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Archive for October, 2008
October 21, 2008 at 5:05 am · Filed under Basketball Books
Duke basketball is one of the most celebrated programs in intercollegiate athletics. With fourteen Final Four appearances and three national championships for the men’s teams and four Final Four appearances and five ACC championships for the women’s teams, the Blue Devils have established a worldwide reputation for excellence and have inspired the fierce devotion of generations of fans.
The Encyclopedia of Duke Basketball is the ultimate reference source for true-blue fans, with profiles of great games, classic finishes (both wins and losses), and compelling personalities, including players, coaches, and opponents. While it is filled with a wealth of statistical information, the Encyclopedia goes well beyond the numerical record to deliver insights on people and performances and anecdotes that will surprise even the most seasoned Duke supporter.
The Encyclopedia features:
— A timeline of key events in men’s and women’s basketball history.
— Capsules of the most important men’s and women’s games in the program’s history, including the men’s buzzer-beating overtime win against Kentucky in 1992 and the women’s stunning victory over Tennessee to reach the Final Four in 1999.
— An alphabetical encyclopedia with entries on players from Alaa Abdelnaby to Bill Zimmer and on coaches, customs, opponents, venues, and records.
— Exclusive interviews in which standout players, including Danny Ferry, Mike Gminski, Grant Hill, Christian Laettner, and Jason Williams, recount moments they’ll never forget.
— A statistical record book covering every season through 2005–06.
—130 photographs of Duke basketball history.
A source of entertainment as well as information, this volume will be a great resource for fans hoping to settle arguments, relive favorite games, or simply enjoy hours of pleasurable reading.
Customer Review: Spectacular collection of facts and lore. A must-have for Duke fans.
This is the greatest collection of Duke basketball facts and lore of all time. An unbeatable resource -- a must have for Duke fans.
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October 19, 2008 at 4:20 pm · Filed under Basketball Books
Tenacious and technically sound defense is what makes the top women's basketball teams and players stand out from the crowd. WBCA's Defensive Basketball Drills offers a superior collection of defensive drills and strategies to help your team shine in this key facet of the game.
WBCA's Defensive Basketball Drills contains 92 drills and strategies selected by top collegiate coaches throughout the United States. You'll receive advice from legendary coaches of today, including Tennessee's Pat Summitt, Old Dominion's Wendy Larry, Georgia's Andy Landers, and Notre Dame's Muffet McGraw.
The drills are designed and organized to teach specific aspects of individual as well as team defense. Detailed diagrams and clear instructions in an easy-to-follow format will help you execute beneficial drills and conduct more effective practice sessions.
WBCA's Defensive Basketball Drills is the perfect complement to the WBCA's Offensive Basketball Drills book. Use both books and become fundamentally sound on both ends of the court.
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October 19, 2008 at 10:30 am · Filed under Basketball Books
The fourth edition of Coaching Youth Basketball stresses fun, safety, and effective instruction, helping you create an environment that promotes learning, helps your kids enjoy their basketball experiences, and motivates your athletes to come out year after year.
Numerous coaching books present the skills and drills of basketball. But here's a book that teaches you how to convey these skills to your athletes in an engaging and positive manner. Coaching Youth Basketball's focus on teaching offensive and defensive skills through gamelike activities sets it apart from the current lineup of basketball coaching books. And, it's the only one written with the expertise of USA Basketball's Don Showalter.
The fourth edition includes new activities and age-specific coaching tips that are sure to jump-start your practices, all in a reorganized format geared for sequential learning and quick reference.
The expertise of USA Basketball combined with essential coaching skills like communicating with parents and officials, motivating players, and preparing for games and practices make this book a must-read as you prepare to meet the challenges and enjoy the rewards of coaching young athletes.
Customer Review: Youth Basketball Coach's Primer...Fundamental and Flexible
I picked up this book last night at a local library, hoping to find one or two new drills for my 6th Grade Girls basketball team. From the look of its cover, I expected that the focus would be on "beginner level" coaching and player development, such as how to dribble, shoot, and defend. Although the book started slowly, with explanations of coaching philosophies and how to work with children (valuable information,of course), I was pleased to find a series of drills and skill development tools that I could use at the 6th Grade level. The drills were coded as appropriate for "Beginner", "Intermediate", and Advanced" levels of play, with several of them building on the prior in such a way that when you, as a coach, have different skill levels on your team, you could use whichever level was appropriate for the player(s) working on the skill/drill. There are also a number of practical sections on "Error Detection and Correction" that can help coaches identify when skills need some "fine tuning" with recommendations as to how to go about it within the framework of the skill/drill being taught. I would recommend this book to other coaches looking for simple, yet effective methods of instructing basketball fundamentals for players at different levels of skill and understanding of the game.
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October 17, 2008 at 3:08 pm · Filed under Basketball Books
"Inner City Hoops", A Historical Account of Chicago Basketball is a unique publication. Both basketball junkies and social historians will enjoy the content. You will read about the top sixty basketball players in the history of Chicago.
The author gives readers a first hand look at what it's like to grow up in the inner city and make the most of the opportunities that present themselves through sports and education. This account gives you the view of the person who actually lived the inner city experience in Chicago. The reader sees a real-life view through the eyes of Calvin Davis, who gives this historical account along with his personal story. It will be exciting to learn how Chicago basketball has evolved over the past one hundred years, and how it has served as an avenue for upward mobility. This work of contemporary history gives the view of respected basketball historian Dr. Larry Hawkins, who speaks about the "Golden Triangle" where basketball talent in the city of Chicago was developed in the 1920s and 1930s. Sports Researcher, Robert Pruter who wrote the article about Early Phillips Teams indicated that "The Golden Triangle" allowed future basketball phenoms to develop their outstanding basketball skills which would change the face of basketball in the inner city in the years to come. You'll read about community spirit and growth, as well as indifference to racism. The Bronzeville neighborhood on the inner south side of Chicago and the near west side neighborhoods were the places where African Americans from the southern states migrated approximately 35 years after the civil war. This influx of African Americans led to Phillips High School becoming the first black high school in Chicago in the 1920's. The author, Calvin Davis grew up in Bronzeville more than 40 years later and sharpened his basketball skills at all 3 parts of the Golden Triangle. Calvin talks about his time as a member of the notorious Jr. Trotters, the city of Chicago's first traveling AAU type all star team of the modern era. You will read about the famed 2-2-1 press they employed that hunted down opposing ball handlers until they wilted from the relentless pressure, and how they beat any team, any time, any place, and anywhere. You'll also read about the success stories that were a result of the opportunities created, and the discipline learned in basketball that carried over into life skills. A large number of Jr. Trotters went on to not only College, NBA and European League basketball careers after college, but also to a variety of Professional Occupations. Many of them continue to give back to their communities today. In Calvin's case, after leaving the Trotters, he continued as an Honor - Student-athlete at Dunbar High on Jim Foreman's basketball team. He became a Scholarship Basketball Player at William Penn University, a Teacher in the Chicago Public Schools, an Elementary and High School Basketball Coach, a Citywide Sports Coordinator, a School Administrator, the Director of Sports Administration, Driver Education and Facilities for the City of Chicago's Public Schools, and now the author of "Inner City Hoops", a History of Chicago Basketball. The Bronzeville area in Chicago was the first home for many black families from the south and served as a home for many successful athletes. Basketball has been a springboard not only to the NBA, but to college scholarships and professional occupations for individuals like Calvin and countless others. The history in this book will expand the knowledge of readers, and provide enjoyment as well. The book was designed to be written as if a general basketball conversation is being held. As you read about the individual exploits of players, you'll feel the respect the author has for their talents along with his love for the game.
Customer Review: Inner City Hoops
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!!!
Customer Review: Informative and entertaining
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.
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October 17, 2008 at 2:06 am · Filed under Basketball Books
Here's the guide for current and prospective coaches that covers every aspect of effectively coaching youth basketball: teaching good sportsmanship, running an effective practice, coaching to a player's age and skill level, teaching offensive and defensive skills and drills, rules of the game, executing winning plays and strategies, dealing with parents.
Customer Review: packed with essentials
I love this book; I'd carry it with me to practice but for the title. Well done, coverage of topics perfect.
Customer Review: Good book; a bit wordy
"Complete Idiot" may be off-putting to some, but this book does cover a lot about coaching children, and basketball. It is especially helpful to those that lack experience working with kids' teams. I found it a little light on comprehensive basketball basics, but the history was interesting. Haven't checked out completing books, so I don't know how it compares to others in the marketplace.
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October 15, 2008 at 2:48 pm · Filed under Basketball Books
The roundball revolution continues, and John Hollinger is El Jefe. With the Pro Basketball Forecast, Hollinger takes an in-depth and insightful look at the game. Downplayed are all the per-game statistics; in their place are points, rebounds, and assists per forty minutes. Hollinger also examines how many possessions each player uses and what percentage of his team's rebounds he collects. Why? Because teams use players in different ways, and comparing everyone on an even scale makes much more sense.
When is a player averaging ten points a game more valuable than one averaging fifteen? How about if he plays twenty minutes to the latter's forty and plays for a team that walks the ball up the court instead of fast-breaking? If he's given a starting position or traded to a new team, he could "unexpectedly" break out-unexpected to everyone but Forecast readers, that is. Hollinger shows you which players, given more time or a fresh start, can ratchet their game up to all-star levels. He also shows which ones are scoring more than their backups solely because of proportion of time and should find themselves on the bench more this year.
On top of all this, Hollinger also continues to improve his groundbreaking method of valuing a player's personal defense and sharpens his projections for regulars, offering predictions for the forthcoming season. Hollinger adds his thoughts on every team-where they've been and where they're going-as well as a discussion of every player and draft pick. You may watch hoops, but you haven't seen everything until you've seen the Forecast.
Customer Review: This book is amazing!
Similar to Pro Football Prospectus 2005, this book is FULL of revolutionary statistics AND opinion based on those stats. Who cares if the author prefers the Cavs, that's a prediction, and this book contains so much pertinent data that it doesn't matter who he picked . . . this book is ideal for any basketball fan who is tired of the usual points, rebounds and assists (per game) that you are used to seeing for the last 30-40 years.
Customer Review: There should be more books/annuals like this
In the past, I always enjoyed the Bill James Baseball Abstract annuals. These days, in each of the three major sports, there are quality annuals that try to follow in James's path. Baseball Prospectus, Pro Football Prospectus and John Hollinger's Pro Basketball Forecast. These are all annuals that look at the game from an intelligent, statistical standpoint. It's not all numbers though - it's the numbers that he uses to tell the story of a team or player. Having read Hollinger's previous annuals, I'm getting used to his style and some of the stats that he came up with. He's not afraid to give an opinion, even a very negative one...and that is GREAT for the reader! I will continue to pick up his annuals before the start of every basketball season. Leave the annual basketball magazines alone, and pick up this one. It's more expensive but more than worth the price compared to those magazines.
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October 14, 2008 at 1:44 pm · Filed under Basketball Books
Customer Review: Small Town Life
Off The Rim is, in my opinion, better than last years's "To Hate Like This Is To Love Forever." Both the author and I grew up in small towns in North Carolina in the fifties, and I could see my town and my friends on every page.
Customer Review: Off the Rim
I recommend this book to anyone who grew up playing basketball in the 1950s and 1960s. This is a fascinating story of the rural south and the fervent culture that developed around college basketball.
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October 13, 2008 at 6:37 pm · Filed under Basketball Books
Larry Bird, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the three years 1984–1986 and the Boston Celtics’ star since 1979, shares his insights on one of America’s favorite games. Now completely updated to include statistics and photographs from the 1987-88 season, Bird on Basketball puts fans right on the court. With over 100 dramatic action photos, charts, and diagrams, this how-to guide covers all the building blocks of the game—passing, shooting, defense, dribbling, and rebounding—from a champion’s point of view. But as every fan knows, Larry Bird doesn’t just play basketball—he wins. Bird pounds the boards, charges fearlessly to the hoop, and plays a bruising brand of defense. Yet his true strength is his mastery of the game’s subtle elements. In Bird on Basketball he emphasizes the little things that add up to big victories with tips on moving without the ball, rebound positioning, court sense, being a team player, and training. Bird on Basketball is an all-out effort to give fans and students of the game an inside look at how basketball should be played.
Customer Review: Very good instructional book about the best all-around player in NBA history
[That'll get some 'haters' attention!] Bird,
not 'Be Like Mike Jordan' is the best ever.
So he didn't have Jordan's athletism? This
book will explain why Bird was 'the man'
for 13 years. After which he helped lead his
US Olympic team to the Gold on the first
(so-called) 'Dream Team.' Without him they
wouldn't have won it! This book breaks down
every faucet of winning basketball like L.B.
and Red's videos do as well. Jordan was about
as great but I'll take Birdman by three inches,
which is how much taller he was over Jordan.
Joradn had the advantage of a better bench and
Tex Winter's triangle, which is why he was in
six NBA Champiosnhips as compared to Bird's 5.
My Alltime NBA Team:
Centre - Bill Russell
F - Larry Bird
F - Julius Erving
G - Michael Jordan
G - John Stockton
6th - Detlef Schrempf
7th - Kevin McHale
8th - Kevin Willis
9th - Craig Ehlo
10th- Artis Gilmore
11th- Dan Issel
12th- Eric Piatkowski
[Hey, you can't PICK ALL Stars. You gotta have quality role players,too!]
Customer Review: MY REVIEW
A good book for learning basketball basics as well as a few other things useful on and off the court.
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October 12, 2008 at 6:45 pm · Filed under Basketball Books
Both boys and girls will enjoy the thrill of their favorite sport as they practice and apply important math skills. Activities based on historical and real-life situations involve students in every aspect of baseball. Answers provided.
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October 12, 2008 at 10:30 am · Filed under Basketball Books
Players from the 1988 NCAA Championship basketball squad share their insightsinto their defeat of rival Oklahoma in the national championship game in thischronicle. Photos.
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