NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Inspired by a major ESPN film series, this is an extraordinary oral history of basketball—its eye-opening untold history, its profound deeper meaning, its transformative influence on the world—as told through an unprecedented series of candid conversations with the game’s ultimate icons. This is the greatest love story never told. It has passion and heartbreak, triumph and betrayal. It is deeply intimate yet crosses oceans, upends lives and changes nations. This is the true story of basketball. It is the story of a Canadian invention that took over America, and the world. Of a supposed “white man’s sport” that became a way for people of color, women, and immigrants to claim a new place in society. Of a game that demands everything of those who love it, yet gives so much back in return. To tell this story, acclaimed journalists Jackie MacMullan, Rafe Bartholomew and Dan Klores embarked on a groundbreaking mission to interview a staggering lineup of basketball trailblazers. For the first time hundreds of legends, from Kobe, Lebron and Steph Curry to Magic Johnson, Dr. J and Jerry West, spoke movingly about their greatest passion. Former NBA commissioner David Stern and iconic coaches like Phil Jackson and Coach K opened up like never before. Those who shattered glass ceilings, from Bill Russell and Yao Ming to Cheryl Miller and Lisa Leslie, explained what it really took to lay claim to their place in the game. At once a definitive oral history and something far more revelatory and life affirming, Basketball: A Love Story is the defining untold oral history of how basketball came to be, and what it means to those who love it.

Someone murdered Brian's girfriend, Amanda. The police think it was her father. Brian isn’t so sure. But everyone he knows is telling him to move on, get over it, focus on the present. Focus on basketball. Focus on hitting the perfect shot. Brian hopes that the system will work for Amanda and her father. An innocent man couldn’t be wrongly convicted, could he? But then Brian does a school project on Leo Frank, a Jewish man lynched decades ago for the murder of a teenage girl—a murder he didn’t commit. Worse still, Brian’s teammate Julius gets arrested for nothing more than being a black kid in the wrong place at the wrong time. Brian can’t deny any longer that the system is flawed. As Amanda’s father goes on trial, Brian admits to himself that he knows something that could break the case. But if he comes forward, will the real killer try for another perfect shot—this time against Brian?

Through a study of basketball in Japan, this book aims to help readers better understand the historical formation and contemporary reformation of cultural identity in Japan. This reformation includes the process of reconciling the perceived differences between basketball in Japan and basketball in the West, the process of reconciling how perceptions of one’s body are shaped in a globally interconnected society, the process of reconciling what it means to be a modern man, and the process of reconciling what it means to be Japanese in a nation that is increasingly multicultural. In other words, basketball in Japan matters, not only because it has for too long been over‐simply labelled as a “minor” sport, but also because it is much more than a game. Examining the real and symbolic power which sport has on Japanese culture, and even in some instances the state, this book will be a valuable resource for scholars and students of Japanese culture and society and the sociology of sports.

"Irreverent in approach, these guides include tips and advice from leading authoritimes, aiming to help with life's big decisions and challenges, as well as hobbies. This book should help readers how to watch and understand basketball. "

Using examples from his long career, a legendary basketball coach outlines the benefits of negative thinking, which helps build a realistic strategy that takes all potential obstacles into account.

A Nigerian native who emigrated to the United States at age 11, Alex Owumi’s exploits on the basketball court led him to a successful career as a small college player. Undrafted by the NBA, Owumi pursued his pro basketball dream overseas, eventually signing with Al-Nasr of Libya, a state-run athletic club privately funded by the family of then-Libyan president Muammar Qaddafi. Owumi's tenure with Al-Nasr was interrupted by the Libyan uprising and resulting civil war. Imprisoned in his Benghazi apartment for more than 2 weeks with no food, phone, Internet, or hope, Owumi wondered whether he would make it out of Libya alive. Despite his weakened condition and the dangers lurking in the city, he was able to escape Benghazi and flee the country. Smuggled to a refugee camp in Egypt, he was, much to his surprise, contacted by an Egyptian team seeking his services. And so, in a bizarre, storybook ending, Owumi finished the year by helping lead the team to an unlikely league championship, earning league MVP honors in the process. Qaddafi's Point Guard is a book about hope and longing, conflict (cultural, political, and military), and ultimately, triumph—to overcome obstacles and survive against the most desperate odds.

#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.

From its early days as a sport to build “muscular Christianity” among young men flooding nineteenth-century cities to its position today as a global symbol of American culture, basketball has been a force in American society. It grew through high school gymnasiums, college pep rallies, and the fits and starts of professionalization. It was a playground game, an urban game, tied to all of the caricatures that were associated with urban culture. It struggled with integration and representations of race. Today, basketball’s influence seeps into film, music, dance, and fashion. Hoops tells the story of the reciprocal relationship between the sport and the society that received it. While many books have celebrated specific aspects of the game, Thomas Aiello presents the only contemporary cultural history of the sport from the street to the highest levels of professional mens and womens competition. He argues that the game has existed in a reciprocal relationship with the broader culture, both embodying conflicts over race, class, and gender and serving a s public theater for them. Aiello places cultural icons like Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant in the context of their times and explores how the sport negotiated controversies and scandals. Hoops belongs on the bookshelf of every reader interested in the history of basketball, sports, race, urban life, and pop culture in America.

"Unlock your full potential on the court with Basketball: The Ultimate Guide to Basketball Skills, Strategies, and Performance that will elevate your game and inspire greatness." Basketball: The Ultimate Guide to Basketball Skills, Strategies, and Performance is the ultimate resource for basketball players at all levels, from beginners to seasoned pros. This comprehensive guide covers everything a player needs to know in order to master the game of basketball, from the basics of the game to advanced skills, mental preparation, and fitness. The book begins with an explanation of basketball, including its history and how it is played. It then dives into the importance of understanding the game, covering the basic skills of dribbling, passing, shooting, and rebounding. The rules and regulations of basketball are also discussed in detail, along with the court layout and dimensions, and equipment needed to play. The offensive and defensive sections of the book are packed with valuable information, including offensive techniques, strategies, and drills, as well as individual defensive techniques, team defensive techniques, and defensive strategies. Tips for effective defense, defensive metrics and analytics, scouting and game planning, and building a defensive culture are also covered. The individual skills chapter covers ball-handling techniques, footwork, and shooting form tips, along with drills for improving these skills. Additional tips for improving individual skills are also provided. Teamwork and communication are crucial for successful basketball teams, and the book covers the importance of these skills, along with strategies for developing and improving them. Team-building exercises, as well as the different positions in basketball and famous players in each position, are also discussed. The advanced skills chapter covers game strategy, mental preparation, coaching techniques, developing a practice plan, and playing at different levels, from youth leagues to professional basketball. The book also covers the importance of nutrition and fitness for basketball players, with detailed information on macronutrients, hydration, vitamins and minerals, pre- and post-game nutrition, and strength and conditioning exercises. Injury prevention and treatment are also discussed to help players stay healthy and active on the court. Discover the secrets to basketball success with this comprehensive and engaging guide, designed to help players, coaches, and fans alike elevate their game to new heights. This basketball guide covers every aspect of basketball, from fundamental skills to advanced techniques and strategies. Whether you're a beginner just starting your basketball journey or an experienced player looking to refine your skills, this guide is your roadmap to basketball excellence. Table of Contents Introduction Explanation Of Basketball Brief History Of Basketball Importance Of Understanding The Game Basic Skills Dribbling: Passing: Shooting: Rebounding: Rules And Regulations A basic list of the rules of basketball: Court layout and dimensions: Equipment needed to play Offense Offensive techniques: Offensive strategies: Offensive drills Shooting techniques Defense Individual defensive techniques Team defensive techniques Defensive strategies Tips for effective defense Defensive metrics and analytics Scouting and game planning Building a defensive culture Defensive drills Individual Defensive Drills Team defensive drills Full-court defensive drills Communication and rotation drills Rebounding drills Special situations defensive drills Defensive versatility drills Advanced defensive drills Blocking and stealing techniques Blocking techniques Stealing techniques Blocking and stealing drills Individual Skills Ball-handling techniques Footwork and movement Shooting form and accuracy Drills and tips for improving individual skills Additional tips for improving individual skills Teamwork And Communication Importance of teamwork Communication on the court Strategies for developing teamwork and communication skills Tips for effective teamwork and communication in basketball Team-building exercises Positions Point Guard (PG) Shooting Guard (SG) Small Forward (SF) Power Forward (PF) Center (C) Famous Point Guards (PG) Famous Shooting Guards (SG), Famous Small Forwards (SF) Famous Power Forwards (PF) Famous Centres (C) Advanced skills Game strategy Mental preparation and attitude Importance of Mental Preparation Mindset for Success Staying Focused During Games Coaching and training Effective Coaching Techniques Developing a Practice Plan Playing at different levels Youth Leagues High School Basketball College Basketball Professional Basketball Nutrition and fitness Importance of Good Nutrition Macronutrients for Basketball Players Hydration Vitamins and Minerals Pre- and Post-Game Nutrition Basketball Fitness Strength And Conditioning Exercises Warm-Up and Dynamic Stretching Strength Training Exercises Plyometric Exercises Agility and Speed Drills Endurance Training Core Strengthening Exercises Balance and Stability Exercises Injury prevention and treatment Conclusion Frequently Asked Questions. 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