No comments about Tommy Nunez, N B A Reference: Taking My Best Shot (A Mitchell Lane multicultural biography).

3 comments about Hot Rod Hundley: You Gotta Love It Baby!.

1. THIS IS A BOOK BY ROD HUNDLEY EX NBA PLAYER AND BROADCASTER. I FOUND HIS BOOK TO BE VERY INTERESTING AND ENTERTAINING. ROD WAS QUITE A CHARACTER AND A CROWD PLEASER. I REALLY ENJOYED HIS STORIES CONCERNING HIS EARLY LIFE AND CAREER WITH THE LAKERS. ROD THEN TURNED TO BROADCASTING WHEN HIS CAREER ENDED. I ALSO ENJOYED HIS MANY STORIES CONCERNING HIS BROADCASTING CAREER BUT GOT TIRED OF HEARING HOW GREAT JOHN STOCKTON AND KARL MALONE WERE. OVERALL THIS IS A VERY NICE READ FOR ALL LAKER, WEST VIRGINIA, JAZZ AND NBA FANS



2. This is a refreshing and amusing book about a man who has made the NBA a more entertaining place for the basketball fan. You do not have to be a Rod Hundley fan, a Utah Jazz fan, or even a basketball fan to enjoy his opinions and experiences. From his troubled childhood to his golden years, Hundley speaks his mind in a fresh and honest manner. The effort put in by McEachin to edit and organize 60 years of Hundley's stories and anecdotes is obvious, and the result is a thoroughly enjoyable book.



3. Hot Rod Hundley was the first player drafted in the 1957 NBA draft. He played six years for the Lakers in Minneapolis and Los Angeles. Following his playing career, Hot Rod has remained active is the sport. He is currently the play by play announcer for the Utah Jazz. Since 1957, he has seen or played with or against almost every great NBA player. In his book, which is basically his basketball autobiography, Hundley analyzes the game and its great and not so great players. Hot Rod Hundley was a showy basketball player; he was fancy and "cool" long before they became essentials in the professional game. His writing is much the same as his game was. His book is a good interesting read. His style is both conversational and informative. He gives his opinions freely and unhesitantly. He can be lavish with his praise and unsparing with his criticism. If you are a basketball fan or a Hot Rod Hundley fan, you will enjoy this book.

5 comments about You Can Call Me Al: The Colorful Journey of College Basketball's Original Flower Child, Al McGuire.

1. I love basketball and always thought Al was a great guy. While I looked forward to this book and am glad I read it, I cannot recommend it. Al is an interesting funny guy but that doesn't come out in the book. The book reads clinically without the emotion of Al McGuire felt through the writer. I did enjoy hearing of his early life but it was too long. Same for Belmont Abbey. Along the way you do learn interesting facts like he had a losing record when hired at Marquette. But, generally, as much as I liked the subject, the book did not live up.

   PERSONAL MCGUIRE STORY.

   I was at the Memphis State game described on Page 229 where with 45 seconds left and up by 5, an MSU player stepped in the foul lane losing the Tigers a one and one and probably the game. Yes, Al left the court with both hands raised. Raised in what he later called the "Irish salute", middle finger extended. Al had incited the crowd, touched us with his enthusiasm. When he came later to call some Keith Lee games, he fondly remembered the game and how he left the field. This is the "Al" the country knew and loved.




2. Mr. Moran does an excellent job of recapping the Al McGuire era at Marquette University. He also tracks the career of Coach Al especially well. The book was a labor of love, but the author should have more closely looked at the "whole" Al McGuire. That's why the book is, at best, average.

   What's missing is a sense of color brought on by perspective; the deep-down interpretations that the passage of time permits. As a long-time follower of Marquette basketball -- and a Marquette J-school grad to boot -- I believe too much of the book was newsy. Mr. Moran recanted stories that were well-known and well-publicized. Case in point: the oft-repeated Delsman fight.

   What would have been interesting was to probe deeply the fundamental emotions that brought together some of the best college basketball talent and Al McGuire. What emotions were running through Jim Chones' psyche as he rejected UCLA and others for McGuire and MU? Or, why in succession, did Larry McNeill, Maurice Lucas and Bo Ellis all choose Marquette. What did their heart say? What was so special about this man that his players would attend college at Concrete University (despite McGuire's pleadings that Marquette had "green grass")with virtually no other African-American students.

   The ballplayers had a profound impact on Marquette's outlook toward relationships among African-American and caucasian students. Mr. Moran documents this seldom discussed element of life at MU well. He effectively illustrates the Jesuit-Catholic response to one of the most basic precepts of the Christian church.

   On the basketball side, Al lost as much talent to the NBA as he recruited in the early 1970s. Certainly the arguable loss of at least one and possibly two or more national championships weighed heavily on his psyche. We know from the author that Al wanted his players to make money -- but could have they made more by staying in school? The author glosses over these emotional and practical issues. It would have been nice to know what happened when the NBA called for Jim Chones. The look on McGuire's face, the visceral emotion that was overcome by logic and compassion.

   As baketball's flower child, McGuire's views about casual drug use would have been interesting. Especially given that marijuana use on campus was common at the time and one star player was arrested for marijuana possession in the championship year.

   Finally, there was very little discussion of what has since happened to Al's players. The author glosses over this point. The success of any college professor -- including a coach -- is the measurement of his impact on the post college career of his players. That's not just the NBA. It's what they did with their education and their lives.

   What would have made this book special was to make it an oral history. Let then author narrate and then, rather than quote witnesses and Al, let people tell their Al stories in their own words.




3. The book is must reading for those of us who only remotely knew of the specifics of the Coach. It provides wonderful insight into a great leader, who never gave up his individuality, and certainly has made a permanent place for himself in college basketball. The author did an excellent job of research and provides a throughly researched journey into Al's life. Congratulations, Declan. I look forward to your next venture. It is good to see success coming from St. Pascal's



4. i was there. i'm the guy in the broom closet,and just to add to the penurious legend i went to his medalist office to offer to pay for the ticket and he grabbed the money so fast i got blisters. i know everyone mentioned in the milwaukee half of the book and the author hits it pretty much on the head. very few glitches. a wonderful stroll down memory lane. must reading for all "warrior" fans and al watchers. thanks moran and thanks al. lefty



5. This well written book about Al McGuire traces his life's ups and downs from New York to Milwaukee. It provides fascinating insights into the unique character of Coach Al, and recounts many of his most legendary moments as a coach, and as a man. I especially enjoyed the behind-the-scenes tales as told by many of Al's closest friends, former players and aquaintances. This book also provides insight into the evolution of modern prime-time college basketball and recalls in wonderful detail the days when Marquette wore "bumblebee" striped uniforms (which were later banned) and the NIT was king. I rate this book Five Stars for any fan of zen or college hoops. Or to use a McGuireism; this book is seashells and balloons! Greg W. Honolulu, Hawaii

3 comments about Giant Steps.

1. Giant Steps is an auto-biography of Kareem's first 30-35 years. A lot of people know Kareem as a sullen and bitter man and with good reason. But after reading his perceptions on his own life, you start to get an idea of what shaped Kareem and made him the man he was and how it shaped the man he is today. Raised in NYC, he was always a hoops phenom, always the tallest kid around, and after a few years, he became acutely aware of his blackness. A high school coach spitting a racial slur at him for "motivation" and a bus ride to racially insensitive North Carolina opened Kareem's (at the time his name was Lew Alcindor) eyes to racial inequality. He developed a keen interest in Islam (Kareem mentions the differences between the Islam he believes versus the Nation of Islam that Muhammad Ali believes in--very interesting take on this) and his own race.
   After high school, it was on to sunny California and UCLA to play for John Wooden. The UCLA campus, chock full of white folks and scholars, was a bit different from the jazz joints he'd be hanging out at in Harlem.
   From the US's two greatest cultural epicenters to Milwaukee? From the year-round paradise-like weather of LA to the frigid temps of Wisconsin? From the shelter of John Wooden's hoops program to the spotlight of the NBA and its aggressive media? Life can't change a lot more than that. And Kareem definitely had his difficulties, which he addresses and doesn't attempt to excuse.
   You can feel Kareem's edge throughout the majority of the bio. The unforgiving chip on his shoulder weighs heavy on him, and after reading and understanding what pushed a bit more you can begin to sympathize with his personal struggles.
   Near the bio's end you can literally feel weight sliding off of him. It's slow, it's gradual, and it's not complete, but it's the start of something. The "Giant Steps" title can refer to a lot of things in Kareem's life, New York to LA, LA to Milwaukee, college hoops to pro hoops, Wilt Chamberlain's friend to Wilt's enemy/competitor, but I believe the biggest steps Kareem takes are the steps toward acceptance of himself and others.
   A companion book to Giant Steps is "Kareem". "Kareem" is a bio/diary Jabbar kept during his final season in the NBA. The second book picks up right where "Giant Steps" left off. His remarkable growth after his 35th birthday is clear to the most unobservant reader.
   Kareem and his co-author clearly express his development in rich language. This isn't just for hoops fans. "Giant Steps" is for anyone curious about race relations in America. Anyone curious about what it means to be truly different (7'1" black Muslim/basketball player in America in the 60s-80s--not too many of them around) and be forced to feel those differences every second of your waking life should take a look.
   "Giant Steps" shows an angry, but passionate young man develop into a thoughtful, (somewhat) outgoing adult capable of contributing much of what he's learned to younger generations.



2. The only thing bigger than the chip on Mr. Abdul-Jabbar's shoulder in this text is the grand and engaging story he tells. For fans or just the curious observer (as I was), he takes us on an insightful journey into his motivation, his doubts, his difficulties, and his dreams. It sometimes seems that the persona behind the person is revealed more to the reader than to the writer.



3. KAREEM TELLS OF HIS LIFE GROWING UP IN NEW YORK IN GREAT DETAIL IN THIS BOOK. BUT I THINK HE SHOULD HAVE TOLD US MORE ABOUT HIS PLAYING DAYS AT UCLA, MILWAUKEE AND LOS ANGELES. THIS HAS A LOT OF GOOD STUFF LIKE HIS FIRST MEETING WITH WILT, HIS TEAMMATES AT UCLA, AND HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH CHERYL PISTANO. I REALLY FOUND HIS BUDDAHISM AND ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED TO BE VERY WEIRD AND UNINTERESTING. KAREEM IS AN INTELLIGENT GUY WHO ENJOYS THE MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL THINGS IN LIFE. HIS PIECE AT THE TIME CHERYL PISTANO, HELPED HIM TO BE MORE OUTGOING AND CORDIAL TO PEOPLE AND HELPED OPEN HIS LIFE MORE. JUST WISHED HE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE DETAILED ABOUT HIS SEASON TO SEASON CAREER AT UCLA AND THE NBA. A GOOD READ.

5 comments about The Definitive Word on Michael Jordan.

1. If the game's fixed, then how is Charles Barkley any better than Micheal Jordan by getting money, power and fame from it-- or at least, how does he have any room to talk, just because Jordan profits MORE? He should be suing the NBA for running a crooked game, not blaming one of its pawns. I think that he just doesn't want to bite the hand that feeds him, so he instead acts like a jealous dog and bites a pampered pet.



2. I have mixed feelings about Michael Jordan. On the one hand, he is a great athlete. I respect his work ethic. He has turned in a number of great performances and is no doubt one of the greatest to have ever played the game of basketball.

   There is a flipside. Michael Jordan got all kinds of special treatment while he was in the NBA. He was the first player I noticed who was granted all kinds of trips to the charity stripe because of unbelievably, ticky tack calls. He scored at least ten points a game at the free throw line from bogus calls. It was great when there was a picture session for 'greats of the game' with Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan. Magic told Larry not to stand too close to Michael or they might call a foul. In front of reporters and television viewers, that was a classic comment by Magic. I believe Mike got 99% of all calls in his favor because he was such a cash cow for the NBA. Dominique Wilkins was robbed of a slam dunk championship when Mike scored a perfect 50 doing the same dunk Dr. J did years before. I doubt Dr. J ever received a perfect 50 for it. Dominique's dunk was much more impressive, and he received a 49.5. Please. Mike got in a fight with Reggie Miller, and only Miller got suspended at first. Only after there was an outcry did Mike get suspended. How are Mike's punches different? Mike elbowed Kevin Johnson to the ground for all to see, and Kevin was called for blocking!

   I am not too impressed that the bulls beat the lakers in the NBA finals. Magic was double teamed every game every minute he was in. On top of that, James Worthy and Byron Scott were injured. Magic and Larry never won three championships in a row because the competition, teams, and players in the 80s were much better than the nineties. Luc Longley, Will Perdue, Bill Cartwright, or Bill Wennington stopping Kareem? Ha!

   Sport Magazine recently had a piece on the ten greatest moments and ten greatest players ever in the NBA. Mike was ranked number one all time player. Kudos to Mike for mentioning in 'For the love of the game' that to pick a "greatest ever" is impossible because of all the different eras and evolutions of basketball. The nineties bulls were given three of the ten greatest moments in NBA history. This is just more Mike bias. Give me a break. There are hundreds of classic and amazing moments in NBA history. One of the moments picked was Mike beating the Jazz in the final minutes of his last game. He put his hand on Bryon Russel's backside and shoved him out of the way. Then Mike made the game winnig shot. All eyes were on Mike, but the ref did not make the obvious call.

   There is also Mike's arrogance. According to him, Wilt Chamberlain was a fluke eventhough Wilt was a great all around player. He made a comment about Magic and Larry reaching a 'certain level of greatness' and that the two were not good on defense. What? Are we talking about the same Larry Bird? Shaquille Oneal is also much better and much improved than Mike gives him credit for. Shaq has turned into a solid defender, passer, and he works hard at both ends of the floor.

   Mike's corporate poster boy behavior is laughable. He did ads for AT&T and then MCI. The Wayans family is also split between the two companies. Mike talked about the enviroment in Rayovac ads and then pitches hot dogs? Mike is not the only athlete who will pitch anything and everything to make millions. I wonder if Mike has checked into Nike's labor practices.

   Players like Mike and Charles Barkley soured me on the NBA. Charles played like a thug and got away with it because he was a star. Plus, Charles insisted on wearing number 34 at Philadelphia eventhough it was retired for NBA great Billy Cunningham. The star treatment and inflated egos has grown old, and that has turned a lot of people off to sports. I miss the Lakers and Celtics match ups of the 1980s.




3. AFTER READING THIS BOOK I CONCLUDED THAT SIR CHARLES IS JEALOUS OF MICHAEL JORDAN!



4. This book is exacatly what I wanted. It showed evert thing I expected and wanted. I not only shows the life and work of his lustrous but on his life before he was the most fundimenally sound basketball player. It showed that not only does he play basketball but it showed that he played 3 other sports. When I read this book I thought it would be like every other book on him saying how great he is and all his great feats. It did but at the same time it showed how he achieved it. It shows you how many times it took and what it takes to be the greatest ball player in the world.



5. A book filled with comments from MJ's peers and celebrity admirers. Would've liked more, but a good one to add to your collection.

4 comments about Ahead of the Game: The Pat Williams Story.

1. I picked up a copy because I heard Pat on a radio interview and felt I could use a book on "finding your passion and pursuing it". Boy! I never thought I would enjoy the book so much...I couldn't put it down. Thanks Pat for sharing so much of your life with us! I am a Latin girl who really doesn't get much into American sports, I admit I read it for the "success" part, but I learned so much about sports and the front office operations that now I enjoy keeping up with the trades, drafts, etc. My husband has been impressed! I recently re-read it!



2. This is a well-written and enjoyable book to read. Contains interesting stories that make you really feel like you know Mr. Williams by the end. Great reading for a sports enthusiast. You sense the enthusiasm in which Mr. Williams lives his life. However, you also sense that this enthusiasm stems from his ego, which literally oozes off the pages. This leaves the reader questioning whether Mr. Williams, despite all of his religious speaking engagements, is a humble Christian or an ego-driven people pleaser.

   He frequently mentions his ex-wife and 18 children (14 foster children). I would like to read his biography from their perspective.




3. Pat Williams has done it again! This autobiography gives the reader a courtside seat to Williams wonderful life. He takes us from his boyhood, to his days playing with a Miami farm club (baseball), all the way to his current position with the Orlando Magic. He has many great stories, and lessons to share upon the way. He also gives a detailed account of how becoming a Christian has fullfilled all that was missing in his life. Pat Williams is the master motivator, and once again encourages the reader to reach for the stars, and go for it! A must read for everyone.



4. This is my third Pat WIlliams book and unlike the others which are "teaching books," this book tells the story of the story behind the stories! Pat Williams is a person with goals, dreams and objectives and without stepping on others, he sets out to achieve them. But like most people who have gained a degree of success in their life, the road has not always been smooth and paved with gold. This is a book that mirrors the "teaching books" in that it shows that Pat Williams actually has practiced what he preaches. Although filled with sports related stories, this book is also for those in businesses and careers that have nothing to do with the world of sports. Warning: Once you pick the pick the book up, you will have a hard time putting it down.

2 comments about Slick Watts's Tales from the Seattle Supersonics Hardwood.

1. I grew up a Sonics fan in the era of Slick Watts. While I played basketball in various youth and school leagues, we all knew about the fast, bald, guy with the headband and big smile. Slick was "one of us". A short guy playing with giants, with seemingly little more than heart and determination. So, when I saw the book, I wanted to relive some of those memories and get the inside scoop.
   
   The book itself is simple to read, and while it does contain some great tidbits of perspective on various NBA players, coaches and life in the NBA, it was poorly edited and structured. Instead of a chronological story, or a biographical retrospective, the book is nothing more than paragraphs and short blurbs. Further the timing skips around, and often repeats itself. I think Slick did a great job sharing his perspective, and being open and honest, but Frank Hughes seemed to rush this book out to print with little insight on how to really do a solid job of pulling it together in a more cohesive and memorable way.
   
   The highlights are the funny anecdotes about Bill Russell, and the insights into some of his teammates. Slick comes off as a mostly humble guy, but too much time is spent on how he didn't "get paid". I came away thinking more of Slick, and far less of Bill Russell, who ends up looking like a bitter and controlling egomaniac. Lenny Wilkins is similarly dismissed. It was good to see a different perspective on Bob Hopkins, who according to Slick seemed to have a better basketball mind than he was given credit for.
   
   Overall, if you are a Sonics fan, or like to read about the NBA, this book is a light and easy read about one of the Seattle cultural icons of the 1970's and a fun and memorable basketball player.



2. As I started this book, I couldn't put it down, so I walked to the cashier and bought it. Great memories from a great time in my life. This book is well written and has a great story for any Sonics or basketball fan.

1 comments about No Bull: The Unauthorized Biography of Dennis Rodman.

1. This book was awesome. I have read just about all of the sports books out there and I liked the way this one got right down to the basics of Dennis, his life, his childhood, and how he became what he is today. It laid out for me how all the events in his life lead to his present self. Furthermore, the author doesn't attempt to over-analyze Dennis on his own, but rather gives you all the info to let you form your own opinion. I wish all the sports bio's were written like this!!!

2 comments about I Remember Pete Maravich: Personal Recollections of Basketball's Pistol Pete by the People and Players Who Knew Him.

1. Pistol Pete was my childhood hero and this book tells me an awful lot about him from people who knew him during different parts of his life. It's people talking about Pete in their own words and the stories and memories are rich and interesting. I especially like the Christian angle to the book, telling of Pete's conversion to Christianity and his evangelical work. Most of the stuff I've read on Maravich downplay that stuff, but I think it as important as anything else he ever accomplished. Nice book for sure.



2. This biik is an oral history of Pete Maravich, the player and the person. It recounts the memories of various people who knew Pete as the Pistol and as just plain Pete. It gives a balanced view of his past and is especially interesting in recounting Pete's later days and his conversion to Christianity. A good read for people who may have read Pete's biography but want to see him through others eyes.

4 comments about Change the Game: One Athlete's Thoughts on Sports, Dreams, and Growing Up.

1. This book is mainly about the life of Grant Hill and his basketball career. Grant Hill's Basketball career started in jr. high and went through high school. Grant Hill got his NBA scholarship in high school, and he now plays for the Pistons. He is not like any other basketball player. When Grant Hill does something good he doesn't rub it in the opponent's face, he just keeps playing. I think that Grant Hill is a very inspiring athlete to younger kids.
   I think that Grant Hill would be a cool, and fun person to hangout with because he says in the book that he has a good personality and that he doesn't just thinks about himself or his money. He thinks about his family and his fans. Grant Hill has a very simple life outside of his basketball career. Besides all of his fans wanting autographs! When Grant Hill goes out to eat somewhere he can't eat in peace he always hast to sign autographs for someone. But other than that Grant Hill lives a simple life. Grant Hill is a very inspiring athlete to younger kids, and me!



2. Overall I thought the book Change the Game was pretty good. One of the things I liked most about the book was that Grant never talked about all the money he made. I also liked how Grant expressed his feelings about problems kids face today. However, one thing I didn't like about the book was it was sort of short. Grant also moved from one topic to the next very quickly. Other than those things the book was good.



3. This book is basically about Grant's ideals that he learned from his parents. It's a very quick read and if you like Grant Hill, then I would suggest you check this out. If you aren't much of a Grant Hill fan, then don't purchase this.



4. Grant Hill's book was very enjoyable, and it was very to-the-point. This was the best basketball biography I've read yet. The only problem was that it was over too soon. I finished this book way too quickly.