Best Book Of Basketball Facts And Stats

IntroductionPerhaps no one should be surprised at the global court on which the game of basketball is now played. After all, Dr. James Naismith, the man who first hoisted a peach basket at a YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts, hailed from Canada.Glance at the rosters for the 2004 National Basketball Association All-Star Game. Among the stars were Tim Duncan (U.S. Virgin Islands), Dirk Nowitzki (Germany), Andrei Kirilenko (Russia), Peja Stojakovic (Serbia, Montenegro), Jamaal Magloire (Canada), and Yao Ming (China). As of March 9, 2004, NBA rosters featured 66 international players from 33 countries.Some 55 years after that day in 1891 when Dr. Naismith invented the game, the Basketball Association of America -- a forerunner of the NBA -- was formed. The average salary then was $4,500 per year and the average player stood a shade under 6 feet, 4 inches.If Dr. Naismith would have been stunned by the growth of his game in its first half-century of existence, imagine his reaction if he could sit courtside today, watching the 7'5" Yao Ming battle the 340-pound Shaquille O'Neal, or the youthful acrobatics of rising stars LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.Yes, basketball has grown in myriad ways since Naismith first threw a ball into a basket and needed a ladder to retrieve it. At its basic level, however, it remains among the purest athletic tests of all -- a sport that has captivated an international audience while remaining a mainstay in American towns large and small. This book takes you inside the game at its highest level. The Franchise Histories chapter relives the glory years of the Boston Celtics, tracks the movement of the Lakers from the cold of Minneapolis to the glitz of L.A., charts the absorption of ABA clubs into the NBA and documents highlights of every team.Selecting the best of the best for the players section was not unlike trying to sink a halfcourt shot. So many legends have graced the hardwood, from early stars like Joe Fulks to incomparable centers Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, to more recent greats Julius Erving, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan. We have settled on 75, with apologies to those who weren't far behind.Basketball coaches are among the most visible in all of sports, and the NBA has had its share of greats. We will introduce you to the most innovative and successful, though most of their names you probably know already.Of course, we remember these teams, players and coaches mainly for what they do once the game clock starts ticking. Games can be memorable for a variety of reasons. Some, like Chamberlain's 100-point outing, are important as a statistical feat never before reached. Others become etched in our memories for their compelling drama.We've selected some of the most significant and memorable outings in NBA history to help mark the league's progress from the early days to the 2003-04 season.The book concludes with a comprehensive Stats & Facts chapter that lists career statistical leaders, single-game and single-season leaders for both the regular season and playoffs. This chapter also features complete standings and NBA Finals results for every season and a complete list of Hall of Famers, MVPs and other award winners.Marty Strasen June 2004Mathers, Chris is the author of 'Best Book Of Basketball Facts And Stats', published 2004 under ISBN 9781552978771 and ISBN 155297877X.