Download or read book Pau Gasol the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Most Versatile Power Forwards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2016-01-11 with total page 102 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Incredible Story of the Chicago Bull Pau Gasol! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! In Pau Gasol: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Most Versatile Power Forwards, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's premier power forwards, Pau Gasol. Since entering the NBA, Pau Gasol has created a legacy for himself as one of the best international basketball players to play in the NBA. As a dominant leader of the Memphis Grizzlies, a key contributor to an LA Laker Championship team, and now a valued member of the Chicago Bulls, Pau Gasol has adapted well to the different chapters of his basketball career, maintaining relevance on the court as a respected veteran. In this book, we'll explore how Pau ended up in the NBA, as well as the impact he has left behind on the game. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood in Spain FC Barcelona in Spain NBA Career Starts in Memphis End of an Era, Trade to L.A. Going to Chicago Olympic Competition Personal Life Impact on Basketball and Beyond Legacy in the NBA An excerpt from the book: Pau Gasol Saez was born on July 6, 1980, to parents who were both working in the medical field in Barcelona, Spain. His mother Marisa was a doctor and his father Agusti was a nurse administrator who worked at Saint Pau Hospital in Barcelona, Spain. It's a unique hospital that was described pretty well by Los Angeles Times writer Chuck Culpepper as a hybrid of the Shangri-La and Hotel Del Coronado - that's because there is plenty of artwork for people to see when walking the halls of the hospital, including a number of art mosaics, murals, and sculptures. Pau Gasol was born in this hospital and was raised by his parents in Cornella, which is in the southwestern portion of Barcelona's metropolitan district. He would have a younger brother Marc, who was born five years later. The family lived in this suburb that was somewhat small when you consider how it was very close to one of Spain's largest cities - Cornella had a population of about 80,000 people while the Gasol brothers were growing up. Pau was actually the oldest of three sons. While his parents commuted to work that took just under half an hour each way, Pau would walk to attend school at Escola Llor, which was a private school that had a metal front gate that greeted him every morning. It was a very short walk to and from his home and only took no more than five minutes each way; very convenient. It was a pleasant walk, as he recalled to Culpepper how he would walk past orange trees, palm trees, and neatly kept hedges at homes that didn't conform to each other. But this school was known best for having such a very successful youth sports program that it developed almost into a sporting complex for kids to play basketball both indoors and outdoors. Basketball is one of the more popular sports in Spain and, as Pau and his brothers attended school, they found themselves developing into pretty decent basketball players. During his childhood, you would find Pau learning to try his hand not only at basketball, but also at other sports that were also rising in popularity in the country - tennis, soccer, and golf. Tags: pau gasol bio, pau gasol basketball, chicago bulls, memphis grizzlies, la lakers, marc gasol, kobe bryant, joakim noah, nikola mirotic, derrick rose, jimmy butler, dirk nowitzki

Download or read book Julius Randle the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s All Star Forwards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2021-07-03 with total page 154 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Inspiring Story of the New York Knicks All-Star Power Forward, Julius Randle! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! One of many riveting reads in the Basketball Biography Books series by Clayton Geoffreys. In Julius Randle: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's All-Star Forwards, you'll learn the motivational story of one of basketball's young All-Star Power Forwards, Julius Randle. Since being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2014 NBA Draft, Julius Randle has had quite the journey in order to become the All-Star that he is today. His consistent hard work over time paid dividends, as he was given the NBA's Most Improved Player Award in just his second season with the Knicks and named a reserve for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game. Randle has many good years of basketball left, so it'll be exciting to see what he achieves next. Get this basketball book on Julius Randle today if you're looking for an inspiring basketball biography book to read, or a gift for a basketball fan! It's perfect for reading at home or on the go. Here is a preview of what is inside this Julius Randle book: Chapter 1: Childhood and Early Life Chapter 2: High School Career Chapter 3: College Career Chapter 4: NBA Career - Getting Drafted, Injured Rookie Year, The Return, Final Season in LA, The Short Stop at Nola, Moving to the Big Apple, and Becoming an All-Star Chapter 5: Personal Life Chapter 6: Impact on Basketball Chapter 7: Legacy and Future An excerpt from this biography book on Julius Randle's story: In the NBA, or even in the game of basketball as a whole, there are players who are born to be stars the moment they first get to touch a ball. When they get to the NBA, they are already poised to become some of the best players in the entire league because of how seemingly talented and ready they are for the next level. This is something that is quite a rarity in the league, as only generational talents have this attribute. When you think about such players, names such as Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James come to mind. Those few generational talents came to the NBA and instantly became megastars. In a league that is never shy of talent, such players are rare, as only those who are born with the gift and the potential to become big-name players get to rise to such heights. Of course, these are the type of players that will excel in whatever situation and team you put them in. But we are not here to talk about such names. Too much has been said about the greatest players the league has ever seen. Instead, we are here to talk about the players who may have been immensely talented but still needed to be in the right place at the right time to truly shine and become the best versions of themselves. These are the guys who may have had the potential to become stars but were not in the best situation at the start of their careers. One such name that we can think of in the NBA right now is the versatile power forward named Julius Randle. Did you enjoy this excerpt? If so, be sure to pick up a copy of this basketball biography book on Julius Randle today! This is just one of many basketball biographies by Clayton Geoffreys. Also, be sure to check out Clayton's biography on Derrick Rose and Rudy Gobert after you finish this one.

Download or read book Michael Jordan written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2015-05-31 with total page 120 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Traces the life of one of the most legendary basketball players in the history of the sport, drawing upon interviews with Jordan's friends, family, and teammates, and following his career from college to the NBA."--Provide by publisher.

Download or read book Kobe Bryant written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2014-10-30 with total page 186 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Read about the inspirational story of basketball's star, Kobe Bryant. Kobe Bryant has been the face of the Lakers dynasty for the past two decades and for good reason. Few players have commanded a basketball court as much as Kobe in historical performances such as his notable 81-point performance in just under 42 minutes of playing time in 2006 against the Toronto Raptors. Whenever Kobe Bryant decides to retire, he is not going to do so on his own terms as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Few players can parallel with Kobe Bryant in terms of competitive fire and will to win. His polarizing figure defines him and makes even those who do not like him at the very least respect him. Read on to learn about the days of when Kobe played alongside Shaquille O'Neal, Robert Horry, Metta World Peace, Derek Fisher, and Pau Gasol in some of the greatest times of Los Angeles Lakers' basketball history.

Download or read book Kevin Love the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Dominant Power Forwards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2014-08-31 with total page 60 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Incredible Story of Cleveland Cavalier Kevin Love! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! In Kevin Love: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Dominant Power Forwards, you'll read about the inspirational story of basketball's star, Kevin Love. Newly acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers to join forces with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love was all the trade chatter in the summer of 2014. After finally being acquired in return for Andrew Wiggins, Thaddeus Young, Anthony Bennett, and a $6.3 million trade exception, Kevin Love teamed up in Cleveland to create one of the most hyped trios in the Eastern Conference for this upcoming year. Yet despite this news, Kevin Love left a legacy in his six years in Minnesota. This book largely focuses on that legacy and how Kevin reached where he is today. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Early Life and Childhood High School Years College Years at UCLA Kevin's Personal Life Kevin Love's Impact on Basketball and Beyond Love's Legacy An excerpt from the book: There are few sports leagues today as grueling as the NBA. In basketball, the effect of a superstar is gigantic compared to other sports. In baseball, an elite hitter will get only about as many chances as his teammates, and his defense only matters if the ball is actually hit towards him. In football, while the impact of a quarterback might be comparable to a star, the fact that football players only play offense or defense limits their capabilities. Time and time again in NBA history, we have seen great superstars lead mediocre supporting casts to high regular season win totals and playoff success. Kobe Bryant won 45 games in 2006 with an incredibly weak Lakers supporting cast. Tim Duncan won a championship in 2003 even though his best playoff teammates were a David Robinson with one foot in the grave as well as various other players who were too young to reach their eventual potential. LeBron James dragged the 2007 Cavaliers to the NBA Finals. Unlike the other leagues, NBA stars have shown that they are fully capable of creating great results almost entirely by themselves. If this is true, then what are we to make of Kevin Love? The newest member of the Cleveland Cavaliers spent the first six years of his career as the star for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves never won more than 40 games during Love's tenure. They routinely struggled during the close games where superstars are supposed to take over. They were never a top 10 defensive team, particularly concerning given that superstar big men can make a big difference on that end. It is true that Kevin Love put up absolutely staggering numbers, but how much impact did he create if the Wolves never made the playoffs? Is Love a superstar who was cursed to play with garbage in Minnesota and will now make Cleveland the most dangerous team in the league? Or is he an overrated player who looked out for his own numbers above the teams, never won anything in the NBA, and will not help the Cavaliers as much as people expect? Tags: Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves, UCLA Bruins, Bruins Basketball, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Bennett, Andrew Wiggins, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Kevin Garnett

Download or read book Marc Gasol the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Most Dominant Centers written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2016-01-23 with total page 114 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Incredible Story of the Memphis Grizzlies Star Marc Gasol! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! In Marc Gasol: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Most Dominant Centers, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's premier centers, Marc Gasol. Since entering the NBA, Marc Gasol has created a name for himself as one of the best international basketball players to play in the NBA at the center position. As one of the leaders of the Memphis Grizzlies, Marc Gasol has demonstrated a great deal of versatility at both the offensive and defensive ends of the game. It's no surprise why Gasol won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in the 2012-2013 season. In this book, we'll explore how Marc ended up in the NBA, as well as the impact he has left behind on the game. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Early Life and Childhood High School Career Marc Gasol's Professional Career In Spain Marc Gasol's NBA Career The Anchor of the GRit and Grind Era All-Star Season Defensive Player of the Year Winner Marc Gasol's Personal Life Marc Gasol's Legacy and Future An excerpt from the book: As the sport of basketball has grown over the years, not only in the United States, but in all other parts of the globe as well, the NBA has seen a flurry of European super-stars crossing over from the shores of Europe to play professional basketball in the world's best basketball league. Despite many international basketball players coming over to the NBA since the 90's, it was only in the new millennium when the NBA truly became global. The 90's saw its share of very good European players such as Toni Kukoc, Vlade Divac, Rik Smits, Arvydas Sabonis, and the late, great Drazen Petrovic. Coincidentally, a lot of those international players come from European nations because of how fundamentally sound their players are. The new millennium saw an even bigger explosion of European talent joining several NBA teams. Notable European players that became popular NBA stars in the new decade include Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Andrei Kirilenko, Peja Stojakovic, and Luis Scola, among others. However, one European basketball star literally stands taller than others. That man is Marc Gasol. If you go back six to eight years ago, you would immediately think of Pau Gasol whenever you hear the "Gasol" family name. After all, Pau was the European superstar who put Spain on the map as arguably the second best basketball country in the world. Pau also had won championships with the Lakers in the late 2000s. He was the Spanish basketball team's best player and could very well be Spain's best in their basketball history. Hence, Pau was essentially a household name among basketball fans and was considered one of the best big men in all of basketball. Over the years, Pau's younger brother Marc slowly and steadily worked his way up to becoming one of today's best NBA players. Standing 7'1" and weighing nearly 270 lbs., Marc was larger than his big brother. When he entered the NBA in 2008, people thought that size was the only thing that Marc had over Pau. Pau was one of the league's best and most fundamentally sound big men while Marc was just a giant who would live in the shadow of his big brother. He was just a second round draft pick while Pau was a top prospect in his draft class. Tags: marc gasol bio, marc gasol basketball, memphis grizzlies, pau gasol,zach randolph, mike conley jr, serge ibaka, jose calderon, rudy fernandez, lamarcus aldridge, anthony davis

Download or read book DeMar Derozan the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Star Shooting Guards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2017-04-10 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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

Download or read book Anthony Davis the Incredible Story of One of Basketball s Most Dynamic Power Forwards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2014-12-13 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Incredible Story of the New Orleans Pelicans' Star Power Forward Anthony Davis! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! In Anthony Davis: The Incredible Story of One of Basketball's Most Dynamic Power Forwards, you'll read about the inspirational story of basketball's star, Anthony Davis. This short unauthorized biography of Anthony Davis highlights his fast rise into the role of a superstar at the young age of twenty-one (as of the 2014-2015 NBA season). The drafting of Anthony Davis by the New Orleans Pelicans completely redefined the franchise, as the Pelicans have continued to improve year after year since Davis entered the league. Now, alongside a talented supporting cast of Omer Asik, Eric Gordon, Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, and Ryan Anderson, the Peicans have continued to grow into a formidable team in the Western Conference. A franchise once lottery-bound has become one of the hottest up and coming franchises in the NBA today. Read on to learn about Anthony Davis' journey into the league, to his college year at Kentucky leading them to a National Championship before ultimately propelling into the NBA. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood and High School Years College Years at Kentucky Anthony Davis' NBA Career Davis' Personal Life Anthony Davis' Impact on Basketball Anthony Davis' Legacy & Future An excerpt from the book: In order to fully understand Anthony Davis' rise to stardom, we need to take a look at his journey. It is important to know where he came from in order to understand his current situation. Anthony Davis is one of the most intriguing players to have ever played in the NBA. He does, however have a lot of improving to do. By simply looking at Davis' appearance, you would not be able to tell that he was not always enormous growing up. In high school, he was only (at most) 6'3, until an 8-inch growth spurt occurred. Unlike most players who have huge growth spurts, the little ex-point guard kept his dribbling and playmaking skills, but increased his size. I guess you can say that Davis took his talent to new heights.Anthony Davis attended a not-well-known high school (Perspectives High School), where he did not receive much attention until his rapid growth spurt. He was so used to shooting the jump shot when driving in the lane, and now started dunking on people. He never had to really focus on blocking shots or having to back down his opponent on the offensive end. Davis had a lot of work cut out for him and was ready for the challenge. He had to learn how to become an inside presence and quickly tried to do so. Swatting shot after shot and often stealing the ball from the opposing guards, Davis started to pick up speed.Only one Division 1 school decided to offer him a full scholarship (Cleveland State) and he was tempted to take it, but his dad advised him to be patient and more offers would come. His dad was right, and soon enough the whole nation was after him. Though some analysts only pegged Davis as the 6th or 3rd best prospect in the Nation, Davis was still receiving offers from notable schools and eventually joined the Kentucky Wildcats. Tags: Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans, Ryan Anderson, Austin Rivers, James Harden, Kenneth Faried, Joakim Noah, DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky Basketball, Kyrie Irving, Steph Curry, Omer Asik, Jimmer Fredette, Eric Gordon, Jrue Holiday, Ryan Anderson, Tyreke Evans, Monty Williams

Download or read book Karl Malone the Remarkable Story of One of Basketball s Greatest Power Forwards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2014-06-28 with total page 58 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Remarkable Story of Basketball Superstar Karl Malone!Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device!In Karl Malone: The Remarkable Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Power Forwards, you'll read about the inspirational story of basketball's premier power forward, Karl Malone. Karl Malone, also known more commonly as "The Mailman", dominated the post during his NBA career from 1985 to 2004. Filled in era of greats like John Stockton, Michael Jordan, and Charles Barkley, Karl Malone played in one of the most exciting eras of modern basketball. Though Karl Malone never won an NBA championship with the Utah Jazz, he left a lasting legacy in Utah and on the game of basketball.Karl Malone retired from the NBA as a two time Most Valuable Player, along with fourteen All-Star nominations. He is one of the most decorated power forwards to ever play the game of basketball. This Karl Malone biography will bring you along every highlight of Karl's journey in the NBA.Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Early Life and Childhood College Years at Louisiana Tech Karl Malone's NBA Career Malone's Personal Life Karl's Impact on Basketball and Beyond Karl Malone's Legacy An excerpt from the book: Fans adorned in navy blue and purple at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City watched as one of their past heroes officially became an immortal when his number was raised to the rafters. There, it would hang forever as a testament to the legend that the man was and will forever be. On March 23, 2006, the Utah Jazz retired the number 32 before they took on the Washington Wizards. The number 32 has become forever synonymous with consistent delivery and the hard work of the player known as "The Mailman" for fans of the Jazz. Karl Malone spent the first eighteen years of his professional NBA career with the Jazz, forming a historic partnership with his teammate and fellow Hall of Famer John Stockton before joining the Los Angeles Lakers for his final year. Malone is considered by many to be one of the greatest power forwards of all time in the NBA. With 36,928 points throughout his nineteen professional seasons, he has the second highest amount of points ever among players. To add to his accomplishments, the Mailman was named MVP of the league twice, named to the All-NBA team eleven times, and he made the All-Star team fourteen times. If there is anything more to further cement his legacy in basketball, Malone was a part of the historic "Dream Team", representing the United States national team during both the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic games, which resulted in gold medals on both occasions. At the same time, there are a few critics who argue that Malone is one of basketball's biggest villains. Malone had a body made of muscle, weighing 256 pounds with less than 5% body fat, that he threw around - particularly his elbows. Several instances involving the Mailman elbowing rival players stirred up controversies during his playing career. Fines and suspensions came Malone's way and caused blemishes on how fans viewed him. The accomplishments of Malone's basketball career are extraordinary, but so too are the circumstances that paved the way for them to be possible. Tags: karl malone, the mailman nba, nba greats, john stockton, utah jazz, dante exum, shaquille o'neal, magic johnson, kobe bryant, scottie pippen, michael jordan, patrick ewing, kareem abdul-jabbar, hakeem olajuwon, charles barkley, david robinson

Download or read book Kevin Garnett written by Kimberly Gatto and published by Enslow Publishing, LLC. This book was released on 2012-07-01 with total page 50 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Kevin Garnett is the star forward for the Boston Celtics. With his ability to jumpshoot as well as play close to the hoop, Garnett is one of the most versatile and talented players in basketball. In addition to his skill on the court, he also has done important work away from the sport. Through his 4XL Foundation, Kevin helps teens prepare for careers in business. He also donated more than 1 million dollars to help rebuild homes devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Download or read book Aaron Gordon the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Rising Star Forwards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2018-08-11 with total page 108 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Inspiring Story of the Orlando Magic's Star Forward Aaron Gordon! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device. Limited time offer: If you buy the print edition, you can keep the Kindle edition for yourself! In Aaron Gordon: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Rising Star Forwards, you will learn the incredible story of one of basketball's most exciting young forwards, Aaron Gordon. As the fourth overall pick in the 2014 Draft, Aaron Gordon has become a prominent piece of the Magic franchise as they continue rebuilding post the Dwight Howard era. Now entering his fifth season, expectations are the highest they have ever been for Aaron Gordon with his new four-year contract he signed in the summer of 2018. At the time of this writing, Gordon is coming off a career season, still with a great deal of potential and upside to actualize at the young age of twenty-two. It'll be exciting to follow Gordon's journey as he continues to grow in the years to come. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood and Early Life High School and College Career Getting Drafted, Rookie Season, Putting on a Dunk Fest Aaron Gordon the Small Forward and Breakout season Gordon's Personal Life Impact on Basketball Legacy and Future An excerpt from the book: The NBA is a league that goes through a process of constant evolution. Players, coaches, and new systems change the game. The modern-day NBA has become wildly different from what old-school basketball fans are used to. The success of three-point shooters, guards, and versatile big men have paved the way for how teams now emphasize space and a faster pace. Because of how the game changed, players have had to change as well. Guards today focus more on scoring and shooting rather than passing. Wing players are now supposed to space the floor well and defend all perimeter positions. Meanwhile, most centers are now only rebounders and paint defenders. But despite the massive changes to how players now play, one thing that remained constant is the athletic and versatile power forward. Throughout the years, the NBA has seen the likes of Karl Malone, Shawn Kemp, Kevin Garnett, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Blake Griffin. Those players are known for their athleticism and versatility as power forwards out on the floor. No matter how the league has changed, any team can appreciate the talents of such players because of the variety of what they can do on both ends of the floor. They can use their superior athleticism to score inside the paint. They can blow by or outrun their defenders because of their mobility. And on the defensive end, they can cover both big man positions and can also keep up with some perimeter players. Today, the player that is next in line for the mantle of the league's premier high-flying power forward is Aaron Gordon. When it comes to sheer athletic ability, almost no other power forward in the league can match up to what Gordon can do. He is known for dunking the ball hard in creative ways. He not only uses that athleticism to put up contest-worthy dunks but also to outplay and outrun slow-footed opposing big men that fail to keep up with him. And on the defensive end, he does not only guard both big men positions but also the perimeter players as well. But what makes Gordon truly fit as an athletic power forward in the modern-day version of the NBA is his ability to stretch the floor. Tags: Aaron Gordon Bio, Arizona basketball, zach lavine, elfrid payton, nikola vucevic, evan fournier, mario hezonja, julius randle, jabari parker, orlando magic

Download or read book Kevin Garnett the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Greatest Power Forwards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2015-12-12 with total page 116 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Incredible Story of the Minnesota Timberwolves' Basketball Legend Kevin Garnett! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! In Kevin Garnett: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Power Forwards, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's premier power forwards, Kevin Garnett. Since joining the NBA directly from high school, Kevin Garnett has had a highly productive and legendary career in the NBA as a leader and as a basketball player. From leading the Minnesota Timberwolves in the early 2000s to playing an important role as part of the Boston Big 3 alongside Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in their deep playoff runs (including a 2008 NBA Championship), Kevin Garnett is easily one of the greatest power forwards to play the game. It is hard to believe that we have had the unique opportunity of seeing a young teen mature into a man throughout his NBA career. While Kevin Garnett is nearing the twilight of his career and has openly accepted the role as a mentor for young bigs such as Karl-Anthony Towns, his legacy on the game of basketball will never be forgotten. After all, anything is possible. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Early Life and Childhood High School Years of Kevin Garnett Kevin Garnett's NBA Career Getting Drafted Rookie Season All-Star Season and Controversial Contract 1998-1999 Lockout Season Superstardom and First Round Exits MVP Season The Slow Breakup The Trade The New Boston Big 3 Becoming an NBA Champion Celtic Run The End of an Era and Trade to Brooklyn Brooklyn Stint Minnesota Homecoming Garnett's Personal Life Garnett's Legacy and Impact on the Game An excerpt from the book: No single person in the history of the NBA has been as fiery in both ends of the court as Kevin Garnett. Aside from his lone championship, individual accolades, numerous All-Star game appearances, and career milestones, Kevin Garnett (or KG as he is better known) is intensity personified on the basketball court. Whether as a teammate or as a player on the opposing side, KG will always push you to your limit in any manner conceivable and will get into your head both on and off the court. He pushes people so hard that he once made his Boston Celtics teammate Glen "Big Baby" Davis cry during a televised game by scolding him on the sidelines after a timeout. Moreover, opposing players tend to get the worst aspects of his intensity as he is a very physical player and is one of the best trash-talkers in the game. He once called opposing forward Charlie Villanueva a "cancer on the team" while defending him. KG has even gone as far as insulting All-Star Carmelo Anthony's wife in a game. However, it is also KG's intense persona that contributed to his legendary and accomplished career. He is a 15-time NBA All-Star, a one-time MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year, an Olympic gold medalist, an All-NBA team member nine times, a 12-time All-Defense team member (tied with Kobe Bryant for second of all-time), and above all an NBA champion. He is also today's longest tenured NBA player as he has been with the league since the 1995 season. Tags: kevin garnett bio, kevin garnett basketball, KG draft, minnesota timberwolves, karl-anthony towns, andrew wiggins, paul pierce, rajan rondo, ray allen, facts about kevin garnett, boston celtics, the big 3 boston

Download or read book Larry Bird the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Greatest Forwards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2016-07-13 with total page 122 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Inspiring Story of the Legendary Forward Larry Bird! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! In Larry Bird: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Forwards, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's premier forwards, Larry Bird. Larry Bird had a profound impact on the Boston Celtics' franchise throughout the 1980s, leading the franchise to three NBA Championships. With an extraordinary ability as a two-way player, Bird was gritty, full of heart, and the definition of a superstar. Since retiring from professional basketball, Bird has served many roles, as a head coach and president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers. He has continued making history in post-retirement, as he is the only individual to be league MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year. Read on to learn Bird's inspiring story. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood and Early Life High School Career College Career Larry Bird's NBA Career Getting Drafted Rookie Season The Dawn of the Boston Big Three, First NBA Title Falling Short First MVP, Finals Battle with the Lakers, Second NBA Title Second MVP, Finals Rematch with the Lakers MVP Three-Peat, Third NBA Championship 50-40-90 Season, Last Finals Appearance Second 50-40-90 Season, End of the Reign as the Kings of the East Injury Season Return from Injury, First Round Exit Injury-Prone Season, Beginning of the End of a Legendary Career Final NBA Season 1992 Olympics: The Dream Team Life After Retirement Rivalry with Magic Johnson Larry Bird's Personal Life Larry Bird's Impact on Basketball Larry Bird's Legacy An excerpt from the book: If there were a player in the history of the NBA that deserves to be called a legend, that man would be none other than Larry Bird. All-Star appearances, clutch plays, highlight moments, personal awards, MVP's, and championships. You can name any accolade in the NBA, and Larry Bird has achieved them all in his truly stellar 13-year NBA career. Just looking at all those achievements and his career averages of 24.3 points, ten rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.7 steals, you would immediately understand why he is a legitimate NBA legend. Larry Bird is also considered as one of the best shooters in the history of the league. In Bird, you have a guy standing almost 6'10" who could shoot the lights out of the basketball. He has the size of a power forward but with the shooting touch of an off guard. No wonder he has a career shooting percentage of 49.6% from the floor, 37.6% from the three-point line, and 88.6% from the foul stripe. With those shooting numbers, Larry Bird was a two-time member of the 50-40-90 club. Though Larry's offensive skill set belonged to that of a shooting guard, he could pass the ball as well as a point guard while rebounding possessions at the rate of a center. With those skills and abilities, Larry Bird is also one of the most versatile players the NBA has ever seen. Tags: Larry Bird Bio, Larry Bird basketball, Boston Celtics basketball, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kevin McHale, Charles Barkley

Download or read book Sprawlball written by Kirk Goldsberry and published by Mariner Books. This book was released on 2019 with total page 257 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Beautifully illustrated and sharply written, SprawlBall is both a celebration and a critique of the 3-point shot. If you want to understand how the modern NBA came to be, you'll need to read this book." --Nate Silver, editor of fivethirtyeight.com From the leading expert in the exploding field of basketball analytics, a stunning infographic decoding of the modern NBA: who shoots where, and how. The field of basketball analytics has leaped to overdrive thanks to Kirk Goldsberry, whose visual maps of players, teams, and positions have helped teams understand who really is the most valuable player at any position. SprawlBall combines stunning visuals, in-depth analysis, fun, behind-the-scenes stories and gee-whiz facts to chart a modern revolution. From the introduction of the 3-point line to today, the game has changed drastically . . . Now, players like Steph Curry and Draymond Green are leading the charge. In chapters like "The Geography of the NBA," "The Interior Minister (Lebron James)," "The Evolution of Steph Curry," and "The Investor (James Harden)," Goldsberry explains why today's on-court product--with its emphasis on shooting, passing, and spacing--has never been prettier or more democratic. And it's never been more popular. For fans of Bill Simmons and FreeDarko, SprawlBall is a bold new vision of the game, presenting an innovative, cutting-edge look at the sport based on the latest research, as well as a visual and infographic feast for fans.

Download or read book Eleven Rings written by Phil Jackson and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2014-04-29 with total page 409 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Through candor and comprehensiveness, Jackson writes a convincing revisionist take, in which he emerges as an excellent coach . . . highly readable . . . reflects Jackson’s polymathy." —The New York Times Book Review "Part sports memoir, part New Age spirit quest, part pseudo-management tract . . . But the primary thing with Jackson—as with all the old bards, who were also known for repeating themselves—is the voice." —Sam Anderson, The New York Times Magazine A New York Times Bestseller The inside story of one of basketball's most legendary and game-changing figures During his storied career as head coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson won more championships than any coach in the history of professional sports. Even more important, he succeeded in never wavering from coaching his way, from a place of deep values. Jackson was tagged as the “Zen master” half in jest by sportswriters, but the nickname speaks to an important truth: this is a coach who inspired, not goaded; who led by awakening and challenging the better angels of his players’ nature, not their egos, fear, or greed. This is the story of a preacher’s kid from North Dakota who grew up to be one of the most innovative leaders of our time. In his quest to reinvent himself, Jackson explored everything from humanistic psychology and Native American philosophy to Zen meditation. In the process, he developed a new approach to leadership based on freedom, authenticity, and selfless teamwork that turned the hypercompetitive world of professional sports on its head. In Eleven Rings, Jackson candidly describes how he: • Learned the secrets of mindfulness and team chemistry while playing for the champion New York Knicks in the 1970s • Managed Michael Jordan, the greatest player in the world, and got him to embrace selflessness, even if it meant losing a scoring title • Forged successful teams out of players of varying abilities by getting them to trust one another and perform in sync • Inspired Dennis Rodman and other “uncoachable” personalities to devote themselves to something larger than themselves • Transformed Kobe Bryant from a rebellious teenager into a mature leader of a championship team. Eleven times, Jackson led his teams to the ultimate goal: the NBA championship—six times with the Chicago Bulls and five times with the Los Angeles Lakers. We all know the legendary stars on those teams, or think we do. What Eleven Rings shows us, however, is that when it comes to the most important lessons, we don’t know very much at all. This book is full of revelations: about fascinating personalities and their drive to win; about the wellsprings of motivation and competition at the highest levels; and about what it takes to bring out the best in ourselves and others.

Download or read book Tim Duncan the Inspiring Story of Basketball s Greatest Power Forward written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2014-04-18 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Incredible Story of Basketball Superstar Tim Duncan!Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device!In Tim Duncan: The Inspiring Story of Basketball's Greatest Power Forward, you'll read about the inspirational story of basketball's greatest power forwards Tim Duncan. Tim Duncan has kept the San Antonio Spurs relevant in the NBA for every year of his long NBA career. In this short book, we will learn about how Duncan became the incredible power forward that he is today. Starting first with a look into his childhood and early life, we'll learn about Tim Duncan prior to entering the NBA, along with his time in the NBA playing alongside David Robinson to his time playing with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili leading the San Antonio Spurs.Tim Duncan is easily one of the greatest, if not the greatest power forward to play the game of basketball. For a man who once was just a kid fulfilling a promise to his parents to earn a college degree at Wake Forest, Tim Duncan has come a long way over the course of his basketball career.It will be exciting to see how Duncan and the Spurs do in this year's 2013-2014 NBA playoffs.Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Early Life and Childhood College Years at Wake Forest Duncan's NBA Career Tim Duncan's Personal Life Tim's Impact on Basketball and Beyond Duncan's Legacy An excerpt from the book:A half-decade ago, the Spurs were the most hated team in the league. In the eyes of the media and fans alike, they were not the brilliant, beautiful team that executed basketball at a level which no other team could do. They were an ugly, defense-first boring team that would never hesitate to use dirty tricks, flop, or work the referees to beat more exciting, fun teams like the "Seven Seconds or Less" Phoenix Suns. Bruce Bowen was a nasty piece of work who would kick an opposing player in the face if he could get away with it, Robert Horry hip-checked Steve Nash into the stands in the playoffs and Manu Ginobili was a cowardly flopper. Duncan may not have received quite the ire of his teammates, but he was boring. A superstar without a doubt, but one who got to play on stacked teams unlike Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant who struggled on mediocre teams in the mid-2000s. But do the Spurs care about the fact that those who love them today are also those who castigated them in the past? Not in the slightest. They just keep winning one 50-game season after another, chasing championships and glory. Right in the middle of that, Tim Duncan, oblivious to the roars or boos of the crowd, continues to play, with the same efficiency and genius that he has brought to the NBA over the past 17 years of his career.

Download or read book Scottie Pippen the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Greatest Small Forwards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2014-11-06 with total page 58 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Incredible Story of Chicago Bull & NBA Great Scottie Pippen! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! In Scottie Pippen: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Small Forwards, you'll read about the inspirational story of basketball's star, Scottie Pippen. This short unauthorized biography of Scottie Pippen highlights the greatest moments of his career. Scottie Pippen was one of the underdog stories of the NBA when he first entered the league, drafted surprisingly as the fifth overall pick by the Seattle Supersonics before being traded on draft night to the Chicago Bulls. He would become a central figure alongside Michael Jordan in the Bulls' historic championship runs of the 90s. Even after the Bulls dynasty dismantled, Scottie would impress as he spent the later part of his career seeking championship number seven as part of the Portland TrailblazersRead on to learn about the days of when Scottie Pippen played alongside Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoc, Ron Harper and Steve Kerr in some of the greatest times of Chicago Bulls' basketball history. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood and High School Years College Years at the University of Central Arkansas Scottie's NBA Career Pippen's Personal Life Scottie Pippen's Impact on Basketball Pippen's Most Memorable Moments Pippen's Legacy & Future An excerpt from the book: Tom and Jerry. Lone Ranger and Tonto. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Batman and Robin. Jordan and Pippen. It's hard to describe a man who many have believed was a mere sidekick to Michael Jordan. However, like Jerry, Tonto, Dr. Watson, and Robin, Scottie Pippen also established a name for himself in the game of basketball. Most of his career happened in the shadows of Jordan and people fail to realize that without Pippen, Chicago potentially would not have created the wining Bulls dynasty. Pippen once said, "Sometimes a player's greatest challenge is coming to grips with his role on the team." He not only came to grips with his role, but embraced it, quietly racking up impressive statistics while giving his teammates the spotlight. The 6-time NBA Champion and all-leader in steals and assists among forwards, is one of the most versatile players in NBA history. Although Pippen averaged over 20 points a game along with 7 rebounds, he was continually overshadowed by the shooting guard god, Jordan. It wasn't until Pippen was charged with guarding Magic Johnson in the 1991 NBA Finals that everyone began to take notice and see Pippen in his own right. The world soon began to uncover the mystery surrounding Pippen's rise to fame in the basketball world. In the height of his prime, Pippen made 10 consecutive All-NBA First Defensive teams, and was only one of three NBA players to record 200 steals and 100 blocks in a single season. He was known to block the lanes of opposing teams with his unusually long wingspan (2.2m) and jumping ability. Coach Phil Jackson once described him as a "one man wrecking crew." His tireless work ethic and selfless playing style often resulted in him leading the Bulls in blocks and assists. He finished 23rd in all-time assists in his career. Pippen is truly one of the league's greatest treasures and few players in NBA history have actually matched his versatility. He was an incredibly unique player. On defense, he combined his height with strength and athleticism and there was no area he didn't excel in. Tags: Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls, Portland Trailblazers, Houston Rockets, Michael Jordan, Ron Harper, Steve Kerr, Dennis Rodman, Charles Barkley, Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, Karl Malone, Magic Johnson, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah