Best of
Basketball

2001

How to Be Like Mike: Life Lessons about Basketball's Best


Pat Williams - 2001
    But his pre-eminence is more than just extraordinary athletic ability: the lessons of his life-such as focus, passion, hard work, perseverance and accountability-have shaped him into one of the most revered celebrities of the 20th century. In this inspiring book Pat Williams, motivational speaker and senior vice president of the NBA's Orlando Magic, reveals Jordan's method for living a life of greatness that we can all incorporate into our lives. Fascinating anecdotes and quotes from those who know Michael best provide a glimpse into a persona as sweeping and immense as any generation has ever witnessed. Peppered with examples from Williams's life and those of other star athletes and celebrities, this uplifting book shows that we are, indeed, all capable of fulfilling our full potential. Readers from all walks of life can appreciate and aspire to living life like a champion.

Five-Point Play: The Story of Duke's Amazing 2000-2001 Championship Season


Mike Krzyzewski - 2001
    The story of Duke University's 2000-2001 championship basketball season is one of a young inexperienced team, insurmountable odds, and the visionary coach that brought them to victory.

The Gifts of Jimmy V: A Coach's Legacy


Bob Valvano - 2001
    When he died of cancer on April 28, 1993, after a long, heroic, and very public struggle, his spirit, vibrancy, dreams and passions did not die with him; they live on in the people he touched. Looking at the lives through the eyes of the people who loved him most, The Gifts of Jimmy V reveals the heart of Jim Valvano present in them all. Through dozens of interviews with family, friends, coaches, players, and colleagues, authors Valvano and Hill not only reconstruct the life of this unusual man, but also capture the essence of his unique ability to lead, galvanize, inspire, and motivate others.

Nice Girls Finish First: The Remarkable Story of Notre Dame's Rise to the Top of Women's College Basketball


Mark Bradford - 2001
    The senior leadership of Naismith Award winner Ruth Riley, Niele Ivey, and Kelley Siemon combined with the exciting and capable play of underclassmen such as Alicia Ratay and Ericka Haney emphatically spells C-H-A-M-P-I-O-N-S. These Lady Irish practiced and played with relentless resolve, endured injuries and setbacks, balanced emotions and studies, and nurtured bonds on and off the court giving new meaning to the words "dedication" and "teamwork." Nice Girls Finish First is the behind-the-scenes story of this remarkable group of young women who, with a goal firmly in mind, set a shining and enduring example of how to achieve in college athletics with grit and grace."

At the Buzzer! Havlicek Steals, Erving Soars, Magic Deals, Michael Scores


Bryan Burwell - 2001
    J's unforgettable shot from under the basket…Michael Jordan's incredible hanging-in-the-air-switching-hands-to-score shot in the 1991 battle for the championship…Basketball's legendary players, record-setting games, buzzer-beating baskets, stunning upsets, and much more come to life as never before in this extraordinary book-and-CD package. Packed with photographs, including many published for the first time, the book chronicles the high points and low points of professional basketball from the early days of the NBA to the Russell/Robertson/Chamberlain era, through the Bird/Magic/Jordan years to the 2000 season. Covering topics ranging from great individual games to the greatest team victories, it sets every memorable moment into the context of the season and the individual game. Fascinating sidebars-including quotations and anecdotes from winners and losers alike-provide a rare insider's perspective. Narrated by Bill Walton with his inimitable flair, the accompanying CDs capture the real-life reactions of some of the best sportscasters and commentators in the business. And dozens of players step up to the mike with personal memories of what really happened, both on the court and behind-the-scenes. A dazzling, comprehensive, and beautifully produced tribute to the game, its players and coaches, At the Buzzer! gives fans a courtside seat as basketball history unfolds before them.