Customer Reviews

Pickup Artists: Street Basketball in America (Haymarket)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read several books regarding street basketball in america. This particular book covers legends across the country. It also takes a look at the sociology of regions. Although the basis of my research has been focused on New York this book was a great, well-written suprise. It is a thoughtful look at personalities and stories surrounding the legends you may have never heard of. If you want to read a good book on the subject this is a great place to start, It is very well written and thoughtful.

I was totally immersed in this book from beginning to end. It is very well written, and well-edited, and it brings the story Pete Axthelm started closer to present day. I thought, nothwithstanding the comments from NBA.com herein, that its treatment of the relationship between the street and the business of basketball was intelligent and compelling. I recommend it highly.

this is truly an awesome book. not only does it teach you many things about the game and its origins, but it also opens up your eyes to things like growing up in streetball areas isnt as glamourous as it seems. i honestly feel like now everytime i play basketball or watch streetball, i will have that extra boost. another great thing is that it is very intelligently written and has a high reading level so its not boring or nething. THANK YOU PICKUP ARTISTS! i reccomend this to any fan of basketball or ne1 that wants to learn sumtin about it

This is a very interesting look at the history of amateur basketball from the early 20th century until the late 1990's. It focuses on street basketball, but also highlights basketball in places such as small town Indiana, an Indian reservation, and resort towns of the 1920's-40's. It is more about the culture surrounding basketball and its importance to various communities. There are a lot of wonderful anecdotes and legends included in the story, but they are only minor details in a much larger portrait. The book is not particularly well organized and the writing itself was poor, but it is obvious that extensive research went into it and the subject is very interesting, so I would recommend it on those merits alone.

Brilliant accounting of the unsung heroes of today and the past and how they contributed to make basketball what it is today!

It talks about the life of the street basketball player in the 20's and 30's to the present. It not only says about the game but about their lives. They talk with the present streetbasketball stars James "speedy" Williams and Ed "booger" Smith.

Really enjoyed the book.
Some of the legends we never heard about because they didn't play college ball.
Unfortunately I loaned to someone and can't remember who it was.
Is it still available?

As a senior editor at NBA.com, I feel my opinion holds just as much validity (if validity can be held) as a number of the other reviewers, and a little more than the supposed "Don Imus" quote that one of the authors perhaps submitted. While the book should be applauded for its comprehensive look at its subject, it does little to transcend the sad state of postwar sports journalism.