Description
Profiles of the very best NBA players and a definitive history of the game. The spectacular success of the NBA is based on its stars, their performances and personalities, which excite fans game after game, championship after championship. Michael Grange has profiled 50 of the greatest and most electrifying players in the league's history in this newly updated edition of Basketball's Greatest Stars. They're all here: the score-at-will centres, the quick-dishing guards, the take-it-to-the-hoop power forwards and the three-point shooters. The book also features a chapter on future greats who are starting on the NBA hardwood now. Grange's insightful essays cover the leading men and defining moments that have shaped the sport, the international game, the rise of the three-point shot and the changing nature and importance of statistical analysis. As an added bonus there are profiles of all 30 NBA franchises - the organizations that have orchestrated the league's rise to greatness. Some of the current NBA stars featured in this fourth edition are: DeMarcus Cousins; Stephen Curry; Anthony Davis; Kevin Durant; Paul George; James Harden; Kyrie Irving; LeBron James; Kristaps Porzingis; Russell Westbrook. Some of the NBA stars of yesteryear are: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; Charles Barkley; Larry Bird; Wilt Chamberlain; Walt Frazier; Magic Johnson; Michael Jordan; Karl Malone; Shaquille O'Neal; Bill Russell. Jam-packed with terrific photographs that celebrate each superstar and capture the excitement on the court, Basketball's Greatest Stars is a superb book for every fan.
About the Author
Michael Grange is a sports reporter and on-air personality for Sportsnet, as well as an award-winning magazine writer who has written for the New York Times and ESPN.
Reviews
[Review of earlier edition: ] Was Magic Johnson better than Larry Bird? How does Shaquille O'Neal compare to Wilt Chamberlin? Hoops fans will quibble with the author's ranking of the sport's 50 top players, past and present. But even casual readers will thrill to the dazzling court-action photos and be enlightened by the thoughtful essays on the superstars and moments that have defined the NBA.--Neil Pond"American Profile" (12/05/2010) [Review of earlier edition: ] Photo-laden showcases of a sport's greatest players are fairly commonplace, but this one, compiled by Canadian sportswriter Grange, stands out from the rank and file for several reasons.... Best of all, though, are the photos; beautifully reproduced, the four-color images jump off the pages, showing the various stars in signature shots... A sweet combination of superb browsing and surprisingly substantive commentary.--Bill Ott"Booklist" (09/01/2010) [Review of earlier edition: ] Typical of many Firefly books, this is a colorful, picture-driven reading experience. Don't expect an exhaustive history of the NBA, but an interesting summary of stars and teams. ... Recommended for fans of the NBA who seek a quick reference to the best players the game has ever seen and for all libraries collecting accessible and colorful basketball books.--Todd Spires, Bradley University Library, Peoria, I"Library Journal" (01/15/2011) [Review of earlier edition: ] Detailed profiles of the 50 players the author believes are the greatest and most exciting in the history of the game, including career highlights of superstars Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Kobe Bryant, as well as players in the "Best of the Rest" section, from Steve Nash to Isiah Thomas. Included is a list of franchises and a chart of NBA Finals history. Illustrated with exciting action shots.--Mary Ann Grossmann"Pioneer Press Saint Paul Minnesota" (12/10/2010) [Review of earlier edition: ] Basketball fans will find all kinds of interesting information in this book. It will appeal to readers at the junior high and senior high school levels who are involved in the sport or just have an interest in it.--Victoria Pennell"Resource Links" (01/01/2011) [Review of earlier edition: ] Basketball's Greatest Stars is a collection of 5O profiles of some of the greatest players in the game, from Bob Cousy and Bob Pettit to Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Grange divides them in the "Best of the Best" and the "Best of the Rest." given over to players who, despite their great talents, never quite made superstar status -- Dave DeBusschere, Elvin Hayes, Pete Maravich, and John Stockton. And it's loaded with great game images of high-flying, slam-dunking players.--James D. Watts Jr."Tulsa World" (12/19/2010)
Book Information
ISBN 9780228100683
Author Michael Grange
Format Paperback
Page Count 248
Imprint Firefly Books Ltd
Publisher Firefly Books Ltd
About the Author
Michael Grange is a sports reporter and on-air personality for Sportsnet, as well as an award-winning magazine writer who has written for the New York Times and ESPN.
Reviews
[Review of earlier edition: ] Was Magic Johnson better than Larry Bird? How does Shaquille O'Neal compare to Wilt Chamberlin? Hoops fans will quibble with the author's ranking of the sport's 50 top players, past and present. But even casual readers will thrill to the dazzling court-action photos and be enlightened by the thoughtful essays on the superstars and moments that have defined the NBA.--Neil Pond"American Profile" (12/05/2010) [Review of earlier edition: ] Photo-laden showcases of a sport's greatest players are fairly commonplace, but this one, compiled by Canadian sportswriter Grange, stands out from the rank and file for several reasons.... Best of all, though, are the photos; beautifully reproduced, the four-color images jump off the pages, showing the various stars in signature shots... A sweet combination of superb browsing and surprisingly substantive commentary.--Bill Ott"Booklist" (09/01/2010) [Review of earlier edition: ] Typical of many Firefly books, this is a colorful, picture-driven reading experience. Don't expect an exhaustive history of the NBA, but an interesting summary of stars and teams. ... Recommended for fans of the NBA who seek a quick reference to the best players the game has ever seen and for all libraries collecting accessible and colorful basketball books.--Todd Spires, Bradley University Library, Peoria, I"Library Journal" (01/15/2011) [Review of earlier edition: ] Detailed profiles of the 50 players the author believes are the greatest and most exciting in the history of the game, including career highlights of superstars Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Kobe Bryant, as well as players in the "Best of the Rest" section, from Steve Nash to Isiah Thomas. Included is a list of franchises and a chart of NBA Finals history. Illustrated with exciting action shots.--Mary Ann Grossmann"Pioneer Press Saint Paul Minnesota" (12/10/2010) [Review of earlier edition: ] Basketball fans will find all kinds of interesting information in this book. It will appeal to readers at the junior high and senior high school levels who are involved in the sport or just have an interest in it.--Victoria Pennell"Resource Links" (01/01/2011) [Review of earlier edition: ] Basketball's Greatest Stars is a collection of 5O profiles of some of the greatest players in the game, from Bob Cousy and Bob Pettit to Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Grange divides them in the "Best of the Best" and the "Best of the Rest." given over to players who, despite their great talents, never quite made superstar status -- Dave DeBusschere, Elvin Hayes, Pete Maravich, and John Stockton. And it's loaded with great game images of high-flying, slam-dunking players.--James D. Watts Jr."Tulsa World" (12/19/2010)
Book Information
ISBN 9780228100683
Author Michael Grange
Format Paperback
Page Count 248
Imprint Firefly Books Ltd
Publisher Firefly Books Ltd
