The Complete Idiot's Guide to Basketball [Paperback]

Frazier Walt (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: September 2, 1998

Whether watching from a courtside seat or from the luxury of a living room couch, sports fans want to know exactly what's going on in between those two hoops-from what the players are thinking, to why fouls are called, to anticipating what the players are going to do before they actually do it. And there is no better man to explain the ins and outs of America's hottest sport than the Knicks' former star guard, Walt Frazier. In his inimitable voice and style, "Clyde" turns it on as he describes the basics basketball in simple terms anyone can understand, and clues readers into what makes stars such as Michael Jordan so invincible. Includes exciting action photos and a wealth of "Clyde's Chalk Talk," "Clyde's Record Book," and "Clyde's Tips" sidebars.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Whether watching from a courtside seat or from the luxury of a living room couch, sports fans want to know exactly what's going on in between those two hoops-from what the players are thinking, to why fouls are called, to anticipating what the players are going to do before they actually do it. And there is no better man to explain the ins and outs of America's hottest sport than the Knicks' former star guard, Walt Frazier. In his inimitable voice and style, "Clyde" turns it on as he describes the basics basketball in simple terms anyone can understand, and clues readers into what makes stars such as Michael Jordan so invincible. Includes exciting action photos and a wealth of "Clyde's Chalk Talk," "Clyde's Record Book," and "Clyde's Tips" sidebars.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 1 edition (September 2, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028626796
• ISBN-13: 978-0028626796
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clyde covers the basics entertainingly and understandably., March 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Basketball (Paperback)

Classy Clyde Frazier covers the fundamentals of basketball: the vocabulary, the role of each position, the basics of offense and defense, and a few common set plays. His writing is fun to read if a bit dumbed-down (hence the title). He draws examples largely from his playing days, but knows well and comments aptly on players of all eras. He draws the distinctions between college and pro ball and includes women's and high school ball, but properly focuses primarily on the NBA, where the game is played at its highest level. He shows you what to focus on when you watch a game and demonstrates how each player's skills come into play in the course of offense and defense. This book will enhance the novice's appreciation for and enjoyment of the game; from what I have read of Digger Phelps' "Basketball for Dummies," I'm glad I read Clyde's book instead.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't Buy this Book, August 12, 2002

By 

Deji Odetoyinbo "Deji" (Mississauga, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Basketball (Paperback)

Buy Basketball for Dummies instead.
In search of a book which would get me up to speed about a sport which I had never played but which my sons have become increasingly passionate about, I bought and read both. You would be and idiot to buy The Complete Idiot's Guide to Basketball.
The author appears to be more preoccupied with telling you how wonderful he and the players of his (long bygone) era were. The references to today's players are painfully few. His snipping asides against the work ethic of today's players should have no space in a book of this sort; it serves only to make him sound whinny. His writing is practically devoid of humour and his descriptions of plays and strategies are fairly tedious. The game just does not come alive under his pen. Had I been an absolute newcommer to the sport when I read this book, I would have encouraged my boys to take up more exciting sports like synchronised swimming. FOrtunately, I had watched several live and taped games and had my children's interest to help me realise that there was much more to basketball than I could find in the pages of this book.
Try again Mr. Frazier

4.0 out of 5 stars One of several good resources, September 19, 2010

By 

Bob Dobbs (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Basketball (Paperback)

I liked this book. I see a two-star comment criticizing the book, in part, for the author reliving the good old days. Well, for me this was great background and color that breathes life into the X's and O's. These are not just war stories; it is a rich history, some of which may not be told anywhere else Yes, it may be light on strategy. I have not read the Dummies book -- in part because it is not available on Kindle. This book could have been better organized. For example, it should have listed all the positions, and describe what they do completely, in one place instead of scattering it across several places.

If you are serious about basketball you are not going to rely on one book. I think this book should be one of those.