5 comments about The Tao of Yao: Insights from Basketball's Brightest Big Man.

1. I had this sent to me as a gift as it is not a book that I would ever pay full price for. It was a fine book that talks about Yao's notable first season.

   there are some great chapters on other players and the tie-in to Chinese literature and Taoism is clever, at times. However, I found it repetitive that almost every chapter went on and on about how great Yao will be. I have no doubt that this is true, but do we have to hear that from every player, legend, or sports caster that the book interviewed?

   Overall, it was interesting but I would have liked to hear more about his youth, childhood and upbringing rather than chapter after chapter of his "potential."




2. I (and probably everyone else who got this) bought this book simply because I thought it was a biography on the life of basketball player Yao Ming. Turns out that I was wrong. I found nothing on how Yao Ming grew up or how he decided he wanted to play basketball (and if these topics were in the book, they were probably only briefly mentioned).

   The main topic in this book is the history of China, along with a few past quotes from Yao thrown in every once in awhile. I find it ridiculous how they need to make a book that was supposed to be about Yao into nothing but a history lesson for us. That's like if I were to go to some foreign country, become a famous basketball player, have a book written about me, and have it include nothing but American history. People buy books to learn about the person, not the country he's from.

   The many quotes included was another bad decision which shouldn't have been in the book. Yao pretty much says almost the exact same thing in each one of his quotes (something along the lines of "I'm so honored to be playing in America and am really enjoying my time here".) I'd say there's about 60 quotes in "The Tao of Yao", so this can get boring pretty fast. Simply put, there's very few redeeming factors in this book and Yao Ming fans will most likely be disappointed.




3. If you are expecting to read "The Tao of Yao" because you are a Yao Ming fan, you will come away with some good & funny info about this gentle giant. But, this book is so much more as you progress from chapter to chapter! I often wondered why my hair would rise whenever I watched Yao play basketball on TV, but, I just thought it was because I was watching a very good "tall" basketball player with some skills.
   Chin does a marvelous job of blueprinting how Yao's impact on the NBA scene is more profound than many thought possible.



4. I'm a big basketball fan and a friend recommended this book to me. I really found it very interesting, informative, and yes, insightful. As opposed to a standard rehashing of a celebrity?s biography, or predictable blow by blow travelogue, this book takes a more dynamic approach to looking at why Yao has become such an international phenomenon. By seamlessly blending current events with basketball history, Chin explains what this athlete symbolizes, how he represents so many diverse fans, and why this all matters in today?s global village. Now I can see how some people might not get the subtler messages - the relevance of the 2,000 year tradition of Chinese philosophy with modern life isn?t headline news in the US. But the author does a worthy job of making these links, and supporting the larger case that Westerners have to be more aware of Eastern perspectives (just as Asia has followed America), since this "alternative" awareness actually can help us lead more well-rounded lives. And in our crazy world, I think that is a lesson well worth reading.



5. The author wrote this book by compiling quotes from lots of others. In Hokkian, there is a saying, "Kong2 Ye3 Sou1", which can be roughly translated into "preaching high principals". I can't stand the writing, and I believe it would put anyone to sleep. Good luck!

3 comments about Heart of a Champion.

1. Jeff Sheppard is the epitomy of Kentucky basketball. This is another "must read" for anyone who follows the mighty wildcats from the bluegrass state. Go deep inside the heart and soul of this year's "Comeback Cats".



2. jeff sheppard is one of my fav players of all time and after i had read this book i like him even more.I laughed i cryed i was totally moved. But i might be a little partial since he used to live right down the street from me.



3. My name is Amber. Jeff Sheppard is a HUGE inspiration to me. His book is just mixed emotions to me. It touched me. Deeply. Being his BIGGEST FAN, it truely inspires me. He truely does have a heart of a champion, and now he has inspired me to dig deeper. I am a basketball player and also have the number 15. He is such an inspiration. I would love to meet him and tell him how much he and his wonderful book has inspired me. Jeff, if you ever read this, you and your book are touching and mean so much to me and my basketball career since i first heard of you. Even me starting out as a sophomore in hs and playing basketball all my life, you and your book are truely my lifetime idol and inspiration.

No comments about Michael Jordan the Amazing Six Time Nba.

No comments about HoopDaddy.

1 comments about Karl Malone (101 Little Known Fact about).

1. Many people probably would think this book dosen't make sense because of the name. I mean think about it 101 Little known facts about Karl Malone. This book is probably one of the best book about a Star ever. 101 Little known facts about Karl Malone is one of the best little known facts books ever written, it covers facts about a superstar who is becoming one of the greatest basketball player. One of the best books about a star ever written. Covers things you will definitely want to read

No comments about Kidd Rocks: Rolling With Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets.

No comments about Michael Jordan: An Illustrated Tribute to the World's Greatest Athlete.

No comments about Lynette Woodard: The First Female Globetrotter (Sports Stars).

5 comments about Rebound: The Odyssey of Michael Jordan.

1. I have mixed feelings about Michael Jordan. On the one hand, he is a great athlete. I respect his work ethic. He has turned in a number of great performances and is no doubt one of the greatest to have ever played the game of basketball.

   There is a flipside. Michael Jordan got all kinds of special treatment while he was in the NBA. He was the first player I noticed who was granted all kinds of trips to the charity stripe because of unbelievably, ticky tack calls. He scored at least ten points a game at the free throw line from bogus calls. It was great when there was a picture session for 'greats of the game' with Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan. Magic told Larry not to stand too close to Michael or they might call a foul. In front of reporters and television viewers, that was a classic comment by Magic. I believe Mike got 99% of all calls in his favor because he was such a cash cow for the NBA. Dominique Wilkins was robbed of a slam dunk championship when Mike scored a perfect 50 doing the same dunk Dr. J did years before. I doubt Dr. J ever received a perfect 50 for it. Dominique's dunk was much more impressive, and he received a 49.5. Please. Mike got in a fight with Reggie Miller, and only Miller got suspended at first. Only after there was an outcry did Mike get suspended. How are Mike's punches different? Mike elbowed Kevin Johnson to the ground for all to see, and Kevin was called for blocking!

   I am not too impressed that the bulls beat the lakers in the NBA finals. Magic was double teamed every game every minute he was in. On top of that, James Worthy and Byron Scott were injured. Magic and Larry never won three championships in a row because the competition, teams, and players in the 80s were much better than the nineties. Luc Longley, Will Perdue, Bill Cartwright, or Bill Wennington stopping Kareem? Ha!

   Sport Magazine recently had a piece on the ten greatest moments and ten greatest players ever in the NBA. Mike was ranked number one all time player. Kudos to Mike for mentioning in 'For the love of the game' that to pick a "greatest ever" is impossible because of all the different eras and evolutions of basketball. The nineties bulls were given three of the ten greatest moments in NBA history. This is just more Mike bias. Give me a break. There are hundreds of classic and amazing moments in NBA history. One of the moments picked was Mike beating the Jazz in the final minutes of his last game. He put his hand on Bryon Russel's backside and shoved him out of the way. Then Mike made the game winnig shot. All eyes were on Mike, but the ref did not make the obvious call.

   There is also Mike's arrogance. According to him, Wilt Chamberlain was a fluke eventhough Wilt was a great all around player. He made a comment about Magic and Larry reaching a 'certain level of greatness' and that the two were not good on defense. What? Are we talking about the same Larry Bird? Shaquille Oneal is also much better and much improved than Mike gives him credit for. Shaq has turned into a solid defender, passer, and he works hard at both ends of the floor.

   Mike's corporate poster boy behavior is laughable. He did ads for AT&T and then MCI. The Wayans family is also split between the two companies. Mike talked about the enviroment in Rayovac ads and then pitches hot dogs? Mike is not the only athlete who will pitch anything and everything to make millions. I wonder if Mike has checked into Nike's labor practices.

   Players like Mike and Charles Barkley soured me on the NBA. Charles played like a thug and got away with it because he was a star. Plus, Charles insisted on wearing number 34 at Philadelphia eventhough it was retired for NBA great Billy Cunningham. The star treatment and inflated egos has grown old, and that has turned a lot of people off to sports. I miss the Lakers and Celtics match ups of the 1980s.




2. This book mainly talks about Jordan's father. Sure he was a main part of his life and all, but... come on. I was looking for a biography, tell more about his life. How did he get to the Bulls? Where's the rest of his family through this book? The author mainly talks about conversations with Jordan...Which i found quite boring. Its just my opinion, maybe someone else shares it too...



3. don't get me wrong...it's a good one. boby greene really writes well.... but it's just not the magic of "hang time"



4. It explored some issues, like is Jordan a ballhog, but not in depth. It is average quality. I wouldn't recommend it, but I wouldn't disparage it either.



5. Any book or anything with Michael Jordan is great because he is the best of ALL time!And all his books like Rebound are great books to read.And they have great pictures.

1 comments about For the Love of the Game.

1. Its an insight of Michael Jordan. These are his feelings on basketball, life, and his father. If your a Michaell Jordan fan or not youll enjoy this book.