(Part 2) Best products from r/nba

You should check out:

"The City Game: Basketball from the Garden to the Playgrounds"

> Pete Axthelm follows the 1969–70 season of the New York Knicks and provides a parallel focus on basketball as it was then played in the black neighborhoods of New York City. Throughout, he writes clearly, intelligently, and passionately about the game, bringing alive the players’ efforts, accomplishments, and failures.

In the book he also caught up with Earl 'the Goat' Manigualt, who some say is the best basketball player to never play in the NBA.

Also:

Foul! The Connie Hawkins Story

> This book is about a professional basketball player, Connie Hawkins, but it is also about American athletics. The hope and despair of the ghetto schoolyard, the cutthroat college recruiting, the camaraderie and dissension in the locker room, the gambling scandals, the blacklists, the legal battles - Hawkins has been through them all.

Recent history and was actually a good read:

Yao: A Life in Two Worlds

> Yao: A Life in Two Worlds captures Yao's private story and traces his remarkable journey from Chinese success story to international icon. Whether winning over skeptical teammates, or treading lightly with ever-watchful Chinese officials, Yao reveals the many challenges he has faced with delicacy and humor. Spanning sports, politics, business, and popular culture, Yao's fascinating memoir reveals the humble, profoundly likeable young man behind the myth.

Here is a good website resource for the ABA. Loose Balls is the best book about the ABA that I have read.

His Washington years get made fun of but he was pretty damn good. Reading the book on those years illuminated the fact that Jordan's knee had severe tendinitis basically his entire first season as a Wizard, due to being older and training heavily out of nowhere (he announced his comeback very late in the offseason prior), and had to be drained multiple times. He was such a maniac about playing that he refused to let it rest until he just couldn't play anymore. Because of this, his stats don't really look very good in comparison to the rest of his career. His second season his percentages are up across the board and, most impressively, he played all 82 games as he was turning 40 years old averaging 37 minutes a game. That's incredible.

The efficiency isn't great, particularly that first year, but the entire league was not very efficient at that time. It was a tough era to watch basketball if you were a fan of offense. Lots of isos, particularly by Jordan.

Another thing: He took the veterans exception to play as a Wizard, which was only like $1 million a year, and he donated his salary for those two years to charity. I want to say it was a 9/11 victims charity but I'm not 100% on that. I'm going by memory on this. The way I remember it is that he announced his comeback pretty soon after 9/11, almost like it was a response to the event

He isn't Filipino. I think he's just been talking about citizenship so he can play there. Think because he just had a great reception there once or twice? Only ones I know of are Nate Robinson (he claims, like, a 1/16th) and a Erik Spoelstra (not a player, but a Filipino god).

And basketball is absolutely HUGE in the Philippines. They haven't qualified for decades, but they were one of the earliest squads to play. If you're at all interested, Rafe Bartholomew's "Pacific Rims" is an excellent, easy read on basketball culture in the country.

Don't Put me In Coach isn't an NBA read, but he tells great stories, and its very entertaining if that's what you're looking for. Also, he talks a lot about off the court stuff. it's written by a guy who played AAU with Greg Oden and Mike Conley, then walked onto Ohio State and was a benchwarmer for 4 years there. Really fun read.

I enjoyed these two:

NBA Coaches Playbook: Techniques, Tactics, and Teaching Points

Basketball: Multiple Offense and Defense

I've never coached, though, so not sure how helpful either would be. Just like to read and I thought they were interesting.

From my understanding, the best ways to learn coaching are from doing it and observing other coaches run a practice. I know college teams have open practices on occasion where high school coaches can go in and watch. There's surely yt videos online of such.

Kids are brats. Good luck

I found that More than a game by Phil Jackson was an excellent book. It basically is a look into the life and coaching philosophy of one of the greatest coaches of all time as well as an inside look into the 2000 champion Lakers.

Also the Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons is an essential read for all NBA fans.

EDIT: I recently also read the Jordan Rules by Sam Smith. It isn't a particularly eye opening book, but basically it's about the 1990-1991 NBA championship season from the Chicago Bulls perspective, and also a look into MJ's transformation from a ball hogging douchebag to the greatest of all time. Good read.

In the interest of fairness, Dantley also came about 30 seconds from leading the Pistons to the title in '88 and possibly earning Finals MVP honors along the way.

Still, your point regarding his numbers not telling the whole story still stands. For what it's worth, I also remember hearing there was a rift in the locker room prior to the possible clincher in '88 because some possible Finals MVP's (maybe just Isiah Thomas) had agreed to share the reward money with his teammates whereas Dantley insisted he'd be keeping it all for himself (according to Cameron Stauth's The Franchise)

This is an excellent book about the 1984 draft. There are many stories, including some really interesting stuff about Barkley and Stockton and MJ trying out for the Olympic team. Great stuff, especially if you watched these guys play in their primes.

Michael Jordan: The Life is the most comprehensive biography, and the most recent. It covers everything from Jordan's ancestry (which is honestly absolutely fascinating from a socio-racial perspective), his childhood and early baseball exploits, his high school/scouting experience, UNC, Bulls, White Sox, Wizards, and Bobcats/Hornets chapters of his life. I particularly admire Roland Lazenby's turn-of-phrase, sprinkling in a bit of poetry. He also doesn't sugarcoat Jordan's awful behavior, such as his merciless teasing of Bulls GM Jerry Krause. More than anything, the book proves that Jordan, above all, is a tremendously complicated figure.

Thinking basketball is pretty great (Thinking Basketball https://www.amazon.com/dp/1532968175/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_CNOCDbZD2VERY)

The author also has a podcast and YouTube channel that are equally useful if you want to learn about different strategies and sets in basketball.

The Franchise by Cameron Stauth

In-depth detailed look at the 88-89 Bad Boy Pistons seasons with a writer who was with the team. It's a great insight into the NBA, the happenings in the locker room, what goes through the mind of a GM, and some Xs and O's from the coaches perspective. Great great read, especially of those nostalgic about the NBA of that time, or for those who want a more detailed NBA book.

List of Chuck's books:

I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It

Who's Afraid of a Large Black Man?

Sir Charles: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles Barkley

Outrageous!: The Fine Life and Flagrant Good Times of Basketball's Irresistible Force

Thanks.


I kind of rather do a sleeve of some type. I was looking at the McDavid.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002T8I9O/ref=crt_ewc_title_dp_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AMAE8K0LRQPCN


It seems to be pretty good. I just want something that takes away some tension, but doesn't slide. People have recommended the Bauerfeind , but I can't justify spending $90+ on a knee sleeve unless I absolutely have to.


Any other recommendations you have I will gladly hear out.

That was a great one and I also liked Basketball Analytics: Objective and Efficient Strategies for Understanding How Teams Win

It was all a little too heady for me, but I was still able to get some good info out of both books.

If you enjoyed this, you should read the book "Dream Team" from Jack McCallum: http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Team-Greatest-Conquered-Basketball-ebook/dp/B005X0JRG0/ :)

Shaq's [book] (http://www.amazon.com/Shaq-Uncut-Story-Shaquille-ONeal/dp/B00BJDM1HM) was an interesting read. There's some funny stories in there and he gets a little into his personal life as well.

I don't know if you've read his book but if you haven't, you should. It's awesome. (If you have Audible, Barkley actually narrates the audiobook himself, which makes it about 19 times better)

I think we may have miscommunicated about your ambitions. What you're referring to is a scorekeeper and I don't think it requires much, if any, formal statistics training. You had mentioned getting a master's degree so I was talking about something different. Those who are trained as statisticians or related fields and hired by NBA teams are called many things but often has "analytics" in the title. Think Daryl Morey, Warriors, Sam Hinkie, etc. Using numbers to inform play style, acquisitions, trades, etc. Here is a book about it that seems aimed towards the layperson. This one is considered the "Moneyball" of basketball but is quite dated. This is by Kirk Goldsberry and is specifically about the 3-point shot and probably has the highest production value and approachability.

It's even easier if you normally get your team on local cable (not TNT though). Buy a digital antenna (Like this $6 one that I have) and you should get at least ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS for free.

I really enjoyed "Seven Seconds or Less" by Jack McCallum, which chronicles the 05-06 Phoenix Suns. It gives you a good look into how teams are run, how insecure NBA players can be (Shawn Marion), and how the players act in between games.

One interesting part of the book was reading about how much Nash disliked Kobe, which made him (one of my favorite players) coming to the Lakers really surprising.

I've also heard good things about "Breaks of the Game" by David Halberstrom, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet.

idk about the espn app, but just buy any digital antenna and plug it into your tv. Free HD local channels, including abc (for me at least).

I've used this one for years now, but I also live in a big city.

Awesome writer too.
Basketball (and Other Things): A Collection of Questions Asked, Answered, Illustrated https://www.amazon.com/dp/1419726471/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_knQ6Cb9WJHC5X
Phenomenal book.

Basketball and Other Things by Shea Serrano - it's great

Unsolicited recommendations:

The Art of a Beautiful Game by Chris Ballard

FreeDarko Presents: The Macrophenomenal Pro Basketball Almanac

It came out in a book written about his time with the Wizards

http://www.amazon.com/When-Nothing-Else-Matters-Comeback/dp/0743254279

It wasn't very interesting overall. The Kwame story was by far the best part.

A fantastic headline to read and video to watch after seeing (the cover of) Shaq Uncut at a local bookstore.

I really enjoyed 7 Seconds or Less. Story of the 05-06 Phoenix Suns.

U Can't Touch This Includes Arnold Schwarzenegger impression and Charles Barkley roast.

Twist And Shout

Woomp There It Is

Lets Get It Started

ABC Michael Jackson cover


All Star Cover, Smash Mouth

Will You Be There?

You can Buy the album here, only 18 copies left!!

U Can't Touch This Includes Arnold Schwarzenegger impression and Charles Barkley roast.

Twist And Shout

Woomp There It Is

Lets Get It Started

ABC Michael Jackson cover


All Star Cover, Smash Mouth

Will You Be There?

You can Buy the album here, only 18 copies left!!

I read this

I don't know if it is worth $18 (I paid 22), but it has lots of data over the last few years, and I prefer book form. I'm sure you could find 90% of the info on the internet with enough searching.

Another book I highly recommend - Has some history but also nonsense, Shea Serrano is a fantastic author - Basketball (and Other Things)

This is a good book: http://www.amazon.com/NBA-Coaches-Playbook-Techniques-Teaching/dp/0736063552

He's not a "one time associate"
Rosen was Jackson's assistant coach back during the CBA days, they coauthored a book together, and if you've ever read Rosen's articles back when he was at FoxSports, he spent a part of every single article name-dropping his good buddy Phil Jackson.

The quotes on the Amazon page are hilarious.

"Mark Titus knows a lot of personal secrets of mine. If he revealed any of them in this book, I will kick him right in the testicles. I’m not joking." -Greg Oden

“Of all the players I’ve coached in my career, Mark Titus is one of them.” -Thad Matta

I read in Tip Off (great book BTW) about how the Rockets were tanking to get the #1 pick in the 1984 draft so they could pick Hakeem Olajuwon. Elvin Hayes played all 53 minutes of an overtime game at age 38 in his second-to-last game in the league.

Seven Seconds or Less - a look at the behind-the-scenes happenings of the run and gun Phoenix Suns (Nash, Shawn Marion, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, etc.) and the stories during their surprising playoff run while Amare was injured most of the season. It's an amazing read for basketball fans.

this book is outdated but helpful

the glossaries are helpful

https://stats.nba.com/help/glossary/

https://www.basketball-reference.com/about/glossary.html

I would read about BPM

then this explains RPM decently

there actually isn't really a good guide out there, basketball stats are kind of a mess

https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Basketball-Ben-Taylor/dp/1532968175

https://www.amazon.com/Basketball-Analytics-Objective-Strategies-Understanding/dp/1492923176

https://www.amazon.com/Basketball-Analytics-Tracking-Stephen-Shea/dp/1503236277

https://www.amazon.com/dp/013419330X/ref=rdr_ext_tmb

https://www.amazon.com/Mathletics-Gamblers-Enthusiasts-Mathematics-Basketball/dp/0691154589

Uhhh....apparently.

It's.......not good.

https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Basketball-Ben-Taylor/dp/1532968175

https://www.amazon.com/NBA-Coaches-Playbook-Techniques-Teaching/dp/0736063552

You won't get their best stuff or anything but it's a start.

The other bad part about Wilt planting himself in the post is that when he joined the Lakers, their 2 top stars (West & Baylor) were both great drivers who Wilt would not move away from the basket for (so his defender could easily help on those drives knowing Wilt wasn't going anywhere), which particularly killed Baylor's value since Wilt liked to set up on the left block and Baylor famously drove in along the left baseline. Wilt also wouldn't move out of the post for fear of getting less rebounds, so his teammate were never getting picks from him, he wasn't helping create driving lanes for them, etc.

BTW, I can't recommend people reading Ben Taylor's work enough. His book is phenomenal, his site & Twitter are phenomenal, his YouTube channel is phenomenal, etc.