Tracy Mcgrady: the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Shooting Guards

Tracy Mcgrady: the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Shooting Guards
Author: Clayton Geoffreys
Publisher:
Total Pages: 64
Release: 2014-08-13
Genre:
ISBN: 9781500840013
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Learn the Incredible Story of Basketball Superstar Tracy McGrady!Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device!In Tracy McGrady: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Shooting Guards, you'll read about the inspirational story of basketball's superstar shooting guard, Tracy McGrady. T-Mac rocked the basketball world in the early 2000s by quickly blossoming into a perennial All-Star with the Orlando Magic. While he struggled later on in his career with injury problems, fans remember Tracy McGrady for his incredible explosiveness and thrilling ability to get to the basket. He may not have ever won an NBA Championship, but T-Mac certainly left a lasting legacy in the NBA, as other greats such as Kobe Bryant cite Tracy McGrady as one of his toughest matchups to ever play against.Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Early Life and Childhood High School Years Tracy's NBA Career McGrady's Personal Life T-Mac's Impact on Basketball and Beyond Tracy McGrady's Legacy An excerpt from the book: Can there be such a thing in basketball as too much talent?Outside of the basketball court, we frequently talk of those who are too talented, too quickly. There are people who grow up to be natural geniuses. However, these geniuses coast on their talents and never become diligent or mature enough to fulfill their potential. Sometimes, they get surpassed by those of lesser talent but who have learned to work hard thanks to their lack of talent.When we look at Tracy McGrady, you could argue that he was the most talented shooting guard ever - even above Jordan and Kobe. There was nothing McGrady could not do. While McGrady's high school career was not very distinguished, the potential that he showed at a single basketball camp was so immense that he went straight from high school to a NBA lottery pick. McGrady eventually developed into one of the premier superstars in the NBA, and led his teams to regular season wins and the playoffs season after season.But while McGrady was blessed with more natural talent than almost all NBA players, he was cursed to have some of the worst teammates for any NBA superstar. Despite McGrady's impressive numbers over the years, his defining legacy was his inability to get past the first round of the NBA Playoffs. For years he struggled on teams whose other stars were injured and lacked the role players to make up for it. And right when it appeared that he would be on a championship squad in 2008-09, his body broke down from years of carrying poor basketball teams.

DeMar Derozan: the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Star Shooting Guards

DeMar Derozan: the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Star Shooting Guards
Author: Clayton Geoffreys
Publisher:
Total Pages: 132
Release: 2017-04-10
Genre:
ISBN: 9781545308462
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Learn the Inspiring Story of the Toronto Raptors' Star Shooting Guard DeMar DeRozan! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! In DeMar DeRozan: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Star Shooting Guards, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's greatest offensive players, DeMar DeRozan. DeMar DeRozan has quickly emerged as one of the premier scorers in the NBA, with a ruthless ability to score that reminds many of none other than a combination of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. Since being drafted as the ninth overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft, DeMar has played a significant role in the Raptors' emergence as a force in the Eastern Conference. Paired with Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and the Raptors are a formidable team in the East, and will likely remain so for years to come. In this unauthorized biography, we'll explore DeMar's incredible life story and impact on the game of basketball. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood and Early Life High School Career College Career NBA Career Getting Drafted, The Rookie Campaign, The Development Years Teaming Up with Kyle Lowry, the Rudy Gay Experiment, First All-Star Season, Playoff Debut, Injury Struggles, Lowry's Evolution into an All-Star Breaking Through to the Conference Finals, Road to Becoming Elite International Career Personal Life and Impact on Basketball Legacy and Future An excerpt from the book: The shooting guard position has always been one of the more difficult spots to play in the NBA. Shooting guards are required first and foremost to be among the best scorers on their team since their primary role of the team is to, of course, shoot and make their shots. While scoring the ball may not sound like the most difficult task to do, what makes the shooting guard a difficult position in the NBA is the level of skill required to be elite. As far as the history of the league is concerned, there have not been a lot of great shooting guards compared to centers, point guards, and forwards due to the relative difficulty the position requires for the player to be elite. But even though there have not been a lot of great shooting guards in the NBA's history, the best of the best happen to be those that play that position. Since the dawn of the league, the first great shooting guard was the NBA logo himself, Jerry West. Then there came guys like George Gervin and Pete Maravich during the dark 70's era of the league. Come the 80's and 90's, Reggie Miller and Clyde Drexler dominated the position. Those that came after them were Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Vince Carter, and Dwyane Wade. And Michael Jordan, the greatest player to have ever played the game, is known as a shooting guard. There have not been a lot of great shooting guards, but they were always the best of their respective eras. Tags: DeMar DeRozan Bio, DeMar DeRozan basketball, Toronto Raptors basketball, Kyle Lowry, DeMarcus Cousins, Jimmy Butler, Jonas Valanciunas, Paul George, James Harden, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady

LeBron James vs. the NBA

LeBron James vs. the NBA
Author: Brendan Bowers
Publisher: Triumph Books
Total Pages: 235
Release: 2017-11-15
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 1633199207
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Showcasing one of professional basketball's best players, this book spotlights the life and career of hardcourt superstar LeBron James. More than just a biography, it relates James' story while also establishing his prominent place in NBA history. By examining his skills and statistics in a variety of categories and comparing him to other NBA legends—including Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and more—the guide makes a strong case for James as basketball's greatest. Along the way, his best and most memorable moments are revisited, from his days as a high school stand-out in Akron, to his first stint with the Cavaliers, to "The Decision" to join the Miami Heat, and the show-stopping performance in the 2016 Finals to bring an NBA title back to Cleveland. LeBron James vs. The NBA is certain to stir up lively debate and is a must-have for Cavs fans and basketball buffs alike.

The Mamba Mentality

The Mamba Mentality
Author: Kobe Bryant
Publisher: MCD
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2018-10-23
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 0374719152
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The Mamba Mentality: How I Play is Kobe Bryant’s personal perspective of his life and career on the basketball court and his exceptional, insightful style of playing the game—a fitting legacy from the late Los Angeles Laker superstar. In the wake of his retirement from professional basketball, Kobe “The Black Mamba” Bryant decided to share his vast knowledge and understanding of the game to take readers on an unprecedented journey to the core of the legendary “Mamba mentality.” Citing an obligation and an opportunity to teach young players, hardcore fans, and devoted students of the game how to play it “the right way,” The Mamba Mentality takes us inside the mind of one of the most intelligent, analytical, and creative basketball players ever. In his own words, Bryant reveals his famously detailed approach and the steps he took to prepare mentally and physically to not just succeed at the game, but to excel. Readers will learn how Bryant studied an opponent, how he channeled his passion for the game, how he played through injuries. They’ll also get fascinating granular detail as he breaks down specific plays and match-ups from throughout his career. Bryant’s detailed accounts are paired with stunning photographs by the Hall of Fame photographer Andrew D. Bernstein. Bernstein, long the Lakers and NBA official photographer, captured Bryant’s very first NBA photo in 1996 and his last in 2016—and hundreds of thousands in between, the record of a unique, twenty-year relationship between one athlete and one photographer. The combination of Bryant’s narrative and Bernstein’s photos make The Mamba Mentality an unprecedented look behind the curtain at the career of one of the world’s most celebrated and fascinating athletes.

Boys Among Men

Boys Among Men
Author: Jonathan P. D. Abrams
Publisher:
Total Pages: 346
Release: 2016
Genre: Basketball draft
ISBN: 0804139253
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Explores the trend of teenage basketball stars skipping college and making the transition to playing professionally, resulting in the 2005 age limit instituted by the NBA, mandating that all players must attend college or another developmental program for at least a year.

Return of the King

Return of the King
Author: Brian Windhorst
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Total Pages: 342
Release: 2017-04-11
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1538759683
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In this New York Times bestseller, get the inside scoop into LeBron James's return -- and ultimate triumph -- in Cleveland. What really happened when LeBron James stunned the NBA by leaving a potential dynasty in Miami to come home to play with the Cleveland Cavaliers? How did the Cavs use secret meetings to put together the deal to add star Kevin Love? Who really made the controversial decision to fire coach David Blatt when the team was in first place? Where did the greatest comeback in NBA history truly begin-and end? Return of the King takes you onto the private planes, inside the locker-room conversations, and into the middle of the intense huddles where one of the greatest stories in basketball history took place, resulting in the Cavs winning the 2016 NBA title after trailing the Golden State Warriors three games to one. You'll hear from all the characters involved: the players, the executives, the agents, and the owners as they reveal stories never before told. Get the background on all the controversies, the rivalries, and the bad blood from two reporters who were there for every day, plot twist, and social media snafu as they take you through the fascinating ride that culminated in a heart-stopping Game Seven.

100 Things Rockets Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die

100 Things Rockets Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die
Author: Jonathan Feigen
Publisher: Triumph Books
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2018-10-23
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 1641251271
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Most Rockets fans have attended a game at the Toyota Center, have marveled at Hakeem Olajuwon highlights, and remember exactly where they were when Houston became "Clutch City." But only real fans have sat with the Red Rowdies or know about the good luck ritual that preceded some of the team's top draft selections. Whether you're a die-hard from the Moses Malone era or a more recent supporter of James Harden, 100 Things Rockets Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is the ultimate resource guide for true Houston hoops fans. Beat writer Jonathan Feigen has collected every essential piece of Rockets knowledge and trivia, as well as must-do activities, and ranks them all from 1 to 100, providing an entertaining and easy-to-follow checklist as you progress on your way to fan superstardom.

The Book of Basketball

The Book of Basketball
Author: Bill Simmons
Publisher: ESPN
Total Pages: 754
Release: 2010-12-07
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 0345520106
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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.

The Joy of Basketball

The Joy of Basketball
Author: Ben Detrick
Publisher: Abrams
Total Pages: 753
Release: 2021-11-09
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1647003008
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A vibrant, unconventional, highly opinionated guide to the triumphs, joys, struggles, and heartbreaks of the modern era of the game, for every obsessive basketball fan who loves to hate hot takes The Joy of Basketball celebrates the meteoric rise of basketball over the last quarter century by ignoring the bland, traditionalist binary of wins or losses. Instead, the book's focus is on everything else. Using text, charts, and illustrations that upend conventional jock wisdom, the book details the most incredible players in history, draft flops, long-limbed oddballs, superteams, the international talent wave, brawls, scandals, the rapid evolution of contemporary gameplay, coaching, fashion, crime, positional erosion, tragic tales, memes, and the sacred Kardashian Blessing. Bouncing between witty graphics and keen sociopolitical observations, The Joy of Basketball is a subversive sports manifesto camouflaged as a colorful reference book for your coffee table.

Unlikely Brothers

Unlikely Brothers
Author: John Prendergast
Publisher: Crown
Total Pages: 274
Release: 2011-05-17
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0307464865
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“You don’t look like brothers . . .” Peace activist and cofounder of the Enough Project, John Prendergast is known as a champion of human rights in Africa. But the not-so-public face of J.P. is the life he’s led as a Big Brother to Michael Mattocks. As a curious, driven, and emotionally wounded twenty-year-old, J.P. made the life-changing decision to form a “Big Brother/Little Brother” relationship with then seven-year-old Michael, who was living out of plastic bags and drifting from one homeless shelter to the next with his mother and siblings. Lacking a connection with his own brother and distancing himself from a disastrous relationship with his father, J.P. formed a unique bond with Michael the moment they met. Michael and J.P. became like family, with Michael and some of his siblings even living with J.P. one summer. In the years that followed, J.P. took Michael and his brothers on outings, whether it was fishing, playing basketball, patronizing cheap restaurants, or going on road trips. This friendship would continue for over twenty-five years as the two coped with varying degrees of violence, instability, and trauma in their own lives. Told in duet, Unlikely Brothers follows Michael as he grows up on the tough streets of Washington, D.C., where as a young teenager he watched his best friend get shot, dropped out of school, and started dealing crack cocaine shortly thereafter. By sixteen, Michael had become the kingpin of his neighborhood, guns and drugs always close at hand. Meanwhile, J.P. was traveling to and from African war zones. J.P. offered Michael a refuge from the streets, never really confronting the gravity of what Michael was going through in his adolescence. In turn, Michael afforded J.P. an escape from his own turbulent personal and professional life. As the years go by, the two swoop in and out of each other’s lives, slowly disconnecting as they disappear into their respective worlds, but making their way back to each other at a critical moment for both of them. The effect the two have on each other is extremely significant to both of their paths to redemption. Inspirational and deeply moving, Unlikely Brothers beautifully showcases how life’s most random moments can often be the most profound.