Well – sort of close. He ended up in the minor leagues of professional basketball instead, in the storied and now defunct CBA, a league that has turned out a record-setting number of NBA players and coaches, such as Phil Jackson and George Karl. It wasn’t glamorous, in fact the playing conditions in the CBA were pretty grim; near-empty arenas, interminable bus rides to nowheresville, oddball coaches, little loyalty from management, meager pay, these were a few realities of CBA life. And yet, even as it chipped away at your dignity and made little economic sense to remain, the CBA drew you in with the allure of action and the prospect of an NBA call-up. And it could inspire, like when you and your teammates caught a rhythm that made you remember why basketball is such a beautiful game, or when you saw guys continue to strive, to persevere, even if their dreams weren't fully realized.Carson writes honestly, hilariously and often touchingly of his running and gunning days as a CBA also-ran, with flash backs to his college days where the future seemed brighter than a new pair of Nikes. A top recruit with superior ballhanding and shooting skills along with a sixth basketball sense, in 1997 Carson was a Sporting News All-American freshman who broke Gary Payton's freshman scoring record and a few years later helped his team at Purdue get within a game of the Final Four.

    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 as well as his decision to leave for Golden State. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Early Life and Childhood High School Years College Years at the University of Texas Kevin’s NBA Career Kevin Durant’s Personal Life Durant’s Impact on Basketball and Beyond Kevin Durant’s Legacy and Future An excerpt from the book: The game of basketball has many facets a player can excel at. There have been excellent rebounders such as Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone, and Dennis Rodman, among others. The NBA has also seen its share of passing wizards in the form of Magic Johnson, John Stockton, Jason Kidd, and Steve Nash. And when all else failed, some defenders stopped at nothing to deprive opposing teams of baskets. Names such as Bill Russell, Joe Dumars, Dikembe Mutombo, and Gary Payton excelled at that aspect of the game. But no matter how many ways a player can affect a game of basketball, scoring was always the name of the game. No other player could do that better than Kevin Durant. Standing over 6’10” and with arms as long as a mile, Kevin Durant had the height and length that was supposed to score baskets inside the paint. However, Durant was also blessed with the athleticism, grace, footwork, and handles that made him an even greater threat with the ball in his hands out on the perimeter. He has the size of a center, but could move like a shooting guard on the floor.

    One of the most hyped high school players of all time, with a $20 million Adidas deal in hand, Sebastian found himself in the same position as NBA superstars like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, both of whom shot to stardom without playing a day of college ball. THE JUMP offers an inside view of Sebastian's journey-a rags-to-riches story of a kid from the Coney Island projects who succeeds in leaving behind the chaos, violence and economic hardship at home for a multi-million dollar life of professional ball and product endorsement. Drawing on exclusive interviews with friends, family, coaches, recruiters, agents and players, USA Today columnist Ian O'Connor offers an intimate portrait of the promising young player's senior year at Lincoln High School and explores the changing nature of basketball in America today.Sebastian Telfair exemplifies a new dynamic emerging in basketball-young, talented teenagers who skip college on the way to NBA fortune and fame. But what is this trend doing to the sport? And do the adults who have hitched their hopes on Sebastian's rising star have the young player's best interests in mind? THE JUMP dives head first into today's high-stakes, anything-goes basketball culture, examining the sneaker companies intent on securing charismatic and mediagenic players to hawk their wares; college boosters willing to break NCAA rules by offering cash incentives to lure promising players to their schools; high school administrators securing big appearance fees from promoters; agents wooing players and their families-and walking the thin line dictating amateur status rules for high school and college ball.O'Connor also delves into the dream that the NBA holds for so many families-a child drafted into the pros offers a first class ticket out of the projects. A colorful cast of characters featured in THE JUMP includes the faces shaping the sport today: Rick Pitino, head coach of the University of Louisville, who recruits Sebastian with the hope of delivering his team to an NCAA championship only to see his dreams dashed by Sebastian's decision to enter the NBA draft; Andy Miller, the agent who vies to sign up Sebastian despite Erica and Otis Telfair's reservations; Stephon Marbury, star of the New York Knicks, who sees Sebastian more as a rival than a cousin (THE JUMP delivers exclusive details on the fracture in the Marbury and Telfair relationship, including interviews with the point guards and relatives on the subject of the family feud); Sonny Vacaro, at different times the face of Nike, Adidas, and Reebok, who uses sneaker company cash to entice coaches and young players; Jay-Z, rapper and owner of Telfair's summer-league team.Under O'Connor's penetrating scrutiny, Sebastian Telfair becomes the prism through which the circus of modern basketball is explored. Can he succeed, or will he flame out-too young, too small, too unprepared? And what is this new trend in basketball doing to the athletes, to college basketball programs, to the quality of play in the NBA and to society at large? As Dave Kindred of The Sporting News states, "THE JUMP is a 21st-century thrill ride into the shadows and bright lights of a basketball culture that breaks hearts and makes superstars."

    The '85-86 Celtics played with a fire, a wisdom, and a delight that are rarely seen on the hardwoods today. Peter May captures that unique season--the last of an era for the great green dynasty.

    8-page photo insert.

    He watched day by day, crisis by crisis, as McCloskey, coach Chuck Daly, and a handful of immensely talented and ambitious basketball players--the Bad Boys of Detroit--won the NBA championship. Illustrated.

    But the down-to-earth beauty knew he also symbolized everything she did not want for her brother, a talented college basketball player and top NBA draft choice. Taylor was not impressed by Donald's money or celebrity. But Donald was impressed with Taylor--and determined to show her how wrong she was about him. The game had begun--a bold winner-takes-all contest in which the only victor would be love.

    The story of Jordan's departure from and return to the Chicago Bulls describes his anguish over his father's death and his attempts to succeed in major league baseball.

    The young royals had proven that they wanted it, but sometimes it’s not always easy to get what you want, even when it’s what you deserve. The Grant brothers seem to keep ending up on the wrong side of the law, while Kaden can’t seem to shake his past. Hayven and Cole have found their way, but will his choice to protect her wellbeing by any means necessary create problems for their future? Sonna learns that sometimes you have to let things play out like they should, even when she feels like she should stand up for love. All things come full circle in the finale, and you’ll find out if this team secures a win or goes down fighting!

    These are three action thriller books that are sure to keep you turning pages. -- PRESIDENTIAL SHIFT --- The vice president killed... The first lady attacked... A president on the edge... Cal Stokes, former Marine and owner of Stokes Security International (SSI), has had a busy year. Trying to calm his inner demons and forget the tragic loss of his men, Cal dives headlong into his work, taking the battle to the enemy. Now the president needs his help to uncover a leak in his administration and start the long road to cleaning up Washington, and wrestling power back from corrupt officials who threaten to plunge the American government further into the abyss. Will Cal uncover the truth before it's too late? -- NATIONAL BURDEN -- A new president under pressure... Threats coming from every angle... The SSI team caught in the middle... Following his predecessor's abrupt departure, newly appointed President Brandon Zimmer must deal with aggressors at home and abroad. The sharks sense his weakness and are out for blood. The burden might just be too much to handle for the young president. Will President Zimmer cave to outside forces, or stand strong with his friends from Stokes Security International (SSI), like former Marine Cal Stokes and ex-Navy SEAL Travis Haden? And with their own responsibilities weighing heavy on their shoulders, will the team at SSI be able to stop a plot to manipulate the stock market and the country's economy? Regardless of the outcome, one this is for certain: Everything is about to change. -- LETHAL MISCONDUCT -- A ray of hope for millions... Powerful forces move to stop it... A Marine and his team play for keeps... A cure has been found for one of the world's deadliest diseases, but unseen forces want to keep the medical miracle from seeing the light of day. Can former Marine Cal Stokes and his new presidential sanctioned team track down the cure, save its inventor and take out the those trying to maintain the status quo?

    ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀*Please note, this is a follow up to the flower sisters six book series. Inside is six short stories, some longer than others, followed by a double wedding.⠀

    

    It includes the Dragonriders of Pern series, Acorna series, Catteni series, Brainships, The Talents series, The Tower and Hive sequence, Petabee Universe series, and everything else, including all other series, nonfiction books, novellas and short stories. What each list includes: The name of the book, the year of publication, and a link to Amazon to help you easily access the book. However, this list is convenient in that it places the information on your Kindle, so you don’t need to access the internet. If you have Kindle Unlimited, this list is free. Other features: This list will be regularly updated when Anne McCaffrey releases a new book. Included are detailed instruction to enable auto updates, and use the highlight function to tick off the books you have read. Series covered Dragonriders of Pern seriesAcorna seriesAcorna’s Children seriesCatteni sequence (Freedom series)BrainshipsThe Talent seriesThe Tower and Hive sequenceThe Barque Cat seriesDoona booksPetabee Universe — Powers trilogyPetabee Universe —The Twins of Petaybee seriesDinosaur Planet seriesPlanet Pirates seriesThe Crystal Singer booksBody Heir booksFantasy novellasRomance novelsShort story collectionsChildren’s booksNonfiction books Copyright Notice: We have ensured that this list is in full compliance with Circular 34 from the United States Copyright Office. Apart from names, titles and short phrases and expressions, no copyrighted material is reproduced. Thank you Thank you for purchasing this list. We hope you find it useful and easy to use, and that it helps you discover all of Anne McCaffrey’s books.

    

    After she defies the path that her father wants her to take, she ends up at Paradise, a strip club in the heart of New York City. Paradise fuels the city and is bound to tempt her until she breaks. Rich is a ruthless ruler running New York and has no plans of stopping. With his father ready to step down, Rich is trying to secure all the resources he can while weeding out the weak links in his team. After what appears to be an accidental moment between Zola and Rich, she becomes a marked woman. Rich willing becomes a man captivated with her. With Rich reacting on impulse, Zola is trying to navigate through life and keep Rich at bay. But can budding feelings and an offer of a lifetime finally put them exactly where they’re fated to be? Find out in Her Goon, His Eden.