Basketball Books

Warning: This book is a work of parody. If a casual reader were to pick up this book, they might think it was a collection of a certain sportscaster's columns. And given the style of writing, the grammatical structure, the repeated use of certain rhetorical devices, and the obsessions with a particular collegiate program, such confusion would be entirely understandable. But as you read the entries closer, you will begin to see that the writing is not actually by that sportswriter, but is a very stylish and amusing parody of that sportswriter. That said, this will make the perfect gift for the Duke fan in your family. He will never even suspect that it is a parody and will merely assume it is yet another media tribute to the greatness of his school, which he assumes is universally acknowledged.

If you follow college basketball and have watched/listened to Dick Vitale, even once, you will LOVE this book. It begins with a foreword by "Dukie V" in which he promises to provide the average fan with coast-to-coast coverage of the game, equal coverage to all, by sharing his "columns" from last season. He then proceeds, as is real life, to work Duke and Coach K into every topic. Throughout the book you actually hear Vitale's voice running in your mind, as the author has an uncanny ability to capture Vitale's lingo and manner of speech in writing. I also loved the ribbing of Duke as the author demonstrates how silly some of the media's constant gushing over the program is. I can't remember a "humor" genre book that made me laugh this many times.

If you are a Duke fan you just won't understand, but for the rest of us who love college basketball and understand that there are 'other' basketball teams out there you will enjoy this fun romp through the wild and crazy world of Dick Vitale and his rose colored glasses view of Duke basketball. Brian Allen captures Vitale in a rib tickling, fun paraody of the former coach and his love affair with Duke basketball and coach "K".
As a true college basketball fan you will not be able to put this book down until your sides ache from belly laughs. If you are Duke fan...better stick with the real Vitale.

This book is pure fun and should be apprecated by all (even Dukies).

DO NOT read this book at work. I tried and spewed soda all over my keyboard. If you've read the vster's posts on message boards before, you'll see that this is a common problem! Seriously, these parody "columns" are hilarious, true ROFL material. I've read other parodies of Vitale, but none capture his cadence and lingo as well as this. The author does a fantastic job of spoofing Dukie V and Duke all at once. Each column tracks actual events from last season, Duke's worst in years, and perfectly parallels Vitale's viewpoints, from praising Duke's powerful lineup during early season blowouts of nonconference teams to crediting Coach K with his finest hour in coaching an undermanned team when the losses came in the second half of the year. There's also great post-season analysis of issues like the Don Imus/Rutgers affair. If you are tired of the Dukie V drivel or of Duke, or if you just want some serious laughter, this is a great buy

As an avid reader of sports books, a fan of WSU basketball, a native of the Palouse country in eastern Washington/Northern Idaho, and familiar with Jim McKean the player, I was quickly drawn to this book.

Little did I know that it would be so much more than sports, and I mean that in a good way. Perhaps the sub-title, "Growing Up in Sports" is a bit misleading, though it is appropriate. This book is about sports, but mostly about growing up, and in turn looking back on a life well-lived.

McKean, a polished poet, is quite the stylist as an essayist. His words flow oh so smoothly. His insights are tremendous. Whether talking about basketball, visiting an injuried Vietnam War veteran classmate, returning to Italy, growing up in Tacoma, playing for a volatile, yet loveable assistant coach, McKean doesn't miss a beat here.

Certainly one of the best books I've ever read.

i was sorry the book ended...only happens when i read good books! highly recommended for those who like insightful essays, about family life, the sporting life and poetry. waiting eagerly for the next segments .

Home Stand is a remarkable autobio, written with the unimpassioned look of a biographer and the heart of a poet. He creates absolutely no artifice as he takes the reader through his story. What this story has that most autobiographies do not have is bounce, a sense of active recall laced with the energy of sports. This is a must read for all lovers of basketball and all lovers of the finely-written literary piece.

At six foot nine or six foot ten, both figures are given in this book; the author was too tall for most occupations and too short to be an NBA center. Therefore, after a reasonably successful college career at Washington State University and a mediocre one as a professional player in Europe, McKean became a writer and a poet. In this book, he writes about his life and while his involvement in sports is the main theme, many other features of life are included.
The high point of his college career was when WSU played the mighty UCLA Bruins led by Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). As someone who watched Alcindor play in college, I can appreciate McKean's comments on how dominant Alcindor was. To simulate that dominance, in practice players would have three-foot long sticks taped to their arms or stand on chairs so that they could block shots. By far, my favorite stories were about former college basketball coach Jud Heathcote. Heathcote was the long-time coach of the Michigan State Spartans and so I have watched him coach many times. Heathcote is an in your face coach and McKean describes the time when he nearly punched Jud while Jud was emphatically making a point. Supposedly, a player once decked Jud, whose response was to get up and tell the player, "that's the most spirit you have shown all day." Despite their differences, when McKean asked Jud for tickets to a game in Iowa City, Jud was more than willing to comply, as long as "he didn't root for those other SOB's."
The Vietnam War is also an integral part of the story. Like all young men in the mid-sixties, McKean faced the prospect of being drafted and being shipped to Vietnam. He was fortunate that his height immediately disqualified him. Like nearly every young man of that era, one of his shorter friends did not share his good fortune, as he was blown to pieces by a land mine. Being a large man, McKean also faced some unusual prejudice. Some men considered his size to be an affront and felt the need to attack him and once a police officer dismissed an assault because "McKean was so much bigger than the assailant."
I enjoyed this book, McKean is an excellent storyteller and his material is interesting. So many sports books are interesting because they are of the tell-all form. This one is interesting because the tale is well told.

Chris Ballard should be lauded for his wonderfully concise and sophisticated written journey through America's hoops heartland. Chris successfully boiled down a subject of extreme complexity into a an easy to use reference guide that has something for everybody. Of special interest is Chris' reasoned analysis of the changing nature of the sport and his expertise on the issue of basketball as a cultural and societal gap bridging mechanism. Hoops Nation is a rare jewel of humor, anecdotal variety, and thorough research. I'm quite pleased to have discovered this literary treasure and can be assured of Jordanesque status on Christmas day when my friends and relatives receive their own paperbacks. Anyway I can get an autograph?

Having been turned on to Ballard's witty and insightful prose through his frequent contributions to Maxim (check out his article on Russia!), Men's Health, and Point of View, I was ecstatic to finally sit down and read Hoops Nation. While the format does not allow the reader to fully appreciate Ballard's entire literary arsenal, it does nevertheless reveal his unmatched love for the game of round ball. I guarantee you will not be able to put this book down. Whether you find yourself frequently thumbing to the back for one more look at his devilishly handsome photo, or merely get caught up envisioning yourself as one of the road crew, you can be assured of the ride of your life.

Hoops Nation is not just for the basketball fan. As a reader with no previous interest in hoops, I can attest to its universal appeal. My ribs are still aching from laughter and I need to catch up on my sleep. I wait for the sequel with baited breath, now and forever a junkie of pick-up basketball and Chris Ballard!

A must-buy for any basketball player. Hoops Nation does a great job of bringing out the local color of each court. Ballard brilliantly moves from stories about the players to comments on playgrounds, all the while expressing a true love for the game. The best part about this book is that the author doesnt romanticize his travels. He's just a guy who is looking for a good game, and his detachment succeeds in bringing out the unique flavor of each court he visits. BUY THIS BOOK!!!

Here's the drill: hit the road in a van; crisscross the country in search of pick-up basketball,wherever it's played with passion and verve; then write a lively and informative guide to the Hoops Nation that is America. That's what former college player Chris Ballard did. His guide judges the five best pick-up courts in the country, then continues on its full-court press to critique pick-up hoops games in every region. With descriptions of more than 700 gyms, parks, and schoolyards in all 50 states, this is the most comprehensive look at neighborhood basketball ever undertaken. The ratings system, complete with graphic symbols, covers such criteria as type of court (indoor or outdoor), level of competition, court quality, rough play, dangerous areas (only exceptional pick-up games in dangerous areas are included), and the regularity of female players. But this is so much more than a field guide. Ballard relates basketball lore and myth from all over the country, profiles pick-up legends, and, for rookies, covers tips on etiquette and basic play. Whether looking for a good game when out of town or just curious about hoops in other places, this fun and useful guide will put visions of jump shots in your head and get the adrenaline pumping.

It had a good story behind it and it explained his life very well but it just kept going on and going on. It made me tired to read that book.

i thougt that this was a great book for any fan of muggsy bogues, or basketball itsself. if you are a fan of muggsy and do not already have this book, you should definately but it. it all the facts you need to know and great up-to-date pictures. this is a great atleast 5 star book. The main reason i liked this book so much is because i am a long time fan and it told me things, or facts that i had never known about the great muggsy bogues. all the information is great, and correct. also, the chapters have very catchy titles, and you will never get bored of this book. i would like to give mad props to muggsy, of course, and the author for making such a great book.

inspiring story. Entertaining and captivating. Muggsy tells a riveting story of challenges and triumphs! Great for adults and a must read for youths!

This is a really good book about a basketball player who overcame his great height disadvantage to become an NBA superstar. This book takes you through the basketball career of Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues. All his life he was shorter than everone on the basketball court. Can you imagine how it's like playing in the NBA when you are on average about 1.5 feet shorter than every one else? That's how Muggsy Bogues has played for his whole life.

Yet he persevered and overcame his height. His basketball career was by no means all easy and problem-free, and many people doubted that someone who was 5'3 could play basketball with guys who were 7 foot tall. But in this book Muggsy shows that height doesn't determine whether or not you can play basketball. Heart and skill are what determine how well you play. From his wonderful high school basketball days to his terrible rookie year days in the NBA, the reader sees how Muggsy overcame his height to become a great point guard. His assist and stealing ability proved vital to the success or the Hornets. You have to admire the little fella'.

At Last!!! A basketball player's persceptive about inner-city basketball Chicago-style. Not a sports writer's outsider point-of-view but from a sports aficionado who "played the game in the trenches" with many of Chicago's all-time greats. A must read for true Chicago basketball junkies and historians alike. Calvin Davis not only gives us an in-depth historical lesson of the roots of Chicago basketball, but also allows us to relive the glory years of hoops in the city during the 70's and 80's. After reading this book you will be equipped to talk water-cooler, barbershop, standing on the street corner reminiscing about back-the-day hoop memories with the best of them. Look forward to many more volumes to come!!!

Mr. Davis captures the essence of Chicago's basketball culture in an informative and entertaining way. Not just facts, but this book gives you a sense of the attitudes and atmosphere that were prevalent in Chicago's basketball culture. A comprehensive history of basketball in Chicago, enhanced with the social role that basketball played in the neighborhood and the role that basketball played in forming young men's lives. This book gives a good overview of Chicago "old school" basketball, which is a major part of the foundation of the mega-million dollar, international basketball industry of today. A joy to read for any basketball enthusiast, especially those who grew up in the inner city. "Inner City Hoops" should be required reading for the young men and women playing high school basketball today.

The author really exhibits a love of the game combined with great respect for the players. He goes back to the turn of the century and educates us all about how basketball has evolved over the past 100 years. It is very educational, as the history will benefit both young people and basketball fans alike. The writing has an unmatched connection to the inner city, and shows how communities come together when sports activities are organized the right way. The book also highlights hows sports can be used as an avenue for not only playing professionally, but as an avenue for upward mobility. The success stories were amazing. Calvin Davis gets 5 stars from me, and I just cannot wait for volume II. This is a very very unique publication. I could not put it down because it was so stimulating. Some of the information gave me chills. This inner city perspective from the person who lived it is something very special indeed.

The author portrays a realistic view of the history of Chicago basketball. The author discusses the evolution of basketball on the southside of Chicago. This s a must read for basketball fans and Chicago fans.

If you love basketball you are going to enjoy this book. It's a play by play of a championship team, their trials, tribulations, and trophy.

I bought the book just because I am a fan, but I am very pleased with its overall quality. It's a well-made hardcover book with durable sewn binding. Printed on thick, glossy paper, the large color photographs look bright and extremely sharp. The book includes Woody Durham's broadcast on 2 CDs. The book is not organized into game-by-game stories like the News and Observer's book. Instead, it has two main sections. First is a section of essays on various topics like "Workdays in Maui," "Senior Day," and "Two Steps to St. Louis." Second is a section of essays by all five members of the coaching staff and eight of the regular players. The book also includes an essay by Dean Smith, a record of the season, and list of awards and honors.

Instead of a game by game retelling, the book is more in story format. It's very well done.

There are two great things about this book. The first being the freshness of the information. When a team wins a championship, the win is almost covered to death so to speak, so I was definately pleasantly suprised when the book contained many stories that I had not yet heard. Secondly, and probably the best thing about the book was the complete Tarheel Sports Network radio broadcast of the Championship game and the post-game press conferences. This book is a must for any Tarheel fan, and the CD is something you will listen to over and over.

worth the $. it talks bout me

Very Detailed&Right On Time for the Laker Fan.you can't Miss with this Book.a Great Overview&Some trip out stuff.

I learned a lot about the Lakers I did not know before

This book is perfect for all Lakers fans. It contains interesting facts that even the most dedicated fans would have trouble knowing. There are also many excellent and detailed photos.

I recently moved the rest of my things out from my parents' house to my home in Amsterdam, and have been enjoying re-reading the books from my youth to see which ones are keepers. This one is a keeper.

_My Sister Mike_, written in the early sixties, is a young adult romance which features the adventures of a athletic young basketball playing girl nick-named Mike, who suffers from having a younger, attractive cheerleading sister. Mike determines to make herself more feminine when she discovers that her date with her dream boy was engineered as part of a hazing so that he could join an exclusive club. With the help of her sister, Mike learns to remake herself a bit and hold boys' attention while still being her athletic self.

I'll own that the message in the book is perhaps not the best one for young girls, but it's certainly a better message than most of the books of its era. I read it when I was around ten, and haven't touched it since that time, but in re-reading it I found that it had made a powerful impression. I discovered that I could recite sentences nearly verbatim and I realized how much of this book had stayed with me over time. So the least that can be said of it was that it certainly engaged a young girl's interest. As an adult, I found it far better written than most of its genre and it was still a quick and entertaining read. It's also a decent look at a period where ideas about being a woman were about to go into rapid transition, and the tension of the early sixties was evident behind the text.

While it might not hold up to today's politically correct world, I think this book has alot to offer. It was one of my favorites as a child and I enjoyed seeing how my preteen enjoyed it just as much. Society puts so much emphasis on how a person looks and the message still holds up.

This was always one of my favorites as a young girl. Yes, things have changed quite a bit since it's been written but,the writing is still excellent. I'd still recommend it for young girls to, at the very least, help them understand how things were when we were growing up.

I recently moved back home, and started digging through my books. Lo and behold, I found an old, tattered copy of "My Sister Mike." I re-read it fondly, and it really is a fantastic book. Keep in mind that it was written in the 50s, so it does not present the most forward thinking viewpoint for a young girl, but all in all it was one of my favorites growing up.

This book explains several of what the author calls "power patterns" for building an effective offense. Nagle provides step-by-step diagrams and step-by-step instructions for running each of the patterns. One highlight is that the book includes patterns used to attack man-to-man defenses, zone defenses, and other patterns that can be used against both types of defenses, so there is something here for every coach, particularly the inexperienced. There are also chapters devoted to delay offenses, inbound plays, early offense (transition), and press break. The book exudes a cheerful confidence in all of these various patterns, in part because Nagle has successfully used these patterns in his coaching career.

I did find a few of the patterns to be rather complex for a high school team to execute. Many of the patterns require a lot of reading and reacting my screeners, cutters, and passers, requiring hours of intense instruction and repetition. Teams that are weak in basketball fundamentals may find these patterns difficult to execute. On the other hand, several patterns struck me as being effective scoring options, either as a stand-alone offense or if run as an occasional set play. Just as the patterns require a fundamentally-sound offensive team to execute them, these patterns will exploit defenses that lack proper technique and positioning. There is lots of screening and precise, controlled movements in these patterns, all calculated to exploit lapses in defensive positioning and concentration.

I deduct a star because the book could be improved with better organization of the material. To start, a better approach would have been to organize the book by the various defenses that each pattern is geared to attack. As the book is organized now, the reader flips from one chapter to the next, not knowing whether the next pattern to be explained will be one that attacks a man defense, an odd-front zone defense, an even-front zone defense, etc. I also found it annoying to have to read the explanation for a certain pattern when the diagram was actually on the next page over, so that I would have to continually flip back and forth to link the information. This book should have been printed on bigger pages, large enough to accomodate 3 or 4 large diagrams and accompanying next. At 186 total pages, I sometimes felt like I was reading a novel.

Nevertheless, these are minor quibbles. The book is solid.

I am a high school/college teacher in the school of education. This book was a valuable teaching tool for every student in my classes. Easy to read and understand, yet full of basketball offenses, drills, patterns, stories. An excellent basketball book for beginners as well as experienced coaches and players. I recommend this book for all ages, boys and girls alike, and anyone who wants to know more about the offensive strategies of basketball. Drills galore to make your practices the best ever. Tell a friend and buy this book!

Great book of basketball patterns. Excellent content. A basketball coaches dream.

This book contains everything a coach needs to know, from basic drills to coaching techniques to game situations to sound offensive basketball philosophy. Recommended for the novice coach all the way up to Phil Jackson of the Lakers! Easy reading with very understandable text, diagrams and philosophy behind the strategy. A "must read" for high school and college coaches alike. Coach Nagle writes like he must have coached - with tremendous passion for the game! After reading this book, I felt like I could coach an NCAA championship team! My only regret is that this coach/author did not write more books on basketball. A great gift for anyone associated with basketball on any level. As a life-long coach and parent, I highly recommend this book for men and women alike. I will be quite surprised if, after reading its contents, you don't come away as impressed as I was. Simply outstanding from cover to cover! Easily the best basketball coaching book on the market (and I've read them all). Superior! I gladly give Coach Nagle and his book "5 stars."

The characters in the story grow on you throughout the book. The become real and their problems become real. When the book is finished, you want more. It is excellent and for teachers who teach in the Middle School and High School your students will love this book. In the school in which I teach, the book hardly stays on the shelf. The personal story of a boy who wants disparately to be a part of a basketball team but he must overcome obstacles, one of which is prejudice. A delicate subject handled extremely well by the author.

Heart-thumpingly terrific! Fast-paced court action, and solid, credible off-court high school experiences. Krech knows kids. A real winner!

Bob Krech's REBOUND tells of basketball dreams, a Polish boy's determination to fight prejudice to make the team, and a new coach who allows him to compete. As Ray's game improves he uncovers truths about prejudice and appearances which will change his life in this satisfying story of sports interactions and change.

Ray Wisniewski is growing up in the Polish-American town of Greenville, New Jersey. His game is basketball, but he is in the minority. All the black kids play basketball. Ray's supposed to be into wrestling like the white kids.

Basketball - Ray lives and breathes basketball. He plays pick-up games and organized ball, whatever kind of game he can rustle up. His only disappointment is that he has never been able to make the varsity team. He tries out and plays his best, but Coach Malovic never picks him. Finally, during Ray's senior year a new coach is hired, and Ray is suddenly one of the starting five.

Another surprise is the attention Ray is getting from the cutest and most popular girl in school, Stacy. He never considered even talking to her -- much less dating her -- but his luck is changing. It isn't until his first date with Stacy that Ray begins to realize that some people are bothered by the fact that he has perhaps crossed some sort of line by playing basketball instead of choosing the more "white" path of joining the wrestling team. Even Walter, his best friend, seems to be keeping his distance.

Early on, REBOUND is non-stop basketball action. Bob Krech shows Ray playing constantly in an effort to make the high school team. As the book progresses, another dimension begins to appear -- prejudice. Racial tension begins to rear its ugly head between players, friends, coaches, and parents. Ray finds out that not everyone is happy with just basketball and the competition on the court. The real world and its sometimes hateful nature cast a shadow over his success.

Readers who enjoy good basketball play-by-play action will be hooked at the beginning of REBOUND. Hopefully, they will connect with Ray as a person, too, and stick around to see what lurks beneath the surface of the basketball action.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"