive history of soccer tactics since the initial development of the game. There are a couple of recurrent themes. Wilson, as befits a Brit, is rather concerned with the state of British football, and the perpetual conservatism of British coaches and managers runs throughout the book. The corollary, the birth of innovation outside Britain outside Britain, even when fathered by expat British coaches, is another theme. Wilson also illustrates well how tactical changes often occurred somewhat in parallel in different countries, an interesting example of convergent evolution. Some changes occur because of rule changes, Herbert Chapman's development of the WM formation with stopper center half being an example. Others arise as logical tactical adaptations, for example, the development of the flat back four or the withdrawn center forward. Some tactical changes are set in train by others. With teams playing a flat back four, traditional wing play became obsolete. Some tactics, like the Swiss precursor to the sweeper, arose because of unique circumstances, in this case, a semi-professional league, and then spread.

There are some real surprises in Wilson's account. Who would have thought that the Soviet Union would host football innovations? In the 1950s, intelligent Soviet coaches were emphasizing aggressive forward play and diagonal runs. By the 70s, Ukrainian coaches were developing the aggressive full field pressing style characteristic of much of the modern game. Usual descriptions of Dutch total football emphasize its attacking propensity but Wilson intelligently points out that this was predicated on aggressive defending, pressing, and playing a high line and aggressive offside trap.

I think Wilson does make one significant omission about something that has influenced soccer significantly in the recent decades - the development of goalie play. The nearly universal existence of big, athletic keepers with decent ball skills is certainly one of the factors that permits the modern pressing game.

The Whole Story, August 6, 2009
This is simply an extraordinary tome. It provides a thorough, dispassionate, yet thoroughly engaging, history of the tactics of football. From the chaos of the fields of nineteenth century England to the modern day Premiership and Serie A, Mr. Wilson traces the development of the beautiful game in each different region with an understanding of how the regional culture created the style of play.
As an American, who played high school soccer in a 2-3-5 in the 1970's, to understand how and why that system went out of vogue in Europe in the 1920's (!) was an eye opener. Further, the implications for the state of the game in the United States and the glaring need for the development of a national "style", for instance a fusion of Latin and Western European tactics, is appallingly obvious.

the dark side of the moon, April 21, 2010
I applaud this unbiased and perceptive analysis of tactical evolution of football. That the East European football has established its own legitimate tradition is unequivocally accepted by experts all over the world. I was extremely lucky to have had first-hand experience in learning coaching techniques from Maslov and Lobanovsky. However, Boris Arkadiev's Football Tactics written in the early fiftes is truly and veritably the bible for any aspiring coach. This book was voted one of the ten best ever written on the subject by the 4-4-2 Magazine a few years ago. It's amazing to read about the mixed (man-to-man and zonal defending), overlapping fullbacks, defending in depth, transition and counter transition group and individual tactics. Unfortunately, neither this book nor Lobanovsky's seminal Modeling of Games and Practices has been translated into English(I have my own English versions of both for my personal use exclusively). The unmitigated passion that Lobanovsky had for "total football" has however generated a lot of controversy; relentless full pitch pressure required radically different training protocols based on periodization and cyclical algorithms. Wilson in his praise for Lobanovsky's methods however, doesn't spend much time elaborating on such crucial issues as player career longevity, susceptibility to injuries, energy systems depletion with diminishing chances of full recovery, and a host of other problems in the wake of "total football" revolution. Lobanovsky's dictum - everything in football can and must be quantified has limited his choice of players resulting in denied opportunities for those gifted individuals who refused to conform to Cartesian rigidity. Oddly, Dynamo Kiev FC switched to zonal defending a la Sacchi only a few years ago, preferring the time-tested libero, and ocassionally experimenting with two sweepers. Lobanovsky's system worked perfectly at club level with the "colonel" exercising complete control over players in a barrack-style environment. For the late sage choosing between the system to fit the available talent or imposing a system on the players at his disposal was no-brainer. It was uncanny to watch the implementation of training algorithms churned out by the late Dr.Zelentzov in conjuction with Skinnerian motivational techniques. And yet, on rare ocassions Lobanovsky's seeming arrogance and imperviousness gave way to manifestations of refined humor and subtle fatalism. Like his favorite toast - Let's drink to the success of our doomed enterprise. The coach whose team had demolished Barcelona with an aggregate score of 7:0 must be quietly chuckling from the bench on a cloud. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The life story of Jeanie Buss could only have been written in Hollywood.
Her father, Jerry Buss, emerged from a childhood of financial struggle to improbably become one of California s most successful real estate developers. Though her life was not without turmoil her parents divorced when she was still a child Jeanie s world was forever changed for the better when her father bought the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979.
By the time Jeanie was 19, she was already a high-ranking executive with World Team Tennis. Today, she is the Lakers executive vice president of business operations and one of the most influential women in professional sports.
But Jeanie s business accomplishments only begin to tell the tale of her incredible journey. In true Hollywood fashion, Jeanie eventually found love where she least expected: with Phil Jackson, the Lakers head coach and one of the most successful coaches in NBA history. Along the way, she s rubbed elbows with everyone from Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, John McEnroe, and Shaquille O Neal to Ryan Seacrest, Khloe Kardashian, Hugh Hefner, and Jack Nicholson. And she s done it all in her own unique, inimitable style.
Laker Girl is the never-before-told story of the Buss family and of one woman s rise to the top in a man s world. It is also a behind-the-scenes journal of the 2009 10 Lakers season, a year in which Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Ron Artest led the franchise to its 16th world championship.
From star-studded celebrity weddings to meetings at the White House to the STAPLES Center court after Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Jeanie takes you behind the velvet ropes for an unprecedented glimpse into the glamorous world of the Los Angeles Lakers. ... Read more

Reviews

Jeanie Buss - the grace of genetics, the dint of hard work, and rolling with Boobah, October 30, 2010
Jeanie Buss started out sort of like the Ricky Schroeder of the professional basketball world, and I know that's a weird analogy. But she took that shiny silver spoon handed to her by her rich genius dad and she worked her tail off and took no guff and exercised her business acumen. As the Executive Veep of Business Operations for the Buss empire, she makes the hard decisions, and she's earned the right to do that. She claims she's not comfortable with the "female role model" label except she's so damn good at being one. Jeanie Buss, in her various interviews and public functions, has never come off as less than engaging and personable and amazingly down-to-earth. In many ways, she's become the face of the business side of the Lakers franchise, and always seemingly accessible. Jeanie has stated that she struggled with writing this book, that she's really not a writer, that it's a bit irritating to her that while it took her around nine months to finish this book, her boyfriend scribe Phil Jackson, well within that same span of time, had sharpened his quill, dipped into his ink bottle, and flourished off yet another potential best-seller. But does any of Phil's tomes come off as warm and engaging as Jeanie's LAKER GIRL?

Jeanie offers such a unique, interesting perspective. As she writes in her intro, "This is the story of a family business in which the owner's daughter is dating her father's star employee. No matter what the business is, who wouldn't be interested in that?" And she's right. This is a good hook. And, it turns out, Jeanie has things to say. Co-author Steve Springer helps her to say them. Phil Jackson himself writes the foreword.

If you're still soaking in the 2009-2010 Lakers season and that unbelievable Game 7 in the Finals, LAKER GIRL keeps you in that honeymoon phase. Alternate chapters serve as Jeanie's diary of this past season, from opening night thru the playoff run to that Game 7 and a bit beyond, up to when her father finally gets inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in August. Jeanie knows basketball, loves basketball, but this book isn't about in-depth analysis of the game as much as it is about the more human, personal aspects of it. Throughout this book, Jeanie's devotion to the Lakers is palpable. And she gives us full access beyond anything her Twitter friends usually get.

Jeanie details her father's rough childhood during the Depression era, and you can't help but note the dichotomy between the life of privilege Jeanie was born into versus her parents' skimping and penny pinching and barely making ends meet before Jerry amassed his stack of greens. But Jeanie is one of those folks who makes the most of what she's given. In watching and listening to her in various public appearances, I've always walked away with the impression of how grounded she is, and I could totally see how she was able to be so successful. Yep, her father gave her that foot in the door, but you can't front on what she's accomplished once she was given the opportunity. She touches on her own struggles as a professional woman executive battling prejudice in a predominantly male-oriented business field. You get an inside look on how she does business, on how she treats people. One thing is clear: She cares about the Laker brand. She loves the Lakers fans, who then gladly reciprocate.

I love how frank and forthcoming she is and the insights she gives us. The most important men in her life get a lot of run in her book. Her dad, of course. And her boyfriend. Jeanie has strong opinions, and she discusses her occasional disagreements with Phil, and she doesn't mince words. She gives you a peek into a side of Phil Jackson that no one but his intimates ever get to see. You see Coach Jackson on the sidelines and he's always calm and stoic and doesn't call timeouts. Jeanie informs us that Jackson is very passionate about the game, that losses would always result in restless nights. There's one anecdote Jeanie recounts in which, following a loss to Dallas, Phil in his sleep rips the pillow out from under Jeanie because he was dreaming that it was a loose ball and he was trying to steal it. When Jeanie told him about this in the morning, Phil was pretty proud of himself. Heh.

For those who think TMZ is a cool thing, there are bits here that smack of gossipy gossipy. Jeanie gives you a behind-the-scenes look at Lamar's wedding and the Lakers' visit at the White House. She talks about her decision to pose for Playboy when she was 32. She touches on her divorce. She mentions Sasha Vujacic's feud with the coaching staff and puts to rest that rumor about the Laker wives hating on each other. She even talks about how actor David Arquette helped a Staples Center security guard subdue an overly aggressive fan. Yeah, this book comes with the juicy.

Maybe it's because I'm an avid Lakers fan, but I found LAKER GIRL to be really engrossing. Jeanie and Steve Springer have written a book that is informative and entertaining. It does give you a feel for what makes Jeanie Buss tick and the warmth she exudes and how real she is. It's been a charmed life for her, absolutely. But she's worked for it, too. She deserves it. For my money, Jeanie Buss is THE Laker Girl. Let me gently push Paula Abdul to the side.

And did you figure out yet who "Boobah" is in her dedication blurb?

PURPLE & GOLD: THE LIFE & TIMES OF JEANIE BUSS, HER FAMILY & THE LAKERS, October 30, 2010
Four and a half ENGAGING Stars! Essentially a Jeanie Buss 10-month wide-ranging and varied journal of "the highs and lows" and interesting trivia in a long NBA championship-winning season that stretches from October 2009 to the Jerry Buss Basketball Hall of Fame induction in August 2010. More importantly, interspersed is the inside story of the business and social acumen of Ms Buss, the Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the Los Angeles Laker basketball team organization and the story of her family. It also specifically covers her father, Dr Jerry Buss, the owner of the Lakers, from his humble beginnings in Wyoming during the Great Depression to a Ph.d. in physical chemistry to the founding of the massive and lucrative Mariani-Buss Associates real estate empire, paving the way to ownership of the Lakers. There is also some inside information on her boyfriend, Laker coach Phil Jackson, "the love of her life" (and answers the question on her possible marriage to Jackson.) She can be down-to-earth: despite being a privileged Laker executive and Los Angeles insider, she travels coach on airlines. There are some inside views, such as: the Jerry Buss-Jack Kent Cook mega-deal for the Lakers (and more) purchase, the Lamar Odom-Khloe Kardasian wedding, the effect of Kareem's leukemia announcement, Chick Hern's influence, how hard Magic Johnson's HIV diagnosis hit Dr Buss personally, the Buss divorce, the Playboy photo shoot, marriage and divorce, that Phil Jackson was NOT in on the trade for Pau Gasol, and information on Phil's coaching future. While there are lots of overviews, the book contains many nuggets that make it a worthwhile, enjoyable read. This is an insiders-view of life (and operations) at the top of the Laker organization, the Buss family and associates, and some views of the Los Angeles entertainment upper crust. Laker fans will love the inside information. And her remarkable saga continues. Very Definitely Recommended. Four and a half INTERESTING Stars! (This review is based on an Amazon Kindle download in Mac, iPhone, and Kindle text-to-speech (using female voice, of course) modes: 31 color/B&W photos.)

A Definite Three-Pointer, December 10, 2010
I am not a Laker fan or much of a basketball fan but this book blew me away. I loved all the behind the scenes stories of what it takes to put together an NBA championship team and all the history of Dr. Buss's climb through the ranks to being such a humble but proud hall of fame owner. You get a wonderful glimpse into Phil Jackson and his relationship with Jeanie. Jeanie and Mr. Springer write with great attention to detail and the pacing of the chapters was terrific. There is not one uninteresting section of this book. I would recommend it to any sports fan seeking a behind the scenes glimpse of a team in action. It is also a book of empowerment. The cover photo and the inside pictures were also excellent. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Drawing on his work with some of the top teams in professional sports, noted sport psychology consultant Gary Mack shares with you the same techniques and exercises he uses to help elite athletes build mental "muscle." These 40 accessible lessons and inspirational anecdotes will help you gain the "head edge" over the competition. ... Read more

Reviews

Well worth the time and the price. If more tactics, better, December 6, 2005
Many readers said that it's clumsily written. I really cant agree so. It's a little repetitive especially in the second half of it. However, the author did quote a lot of real life examples including successful players' personal quotes to stress the importance of the mind on performance. The key message had been well delivered, for sure. However, it would be better if he could tell more on the "how" side, as in page 9, "One key to achieving success in sports is learning how to focus on the task and not let negative thoughts intrude. The mind can concentrate on only one thing at a time. So, rather than suppress what you dont want to happen, you must focus on what you do want to happen or on some neutral thought. In working with the placekicers, I use a distraction technique. I ask them to create a word that, when said to themselves, will block out all negative thought and help relieve tension."

Certainly a good read for aspiring athletes, for leisure and for life. Anyway, below please find some copy and paste of my favorite messages for your reference.

Competition is won or lost on the six inch playing field between the ears. Practice the seven C's (Competitive, Confident, Control, Committed, Composure, Courage, Consistency) of mental toughness. Learn to love the competition. Pg 28

It takes years of hard work to become an overnight success. Are you willing to make the committment and pay the price. Pg 69

Learn how to fail successfully. Hate to fail but never fear it. Learn to view failure as feedback. Pg 80

You cant outperform your self image. - Dennis Connor. Pg 81

Discipline means doing what you have to do when you need to do it, whether you want to or not. Pg 95

The more you hurry the later you get. When you find yourself rushing you are no longer in the present. Pace instead of race. Pg 144

The less tension and effort, the faster and more powerful you will be. - Bruce Lee / The way to run faster is with four fifths effort. Just take it nice and easy. - Bud Winters Pg 145

The will to win is important, but the will to prepare to win is vital. - Joe Paterno / Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. - Wayne Gretzky Pg 155

Excellence for all life's pursuits, April 30, 2005
Mind Gym is one of my favorite books to pickup whenever I need a little inspiration and encouragement. While the many stories and quotes are derived from the world of professional athletics, the book is really about creating excellence in one's life with applicability to any pursuit and any profession. The main theme is that once one reaches a certain level of competency, the level he achieves in performance will be determined by how well he learns to utilize his mind. With this, the author takes us on a fascinating tour of the minds of some of the world's greatest coaches and athletes; their successes, their challenges, and the mental tools they employed to succeed. To borrow a line from the book, "it takes years of hard work to become an overnight success", Mind Gym is an excellent coach along the way.

Not well written, rehashes other books., June 21, 2005
I have just about every book on the topic of sports performance.

I've read others that were more impactful and helpful.

Granted, this book is good if you're just looking for some inspiration that might eventually lead you to results. For immediate results to use on one's game, however, this book isn't it!

As another reviewer said, it's clumsily written. For my hard earned money, I'd like something that I can actually use on my game right away.

If you're a couch potato athlete that only watches a game, this book is probably good. My brother-in-law loves it. He's never played a sport in his life, but is a big fan. For competitive athletes who are more interested in RESULTS and can get their cliches from TV announcers, this book isn't for them.

I'd give it one star, but those who've met the guy seem to like him enough to log onto amazon and write a review. Nothing personal, but I can't give this anything like the rating the others did.

Crippled by one jaw-droppingly awful flaw, April 5, 2009
Mind Gym's theories on sports psychology are not all that revolutionary. Any good coach will already understand the author's thoughts on discipline, preparation, confidence, positive imagery, etc.; however, there is substantial value in the dozens of anecdotes and stories from household name athletes. These examples make great talking points when explaining psychological concepts to kids.

So, until I was almost finished with the book, I definitely enjoyed it. That was until the author revealed that he has all of his clients close their eyes and listen to "Hero" by Mariah Carey. Wow - talk about a blow to his credibility.

If you believe you can overcome this horrendous nugget of info, then you will probably like this book. But if you, like me, find this just too much to bare, then don't waste your time.

Gary Mack, October 23, 2002
Gary Mack is the author of the sports psychological book "Mind Gym." I rate this book with 5 stars becuase I feel that it is at the top of its catagory. For the athlete who desires to gain a mental edge over his/her opponent, there is no better book to shed light on that subject. I read this book while I was healing from a broken back and it turned me around about how I thought about my sport of gymnastics. Garys book opened many doors for me in the way I thought about competition, training, and everyday life. I recommend it to every athlete in every sport because the psychological side of sports is often overlooked. Gary does a great job creating motivation, and better yet--sport and life lessons.

A great book from a great author, August 24, 2004
I had the fortune of knowing Gary Mack personally when I was playing for the Arizona State's Sundevils men's tennis, back in the 2000. All I can say is that the book was extremely useful to me, both in tennis and private life. The bottom line that we can all learn from it is that it's really all about attitude.
May Gary rest in peace.

Clumsily written, cliched, but with a great message, July 10, 2003
I had initially planned to give it just a skim, but then could not put it down. It is full of cliches and hoary coaching bromides, and is obsessed with commercial spectator sports; but its overall, can-do message negates any faults.

No depth at all, October 18, 2010
The author starts by stating how important psychology for sports is. It is.
After this promising start, however, we are presented with chapter after chapter of - well, nothing.
He states something obvious like "belive in yourself" and underlines this with some quotes and success stories from profs.
Great. This does not help at all. I already knew that I need confidence to excel.
No "how to", no in depth tipps, nothing usefull at all :-(

Best one for athletes!, October 4, 2007
I have read several books on the mental game in sports and this is by far the best. I work with collegiate and professional athletes and recommend this so often that Gary Mack should send me a commission!!!

The Most Important Part of the Game, February 12, 2002
As the mild winter weather promises an earlier than usual start to the golf and tennis seasons, I am thinking about equipment, exercises, instructional videotapes and maybe a short "spring training" trip to Florida. But at the top of my list this year will be a re-read of a little book by Gary Mack that will have more impact than all of the above preparations combined. I learned from "Mind Gym" that, for most of us, how we approach our games mentally is the greatest key to improvement. It made a dramatic difference for me -- in attitude, enjoyment and score! ... Read more

Editorial Review

In his more than twenty years coaching the Blue Devils, Coach Mike Krzyzewski has made his program the most admired in the nation, with back-to-back national championships in '91, '92, and again in 2001, and ten Final Four appearances since 1986. Now, in Leading with the Heart, Coach K talks about leadership-how you earn it, how you practice it, and how you use it to move your organization to the top. From the importance of trust, communication, and pride, to the commitment a leader must make to his team, this inspiring book is a must-read for anyone who loves college basketball-or who simply wants to win in any competitive environment today. ... Read more

Reviews

Finest book on Leadership Ever written, February 23, 2000
Perhaps no other book will hit you where you are more than this one. Mike combines life experiences with true nuggets to guide us apply proven leadership and to take our team to a new level of excellence. You will want to read it through,then come back and highlight. The chapter on handling crises is worth the book by itself.

Excellent book in all regards, April 29, 2000
I graduated from Duke in 68 and am an avowed fan of Coach K.However, I've hit a rut in my reading recently, can't find anything that seems stimulatiing or interesting.I was afraid this book would just be another of those "smaltzy" rah rah type of books that coaches(and usually someone else write), but I was happily surprised. It is really worth everyones attention, whether to motivate a business person or anyone on how to live ones life. The usual blah blahing about excellence is pretty much left out, thank goodness, and the book is full of very helpful aphorisms about what priorities to put first and how to lead a wholesome and successful life,even if you don't have a jump shot.Coach K comes across as really honest and sincere.I can't stand phonies and really was pleasantly surprised by the book. Lots of real life anecdotes about games, players, situations and how to take defeat.Truly inspirational from a superb leader. For sports fans, look what he did with the team of mostly freshman this year, way beyond anyones expectations.He uses his heart a lot, but also his head.You can also read and skip around in the book, its not like a novel.Again, his repeated emphasis on how to deal with defeat and failure shows true wisdom, far beyond that of most college coaches. I remember the tonge in cheek defintion of a college basketball coach by a player once."you have to be a little bit crazy to base your career on someone else's jump shot." Coach K is crazy like a fox.

A great book for Basketball, Business, and Leadership, March 28, 2000
I chose this book to read for a business class at my college. The book focuses around Coach K and his experiences with basketball. He alludes to his theories applications towards business some, but it is up to the reader to apply them to his/her own business situations. His theories though on leadership and family are empowering, touching, and entertaining. I highly recommend this book to anyone. It's not just a book for the basketball lover, Duke fan, or business reader. It's a book that shows how one man has steadfastly stood by his beliefs throughout his life. Great book, Coach K!

Inspiring Reading as Intro to Leaderhsip, April 16, 2000
Good book. Good lessons. Resonated well with me because (A) I was at Duke in K's early years and (B) I'm now a CEO working to be a better leader.

Where it excels: While many books say, "do this" K explains why you "do this," which makes the lesson much more valuable. Focuses specifically on interpersonal skills, rather than vague over-arching principles of some Forunte 100 CEO. Gives lots of examples and the fact that I witnessed many of them myself (albeit on TV) helped me understand. Summarizes the points at the end of each chapter (though this could be improved).

Where it's weak: K himself says he wants honesty, so here it is: He needs more confidence as an author and to set his sights higher. It's a "good" leadership/basketball reminiscing book that could be a truly _great_ leadership-only book if it were better edited to spend less time on irrelevant details of some game in 1988 and more time on being concise. Those details are entertaining, but we're business leaders, we need people to get to the point. The publisher probably said it needed fluff to sell. However, I'll bet a second edition with less fluff and promoted more as a true management book would sell more. In K terminology, the "heart" of this book is in its leadership lessons. We've already seen the games.

One other troubling aspect: contradictions. K will talk about honesty with players and media, then later cite a ploy with Brian Davis and "blowing smoke at the media" before the second UNLV game. Those should be clarified.

Either way, I recommend it. Coach, you helped me learn.

5 Star Leadership from the Sports Perspective!, January 16, 2007
Coach K presents his approach for the "storming, performing, and norming" that he performs every season (!) as he takes new recruits and melds them into a national team. This book is a great way to see team building and management from the sports perspective. HIGHLY recommended for its heartfelt, pragmatic advice!

Some great quips (a few paraphrased) include:
* The deal is - there won't be any deals.
* People make rules to keep from making decisions.
* I'm not going to promise you anything. You have to come in, work hard, and earn everything you receive.
* Look for good kids with strong character, not necessarily great talent, but great individuals who are willing to be part of a team.
* Dislike job descriptions, they tend to put people in boxes and hold them back from realizing their true potential.
* Leader has to assess the quality of the team, set the standards, of excellence, and then work with the team to achieve that standard.
* What a leader does now sets up for later. And there is always a later.
* Want the team to get better every day. The rest will take care of itself.
* Change things up; don't do the same thing each year.
* Almost everything comes back to relationships.
* Nothing demonstrates that you care about people then spending time with them.
* The only way you can lead people is to understand people. The best way to understand them is to get to know them better.
* Some feel discipline is a dirty word, it only means doing what you should, when you should, in the best way.
* Fellas, I am the truth. At any time, I can and will tell you where you stand and how you're doing.
* We must be honest with each other, there is no other way.
* A leader has to know who he is, what he stands for. Also he has to say it, demonstrate it, and mean it.
* There are a lot of commonsense advantages to running a team like a family - honesty, strength, caring, but one of the greatest is that you are never alone.

...and check out the book for a whole lot more!

Inspirational, December 4, 2002
I am a high school Athletic Director and Girls' Basketball Coach. I read Coach K's book and had a very difficult time putting it down. I found myself constantly stopping and writing things down. It had so many wonderful ideas, concepts and suggestions on how not only I can better lead my team each season, but how I can better lead the coaches I work with as an athletic director each day.

This book has caused me to stop and rethink some of the things I do. I am currently re-evaluating some of my approaches to working with student-athletes, as well as, the way I lead the coaches in my charge. This book has also reaffirmed that some of the things I am currently doing are good ways of leading my players and coaches.

I do not want to spoil the ideas Coach K has shared in his book. But, I am very excited about some of the things I am currently in the process of implementing in my daily interactions with my players and staff. This book is a must have for every coach and athletic director. It is a must read for anyone looking for suggestions on better ways to lead no matter what their profession.

This book will make you think and generate ideas in your head to make yourself a more effective leader. I did not agree with everything in the entire book. I believe some of the ideas in his book are more related to coaching at the collegiate level and could not possibly apply to high school coaching. But, there certainly is something in this book for everyone. It is a great resource for everyone whether you are a CEO, college coach, high school or middle school coach, or someone unsure of exactly where they are going in life. This book will inspire any of those individuals.

Coach K shares real life experiences. He talks about family, education, friendships, and coaching. He does not preach. He shares his experiences, his successes, his failures. It is an entertaining book as well as educational.

The layout of the book is also very effective. The way the book is set up I can keep it on my shelf as a resource I can refer to at anytime. I plan to keep it in my office and refer to often. I do not feel I can implement all the ideas this book produced in my head in one season. I will continue to use this book to help me become the most effective leader I can be, the best coach I can be, the best athletic director I can be.

I highly recommend this book. I was a Duke fan before I read this book. I have always enjoyed the way they played the game of basketball. I now understand why they play the game so well. I now understand why they have been so successful. I understand why Duke is one of the most respected programs in all of college basketball. They have an extremely intelligent, hard working, and caring individual leading them. He cares not only about winning basketball games, but about each individual involved in the Duke Family. I was a Duke fan before I read this book. Now I'm a Mike Krzyzewski fan.

motivational power, March 14, 2000
Mike is the simply the best college basketball coach in America. His book details the principles he follows in building and motivating college kids into a team. This is not a twilight of the career definitive biography. Instead, it is a book that fans , coaches and players of all ages can enjoy and apply. Heck even Carolina fans can find much to agree with in this volume!

In Serving Each Other We Become Effective and Fulfilled, April 11, 2000
"Leadership is the privilege of making differences for and through others." At least, this is my definition. I have read every significant book on leadership that has been published for the past ten years. I am a passionate student of the very subject that is my life's work: helping others in the business arena realize their potentials for greatness.

At the outset of a leadership class not long ago, one of the questions I asked was, "What leaders past or present would you list as being truly great?" This was after we addressed "why leadership now" and "how we learn it." One individual listed two: Abraham Lincoln and Mike Krzyzewski. I'll never forget that.

I had read Donald Phillips work, Lincoln on Leadership and LOVED it. When I saw that he and Coach K had collaborated, I KNEW I was in for a treat.

I am as big a fan of college hoops,ACC particularly, and Blue Devils specifically (my hometown) as I am of leadership.

There are HUGE lessons in the text for leaders at all levels. I've already captured one and e-mailed it to several leaders in business and industry.

Coach K is to great team leadership at college level what Phil Jackson is at the NBA level. It's all about selflessness and compassion.

I wish the book had been twice as long. I'm going to get the audio for reinforcement. He has many "quotables" throughout that people will want to remember.

It's a powerful and emotional journey that's fun to take!

This is the stuff from which great movies are made!

Leadership correctly, October 10, 2002
Leadership is not given it is earned. I had been trying to figure out what was going on at my company when I came upon this book. This book spells out correctly why my company is not moving forward. Leadership from the heart gives the correct formula for every leader on how to lead and earn the respect of those he does lead. For those who are negative about this book are probably dictators who don't care for those they lead. Coach K does care and he shows how to be an effective leader by leading from a concern for the members of the team and how to create a unity of the team. People who don't think sports has any real life applications, have their heads in the sand. Every great leader I know was an athelete at one time in their life. That is why sports is stressed at the military academies. Coach K has some great stories from his days at West Point. The ability to win no matter the odds and and to get others to perform above their own abilities is something that is best taught in sports and then applied to the real world.

Simply Amazing, May 22, 2000
I am a great fan of Mike Krzyzweski and I just was taken away by this book. Coach K brought out the sincerity, loyalty, honesty, commitment and drive that has gotten him and his team as far as they have come. I felt like I was sitting beside Coach K throughout the whole time I was reading his advice, strategies, quotes, and thoughts. As a trainer, I use his book on a regular basis, quoting him, taking his ideas on team building and developing minds of young people. I recommend this book to everyone who has a team, whether sports or business related. Some people may think that they have the perfect team already, but I assure you, "Leading with the Heart", will make you even better: in mind, spirit, and commitment. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Butler University in Indianapolis became the smallest school in 40 years to reach the NCAA championship game. Prior to the tournament, a statistician calculated the Bulldogs as a 200-to-1 shot to win. But as fascinating as what Butler accomplished was how they did it. Underdawgs tells the incredible and uplifting story.

Butler’s coach, 33-year-old Brad Stevens, looked so young he was often mistaken for one of the players, but he had quickly become one of the best coaches in the nation by employing the “Butler Way.” This philosophy of basketball and life, adopted by former coach Barry Collier, is based on five principles: humility, passion, unity, servanthood, and thankfulness. Even the most casual observer could see this in every player, on the court and off, from NBA first-round draft pick Gordon Hayward to the last guy on the bench.

Butler was coming off a great 2009–10 regular season, but its longtime existence on the periphery of major college basketball fostered doubt as March Madness set in. But after two historic upsets, one of top-seeded Syracuse and another of second-seeded Kansas State, and making it to the Final Four, the Bulldogs came within the diameter of a shoelace of beating the perennial leaders of college basketball: the Duke Blue Devils. Much more than a sports story, Underdawgs is the consummate David versus Goliath tale. Despite Duke’s winning the championship, the Bulldogs proved they belonged in the game and, in the process, won the respect of people who were not even sports fans. ... Read more

Reviews

An okay sports book brought down by homer-itis, January 1, 2011
The Butler Bulldogs of 2010 came within a few inches of a national championship, in a game that may very well have saved college basketball from the doldrums. A little-known program even within its home state of Indiana, Butler had zero commentators and stat experts predicting its amazing run, even when they got to the Final Four. Their season deserves documentation and celebration.

So why is "Underdawgs" such a boring read? It suffers from homer-itis, that peculiar trait in sportswriting where a beat reporter who is assigned to cover the team never gets beyond the surface pronouncments of the players and coaches nor criticizes the decisions and mistakes made by the program because then all his sources would wither away and his ability to cover the team would suffer. A lot of beat reporters do hold their program's feet to the fire (having worked in the newspaper industry briefly, I can attest to some beat writers being much more objective), but David Woods does not.

Someone like David Halberstam would cover the season from a less partisan point of view, engaging the reader not just in the play-by-play but also the personalities on each team, and how the season affected. Pity that David Woods is no David Halberstam; his book reads like a rushed attempt to rewrite game coverage with just enough "human interest" to keep the reader's eyes from glazing over. His focus on players and the coach feels like nothing more than sports-writing cliches from a previous era, when sports stars were gods and infallible. His job is to cover the Butler program, of course, and he has access to the team that a national reporter would kill for, especially in light of Butler's historic run. But he's not able to do anything more than offer platitudes about "the Butler way" and how super-duper-awesome each and every player is. Maybe in the cynical, jaded sportswriting world we live in, his efforts to accentuate the positive could be refreshing. I just feel like he overdid it.

The book about the Butler Bulldogs (and the eventual champions, the Duke Blue Devils) has yet to be written, perhaps dependent on the passage of time to help quiet down the hype and see where the players in this historic contest end up (I'm thinking of the book last year about the Magic-Bird NCAA fnals of 1979). For now, books rushed out to capitalize on the event before it fades from memory are what we have to settle for, and "Underdawgs" achieves that much at least. That it doesn't do much more than that shouldn't be a surprise. ... Read more

Editorial Review

How the seventh game of the 1957 NBA championship influenced a team, a city, and the country-from the author of '78.

On a fateful day in 1957, the country saw the Boston Celtics and the St. Louis Hawks face off in one of the most dramatic NBA games in history. But the score at the final buzzer told only part of the story. Celtics rookie Bill Russell, traded by the Hawks because of his race, emerged as a new sports hero. Boston's coach Red Auerbach went on to become the ultimate winner and builder of championship teams. And the city of Boston and its beloved Celtics had their first NBA championship- and the makings of a dynasty... ... Read more

Reviews

Doesn't shed any new light on the Celtics dynasty, December 14, 2010
I think with this book Bill Reynolds tried to give us a view of how that first Celtics championship team came together. At times he tried to do that, but by and by this is simply like eating two day old left overs. His book on Bob Cousy did a much better job of defining the early days of the Celtics dynasty and he tries to analyze Bill Russell when in fact Russell does a much better job of that. His weakest role is when he tries to examine the relationship Red Auerbach had with refs and players when a host of books, including one by Bill Russell, have done a much better job.

Sadly this is a book which redoes what has already been said and offers nothing new to digest. I would recommend hoops fans select from a wider range of basketball offerings. ... Read more

Editorial Review

For millions of basketball fans in the 1970s, Walt Frazier, nicknamed Clyde, defined the word cool. One of the greatest point guards in NBA history, Clyde guided the New York Knicks to their only two championships with a style and flair that was wholly his own. Worshipped for both his skills on the court and his flamboyant fashion sense off it, he was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987, was named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players in 1996, and is currently the Knicks' color analyst on the MSG Network ... Read more

Reviews

FINALLY back in print!, November 1, 2010


This review is of the new 2010 edition of Rockin' Steady:

Rockin' Steady really defies description, but anyone who has ever laid eyes on the original book has never forgotten it. Walt Frazier remains one of the coolest players in NBA history, and this book was written back in 1974 during his days with the Knicks. For a long time, the only way to get this book was to pay a fortune for it on eBay, but now it's back in print, thank god.
I'm not sure if "Clyde" was the blueprint for characters like Shaft, but looking at the photos in this book makes you think he might have been. Mink coat, Rolls Royce, a circular bed with a mirrored ceiling - Clyde definitely was stylin' and profilin' back in the day.
The subtitle of the book is "A Guide to Basketball and Cool," and you definitely get both. There is tons of interesting insight on guys Walt played with and against, like Earl Monroe, Jerry West, and Pistol Pete, plus good tips and strategies. There is also an equal amount of advice on how to build a wardrobe, how to brush your mustache, how to pick the right girl, how to catch a fly in midair - yes, you read that right - and lots more. It is a wild ride and an amazing piece of NBA memorabilia and a document of 1970s culture.
It seems like everything from the original version is here, including the color illustrations and vintage photographs, plus a new foreword by Ira Berkow and a new afterword by Clyde himself. HIGHLY recommended - if you like 70s style or the NBA, you need to own this book.

A man in complete control of his life, April 15, 2006
Along with "Wilt; Just Like Any Other 7-foot Black Millionaire Who Lives Next Door," this is among the funniest sports books ever written. In it, we learn, inter alia, how Mr. Frazier prefers to keep the interior of his home ("dark, like a nightclub"), how Mr. Frazier washes his face (alternating hot and cold washcloths), how Mr. Frazier catches flies with his bare hands (illustrations included!) and how Mr. Frazier once caught a full beer glass in mid-fall without spilling a drop.

Recommended.

Hilariously self-centered, April 24, 2004
Walt Frazier is a man in complete control of every aspect of his life.

In this book you learn:

How he washes his face (alternating hot and cold water).

About his apartment's lighting scheme ("dark, like a nightclub").

How to catch a fly in midair (employ your flexor-extensor muscles; Walt includes a sketch with this topic.)

Along with "Wilt: Just Like Any Other 7-Foot Black Millionaire Who Lives Next Door," this is one of the funniest sports books ever published. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

STUFF Good Players Should Know may very well be the best book ever written for basketball players and fans. It is conversational and easy to understand, yet filled with subtle insights into the game of basketball. STUFF is page after page of creative concepts, common sense, and special tips that can not be found anywhere else. ... Read more

Reviews

Everything you always wanted to teach, but didn't have time for, January 6, 2008
Coaches: You may try, but you can't teach every principle and golden rule in this book. So give it to them on their birthday's and they might surprise you by making the play you wanted them to make, without teaching it to them. Coach Dick "stuff" Devenzio did.
Players: surprise your coach by knowing and performing what he wants, before he even tells you.
As a player I would have liked to keep this book in my sportsbag, as a coach I would have liked to have written this book myself.

Interesting Reading, September 27, 2007
Although this book is in alphabetical order it doesn't jump all over the place. They try to keep a continuous flow to make it interesting and informative. The best point of this book is to give you a different approach to almost anything you'd encounter in a game.

Basketball IQ: What all basketball players need to Read!!!, May 29, 2009
There are very few books written that encourage increasing your Basketball IQ. I would say that this book coupled with "Everyone Hates a Ball Hog but They All Love a Scorer" will help you see the game of basketball in a new light. Must reads.

Everyone Hates A Ball Hog But They All Love A Scorer: The Complete Guide To Scoring Points On And Off The Basketball Court

A Must Read for Coaches Too, March 25, 2009
I'm a high school coach and absolutely loved this book. I've read lots of basketball books for players and coaches and this is among the best - succint advice that is easy to understand. The book's format is ideal as the mini chapters make for easy reading and re-reading. I bought copies of this book for all of our returning players who are "into" basketball. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is committed to being a better basketball player or any coach who is committed to being a better coach.

One of the Best, January 6, 2009
This should be given to and read by every young basketball player as early as possible. Anyone who doesn't like this book has never coached young players. Very very helpful.

One of the best, April 7, 2008
I'm a basketball fanatic, I love every aspect of the game. I watch it as a spectator, I coach, I ref, I organize, I do whatever to help the game advance. I also read a lot. I bought this book few years back and read it, I loved every minute of it. Every page had something interesting, some piece of advice. I knew most of it, I got a different perspective on a lot of things and a lot of ideas. Unfortunately, I forgot about this book in my bookshelf. I came across last week and started reading it again, it's still as good as it was the first, second and third time I read it. It's something I will likely come back to every now and then, just like some other excellent basketball books. Highly recommended for everyone who loves basketball.

Best How To Basketball Book Ever, January 26, 2008
This new version of the late Dick DeVenzio's classic book of basketball 'tips' has been re-typeset and is much easier to read thanks to his Point Guard College protege Dena Evans. Every player and coach should have a copy of this book. Amazon's price is great on this hardcover edition. I bought the original in 1995 when I broke my foot and was unable to play ball for two years. Now I have bought copies for my son and his high school coaches along with DeVenzio's Runnin' the Show.

The things covered in Stuff are not found in any other basketball book I have read-- things many coaches surely know, but don't remember to teach and reinforce- or things they have forgotten and never really put into words. If you are a player or coach or know one, buy this book. ... Read more