NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The NBA according to The Sports Guy—now updated with fresh takes on LeBron, the Celtics, and more! Foreword by Malcom Gladwell • “The work of a true fan . . . it might just represent the next phase of sports commentary.”—The Atlantic Bill Simmons, the wildly opinionated and thoroughly entertaining basketball addict known to millions as ESPN’s The Sports Guy, has written the definitive book on the past, present, and future of the NBA. From the age-old question of who actually won the rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to the one about which team was truly the best of all time, Simmons opens—and then closes, once and for all—every major pro basketball debate. Then he takes it further by completely reevaluating not only how NBA Hall of Fame inductees should be chosen but how the institution must be reshaped from the ground up, the result being the Pyramid: Simmons’s one-of-a-kind five-level shrine to the ninety-six greatest players in the history of pro basketball. And ultimately he takes fans to the heart of it all, as he uses a conversation with one NBA great to uncover that coveted thing: The Secret of Basketball. Comprehensive, authoritative, controversial, hilarious, and impossible to put down (even for Celtic-haters), The Book of Basketball offers every hardwood fan a courtside seat beside the game’s finest, funniest, and fiercest chronicler.

Provides instructions and skills for developing essential basketball skills, covering ball handling, shooting, passing, defense, and rebounding.

A biography of Sue Bird, professional basketball player.

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.

Zion Williamson is an amazing and popular professional NBA basketball player. But before Zion accomplished his dream of being a famous basketball player for an NBA team. He was just a regular kid growing up with his family in North Carolinaa. This is the story of that young boy who showed what it takes to make a dream a reality and accomplish a huge goal. This level 4 reader is perfect for Kids age 9-12 years old to read on their own or the even younger basketball fan to read along with their mom or dad. Beautiful cartoon illustrations, full color written in a rhyhming style.

Giannis Antetokounmpo "The Greek Freak" is an unusual and popular professional basketball player. But before Giannis accomplished his dream of being a famous basketball player for an NBA team. He was just a little poor kid growing up with his family in Greece. This is the story of that young boy who showed what it takes to make a dream a reality and accomplish a huge goal. This level 4 reader is perfect for the middle school level reader to read on their own or the even younger basketball fan to read-along with their mom or dad. Gorgeous cartoon illustrations, full color written in a beautiful rhyming style.

Taking over a rowdy gym class right before winter vacation is not something James Naismith wants to do at all. The last two teachers of this class quit in frustration. The students—a bunch of energetic young men—are bored with all the regular games and activities. Naismith needs something new, exciting, and fast to keep the class happy—or someone's going to get hurt. Saving this class is going to take a genius. Discover the true story of how Naismith invented basketball in 1891 at a school in Springfield, Massachusetts.