Are top scorers really the most valuable players? Are games decided in the final few minutes? Does the team with the best player usually win?Thinking Basketball challenges a number of common beliefs about the game by taking a deep dive into the patterns and history of the NBA. Explore how certain myths arose while using our own cognition as a window into the game's popular narratives. New basketball concepts are introduced, such as power plays, portability and why the best player shouldn't always shoot. Discover how the box score can be misleading, why "closers" are overrated and how the outcome of a game fundamentally alters our memory. Behavioral economics, traffic paradoxes and other metaphors highlight this thought-provoking insight into the NBA and our own thinking. A must-read for any basketball fan -- you'll never view the sport, and maybe the world, the same again.

"Hit a buzzer beater! Throw up a brick! Make it rain! Learn the lingo of b-ball in Basketball Talk. Explore the origin of these words and phrases - from dropping dimes to sixth man - and discover how collegiate and pro ballers use them on the court." --Provided by publisher

*"Rivaling the nonfiction works of Steve Sheinkin and Daniel James Brown's The Boys in the Boat....Even readers who don't appreciate sports will find this story a page-turner." --School Library Connection, starred review *"A must for all library collections." --Booklist, starred review Winner of the 2020 AJL Sydney Taylor Honor! From the New York Times bestselling author of Strong Inside comes the remarkable true story of the birth of Olympic basketball at the 1936 Summer Games in Hitler's Germany. Perfect for fans of The Boys in the Boat and Unbroken. On a scorching hot day in July 1936, thousands of people cheered as the U.S. Olympic teams boarded the S.S. Manhattan, bound for Berlin. Among the athletes were the 14 players representing the first-ever U.S. Olympic basketball team. As thousands of supporters waved American flags on the docks, it was easy to miss the one courageous man holding a BOYCOTT NAZI GERMANY sign. But it was too late for a boycott now; the ship had already left the harbor. 1936 was a turbulent time in world history. Adolf Hitler had gained power in Germany three years earlier. Jewish people and political opponents of the Nazis were the targets of vicious mistreatment, yet were unaware of the horrors that awaited them in the coming years. But the Olympians on board the S.S. Manhattan and other international visitors wouldn't see any signs of trouble in Berlin. Streets were swept, storefronts were painted, and every German citizen greeted them with a smile. Like a movie set, it was all just a facade, meant to distract from the terrible things happening behind the scenes. This is the incredible true story of basketball, from its invention by James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891, to the sport's Olympic debut in Berlin and the eclectic mix of people, events and propaganda on both sides of the Atlantic that made it all possible. Includes photos throughout, a Who's-Who of the 1936 Olympics, bibliography, and index. Praise for Games of Deception: A 2020 ALA Notable Children's Book! A 2020 CBC Notable Social Studies Book! "Maraniss does a great job of blending basketball action with the horror of Hitler's Berlin to bring this fascinating, frightening, you-can't-make-this-stuff-up moment in history to life." -Steve Sheinkin, New York Times bestselling author of Bomb and Undefeated "I was blown away by Games of Deception....It's a fascinating, fast-paced, well-reasoned, and well-written account of the hidden-in-plain-sight horrors and atrocities that underpinned sports, politics, and propaganda in the United States and Germany. This is an important read." -Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Newbery Honor winning author of Hitler Youth "A richly reported and stylishly told reminder how, when you scratch at a sports story, the real world often lurks just beneath." --Alexander Wolff, New York Times bestselling author of The Audacity of Hoop: Basketball and the Age of Obama "An insightful, gripping account of basketball and bias." --Kirkus Reviews "An exciting and overlooked slice of history." --School Library Journal

"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

This subset introduces young readers to the exciting world of athletics by focusing on the often-colorful terminology specific to popular individual and team sports. As children explore the words they would hear at a game, meet, or match, they learn the basic rules and objects of each sport, the essentials of gear and equipment, and what happens in the most thrilling moments of competition.

Over his forty years in the game of basketball at the collegiate and professional levels, Kevin Eastman has become widely known as one of the very best teachers in the game. He is also a lifelong student of the coaches and players at the highest levels. As a coach of the 2008 NBA Champion Boston Celtics, Kevin has lived in the world of the best while observing and studying them every day. He studies what makes the best the best--their habits, mindsets, strategies and every day choices. Known as a thought leader in the basketball and sports worlds, Kevin is now an engaging speaker who inspires a wide range of audiences, from college and professional sports teams, to diverse corporate and government groups. Kevin's curiosity and dedication to learning provide the backdrop for delivering powerful talks on leadership, culture, teamwork, and why the best are the best.

There are many who have played the game of basketball, but who can claim to be the greatest player of all time? Take a jump as we look together at Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Shaq, Kobe, MJ and LeBron. An in-depth analyst will look at the different arguments of the infamous MJ vs LeBron debates which might help determine who the GOAT is once and for all.

There has been a rise in young female athletes showing an interest in playing particular sports, such as basketball. This comprehensive guide, created specifically for them, presents the basic rules of the sport, different positions on the court, safety tips, and other beneficial information to help them become a successful team player. This age-appropriate and accessible text also promotes acceptance of female athletes among both boys and girls. Helpful diagrams, a thorough glossary, detailed graphic organizers, and bright, full-color photographs enhance this fun topic for avid sports fans.