Sports & Recreation : Basketball

The game of basketball has gone global and is now the world's fastest-growing sport. Talented players from Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa are literally crashing the borders as the level of their game now often equals that of the American pros, who no longer are sure winners in international competition and who must compete with foreign players for coveted spots on NBA rosters. Yet that refreshing world outlook stands in stark contrast to the game's troubled image here at home. The concept of team play in the NBA has declined as, in the aftermath of the Michael Jordan phenomenon, the league's marketers and television promoters have placed a premium on hyping individual stars instead of teams, and the players have come to see that big-buck contracts and endorsements come to those who selfishly demand the spotlight for themselves. more...

Price: $17.99

The only book to tell the unbelievable true story of the NBA's tumultuous first season. In The First Tip-Off , veteran basketball writer Charley Rosen brings readers back to the NBA's humble beginnings, when a colorful cast of characters laid the foundation for the empire that is today's NBA. Basketball pioneers, like Red Auerbach, Chuck Connors, Ed Sadowski, Joe Fulks, and Peter “Press” Maravich-father of “Pistol Pete”-all play a role in a league of hard fouls, shady refs, meager facilities, and old school basketball. Featuring a Foreword by Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson and exclusive interviews with the surviving players of that first season, Rosen weaves a fascinating and poignant portrait of a league struggling to gain a foothold in the American consciousness. more...

Price: $24.95

The incredible true story of one high school student's determination to triumph against the challenges of autism-and his opponents on the basketball court... On February 15, 2006, the Greece Athena Trojans high school basketball team took the court for the final game of the regular season. With four minutes and nineteen seconds left on the clock, and the Trojans nursing a comfortable lead, the coach sent Jason McElwain-an autistic student and the team manager-to the scorer's table. He scored twenty points, including a school record six three-pointers. J-Mac, as McElwain became known, was carried off the court on his teammates' shoulders, and a videotape of the game quickly found its way onto national television, making J-Mac a household name. An inspiration to people everywhere, Jason McElwain's amazing accomplishment was broadcast on CN, ESPN, and local newscasts across the country, moving President Bush to tears with his courage and determination. The Game of My Life is one of the few books written by an autistic author-a riveting chronicle of how J-Mac overcame a lifetime of adversity. more...

Price: $23.95

LeBron James is simultaneously on the cutting edge of basketball greatness and a cultural icon. Some see him as the second coming of Michael Jordan as both an exceptional talent and a marketing marvel. This biography offers a well-rounded portrait of James unprecedented rise to basketball superstardom in a dizzying short span of time. more...

Price: $38.50

'' Let's Talk Defense! will help take you and your team to the next level.'' --Scottie Pippen, 10-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team and six-time NBA champion. ''Herb Brown's experience and defensive knowledge makes Let's Talk Defense! a mustread for any basketball player or coach. The concepts demonstrated in his book are the same ones I use when guarding some of the best players in the NBA.'' --Rasheed Wallace, NBA All-Star. ''Herb Brown understands the most fundamental aspect of the game and that is great defense wins championships. This book will explain the basic concepts of how it is done.'' --Joe Dumars, general manager of the Detroit Pistons and former six-time NBA All-Star. Endorsed by top NBA players, this is the essential guide for coaching defense. Loaded with drills, tips, and step-by-step diagrams as well as official NBA photos, Let's Talk Defense! includes:.:.; Making the transition from offense to defense.; Out-rebounding opponents.; Causing turnovers.; Stopping fast-break opportunities.; Eliminating penetration.; Creating havoc for the opposition.; and much more. more...

Price: $16.95