Plenty of options for literate fans

by Matt W on Nov 20, 2009 12:00 PM CST Comment 31 comments

I spotted this column today from Sports Illustrated's Jack McCallum, in which he highlights three worthwhile basketball books recently released:

During an interview with the New Yorker's Avi Zenilman a few months ago, Bill Simmons, an ESPN columnist/author and a man who doubtless dashed off 3,000 words this morning before I managed to get the brown sugar and banana on my oatmeal, was asked about the paucity of great basketball books. See, when you write about the NBA, as Simmons does and I have done for many years, you are generally asked negatively toned questions. What's wrong with the game? What's wrong with the refs? What's wrong with the young players? What's wrong with the Knicks? What's wrong with Mike Miller's hair?

The question hearkens to George Plimpton's theory -- probably erroneous when it was uttered and now outdated anyway -- that the smaller the ball, the greater the literature. (George did love him some golf and tennis.) Simmons answered by talking about the lack of access writers get to athletes these days. But had he been asked the question now, he could've said: "Well, it's a helluva good time for NBA hoops books. Including mine." In fact, that's probably what he would've said.

Three have caught my eye and, fortunately, the eyes of much of America: Simmons' The Book of Basketball; Jackie MacMullan's autobiography/biography (I don't know how else to describe it) of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird called When the Game Was Ours; and Chris Ballard's The Art of a Beautiful Game.

When McCallum, whose Seven Seconds of Less remains one of my favorite sports books of all time, recommends something, I listen -- but as it happens, I've already got a headstart. I'm actually in the middle of When the Magic/Bird opus (I received a review copy several weeks ago) and was already planning on picking up Ballard's book after Tom Ziller's ringing endorsement yesterday.

I also pre-ordered Simmons' book but I've fought the urge to crack it open -- in part because I'm still digesting the excellent Pro Basketball Prospectus, another must-buy for hardcore fans interested in the analytical side of the game.

(Also waiting in the wings: David Halberstam's classic Breaks of the Games, which I've never read before but was inspired to order this week after a recent conversation with a friend. And were I unfortunate enough to live in Ohio, I'm sure Buzz Bissinger's recent "collaboration" with LeBron James, Shooting Stars, would be on my list, as well.)

The complaint about there being few quality basketball books isn't a new one, but it's seriously being put to rest this season -- FreeDarko's Macrophenomenal Pro Basketball Almanac raised the bar last year, and this year's titles have continued the momentum. Seriously, it's a good time to be literate.

(Have I missed anything? List your favorite classics in the comments)

Update: The Painted Area includes several others on their list that I'll have to check out ... (via J.E. Tweets)

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I always loved Mitch Albom’s “Fab Five”, but, not having read it since early high school, I can’t really recall whether it was the fine writing and insight I enjoyed, or simply that it told the tale of my favorite team, ever.

by Jacob is on Nov 20, 2009 12:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Even though I think he’s mostly a gigantic douche, I’ve always really liked Phil Jackson’s “Sacred Hoops”. And I also really liked “Life On The Run” by Bill Bradley.

by Garrett on Nov 20, 2009 1:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Simmons’s book is great. Ballard’s book is great. Have MacMullan’s book, but haven’t actually started reading it yet.

by Vic De Zen on Nov 20, 2009 3:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

is the free darko book good? I like the site and online buzz seems positive but has anyone on here read it?

by dandresden on Nov 20, 2009 6:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I read the Free Darko book last year. I was entertained.

by b23 on Nov 20, 2009 8:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Matt, can you just borrow your copy of Basketball Prospectus when you’re done with it? I’ll have my wife make you some brownies in exchange.

by Justin on Nov 20, 2009 8:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

http://www.nba.com/pistons/media/mediaguide09_records.pdf

by mannie32 on Nov 21, 2009 12:11 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

good news – http://www.freep.com/article/20091120/SPORTS03/91120066/1051/sports03/Hamilton-Prince-practice-lightly

by mannie32 on Nov 21, 2009 12:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

@dandresden: Yeah, I loved it. Pick it up.

by J Dre on Nov 21, 2009 9:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

The Billups trade:

To break it down, the billups trade in the end ended up being:

Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess for Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva and Ben Wallace

Was it a good move? I saw yes.

Charlie Villanueva started off a bit slow, but is definitely outplaying Wallace this year – mainly because he’s younger and Wallace is reaching near the end of his career. I’d rather have Charlie V now and for the next 5 years then have kept Wallace one or two more years.

Chauncey Billups is still playing at a high level and if he were here we’d definitely be better. But Ben Gordon is playing out of his mind for us, he’s sort of hit a bit of a slump recently, but he could be the closest thing to a superstar we’ve had in a while. Having him, who again is younger, for the next 5 years over Billups makes sense.

Lastly, believe it or not Ben Wallace has been outplaying McDyess this year as well. Rebounding and blocking shots for us and has allowed us to be a good defensive team.

So overall I give the trade an A for long-term potential. We just need Rip and Tay back to see what we can do this year.

by mannie32 on Nov 21, 2009 10:15 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

no thread, no scores on the bottom of the screen? is this game happening?

by Drew on Nov 21, 2009 8:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Its’ on and popping. all of the usual links are up.

by scntfc on Nov 21, 2009 8:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

www.atdhe.net so far this is the more consistent one.

by scntfc on Nov 21, 2009 8:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

FS+ is having issues

by Drew on Nov 21, 2009 8:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

they seem to be off to a decent even keeled start this game. dare us finally beat Utah, for the first time in eons?

by scntfc on Nov 21, 2009 8:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

we’d better, after the michigan game. this is my escape.

by Drew on Nov 21, 2009 8:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wilcox is in, we lose.

by Kriz on Nov 21, 2009 8:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think everyone knows that when it comes to the Utah, no matter how bad the Jazz are, the Pistons will find a way to lose in the most painful manner. Just think back to Memo’s layup block on Rip…Or the last time the Pistons grabbed the W, not one field goal in the fourth to eke out a win. When it comes to Detroit v. Utah, the basketball gods seem to favor the Jazz.

by Casey on Nov 21, 2009 8:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

jazz commentators blow

by rban on Nov 21, 2009 8:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Stuckey just got hosed, fouled on an attempt and then called for a foul when Maynor kicked his legs out.

by rban on Nov 21, 2009 8:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I’m amazed the Jazz haven’t tried to get Jerebko to defect to their team yet.

by Casey on Nov 21, 2009 8:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I am really impressed w/ JJ’s D. thus far.

by scntfc on Nov 21, 2009 8:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

@ Casey
LOL! I’m glad that Joe locked him up for a decent term.

These damn fouls are gonna do us in, We’ve got to be the highest fouling team in the league…

by scntfc on Nov 21, 2009 8:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

wilcox has a big game and saves the pistons from the jazz? i’m pretty sure thats the only way the gods would allow it to happen. they have a sense of humor.

by Drew on Nov 21, 2009 8:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

big BEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by scntfc on Nov 21, 2009 8:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

No Drew, Summers is going to be our savior.

by scntfc on Nov 21, 2009 8:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

i can’t stand utah. i am not really sure why that is. here is to an upset.

by andyfrombrooklyn on Nov 21, 2009 8:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

So, I just had a heated argument with my dad about retiring numbers. Does anyone here think that any of the starting five from the last championship will get their number retired?

I argued that at the very least Chauncey and Big Ben will get their numbers retired, and perhaps Rip Hamilton. Joe Dumars and even Vinnie Johnson and Bill Laimbeer got their numbers retired, and Vinnie and Bill did less for that team than Chauncey and Big Ben and even Rip have done for this team. My dad doesn’t think that any of their numbers will get retired, while I think 2 or maybe even 3 will get retired.

by Cody on Nov 21, 2009 9:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs