Customer Reviews

Big Men Who Shook the NBA

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This book has some very nice pictures, colorful ones from the 1970's and the ABA (defunct American Basketball Association). That is where any praise for this work will end. The rankings of the top five centers or so Jabbar, Russell, Chamberlain (not necessarily in this order) are reasonable. There are however, some signficant misteps that would call into question this author's familiarity with the history of pro basketball over the past 35 years. For example, Artis Gilmore is rated at the bottom of the 25 featured pivotmen. Bill Lambier, Bill Walton, and others are ranked above Gilmore. OK, charitably this could called a subjective "eye of the beholder" matter. But he also characterizes Gilmore as an outside shooting threat from 16 feet and beyond and weak on defense besides blocked shots. These inaccuracies call into question any type of credibility the author would have. I fear that it is this type of inaccurate, revisionist history that could be keeping Artis Gilmore out of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Gilmore is the game's all time most successful field goal shooter, top 25 in scoring, top 10 rebounds, blocked shots, games and minutes played. The author should devote some text to the farce of Gilmore's absence from Springfield.