It began with Magic, Bird, and Dr. J. Then came Michael. The Dream Team. The WNBA. And, most recently, "Spree" Latrell Sprewell--American Dream or American Nightmare?--the embodiment of everything many believe is wrong--and others believe is exciting--about the game. Today, despite the NBA strike, despite home run derbies, despite football's headlock on network television ratings, despite the much-heralded return of baseball, basketball has assumed a role in American culture and consciousness impossible to imagine 20 years ago, when arenas were empty and the NBA finals were broadcast via tape delay in the wee hours. So what happened? How did a "black sport," plagued by drug scandal and decimated by white flight, come to achieve such prominence? What are the subtle and not-so-subtle racial codes that define how the game is played and perceived, and the reception of its high-profile stars? What does the shift in popularity from the predominantly white, working-class ethos of baseball to the black, urban ethos of basketball suggest about contemporary life in America? What linkages exist between basketball and hip-hop culture and how did these develop? How has the arrival of women on the scene changed the equation? Bringing together journalists, cultural critics, and academics, this wide-ranging anthology has something for everyone, from hard-core fan to casual observer. Contributors: Todd Boyd, Kenneth L. Shropshire, Gerald Early, James Peterson, Susan J. Rayl, Davis W. Houck, Mark Conrad, Charles J. Ogletree, Jr., Earl Smith, Sohail Daulatzi, Larry Platt, Tina Sloan Green, Alpha Alexander, Tara McPherson, Aaron Baker.

Elevate your basketball trivia game with fresh facts and superfan challenges! Test your sports savvy and emerge a champion with this interactive, brain-busting trivia book written by fans for fans. Above the Rim delivers all the stats, figures, funny stories, and highlights your inner sports nerd craves. Take a shot at Who Said It?, Guess the Player, and True or False quiz questions. Discover little-known facts about the most iconic players of all time, from Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Boost your basketball wisdom and discover: - Who got thrown out of more games than any other player? - What's the punishment for dunking so hard you shatter the backboard (besides needing to pick the glass form your hair)? - Which team has the worst road record in NBA history? Hint: They went 1-40! Get ready to score fascinating new insights and push your existing knowledge to the ultimate limits with Above the Rim.

The story of Elgin Baylor, basketball icon and civil rights advocate, from an all-star team Hall-of-famer Elgin Baylor was one of basketball’s all-time-greatest players—an innovative athlete, team player, and quiet force for change. One of the first professional African-American players, he inspired others on and off the court. But when traveling for away games, many hotels and restaurants turned Elgin away because he was black. One night, Elgin had enough and staged a one-man protest that captured the attention of the press, the public, and the NBA. Above the Rim is a poetic, exquisitely illustrated telling of the life of an underrecognized athlete and a celebration of standing up for what is right.

Basketball Strength and Conditioning, Above the Rim with Camp Sanderson is a Basketball specific training book. This book covers all areas of training basketball athletes including strength, power, speed, conditioning, mobility, nutrition, and much more. This book also provides sample workouts and many diagrams to help coaches and athletes start implementing what they learn into their own workouts.

Got Game draws profound and practical life lessons from the world of NBA Basketball and the words of Christian NBA stars. With powerful quotes, funny anecdotes, and dramatic stories, this book puts the reader right at center court, offering a first-hand look at life in the NBA. Read many insights to motivate the reader to live a supercharged, entusiastic, rewarding life - a life "above the rim." And who better to write this book than Pat Williams? He's the past general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, the Chicago Bulls, the Atlanta Hawks, and is currently executive vice president of the team he helped establish, the Orlando Magic. Inside you'll find a strong Christian message that is not preachy or religious-sounding. Each of the eight chapters focuses on one aspect of the game of basketball as a metaphor to illustrate an important truth about life and the Christian faith. sample chapters include Fast Break Keep Out of Foul Trouble Home Court Advantage Above The Rim

Life in the National Basketball Association is the Big Time. But for many former college stars, the NBA is still a bus ticket away, and to stay sharp, they play in the NBA's official minor league--the Continental Basketball Association. Levine provides a hilarious account of minor league basketball at its very best--or worst! 8-page photo insert.

Weaving history, ethnography, and documentary photography, the author describes how the Grand Canyon became an internationally renowned tourist attraction and cultural icon. 58 photos.