20 Best Books About Basketball (2023 Update)

Basketball analytics is a must-read for any sports analytics enthusiast or student of the game of basketball. authors stephen shea, ph.d. (professor of mathematics) and christopher baker (software engineer) utilize their unique skill-set to introduce original metrics for analyzing player performance, team style and team construction in the nba. while demonstrating an awareness of the industry's best ideas, the authors present original, objective and efficient strategies for understanding how teams win. new player performance statistics include offensive efficiency (oe), efficient offensive production (eop), defensive stops gained (dsg), and approximate value (av). oe reflects a player's ability to make the most fundamental offensive decisions. eop adjusts a player's points and assists based on his efficiency. dsg gives a complete measure of a player's defensive contributions, without relying on individual player statistics like blocks and steals. av is a measure of total player performance that rivals any publicly available statistic. basketball analytics introduces groundbreaking metrics on player involvement in the offense. point, rebound and assist balance aggregate player usage in these critical statistics. new studies on the nba show whether teams should strive for balance or unbalance. an nba draft pick value study determines the average value of each pick and the likelihood of landing a star or role player with each draft position. the results of this study are used to discuss topics including the biggest draft blunders and steals, the draft success of each nba team, and the quality of each draft class dating back to 1977. this valuable understanding of the nba draft creates a foundation for discussing various approaches to team development and construction. additionally, the authors discuss redefining the positions on the court, unpredictability in the game, data visualization, and applications of spatial tracking technology. there are many intensely debated questions surrounding the nba today. who are the most valuable players, and how do they compare to past greats? which players have the greatest impact on their team's defense? should kobe bryant be concerned with getting his teammates involved in the offense? how do offenses differ in the clutch, and which players thrive in these situations? how difficult is it for a team to rebuild through the draft? basketball analytics introduces new statistics and new concepts to explore these questions and more.

From midnight madness to march madness, this comprehensive guide is a celebration of all that's great in college hoops. features include overviews of all 335 division 1 teams, brackets and scores for ncaa tournaments, college rankings, and more.

Meet the “dream team” of talented nba players with fascinating faith stories in playing with purpose: basketball. just in time for the new pro season, this book chronicles the lives of several players who stand strong for their christian faith. veteran cba author mike yorkey, whose playing with purpose biography of nfl rookies sam bradford, tim tebow, and colt mccoy was a best-seller, now profiles nba stars both established and up-and-coming—such as jeremy lin, kyle korver, anthony parker, luke ridnour, and chris kaman. with a foreword by ernie johnson, host of tnt's nba coverage, playing with purpose: basketball is perfect for any hoops fan.

"how far is it from the three point line to the basket? what is the difference in diameter between a basketball and the rim? how do you calculate a basketball player's field goal percentage? with every bounce of the ball and swish of the net, math makes its way to the court!"

Learn the incredible story of the golden state warriors' basketball superstar stephen curry! read on your pc, mac, smartphone, tablet or kindle device. stephen curry has had an electrifying basketball career playing in the national basketball association. steph curry's success is not an accident. it is hard to believe that a player who once was overlooked at every point in his career has made himself such an impactful and influential player to the game of basketball today. steph curry has transformed the golden state warriors franchise from a lottery-bound team to a perennial contender, spearheading the warriors to a 2015 and 2017 nba championship over lebron james and the cleveland cavaliers. following an mvp season with extraordinary numbers in the 2015-2016 nba season, curry became the first player in league history to be a unanimous mvp. the future is bright for young curry as he works to lead the warriors alongside stars klay thompson, draymond green, and kevin durant. in the case of wardell stephen "steph" curry, one cannot help but wonder if he also inherited the shooting touch of his father, dell curry. an nba pundit said that great shooters are not made, they are born. the same can be said about stephen curry, to some degree. his father, dell curry, was always a great shooter. dell tallied a total of 1,245 three-pointers in an nba career that spanned a decade and a half. steph obviously got a lot of his shooting abilities from the genetics that his father passed on to him. however, the younger curry is not all genetics. he has taken what his father gave him and raised it to a whole new level because of his insane work ethic. in a sense, steph is a shooter who was born to be made. tags: stephen curry bio, stephen curry basketball, steph curry draft, steph curry dad, davidson college, facts about stephen curry, sf warriors, stephanie curry, draymond green, dell curry, klay thompson

The dayton flyers were 2020 outright a-10 champs, were heading to brooklyn as the number one seed in the a-10 championship, and were projected to be a number one seed in the ncaa tournament. but in less than a week it was all gone-the flyers' post-season dreams a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic that soon held the entire world in its grip. in bigger than basketball, larry hansgen, long-time radio play-by-play voice of the flyers, tells the story of a group of young men and their coaches who survived adversity, overcame obstacles and tragedies, and ended up having the greatest season in dayton flyer history. larry takes you through an unprecedented moment of history and sheds light on a unique and resilient team. the 2019-2020 dayton flyers ended up standing as a beacon of coming together and sacrificing for the greater good, at a time when the dayton, ohio community, and the nation at large, was reeling from loss.

The inspiring true story of a high-school basketball team that overcame desperate circumstances in 1980s baltimore to produce four nba players and give hope to a neighborhood and a city, thanks to a remarkable coach who relentlessly pursued perfection.as the crack epidemic swept across inner-city america in the early 1980s, the streets of baltimore were crime ridden. for poor kids from the housing projects, the future looked bleak. but basketball could provide the quickest ticket out, an opportunity to earn a college scholarship and perhaps even play in the nba. dunbar high school had one of the most successful basketball programs, not only in baltimore but in the entire country, and in the early 1980s, the dunbar poets were arguably the best high school team of all time. four starting players—muggsy bogues, reggie williams, david wingate, and reggie lewis—would eventually play in the nba, an unheard-of success rate. in the boys of dunbar, alejandro danois takes us through the 1981-1982 season with the poets as the team conquered all its opponents. but more than that, he takes us into the lives of these kids, and especially of coach bob wade, a former nfl player from the same neighborhood who knew that the basketball court, and the lessons his players would learn there, held the key to the future. drawing on interviews with coach wade, muggsy bogues, and others, the boys of dunbar is a remarkable testament to the power of dedication, inspiration, and teamwork. it is an ode to an extraordinary coach, a father figure who had lived the life of his players years before and who turned a dream into reality.

When hubert davis was named head men's basketball coach at the university of north carolina in april 2021, history had already been made, as davis became the program's first black head coach. but after two difficult seasons, it was hard to imagine how quickly a new staff, a new playing style, and a new roster blending established players with prominent transfers and talented freshmen would be able to change the story–except within the fabled smith center locker room and practice gyms, where photos of the new orleans superdome helped players and staff focus on the possible. in words and photos full of behind-the-scenes moments, this book reveals how belief in the program's rich traditions and in one another enabled the 2021-2022 tar heels to achieve what at times seemed impossible, writing a thrilling new chapter in the story of carolina basketball. from davis's remarkable work to build a new staff and roster to the ups and downs of the conference season to the amazing run through march to the pinnacle of the college game, the story takes fans through one of the most dramatic years in program history.

Coach girls for success on and off the courtcoaching girls' basketball is a blast! witness a well-executed fast break, an intense defense, or a team's unbridled enthusiasm, and you can't help but be inspired. the effort, pride, and enjoyment on the girls' faces are great rewards for parents and often the signs of a good coach—the type of coach you want to be. so how can you get there? perfect for coaches of girls up to age 13, coachng girls' basketball includes everything you need to be an outstanding coach and mentor to your players. whether you are a seasoned coach looking to fine-tune your skills or a rookie eager to take the court running, you'll discover techniques for success that are tailored specifically to the needs of girls, including:·drills and strategies for coaches new to the world of coaching basketball ·tips on what girls want and need from their basketball experience ·practical suggestions on how to motivate in a positive and encouraging way ·advice for helping girls deal with their changing bodies ·and much more! now, you can be a coaching winner and help bring out the best in your players, both on the court and in the game of life.

How do you pick basketball's goats? michael jordan and lebron james get a lot of goat nods. but is steph curry the greatest shooter? and what about all-time wnba points leader diana taurasi? it comes down to stats, history, and hunches. read more about some of the legends of basketball and see if you agree that they're the greatest of all time.

Coaches: win more games by teaching your players the fundamental skills, intangibles and finer points of the game that other coaches don't know. help your players eliminate costly turnovers by learning to read the defense, score more points by fine tuning your fast break and improve your offensive attack skills. players: take your game to another level by learning the skills and details of the game the elite players know. learn how character issues can impact a player either positively or negatively. gain insight into the minds of coaches and learn to think like a coach on the court. fans: have a deeper appreciation of the game beyond just recognizing the type of defense or offense being used. impress your fellow basketball fans with your knowledge of the finer points of the sport and become a true connoisseur of the game of basketball. "there has never been a book before for coaches, players and fans like the game of basketball. for the coach, this book is about moving a player's game to a higher level. for the player, the information in this book can make the difference between being an average player and a good player or even a great player. for the fan who wants to appreciate the sport and the nuances of the game, this book provides many of tiny details the average fan is never aware of." rusty rogers – 2 time naia div. ii national championship coach and 2 time national naia coach of the year "once again kevin sivils has produced a book that ought to be in every coach's library. i've never seen a better compilation of the little things that can turn a basketball player into a "player". coach doug porter – head coach olivet nazarene university women's basketball – 8 time coach of the year

The perfect gift for nba basketball fans – great for teens or adults discover the stories and facts around the biggest names in basketball history. this book features illustrations and content about each person listed below: – charles barkley- chris paul- david robinson- dennis rodman- dirk nowitski- dwayne wade- giannis antetokounmpo – isiah thomas- james harden- jason kidd- john stockton- kareem abdul-jabbar- karl malone- kawhi leonard- kevin durant- kevin garnett- klay thompson- kobe bryant- kyrie irving- larry bird- lebron james- magic johnson- manu ginobili- michael jordan- patrick ewing- paul pierce- reggie miller- russell westbrook- scottie pippen- shaquille o'neal- stephen curry- steve nash- tim duncan- tony parker- vince carter- yao ming- allen iverson- anthony davis- ben wallace- blake griffinwe can't wait to see what you think of the book in the review section. have fun coloring these illustrations and learning more about each basketball player.

Learn the secrets and skills of stephen curry! are you inspired by sports heroes? do you aspire to the grit and determination of professional athletes? do you want to learn fascinating details about basketball legend stephen curry? you'll learn all about stephen's life and rise through the ranks. you'll be thrilled by his record-breaking performances and motivated by his struggles to surpass injuries and reach new heights! do you want to shoot like stephen curry? would you like some pro tips to improve your game? this isn't just an inspiring story – this book also describes stephen's beef basketball training routine. you can start practicing today – these drills are appropriate for players of all ages and skill levels! don't wait another minute to enjoy the story, skills, and legacy of this legendary player. you'll be so glad you gained this inspirational knowledge!

From the second he entered a basketball gym at 7 years old, people knew luka doncic was going to be special. he was so dominant in his age group that he was moved up multiple age groups just so people would have a chance to compete with him.the wonderboy of the euroleague has been taking the nba by storm and leaving a wake of stunned critics in his path. for the first time, hear the complete story about luka doncic's rise to the nba. from early days shooting at halftimes of his dad's games to becoming the nba's most promising star, you'll get the full story.

Why run all of your set plays, quick hitters or entry plays from a 1-4 high set? good question. here are the reasons this alignment is great for all set plays: less is more. this one set keeps things simple for your players. it creates excellent spacing. offense is all about good spacing. this alignment creates good scoring opportunities for every position. it is easy to create plays for any type of shot necessary from this alignment. the plays can be run to either side of the court simply by running the mirror image of the play. it is very easy to get into from a numbered fast break system. it denies the defense from establishing its defensive priorities, making this alignment difficult to defend from the onset. what are defensive priorities? regardless of the type of defense run, most traditional defensive systems want to establish the following priorities: be able to apply tremendous pressure on the ball and provide help to the on-the-ball defender. be able to provide help in any situation. protect the rim and low post areas. force the ball out of the middle to one side to establish a ball side and help side, allowing the defense to outnumber the offense 5-3 by virtue of the two help defenders. defend two offensive players with one defender if possible (usually a zone defense). establish good inside positioning for defensive rebound coverage. clog the lane area with help defenders to prevent lane penetration via pass, cut or dribble; low post entry passes;backdoor cuts for lay-ups. some of the ways the 1-4 high alignment prevents the defense from establishing its priorities include preventing the defense from being able to establish a help side defense, forcing the defense away from the lane area and rim, opening the area up for penetration of one form or another, and requiring the defense to guard each offensive player, including the ball, with only one defender, and operating the offense from the middle of the court to initiate the attack. in addition to the advantages the 1-4 high set denies the defense, it is versatile due to the fact all of the plays can be run as mirror images. any play depicted being run to the right hand side of the court can be run in its mirror image on the left hand side of the court. this short book contains 30 plays to attack man-to-man defenses, zone defenses, to obtain 3-point shots, low post shots, and on-the-ball screens to create penetration opportunities. these simple plays are an excellent way to score after a time out, a dead ball or as an entry to motion or other offenses.

A rollicking oral history of the unforgettable "other" basketball league, its legendary escapades, and its maverick players. loose balls weaves together memories of the red-white–and-blue ball, the three-point gunners, the fortunes lost, and the stars discovered in a hilarious kaleidiscope of forgotten lore. 24 pages of black-and-white photographs.

A rollicking oral history of the unforgettable "other" basketball league, its legendary escapades, and its maverick players. loose balls weaves together memories of the red-white–and-blue ball, the three-point gunners, the fortunes lost, and the stars discovered in a hilarious kaleidiscope of forgotten lore. 24 pages of black-and-white photographs.

Play big in and around the paint! learn from one of the most successful high school basketball coaches how to score, pass, rebound, and defend better in the free-throw lane area.it`s all here–from pivot moves and targeting to spins and taking out the defender. >playing the post> details everything players and coaches need to know to create a strong inside game. the 68 drills and exercises are designed to help new players develop basic skills and more experienced players refine their moves. plus, the skills and drills are great for perimeter players who want to improve their play around the basket.the book presents a systematic approach for developing a winning post play. it features:- 10 principles for scoring from the post,- 12 drills for scoring from the high and low post,- 8 drills to improve rebounding,- 2 principles for setting and reading eight types of screens,- 7 drills to improve post passing,- 24 techniques for defending the post position, and- 10 advanced moves for outstanding post play.paye includes 86 diagrams and 27 photos that illustrate the techniques and show readers how to do the drills correctly. >playing the post> will help readers build a dynamic game from the inside out.

Play big in and around the paint! learn from one of the most successful high school basketball coaches how to score, pass, rebound, and defend better in the free-throw lane area.it`s all here–from pivot moves and targeting to spins and taking out the defender. >playing the post> details everything players and coaches need to know to create a strong inside game. the 68 drills and exercises are designed to help new players develop basic skills and more experienced players refine their moves. plus, the skills and drills are great for perimeter players who want to improve their play around the basket.the book presents a systematic approach for developing a winning post play. it features:- 10 principles for scoring from the post,- 12 drills for scoring from the high and low post,- 8 drills to improve rebounding,- 2 principles for setting and reading eight types of screens,- 7 drills to improve post passing,- 24 techniques for defending the post position, and- 10 advanced moves for outstanding post play.paye includes 86 diagrams and 27 photos that illustrate the techniques and show readers how to do the drills correctly. >playing the post> will help readers build a dynamic game from the inside out.

Basketball is an ideal sport for youth in today's economic climate — basketball courts are abundant and the costs associated with participation (equipment, access, clothing) are low compared to other popular sports. in basketball basics, famed nba coach and hall of fame player jay triano presents the important drills and fundamental skills that every young player needs to excel on the hardwood. focusing on the core areas — conditioning, offense, defense, rebounds, and plays that make a difference — triano provides step-by-step instructions for everything from balance and stretching to dribbling and passing, from shooting to catching to lay-ups and free throws. the book includes instructional photos on every page, as well as full-color action photos of international and nba stars and playing tips from some of the greatest players in the world, including pau gasol, dirk nowitzki, emanuel ginobili, and yao ming. featuring a foreword by two-time nba mvp steve nash, basketball basics is essential equipment for young players hoping to master the hoops and a must-have for coaches and parents.