Born and raised in the projects of Newark, NJ, Willie Joe Cunningham aspires to become a professional basketball player. Surrounded by everything from race riots to drug and alcohol abuse, Willie Joe manages to rise above his humble beginnings. Guided early by a few caring mentors, he now has to confront the issues of race and politics. After qualifying for a spot on a professional basketball team, he suffers an inury and a career setback. Willie Joe overcomes his injury, marries his college sweetheart and becomes a successful college basketball coach. He settles in suburbia. His perfect world is unsettled by the appearance of a former teammate, who implores him to come home andhelp the youth of his native city of Newark. Torn between two worlds, he finds major obstacles that include a wanting wife and an even more wanting ex-lover.Willie Joe's story concerns the search for one's own moral compass. It is everyone's story, regardless of his or her circumstances.

Fine Tuning Your Zone Attack Offense contains 50 zone offensive concepts and an additional 50 drills to teach basic key fundamentals and zone concepts, illustrated in 180+ diagrams. If your zone offense needs some refining or you are interested in creating your own offense, the concepts in this book are the place to start. In addition to zone offense concepts, the author takes a look at common zone defenses and their strengths and weakness. Also included are ideas about the importance of team play, teaching zone offense and additional material. Over 25 years of coaching experience is behind the ideas in Fine Tuning Your Zone Attack Offense. The ideas in this book have all been used in actual games by Coach Sivils en route to winning over 460 career varsity wins.

The 6ixth Man is the product of Norman's upbringing in what is now called South Los Angeles. It is a narrative that chronicles specific junctures in the life of a young man who was embarrassed by his intelligence and desperate for an athletic identity that was never quite realized. From inner-city beginnings to Seminary education to competing against NBA competition, Norman Coulter, Jr. learned how to extract life-altering lessons from the triumphs and failures of his own basketball journey. The 6ixth Man is the rumbling of a revolution to train the WHOLE athlete for the sake of the millions who adore them at stadiums and arenas worldwide. The 6ixth Man is the silent waging of war against the pretense that is destroying the ability of sports to positively impact culture. Norman A. Coulter Jr. is a Christian minister, basketball coach and the CEO and Founder of 6ixth Man Curriculum Consulting and Coaching, LLC www.6ixthman.comENDORSEMENTSThe 6ixth Man is a timely and must-read book. It's filled with great stories and tells what sports can do for any person willing to look in the mirror and challenge themselves. Yet, it does more than just testifying, it is a guidebook and workbook offering a blueprint for developing the right mindset, character, and work ethic. It is an inspired work that can't help but to inspire people to become better persons and athletes. Scott N. Brooks, author of Black Men Can't Shoot and assistant professor of sociology at the University of California- Riverside."An inspiration for anyone who has ever had a dream about attaining something larger than themselves. The 6ixth Man is a touching journey of one man's success by the loss of a dream and the rebirth of another. A must read."Val T. Hill, CEO/President, 16:14 entertainment LLC

This is at least two books in one: 1.Prophecies Proved Prescient for the NBA That the Boston Celtics would draft Al Jefferson at #15 in the 2004 draft (predicted a month ahead of time) That the Boston Celtics would win the championship in 2008 (predicted four years early) Who would be a star and who would be a bust today (predicted after the 2004 draft) 2.Telling the NBA's Fortune How to eliminate the clock-stopping, foul-shooting boredom at the end of close games How the NBA can increase its revenue and make its fans happier at the same time How to make basketball timeless and monetize the league's growing archival footage Why reintroducing barnstorming teams would contribute to the league's global growth How to make the first three quarters of a game even more exciting And much more, including novel methods of statistical analysis inspired by financial derivatives valuation methods, the flaws and the strengths of the collective bargaining agreement, sports hedge funds, what Bill Russell and Kendrick Perkins have in common, and more. Maybe it is a way to experience the present from the perspective of the past. Or maybe it is the first step in viewing basketball as a religious experience. These articles originally appeared in 2004-2005 on hoopsworld.com.

Whether you run the famed Loyola Marymount fast break made famous by Paul Westhead, the Grinnell "system," the "Tiger Ball" break of Olivet Nazarene or just leave your fast break to chance, the concepts in Fine Tuning Your Fast Break: 75 Concepts To Improve Your Team's Fast Break Offense will improve your team's running game The book is organized so each concept can be found easily. The concepts are grouped by areas of specificity such as concepts specifically for point guards, the entire team, etc. Detailed diagrams are included for concepts that benefit from a visual depiction to help clarify the concept. Just some of the topics covered include concepts on how to train your point guard to be more efficient, resulting in reduced turnovers, ways to convert turnovers into points, making certain every fast break opportunity is as efficient as possible and 7 Bonus Concepts on how to slow down the opponent's fast break attack. Coach Kevin Sivils shares his years of experience coaching the fast break and developing up tempo offensive attacks utilizing the concepts and principles described in this book. Winner of 8 Coach of the Year awards, as well as awards for excellence in teaching and Teacher of the Year, Coach Sivils has nearly 30 years of experience as a highly successful varsity basketball coach, college assistant and varsity assistant coach.

Can you imagine coaching on the sidelines in a girls State Championship high school basketball game in a large NBA arena, down by one point, and the clock painfully ticking away with only 12 seconds left? Or, can you imagine the adrenalin rush when your starting guard hits a prayer of a shot with little time left, sealing the ultimate victory and prize in high school sports. Finally, can you beigin to imagine the pure and overwhelming joy as your team celebrates at mid-court in a wild dog pile, just seconds after the final buzzer sounds? Well, on March 14, 2008 I experienced all of these "topsy-turvey" emotions, and more, when my underdog high school girls basketball team rallied and came from behind to win the first ever California State Championship for St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School. My book, "Backcourt: The Anatomy of a State Championship Season," is a creative nonfictional story spanning 15 years of my coaching perseverance that always had winning the state championship as a major priority.

The Virtual Game of Basketball is a fascinating read. It will take you to places in basketball you didn't know existed.

The history of basketball spans more than a century, from its humble origin as a simple diversion during the harsh winters in America to today's perennial, rim-rattling show of international renown. Throughout the last 60 years, Pennsylvania has been at the forefront of the sport's evolution, supplying the world with a steady stream of stars, from Wilt Chamberlain to Kobe Bryant, who have proven to be some of the best to ever play the game.

In "Heads of State: Pennsylvania's Greatest High School Basketball Players of the Modern Era," sportswriter Mark Hostutler sizes up the commonwealth to rank its 500 most-accomplished scholastic players from 1950-2010. With input from Sonny Vaccaro, Howard Garfinkel, and other hoops cognoscenti, the author canvassed the Keystone State, conducting hundreds of hours of research and interviews to assemble a list that is sure to stir passionate debate within an already buzzing community of roundball fans.

Hostutler's unique compilation highlights the exploits of Billy Owens, Tom McMillen, Gene Banks, Tyreke Evans, Donyell Marshall, Jameer Nelson, Geoff Petrie, and several others, as they reminisce about their achievements as teenagers on the hardwood. Wonderfully crafted and jam-packed with information, the book is perfect for hard-core fans, stat junkies, or anyone in search of a good read.

Strength & Honor. Not just words from the movie Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe, but a code that NBA superstar and Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant seems to live by. He even signs fan letters with this mantra. That's because Kobe embodies everything that makes a real warrior. "Veni. Vedi. Vici." That phrase is Latin for "I came, I saw, I conquered." More words the warrior Kobe follows. These phrases are glimpses into Kobe's true nature, the philosophy that guides him, and the warrior's path he walks each day of hislife. There is a reason why excellence is a way of being for this superstar. This is the real essence of the real Kobe Bryant. In this spirit, sportswriter and author Pat Mixon has written an unauthorized look at Kobe Bryant. But THE KOBE CODE takes a uniquespin on the traditional biography. Rather than simply recap the history of Kobe, this intriguing & fascinating book provides insight and perspective into how Kobe approaches his life, both on and off the court, and what makes him really tick.And, you'll learn what really separates Kobe from other NBA players and where his inner drive is derived. Additionally, by highlighting Eight Principles For Success pulled from various stages or situations in Kobe's life, this exciting new book allows the reader to apply some of these practices to their own life. You'll also discover why Kobe considers himself a"talented overachiever" as well as feeling like "an outcast" all his life.And, once and for all, you'll understand why Kobe has been so incredibly misunderstood. THE KOBE CODE will change your perception of this NBA superstar. Using life lessons from Kobe's example, THE KOBE CODE will teach you how to increase your confidence, overcome your daily challenges, live with passion and purpose, and realize your goals. To add more depth to learning about Kobe's life, you will also discover things that the general public doesn't necessarily know or isn't common knowledge, such as: -What is Kobe's Workout Schedule? What is his diet? -How does Kobe spend a Game Day? You'll learn how he spends all the hours leading up to a Home Game. -Kobe's mental approach. Learn what truly sets Kobe apart. You'll discover what Kobe does to prepare his mind and focus related to the mental aspect of basketball. -Find out why Kobe believes in making shots, not taking shots. -How Kobe prepares. You'll watch his Film Study and you'll see his practice sessions. -What Kobe does off the court- where and how he spends his time & what things besides basketball interest him. -Lastly, you'll discover Kobe's thoughts on retiring. THE KOBE CODE can teach you how to walk the walk of the warrior life. It's a proven road map that you can use to achieve any goal you desire. This inspiring and practical book is almost a spiritual guidebook, a warrior's manual, or possibly even a modern day "The Art of War" handbook. And, like Kobe, this book is on the leading edge and Interactive. You'll have YouTube videos to watch that are embedded within this eBook or you can follow links to YouTube's site directly. You'll also have the opportunity to pop out via a link to websites and read articles from Kobe's past. So, are you ready to adopt a gladiator mentality and step inside the arena?

Cowboy Up As the dark clouds of World War II were looming on the horizon, an American original named Kenny Sailors was capturing the attention of the country and leading the University of Wyoming basketball program on an astonishing run to the NCAA championship. Sailors, pioneer of the modern jump shot, took New York's Madison Square Garden by storm while leading the Cowboys to a national championship. Before the confetti was cleaned up, the All-American was off to war. The Wyoming treasure would return to campus in Laramie and later became one of the NBA's early stars. Cowboy Up weaves the brilliant tapestry of Wyoming's rich hoops history -- from the program's original championship team of the 1930s to high-soaring Flynn Robinson and the dazzling Fennis Dembo -- around Sailors' remarkable story. If you love basketball history, then you need to get acquainted with Sailors and the golden age of the Cowboys.

Commentator, analyst, author, and all-around pro basketball presence, Charley Rosen may seem like a natural, sprung upon the sports scene with the NBA in his blood. Phil Jackson, Rosen's longtime collaborator, might agree; after all, he attributes the statement on a plaque on his desk to Charley: "Basketball isn't just a metaphor for life--it's more important than that " And yet how Rosen arrived at his present position comfortably overseeing basketball at its finest is a story as unexpected as it is delightful, documenting basketball travels as unlikely as they are nomadic and eclectic.
Rosen's story begins during his undergraduate days at Hunter College, where his basketball exploits were equally triumphant and embarrassing, including a pickup game against Wilt Chamberlain. Things really got interesting when he made his way into the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), the breeding ground for nothing less than the second-best gathering of basketball players in the world. In the circus that was the CBA, Rosen found his place alongside Phil Jackson, then the newly hired coach of the Albany Patroons. Life in the CBA, as Rosen tells it, was never dull, with players doing illegal substances on van rides through snowstorms and teams financed by porn producers. His journey from the CBA to a desk at Fox Sports is a one-of-a-kind basketball story--only to be believed in the words of the guy who actually lived it.

You, the basketball coach, are vitally interested in the teaching of fundamental drills for effective development of the individual player and the team. This book will serve you as an invaluable assistant coach. Whether you have been coaching basketball for a year or fifteen years, you will discover drills to fit your style of play. Coach Pin-holster, one of the most energetic and promising young coaches in the country, has included drills that cover all phases of the game. Each chapter begins with the simple drills and progresses to the more complex drills. This sequence will greatly aid the coach in using the book as a guide to overcoming player and team weaknesses. As an aid in helping to organize daily practice schedules, as a conserver of time, and as a source of a wide variety of basketball drills, this book fills a great need. In drawing from its contents, you will be aiming at a more balanced, efficient team and also at a higher figure in the all-important "wins" column.

Many excellent basketball books have been written in past years that have contributed greatly to the growth of the game. This book is presented in the sincere hope that it will be a worthwhile contribution and that each reader may find something of benefit. The manual represents an attempt to compile numerous offensive and defensive formations, fundamental techniques, and supplementary coaching methods into one easy-reference volume. The author encourages correspondence from readers and will welcome any suggestions that may be used in future revision to make it a more complete guide to modern basketball.

Politics have always been a part of youth and high school sports. However, in recent years several new dynamics have developed that have increased the pressure on coaches in every sport. As a result, all across America good people are leaving the coaching profession at an enormously high rate. Carl Pierson uses his two decades of coaching and his political science background to offer real world examples and practical advice on eternally troubling topics like picking teams, playing time, powerful parents, booster clubs, and so many other issues that today's youth and high school coaches have to contend with. The Politics of Coaching is nothing short of a playbook to help coaches navigate their way through the perilous, stressful world that has become coaching. To learn more visit www.politicsofcoaching.com "Required reading for every aspiring and current head high school coach in the country." Steve Svendsen-Football Coach Magnolia High School, Texas "Carl says what most people are afraid to say or even admit in the world of coaching. He does a remarkable job in addressing tough situations and answering the difficult questions. When you need help in frustrating situations, you will turn to his book time and again. There will be no unread chapters. I dare you to try and find a book like this out there, it doesn't exist...until now " Debra LaPrath - Girls Head Soccer Coach Maria Carrillo High School, Santa Rosa, California Author - Coaching Girls' Soccer Successfully (Human Kinetics 2009) "Coaches no longer need to be on the defensive. The Politics of Coaching puts coaches in control of relationships with parents, boosters, and administration." Jeff Jennewein-Boys Basketball Coach West Plains High School, Missouri "This book is a great read, especially for a coach who aspires to run their own program. Regardless of the sport, politics are now a part of the game more than ever. Having this book on the shelf is a must if you want to know the ins and outs of dealing with off the field issues that arise on a daily basis. The Politics of Coaching will make you more prepared and a better coach." Steve Warren-Head Football Coach/Athletic Coordinator Abilene High School, Texas

Chris Ballard sits down with the NBA's most passionate, cerebral players to discover their tricks of the trade and to learn what drives them. He reveals the roots of Kobe Bryant's limitless competitiveness; shadows LeBron James to figure out how he deploys his prodigious talent; and challenges Steve Kerr to a three-point shootout to analyze the mind-set of a pure shooter. Ballard tracks down renowned dunkers to explore the slam's impact on today's game, follows Shane Battier during his extensive pregame preparations, gets pointers from a free-throw shooting guru who once hit 2,750 in a row, and attends an elite NBA training camp to experience the pain that turns a prospect into a pro. Packed with fascinating characters and startling anecdotes, and grounded in the superb writing and the reportage that is the hallmark of Sports Illustrated, The Art of a Beautiful Game is an often witty, always insightful look at the men like Steve Nash, Dwight Howard, and Dirk Nowitzki who devote themselves to this elegant and complicated sport. It's an inside read on the game that will surprise even diehard fans.

"If you are interested in Coaching the System, you must be either desperate or crazy " At least that's what people told authors Gary Smith and Doug Porter when they began investigating this revolutionary style of play almost a decade ago. Ignoring the critics, they went on to coach the two highest scoring teams in men's and women's college basketball history: the University of Redlands, California (132.4 ppg), and Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois (104.1 ppg). From its origins as the Sonny Allen Numbered Fast Break, to Paul Westhead's Loyola Marymount up-tempo game, the System has been around for decades. But when Grinnell College's David Arseneault added platoon substitution patterns and hockey-style short shifts, placing a priority on creating three-point looks for his "preferred shooters," the System truly came into its own. Smith and Porter learned the Grinnell version of the System from Arseneault himself, adapting it to fit their situations coaching men's and women's programs. In the past decade their teams set 32 NCAA and NAIA records between them, including most 100-point games in a season (Redlands-23; Olivet-24). Olivet also holds national records for defensive turnovers (36.3 per game) assists (23.8 per game), and three pointers made in a season (509, 15.6 per game). Redlands owns college basketball records (all levels) for field goal attempts (110.3 per game), and three-pointers made (23.8 per game). Now you can learn every detail of this devastating full court run-and-press attack that allows you to dictate tempo and force your opponents out of their normal game plan, capturing the imagination of your players and community, and making coaching fun again You'll learn exactly how and why the System works, how to adapt it to fit your personnel, suggestions for conditioning players, organizing System practices, and even ways to respond to the inevitable criticisms that come with playing the game this far "outside the box." Other chapters offer complete descriptions of the Redlands Attack (Coach Smith's variation of the Grinnell offense), the LMU Attack (which Westhead popularized and used to advance to the NCAA regional finals in 1990), and the Olivet Attack (Coach Porter's hybrid version of the LMU and Dribble-Drive offenses). Finally, you'll learn System defensive principles, terminology, and how to cover every conceivable press attack and press-breaker alignment. Also included are 57 drills and over 300 diagrams to illustrate System offense and defense, providing you with a complete blueprint for "Coaching the System "

The book, Basketball and Baseball Games: for the driveway, field or alleyway, is an interactive book for all those who enjoy getting outside with friends, families or neighbors and enjoying a fun-filled game of basketball or baseball. Whether at your portable or garage hoop, down at the park, court or back in the alley. What makes the book unique is that it contains a variety of original and beloved games for fewer players of 1 to 10. It includes basketball trivia and space to create your own games! Basketball and Baseball Games is the perfect gift for any age young person or the young at heart.

Larry Legend features the fascinating Horatio Alger-like story of Larry Bird - baseball superstar and 19998 NBA Coach of the Year - the man whom "Magic" Johnson called "the only player I feared and the smartest player I ever played against."

The Butler Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA National Championship basketball game against Duke University upon defeating Michigan State on April 3, 2010. With only 4,500 students, Butler was the smallest school to play for a national championship since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985. Coached by Brad Stevens just three years into his position as head basketball coach the undefeated Bulldogs were a hometown team, playing before a hometown crowd on the national stage. Two days later, Butler lost narrowly to Duke, 61 59, but their run for the championship had become a national phenomenon. From her vantage point as a Butler professor, acclaimed writer Susan Neville observed (and participated in) Hoosier Hysteria firsthand. In Butler's Big Dance, she intertwines her recollections of the events with interviews, anecdotes, and photographs to bring readers a taste of the on-campus and courtside excitement of the Bulldogs David-and-Goliath bid for the national title."

Includes new chapter on the surprising 2009-2010 season

The inside story of how one of the most successful college basketball programs in the nation was built

The 2009-10 NCAA college basketball season marked the 100th anniversary of North Carolina basketball. The UNC Tar Heels have won two NCAA championships since 2005, and own more victories over the last half-century than any other college team.

But it wasn't always that way.

For most of the first 50 years the team existed at UNC, the sport was an afterthought. But that all changed in 1952 with the arrival of Frank McGuire. When Roy Williams and the Tar Heels won the 2005 and 2009 national championships, they could thank Frank McGuire and his protege, Dean Smith, for starting the tradition of triumph. Art Chansky, who has covered UNC basketball for more than 30 years, constructs an intimate narrative of how three dramatically different coaches built the longest-lasting dynasty in college basketball.

The banners of those teams hang in the rafters today, warming the hearts of all those who have worshipped UNC's Light Blue Reign over the last fifty years--and counting. Part history, part centennial celebration, "Light Blue Reign "is not simply about one team's victories--it's about the dedication, passion, and love for a sport that players and fans of any loyalty will understand.