Download or read book Shaquille O Neal the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Greatest Centers written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2017-08-13 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Inspiring Story of the Los Angeles Lakers' Legend Shaquille O'Neal! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! In Shaquille O'Neal: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Centers, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's greatest centers, Shaquille O'Neal. Often nicknamed "Shaq" or "The Diesel", O'Neal left an indelible mark on the center position. His incredible power and athleticism made him a practically unstoppable presence on both the offensive and defensive ends of the basketball court. It's no surprise O'Neal concluded his career a four-time NBA Champion. He was such a unique generational talent who could immediately change the course of a game. In this book, we'll learn more about Shaq's journey into the NBA, his impact on the game, and his legacy as one of the best to ever play at the center position. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood and Early Life High School Career College Career at LSU Shaq's Illustrious NBA Career: From Starting in Orlando, Achieving a Three-Peat in LA, to Bringing Miami the Championship International Career Post-Retirement Career Personal Life O'Neal's Impact and Legacy on Basketball An excerpt from the book: The NBA has had its share of dominant players that could lord over defenders and push around grown men inside the paint with ease. As they say, the NBA is a big man's league, and some of the best players the league has ever seen were among the greatest and most dominant men to have ever set foot on a hard wood floor. And wherever those dominant players went, success would usually follow. One of the NBA's pioneering dominant players was George Mikan, who played for what was then the Minneapolis Lakers back in the 50's. At 6'10" and 250 pounds, Mikan would not be considered one of the biggest players in today's era. But back then, he was already among the largest in the league. Nobody could stop him in the paint on his way to five NBA titles. The first truly dominant player in league history was Wilt Chamberlain. Standing above seven feet tall and weighing nearly 300 pounds of lean muscle mass, "Wilt the Stilt" used his height and strength advantage to bully players down under the basket. Chamberlain was rumored to be so strong that he could easily lift a man over 200 pounds using only one arm. He even once dunked the ball so hard that it broke an opposing player's toe. All of this strength and size were vital for Wilt Chamberlain to score 100 points in a single game. He even averaged over 50 points a game during one season while holding five of the top ten scoring averages in a single season. He was a man among boys back in the 60's era. Wilt would end up with two NBA titles, which he won during the twilight years of his career. During the 80's and 90's, Karl Malone would use his bodybuilder strength and muscle to push opposing power forwards around when he bulled his way to easy baskets inside the paint. Because of how well-conditioned and dominant of a player Malone was, he was able to stay active until the age of 40. Eventually, Malone finished second in most points ever scored in a career. Sadly, Malone was always the bridesmaid to Michael Jordan's bride as he would never win an NBA championship during his era. Tags: Shaquille O'Neal Bio, Shaq basketball, Los Angeles Lakers basketball, Miami Heat basketball, Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan, Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson

Download or read book Shaq Uncut written by Shaquille O'Neal and published by Grand Central Publishing. This book was released on 2011-11-15 with total page 262 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Superman. Diesel. The Big Aristotle. Shaq Fu. The Big Daddy. The Big Shaqtus. Wilt Chamberneezy. The Real Deal. The Big Shamrock. Shaq. You know him by any number of names, and chances are you know all about his legendary basketball career: Shaquille "Shaq" O'Neal is a four-time NBA champion and a three-time NBA Finals MVP. After being an All-American at Louisiana State University, he was the overall number one draft pick in the NBA in 1992. In his 19-year career, Shaq racked up 28,596 career points (including 5,935 free throws!), 13,099 rebounds, 3,026 assists, 2,732 blocks, and 15 All-Star appearances. These are statistics that are almost as massive as the man himself. His presence-both physically and psychologically-made him a dominant force in the game for two decades. But if you follow the game, you also know that there's a lot more to Shaquille O'Neal than just basketball. Shaq is famous for his playful, and at times, provocative personality. He is, literally, outsize in both scale and persona. Whether rapping on any of his five albums, challenging celebrities on his hit television show "Shaq Vs.," studying for his PhD or serving as a reserve police officer, there's no question that Shaq has led a unique and multi-dimensional life. And in this rollicking new autobiography, Shaq discusses his remarkable journey, including his candid thoughts on teammates and coaches like Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Phil Jackson, and Pat Riley. From growing up in difficult circumstances and getting cut from his high school basketball team to his larger-than-life basketball career, Shaq lays it all out in Shaq Uncut: My Story.

Download or read book Shaq Talks Back written by Shaquille O'Neal and published by Macmillan + ORM. This book was released on 2014-07-01 with total page 315 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Funny, insightful, opinionated, and unexpectedly moving, Shaq Talks Back presents the true voice of one of the NBA's greatest players, as he looks back on life during his first championship with the Los Angles Lakers. It's rare to discover a candid sports autobiography--even rare when the author is one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. But in Shaq Talks Back, Shaquille O'Neal for the first time talks frankly about his childhood, his life, his rivalries, and his career, culminating in a dramatic, behind-the-scenes account of the Los Angeles Lakers' drive to the NBA Championship. At seven feet one inch tall and 330 pounds, Shaq has always faced outsized expectations, even as a child when he towered over other kids. Shaq Talks Back is the story of how potential became reality--how someone expected to be a champion finally learned to become one. Beginning with his memory of crying on the court after the Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers, Shaq takes us back to his younger days in Newark and Jersey City, New Jersey, then to Georgia and finally to Germany, where he began to harness some of his height and strength. From there, he recounts the remarkable progress of his basketball career, changing from a big but inexperienced teenager to a dominant college and professional player. Shaq talks about: * Playing at Louisiana State University for the unpredictable coach Dale Brown * Signing the biggest rookie contract ever with the Orlando Magic-- and going to the NBA Finals for the first time * What happened next: dissention, disappointment, and his decision to leave for Los Angeles * The dysfunctional Lakers who were never able to win the big games * Dealing with egos as he finds the right chemistry with Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson, and new additions to the team * Rivalries with Alonzo Mourning, Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, and others * The trouble with free throws... * Inside the Lakers' comeback from the brink against Portland and the drive to the 2000 NBA championship

Download or read book Shaquille O Neal written by Neil Cohen and published by Bantam Books for Young Readers. This book was released on 1993 with total page 103 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A biography of the professional basketball player.

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 Who Is Shaquille O Neal written by Ellen Labrecque and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2022-10-04 with total page 113 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NBA champion, sports analyst, and successful businessman Shaquille O'Neal is a lively and entertaining addition to the #1 New York Times Bestselling Series! Shaquille O'Neal discovered his love of basketball while spending time in an afterschool program called the Boys & Girls Club of America. Standing over six feet tall by the time he turned eleven years old, Shaq--as he is affectionately known--continued to practice the game and stunned the country with his phenomenal skills. From leading his high-school team to its first-ever state title to becoming the first pick in the 1992 NBA draft and going on to win four NBA championships, Shaq proved that he could dominate almost any player. But the fifteen-time All Star who played for six teams throughout his nineteen-year NBA career isn't just a force on the court, he is also an actor, television host, musician, and businessman who is always ready to crack a joke or bust a dance move. With such a welcoming personality and immense talent, it is easy to see why Shaquille O'Neal is often considered one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Download or read book Shaquille O Neal written by Douglas Bradshaw and published by Grosset & Dunlap. This book was released on 2000-12-28 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A biography of the star basketball player of the Los Angeles Lakers and one of the biggest and strongest players in the NBA.

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 The Book of Basketball written by Bill Simmons and published by ESPN. This book was released on 2010-12-07 with total page 754 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.

Download or read book Kevin Durant written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2014-12 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "In Kevin Durant: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Small Forwards, you'll read about the inspirational story of basketball's star, Kevin Durant. Kevin Durant started his career as the face of the Thunder dynasty upon entering the league in 2007 as the second overall pick. After a nine-year stint with the Thunder, Durant opted to sign with the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 offseason. Reflecting back on Durant's time in OKC, the team came a long way, becoming one of the perennial Western Conference contenders during his tenure. Playing alongside athletic and talented players like Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Serge Ibaka, and Reggie Jackson, Durant had the opportunity to lead the Thunder to several deep playoff runs behind the helm of Coach Scott Brooks. While he did not win a championship with the Thunder, Durant accomplished quite a bit with Russell Westbrook in his nine years in OKC. Time will tell what he will be able to accomplish with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green in Golden State. In this book, you’ll learn about Kevin’s incredible story to the NBA. Kevin Durant has had an incredible basketball career playing in the National Basketball Association. In this short book, we will learn about how Kevin became the star MVP small forward that he is today. Starting first with his childhood and early life, we'll learn about Kevin Durant prior to entering the NBA, his time in the NBA, along with his impact on Oklahoma City"--P. [4] of cover.

Download or read book Three Ring Circus written by Jeff Pearlman and published by Houghton Mifflin. This book was released on 2020 with total page 461 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From 1996 through 2004, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal combined-- and collided-- to help bring the Lakers three straight championships and restore the franchise as a powerhouse. From public sniping and sparring, to physical altercations and the repeated threats of trade, it was warfare. The eight years of infighting and hostility were by turns mediated and encouraged by coach Phil Jackson. Pearlman shows how the Shaq-Kobe duo resulted in one of the most enduring, and ever-evolving, teams in NBA history. -- adapted from jacket

Download or read book West by West written by Jonathan Coleman and published by Little, Brown. This book was released on 2011-10-19 with total page 318 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: He is one of basketball's towering figures: "Mr. Clutch," who mesmerized his opponents and fans. The coach who began the Lakers' resurgence in the 1970s. The general manager who helped bring "Showtime" to Los Angeles, creating a championship-winning force that continues to this day. Now, for the first time, the legendary Jerry West tells his story-from his tough childhood in West Virginia, to his unbelievable college success at West Virginia University, his 40-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, and his relationships with NBA legends like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant. Unsparing in its self-assessment and honesty, West by West is far more than a sports memoir: it is a profound confession and a magnificent inspiration.

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 Long Shot written by Craig Hodges and published by Haymarket Books. This book was released on 2017-01-09 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this memoir, the Chicago Bulls basketball star details his life on the court as an athlete and off the court as an activist. As a member of the 1992 world-champion Chicago Bulls, a dashiki-clad Hodges delivered a handwritten letter to President George H. W. Bush demanding that he do more to address racism and economic inequality. Hodges was also a vocal union activist, initiated a boycott against Nike, and spoke out forcefully against police brutality in the wake of the Rodney King beating. But his outspokenness cost him dearly. In the prime of his career, after ten NBA seasons, Hodges was blackballed from the NBA for using his platform as a professional athlete to stand up for justice. In this powerful, passionate, and captivating memoir, Hodges shares the stories—including encounters with Nelson Mandela, Coretta Scott King, Jim Brown, R. Kelly, Michael Jordan, and others—from his lifelong fight for equality for Black Americans. Praise for Long Shot “A skillfully told, affecting memoir of sports and social activism.” —Kirkus Reviews “Hodges has told his compelling life story with fiery passion, looping around a cast of characters stretching from Jordan, Magic Johnson and Phil Jackson back to Muhammad Ali, Arthur Ashe and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, before returning to the present.” —Guardian “Craig Hodges is someone I looked up to as a child & now as an adult . . . I read Long Shot in like two hours, I couldn’t stop turning pages. There are so many hooks in it.” —Jesse Williams, actor, producer, director, activist “A beautifully written, brutally honest book. If you loved the Michael Jordan-era Chicago Bulls, if you love black history, or if you are fascinated by the politics of sports, I highly recommend this book. Simply put: Craig Hodges’ life is incredible and Long Shot is invaluable.” —AETHLON: The Journal of Sport Literature

Download or read book Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go written by Lucille O'Neal and published by HarperChristian + ORM. This book was released on 2010-03-30 with total page 170 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “In Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go Lucille will take you on a 40-year journey from ‘mental welfare to mental wealth.’ You will laugh—you may cry—and in the process you will be encouraged, enlightened, and empowered.” —Paula White, author of Dare to Dream: See Yourself as God Sees You As the mother of one of the greatest athletes of all time, her journey is exceptional; but her story reveals that she is more than just “Shaquille O’Neal’s mom.” Lucille O’Neal is a woman you know, a woman you understand. Perhaps your own journey resembles hers. O’Neal has been a rebellious teen, a single mother, a wife, a college student, a divorcée, and, above all, a woman of unique courage. Acquainted early in life with turmoil, O’Neal’s circumstances shaped her perspective and strengthened her resolve to overcome the challenges she would encounter later in life. She has endured poverty, rejection, abuse, addiction, and the illness of a child, yet today her faith and compassion for others are stronger than ever. O’Neal writes candidly—and often humorously—about her years of spiritual unrest and mental warfare, and her return to the God of her childhood. In Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go, O’Neal shares her struggles and disappointments against the backdrop of her sweetest memories and proudest accomplishments. After fifty-five years, O’Neal has gained the wisdom to recognize her wrongs and guide others down a different path. Her story is proof that it’s never too late for a new beginning.

Download or read book Devin Booker the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Rising Shooting Guards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2018-11-13 with total page 127 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Inspiring Story of the Phoenix Suns' Star Guard Devin Booker! 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 Devin Booker: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Rising Shooting Guards, you will learn the incredible story of one of basketball's most exciting young shooting guards, Devin Booker. As the thirteenth overall pick in the 2015 Draft, Devin Booker become a prominent piece of the Suns franchise as they continue rebuilding post the Steve Nash and Mike D'antoni era. It's no surprise the Suns extended a five-year maximum contract for Booker in the summer of 2018. After all, he has been one of their most consistent players the last few years. At the time of this writing, expectations are high for Booker looking ahead. There is still a great deal of potential to actualize at the young age of twenty-two. It'll be exciting to follow Booker'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, Breakout Year, Rise to Stardom The Max Player, Phoenix's New Face of the Franchise Booker's Personal Life Impact on Basketball Legacy and Future An excerpt from the book: In today's NBA, there are two things about a player that will always get scouts, coaches, and general managers raving. No, we are not talking about experience and stats. We are talking about youth and potential. When those two aspects meet in one prospect, it is almost impossible for any scout or coach to pass on a player like that. Time and time again, it has been proven that young players with potential will most likely end up not only as stars, but game-changers. In 1995, the Minnesota Timberwolves did not make a mistake when they drafted an 18-year-old Kevin Garnett out of high school even though he had not played a single college game. The same could be said about Kobe Bryant, who got passed on by 12 teams in 1996. Any of those teams would have drafted him top overall had that draft been done over again. And we all know what happened in 2003 when the 18-year-old phenom LeBron James was taken top overall. There is no need to expound on the career LeBron has carved since the teenager first stepped on an NBA court. Obviously, all of those players were drafted at a very young age. But age was not the only factor as to why those teams took their chances when they drafted players that had not proven themselves in college. What was apparent was that they did not need to dominate in college because they already had enough potential to become stars in the NBA. But young and talented players do not always make a quick and easy transition to the pro leagues. While it only took until their second season in the league for Garnett, Bryant, and James to establish themselves as All-Stars, there have been some high school-to-pro players that did not become stars themselves. Nevertheless, teams will always gamble on a young player with a lot of potential because they know that, if they can hone them the right way, they can eventually pay dividends. Tags: Devin Booker Bio, Kentucky basketball, steve nash, phoenix suns, d'angelo russell, draymond green, karl-anthony towns, rodney hood, tyler ulis

Download or read book Thought Economics written by Vikas Shah and published by Michael O'Mara Books. This book was released on 2021-02-04 with total page 276 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Including conversations with world leaders, Nobel prizewinners, business leaders, artists and Olympians, Vikas Shah quizzes the minds that matter on the big questions that concern us all.