The NBA's Greatest Players


Book Description

From Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Dwight Howard to Dwyane Wade, this book features the 75 greatest players in NBA history. Not much has changed since the NBA made its debut in 1946 the rim is the same height and great players still dominate and the NBA's virtuosos can be found in these pages. Some are obvious, such as Michael Jordan, whose exploits transcended the game and made him a global icon. Others are not so well known, such as Paul Arizin, one of the first jump shooters. Many were superstars during their time, and others were not fully appreciated until much later. The 75 players featured in this book are a diverse lot, incorporating many different styles and contributing to their teams in ways not always reflected in box scores. But all have left an imprint or are making an imprint on the sport. These are the NBA's royalty, a line that can be traced from George Mikan all the way to today's king, LeBron James. With a foreword by Willis Reed and an afterword by James Worthy, it is a must buy for any fan of the NBA.




The Book of Basketball


Book Description

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The wildly opinionated, thoroughly entertaining, and arguably definitive book on the past, present, and future of the NBA—from the founder of The Ringer and host of The Bill Simmons Podcast “Enough provocative arguments to fuel barstool arguments far into the future.”—The Wall Street Journal In The Book of Basketball, Bill Simmons opens—and then closes, once and for all—every major NBA debate, 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. 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.




Basketball's Greatest Players


Book Description

Whose hands were so big he held the basketball like a grapefruit? Which center singlehandedly changed the way defense was played? From Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, young hoops fans can read about eleven legendary players in this exciting look at basketball's greatest slam-dunking, hoop-hanging superstars.




LeBron James vs. the NBA


Book Description

Showcasing one of professional basketball's best players, this book spotlights the life and career of hardcourt superstar LeBron James. More than just a biography, it relates James' story while also establishing his prominent place in NBA history. By examining his skills and statistics in a variety of categories and comparing him to other NBA legends—including Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and more—the guide makes a strong case for James as basketball's greatest. Along the way, his best and most memorable moments are revisited, from his days as a high school stand-out in Akron, to his first stint with the Cavaliers, to "The Decision" to join the Miami Heat, and the show-stopping performance in the 2016 Finals to bring an NBA title back to Cleveland. LeBron James vs. The NBA is certain to stir up lively debate and is a must-have for Cavs fans and basketball buffs alike.




Dynasties


Book Description

Acclaimed sports journalist Marcus Thompson explores the 10 teams that transformed basketball in this illustrated history of the sport. What turns a winning team into a dynasty? According to many, legitimate dynasties are teams that not only won two or more titles but combine personality, superstar talent, and consistent winning seasons. They are teams that you either love or love to hate. While basketball dynasties have been talked about in sports media circles-especially over the last few months-there isn't been a book that explores these top teams in basketball history. Dynasties features 10 winning teams that redefined the sport in their own way. Organized by dynasty beginning with the Minnesota Lakers (1948-1954) and ending with the Warriors (2015-the present), the book tells the story of each team with player and coach profiles (including some of the sports all-time greats: Johnson, Bird, Jordan, Abdul-Jabbar, O'Neal, Curry), key games, playing styles and tactics, controversies, and more. Also featured are teams and players that were frequent rivals to dynasty teams (such as LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers), teams that could have been dynasties, and possible future dynasties.




NBA Legends


Book Description

The word legend is thrown around all too easily these days, but there can be no doubt that the NBA players featured in this book are the very best to have ever graced a basketball court. They are true legends of the game. Spanning the decades and covering all the league's most iconic eras, this book uncovers the fascinating stories and incredible accomplishments of the greatest basketball players. From the game's first superstars, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Jerry West, to the modern-day greats of the late Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Kevin Garnett. There are also in-depth features on Lakers legends Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O'Neal, as well as Celtics great Larry Bird, while it also explores 23 reasons why Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time. It's not just about great players, though. Without great coaches there would be no great players, legendary teams, or memorable matchups. That's why this book also runs down the 10 most successful and influential coaches from NBA history, looks back at the 10 greatest championship-winning teams, and relives 10 of the best ever games. It also includes a review of the 50 most iconic NBA players of all time.




Basketball's G.O.A.T.


Book Description

In this fun top-ten book, readers will learn all about basketball's biggest stars! With exciting photos, interesting stats, and more, sports fans will find plenty to cheer about.




NBA's 50 Greatest Basketball Players of All-Time


Book Description

Best and most "extensive" book available on all-time greats. This all-in-one Revised Edition book of basketball is a great statistical and factual reference with outstanding player analysis and descriptions on one's skill sets. Also included in the paperback, is a handy one-page "chart" (over 450 entries) of the greatest players of all-time individual scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocked shots titles, key second place finishes, awards and honors! This page alone makes the book a good reference.To begin (If you are a big-time basketball fan and like objective-facts and numbers, this resource is like a mini encyclopedia in the palm of your hands), you read the description and the first few pages on Amazon's preview (Look Inside!), make sure to click Surprise me! - to get a true glimpse of what this book is all about - better yet, click on Search Inside this book and punch in your favorite player! And that includes you too, Skip Bayless from ESPN's First Take. So far at the end of August, a panel of experts (so to speak) on the show have been giving their selections for Top 3 Greatest Players of All-Time soon after LeBron James publicly announced his. He chose, of course Michael Jordan, and then Dr. J & Larry Bird - followed by Magic Johnson after he was asked to name a fourth. And then more recently, current and past players were giving their Mount Rushmore picks (Top 4) with assortment of mixed opinions. LeBron gave his in a more serious interview during the 2014 All-Star break when he then chose Jordan, Magic, Bird, and then Oscar Robertson! Hard to argue with those picks.Well, also, this is partly what this new 2013 release is all about, ranking the greatest players of all-time. LeBron himself would be amazed of what is written about him as a player. In addition, every chapter on every player has an awesome and unmatched description of his attributes an very own skill set!This book is a must have for all basketball fans. It contains hardcore facts and stats of The NBA's 50 Greatest Players of All-Time (rankings of Magic, Bird, Jordan, Wilt, Russell, Oscar, Dream and the rest of the greats of the game- find out who's in the top 10?) with exclusive projected rankings of seven current players? As they approach their primes and where they might end up in the Elite Rankings of All-Time! On the cover of the book and on its first page title, instead of changing the subtitle from projected pick six?, to a projected super seven! I have decided to keep both subtitles. Within the 57 chapter player rankings, there is also an additional 50 plus players written about exclusively and extensively including Kevin Love in Blake Griffin's chapter as potentially becoming the greatest power forward of the current era. In the player comparisons throughout, it distinguishes which players are better than others from an objective point of view- which in turn allows you to judge for yourselves! For example: Is Wilt Chamberlain better than Bill Russell or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? Is Magic Johnson better than Larry Bird? Is Kobe Bryant better than Jerry West? Is Tim Duncan better than Karl Malone? Is John Stockton better than Isiah Thomas? Also listed is an All-Time NBA First Team, Second Team, and Third Team based on projected rankings. The book is filled with player introductions including a mini-biography, player opinions from past and current great players, player attributes and skill sets, records and individual accolades, award and honors, player rankings and player comparisons throughout, and a player's chronological history year by year with interceding player evaluations of the NBA's elite and players outside the top 50. The book was completed at near 200,000 words. And finally the most interesting part of this book, is that I have created a one-of-a-kind chart (as mentioned above) for individual accolades, honors and awards of the 50 greatest basketball players of all-time!




Michael Jordan


Book Description

"Traces the life of one of the most legendary basketball players in the history of the sport, drawing upon interviews with Jordan's friends, family, and teammates, and following his career from college to the NBA."--Provide by publisher.




Basketball's Greatest Stars


Book Description

In Basketball's Greatest Stars, author Michael Grange takes you courtside for a look at the 50 best players in NBA history. From the early days of Bob Cousy to the Showtime era of Magic Johnson, from Michael Jordan's electrifying dunks to LeBron James' all-out dominance -- the legends are here! Relive the moments and revel in the triumphs of the NBA's superstars, including Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Larry Bird, Stephen Curry, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O'Neal, Oscar Robertson, Kevin Durant, and many more. With a foreword by NBA great Wayne Embry, Basketball's Greatest Stars features insightful essays that highlight the leading figures and defining moments that have shaped the NBA, international basketball and statistical analysis. Profiles of the NBA's 30 franchises round out this incredible volume. Updated for 2023, this fifth edition contains a new crop of 15 young stars who are dominating today's game and could one day reach the heights of Basketball's Greatest, including: Zion Williamson Luka Doncic Ja Morant Jayson Tatum Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Donovan Mitchell. Jam-packed with unforgettable stories, mind-blowing stats and over 120 photos that capture the on-court excitement, Basketball's Greatest Stars is the ultimate book for every NBA fan.