Interested in the inner working of a great dynasty pick up a used copy of
Second Wind: The Memoirs of an Opinionated Man by Bill Russell.
As a perennial N.B.A. All-Star and 11-time world champion, he knows about winning, life as a winner in college (two NCAA titles at San Francisco) Olympic Champion (1956 Gold Medal winner), and how to march to his own drummer without hurting his team witness his 11 titles in 13 seasons as a Celtic the last one as player coach. Russell transfers much of his life in the spotlight and his winners knowledge to the pages of his book.
Filled with anecdotes involving his teamates like Bob Cousy, Sam Jones, John Havlechek, Satch Sanders, College and pro teamate KC. Jones, NBA pioneer owner Walter Brown, his off and on the court relationships with Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson who were his two most talented adversaries. The stories of his off the court friendship with Wilt are worth reading the book for alone. Also of interest was Bill's relationship with Red Auerbach.
Red always one to get the most out of a player actually used Russell as an assistant coach on the floor during their heyday together.
The rivalry with the Jerry West and Elgin Baylor led Lakers is explored in some detail.
Good book written in 1979.
wil..
Second Wind: The Memoirs of an Opinionated Man by Bill Russell.
As a perennial N.B.A. All-Star and 11-time world champion, he knows about winning, life as a winner in college (two NCAA titles at San Francisco) Olympic Champion (1956 Gold Medal winner), and how to march to his own drummer without hurting his team witness his 11 titles in 13 seasons as a Celtic the last one as player coach. Russell transfers much of his life in the spotlight and his winners knowledge to the pages of his book.
Filled with anecdotes involving his teamates like Bob Cousy, Sam Jones, John Havlechek, Satch Sanders, College and pro teamate KC. Jones, NBA pioneer owner Walter Brown, his off and on the court relationships with Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson who were his two most talented adversaries. The stories of his off the court friendship with Wilt are worth reading the book for alone. Also of interest was Bill's relationship with Red Auerbach.
Red always one to get the most out of a player actually used Russell as an assistant coach on the floor during their heyday together.
The rivalry with the Jerry West and Elgin Baylor led Lakers is explored in some detail.
Good book written in 1979.
wil..
Oh yeah
I graduated from those to the Duane Decker series about the major league "Blue Sox". Each book focused on a specific position player and chronicled his challenges over an entire season. The other position players were recurring characters and there was a correct continuity to the various novels.
Then from there to the pair of trilogies authored by Tex Maule...One focused on a fictional NFL player and the other on a fictional star SS phenom for the New York Yankees with both being set in the 1960s.
Good Enough to Dream
Roger Kahn is one of America's leading writers about sport - especially baseball. Kahn's writing on baseball ranks among the best of his time, or, some say, any time. In addition to The Boys of Summer, Kahn wrote books such as Good Enough to Dream, a chronicle of his year as the owner of a minor league baseball franchise.
Roger Kahn is one of America's leading writers about sport - especially baseball. Kahn's writing on baseball ranks among the best of his time, or, some say, any time. In addition to The Boys of Summer, Kahn wrote books such as Good Enough to Dream, a chronicle of his year as the owner of a minor league baseball franchise.
