Moneyball

[Chilikonkarne]

I just finished the book from Michael Lewis and really enjoyed it. Despite my limited baseball knowledge, it is really a pleasure to read. The movie is also really well done.
I was wondering if some of you would have book recommendation on sport? I am trying to disconnect a bit from all the screen you see all day long and a good book is a perfect medicine for that!
I already read "Michael Jordan - The life" which was a great one and "11 rings - The soul of success" which was nothing special.

[Rizzo]

I also read Moneyball a couple years ago. I'm not a baseball fan but that was a fantastic read, especially if you are into stats and probability and that math stuff (which I am). I flew through that one.

For a recommendation, I read "Play Their Hearts Out". It's about a coach putting together his own AAU program and scooping up all the best talent in Southern California after another AAU coach had stolen Tyson Chandler away from him. That's my favorite sports book of all time! I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading sports books and has any interest/knowledge in aAU basketball. If you are a fan of college basketball, there are some name drops of big name players we have seen over the years in college.

[Chilikonkarne]

I also read Moneyball a couple years ago. I'm not a baseball fan but that was a fantastic read, especially if you are into stats and probability and that math stuff (which I am). I flew through that one.

For a recommendation, I read "Play Their Hearts Out". It's about a coach putting together his own AAU program and scooping up all the best talent in Southern California after another AAU coach had stolen Tyson Chandler away from him. That's my favorite sports book of all time! I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading sports books and has any interest/knowledge in aAU basketball. If you are a fan of college basketball, there are some name drops of big name players we have seen over the years in college.

Great! Thanks for the recommendation, will try to order in Europe if possible

[andrei]

Basketball related books I like:

- Playing for Keeps: Michael Jordan and the World He Made
- Taking Shots: Tall Tales, Bizarre Battles, and the Incredible Truth About the NBA
- Furious George: My Forty Years Surviving NBA Divas, Clueless GMs, and Poor Shot Selection
- The Jordan Rules
- The Pursuit

[Myles]

7 Seconds Or Less is a fantastic insiders look at the 2006 Phoenix Suns. I've read that one a few too many times

The Last Season, Phil Jackson's book about the 2004 Lakers. Great read.

The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons. The best, all around book about the history of the NBA. I read it cover to cover over the course of a few weeks, any spare bit of free time I had I spent reading that book.

[Chilikonkarne]

Thanks for the ideas - I have a bunch of books to purchase now!

[wms02a]

Have y'all read "Billionaire Babies, How to Raise your Boys to All Time Great" by Lavar Ball.. It is really inspiring and really helped me become a better dad. My 3 year old is already shooting hoops for at least 4 hours a day

[hardenwithnod]

LaVar Ball GOAT.

[Cyrisnyte]

Well again as I'm the oldest person on here...



Amazing book to read.

[Chilikonkarne]

first on the list (Play Their Hearts Out) ordered!

[Rizzo]

first on the list (Play Their Hearts Out) ordered!

I loved that book so much I'm very tempted to go back and read it again and I've never done that with any book.

[drumr]

Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson is fantastic. I also love "The Show" an oral history of the Lakers. Phils 2nd book about the Lakers is damn good too.

[Chilikonkarne]

I just finished Play Their Heart Out, great read – thanks Rizzo for the recommendation.

The AAU system is sick and I feel sorry for all these young players used by their coaches (Especially Aaron Moore).
European system is often criticized as young talent are recruited by professional teams (and many fails) but it is way more structured. The teenagers are trained like professionals and protected playing in the reserve team (where the exposition is low).

[Rizzo]

Glad you enjoyed it. I would like to see that's as bad as the AAU scene gets but I'm sure there are some stories that are much worse out there. Scary what coaches do to these kids as they just use and abuse them.

[Jestor]

I just finished Play Their Heart Out, great read – thanks Rizzo for the recommendation.

The AAU system is sick and I feel sorry for all these young players used by their coaches (Especially Aaron Moore).
European system is often criticized as young talent are recruited by professional teams (and many fails) but it is way more structured. The teenagers are trained like professionals and protected playing in the reserve team (where the exposition is low).

Just realized that's where the Demetrius Walker story is profiled. Googling the follow up to that is fascinating, and sad. I'll have to pick up the book myself.

[Rizzo]

Just realized that's where the Demetrius Walker story is profiled. Googling the follow up to that is fascinating, and sad. I'll have to pick up the book myself.

Yeah, Demetrius is the main player they follow in that book. What do you mean by the follow up to that? Is there more that happens to this kid?

[Jestor]

Just realized that's where the Demetrius Walker story is profiled. Googling the follow up to that is fascinating, and sad. I'll have to pick up the book myself.

Yeah, Demetrius is the main player they follow in that book. What do you mean by the follow up to that? Is there more that happens to this kid?

Was scrubby at New Mexico, transferred to Grand Canyon and got kicked off the team. Last I heard he's the JV coach at one of his old high schools.