Reading is the cornerstone of education but in my generation has been a lost cause for many young people. The U.S. Department of Education reports that 47 million American adults are functionally illiterate. Not included in that category, approximately 13% of all 17 year old youth could be coined that term as well. We should strive to read books, articles, magazines (Bounce – wink, wink!), push education, and invite others to learn too.
“Knowledge is power.” -Sir Francis Bacon
Despite being in the South Bronx this weekend, I found myself on the 5 train heading downtown into Manhattan. With no intentions to shop, I did not plan on buying anything. Several stores later, mi novia y sus hermanos (my girlfriend and her brothers) stumbled into a Barnes and Nobles. Usually, I wander around browsing what looks interesting in a variety of subject areas, not wanting to limit myself to one genre. This time was different as I headed straight for the sports section!
[Insert halo and angels]
To my liking, I found a classic–Rick Telander’s Heaven is a Playground. I have read the book once upon a time but never owned a copy. Why not add it to my collection of educational material? After swiping the VISA, I was content with my unplanned purchase. Then, I thought about how this book ranks in comparison to other books read by hoop heads, so I decided to get some feedback.
What do you think are the all-time top books for ball?
Other favorites of mine include:
-Inside the Cage (West 4th Street) By: Wight Martindale Jr.
-The City Game By: Pete Axthelm
-They Call Me Coach By: John Wooden
-The Game They Played By: Stanley Cohen
-Why She Plays By: Christine Baker
What do you think are the all-time top books for ball?
February 4th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Bakar says:
Don’t know if these are all-time tops, but I like to add the following titles to the list:
- Asphalt Gods (by Vincent J. Malozzi)
- Hoop Dreams (book version of the award-winning movie)
- The Last Shot (by Darcy Frey – granted he doesn’t potray the Marburys is a good light, but overall an engaging read)
February 4th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Sean says:
Haah, nice man, glad to see the tringle is out here getting published.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
23edge says:
hey Casey, great subject post! I agree reading is the cornerstone of education, and that it should be more emphasized in schools today. But personally I believe what makes many young people not want to read is that schools don’t assign reading material that is interesting to them. In fact I used to be one of those kids that had not read a full novel until I was in grade 11. Fortunately with the help of a good teacher and my own tenacity to want to better myself I found ways to succeed in school by enjoying my education. It is with this belief that education must be enjoyed through books that are interesting to the reader, that I want to encourage others to read. So whenever I meet a younger cat that hates to read I almost make it a mission to find a book so engaging to him that he will want to finish reading it. As for my favourite basketball book I would say, Rebound: The Odyssey of Michael Jordan. While it’s not a full fledged basketball book; more of a “chicken soup for the soul” type of novel for anyone that has ever lost interest in their true love of basketball (such as Michael did), and how he regained it.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
dcardoni says:
Back in Your Face Guide to Pickup Basketball – by Chuck Wielgus. Don’t know how many times I read this book gorwing up, but it got to the point where the pages were falling out – breakdown of all of the courts to play in all 50 states (and the local customs). Just a great read.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Casey Lee says:
23edge–
Great points! People need to be able to relate better today in order to push subject areas like reading.
dcardoni–
I haven’t picked up that one yet but all the courts in the US though? I definitely have to look for that book..
February 5th, 2009 at 11:08 am
ali says:
casey, i love all of those books you mentioned. also, check for spike lee’s best seat in the house, nelson george’s elevating the game, todd boyd’s america above the rim, basketball jones and young, black, rich and famous, john mcphee’s life on the run (about bill bradley at princeton), feinstein’s a season on the brink, mark kriegel’s pistol, etc. ( i could go on for days)
books are worth more than gold to me. i tell young people that reading allows them to travel across time and space, allowing them to have mental discussions and discourse with some of the greatest minds ever.
February 5th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Chris Harvey says:
I’ll have to check out some of the books of this list.
I’ll add:
The Rivalry: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and the Golden Age of Basketball by John Taylor.
Operation Yao Ming: The Chinese Sports Empire, American Big Business, and the Making of an NBA Superstar by
My Personal Best : Life Lessons from an All-American Journey by John Wooden.
Basketball: Its Origin and Development by James Naismith.
Drive: The Story of My Life by Larry Bird
I didn’t like to read until my last two years in college. I guess I was a late bloomer, getting serious about learning later in life. But finding something you are really passionate/ interested in is key.
February 5th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
johnnyutah says:
the city game
hoops nation
February 6th, 2009 at 9:22 am
illest says:
terry plutos books: falling from grace, loose balls (aba) and tall tales
swee pea and other playground legends
wilt, 1962
there are plenty
February 6th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
Casey!
here are some other suggestions:
Miracle of St. Anthony’s
Heaven is a playground by rick telander
Sole influence by dan wetzel and don yaeger
The city game by pete axthelm
The in your face basketball book by alex wolff
The back in your face guide to pick up basketball by alex wolff
Asphalt gods by vince mallozzi
Soul of the game by john huet
Hoop nation by chris ballard
Big game, small world by alex wolff
Foul! By connie hawkins
Double dunk by earl ‘the goat’ manigualt
Basketball diaries by jim carroll
They cleared the lane by ron thomas
Where’d you get those? New york city’s sneaker culture 1960-1987 by Bobbito Garcia
February 6th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
illest says:
bobbito…..good one with that last choice. someone still needs to do that 80-98 new york hiphop radio.
maverick by phil jackson
stand tall kareem abdul jabbar
rockin steady walt frazier…good luck finding that with the wonderful page layout of clyde crossing over chaney or jojo white (i cant remember)
the pro game by bob ryan
February 6th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
illest says:
game seven by bill woten
March 1st, 2009 at 5:12 am
illest says:
the upcoming book fly35 on fly williams