Publisher's Weekly Review
Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal sportswriter Pluto has been steadily building a reputation as one of the nation's top basketball writers with books like Forty-Eight Minutes and Loose Balls ; this fine oral history will surely enhance that reputation. After a brief account of the National Basketball Association's formative period, which ended in 1954 when the 24-second shot clock changed the game forever, Pluto describes the exciting events in basketball during 1956-66, when the Boston Celtics dominated the league. Unlike many comparable histories in which the superstars have declined to participate, this one includes contributions from Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Red Auerbach and dozens of other players almost as well known. Of course contemporary fans will argue that 1992, with the assembling of the Olympic ``Dream Team,'' was basketball's real glory year, but the debate should only aid sales of Pluto's book. Photos not seen by PW. (Dec.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
Like his lively look at the American Basketball Association (Loose Balls, 1990), this freewheeling and informative oral history from Pluto (basketball writer for the Akron Beacon Journal) provides an informal venue for players, coaches, and founders--this time of the National Basketball Association--to tell the story of their league's early years. In the NBA's early days--prior to the advent of the 24-second clock (instituted in 1954)--the game was dominated by ex-G.I.s, many of whom ``had more eyes than teeth'' and showed ``a definite hockey influence,'' with the emphasis on ``beer and fighting.'' (One early New York-Baltimore battle featured 100 personal fouls, despite lax rules.) Here, like a fan sitting around listening to the old pros talk about the good old days, Pluto gathers memories and groups them under headings like ``Beginnings,'' ``Boston Before Russell,'' and ``Wilt and the Warriors.'' The story unfolds in rough chronological sequence. Heard from are players like Dolph Schayes, the ``original Larry Bird''; Hod Rod Hundley, the league's first showboat; Bob Pettit, who scored over 20,000 points, 6,000 of them from the foul line; the incredible Bob Cousy, who at 6`1'' was the Celtics' first step toward dynasty; and the legendary Elgin Baylor, a ten-time All Star with ``more moves than a clock.'' ``The Class of 1960''--perhaps the most interesting chapter here--looks at draftees Lenny Wilkens, Oscar Robertson, and Jerry West. There are extensive quotes from Wilt Chamberlain but, surprisingly, Pluto hasn't a word from Bill Russell, perhaps the major force in the history of the game. Others, like officials Sid Borgia and Earl Strom, coaches Red Auerbach and Alex Hannum, and owners such as the late Danny Biasone and volatile Ben Kerner of the old St. Louis Hawks, provide their own unique perspectives--and prejudices. An enjoyable and important contribution to sports history. (Photos--16 pp.--not seen.)
Booklist Review
The late 1950s through the early 1970s were the NBA's mythic years. The league is popular today, of course, and boasts the world's best basketball players, but nothing can compare to the great rivalries of those glory years: Russell versus Chamberlain, West versus Robertson, Celtics versus Lakers. In those days, remember, the entire league had barely 100 players. Today there are 135 starters, many of whom might not have even made the cut in the early 1960s. With his oral histories of pro basketball, Pluto is fast becoming the Studs Terkel of the hoop set. Here he interviews dozens of players, coaches, and observers, all of whom help to re-create the intensity, rivalries, and camaraderie of the era. Related in their own words are the observations of Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Red Auerbach, Bob Cousy, Johnny Kerr, and Jack Twyman, among others. A classic volume and a must for any serious sports collection. ~--Wes Lukowsky
Library Journal Review
Following the format he employed in Loose Balls (LJ 9/15/90), Pluto strings together capsule comments from players, coaches, officials, owners, and reporters to chronicle the growth of the National Basketball Association during the decades of the Fifties and Sixties, when the league was struggling to gain parity with other professional sports. Among the topics covered are the ``forgotten'' stars (e.g., Bob Pettit, Dolph Schayes), the breaking of racial barriers, the Bill Russell/Wilt Chamberlain battles, and life on and off the court in the smaller NBA cities of Fort Wayne and Syracuse. While many of the observations are of a jocular nature, others define the dramatic changes that have occurred in the way the game is played and operated. For popular sports collections. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 8/92.-- William H. Hoffman, Ft. Myers-Lee Cty. P.L., Fla. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal sportswriter Pluto has been steadily building a reputation as one of the nation's top basketball writers with books like Forty-Eight Minutes and Loose Balls ; this fine oral history will surely enhance that reputation. After a brief account of the National Basketball Association's formative period, which ended in 1954 when the 24-second shot clock changed the game forever, Pluto describes the exciting events in basketball during 1956-66, when the Boston Celtics dominated the league. Unlike many comparable histories in which the superstars have declined to participate, this one includes contributions from Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Red Auerbach and dozens of other players almost as well known. Of course contemporary fans will argue that 1992, with the assembling of the Olympic ``Dream Team,'' was basketball's real glory year, but the debate should only aid sales of Pluto's book. Photos not seen by PW. (Dec.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
Like his lively look at the American Basketball Association (Loose Balls, 1990), this freewheeling and informative oral history from Pluto (basketball writer for the Akron Beacon Journal) provides an informal venue for players, coaches, and founders--this time of the National Basketball Association--to tell the story of their league's early years. In the NBA's early days--prior to the advent of the 24-second clock (instituted in 1954)--the game was dominated by ex-G.I.s, many of whom ``had more eyes than teeth'' and showed ``a definite hockey influence,'' with the emphasis on ``beer and fighting.'' (One early New York-Baltimore battle featured 100 personal fouls, despite lax rules.) Here, like a fan sitting around listening to the old pros talk about the good old days, Pluto gathers memories and groups them under headings like ``Beginnings,'' ``Boston Before Russell,'' and ``Wilt and the Warriors.'' The story unfolds in rough chronological sequence. Heard from are players like Dolph Schayes, the ``original Larry Bird''; Hod Rod Hundley, the league's first showboat; Bob Pettit, who scored over 20,000 points, 6,000 of them from the foul line; the incredible Bob Cousy, who at 6`1'' was the Celtics' first step toward dynasty; and the legendary Elgin Baylor, a ten-time All Star with ``more moves than a clock.'' ``The Class of 1960''--perhaps the most interesting chapter here--looks at draftees Lenny Wilkens, Oscar Robertson, and Jerry West. There are extensive quotes from Wilt Chamberlain but, surprisingly, Pluto hasn't a word from Bill Russell, perhaps the major force in the history of the game. Others, like officials Sid Borgia and Earl Strom, coaches Red Auerbach and Alex Hannum, and owners such as the late Danny Biasone and volatile Ben Kerner of the old St. Louis Hawks, provide their own unique perspectives--and prejudices. An enjoyable and important contribution to sports history. (Photos--16 pp.--not seen.)
Booklist Review
The late 1950s through the early 1970s were the NBA's mythic years. The league is popular today, of course, and boasts the world's best basketball players, but nothing can compare to the great rivalries of those glory years: Russell versus Chamberlain, West versus Robertson, Celtics versus Lakers. In those days, remember, the entire league had barely 100 players. Today there are 135 starters, many of whom might not have even made the cut in the early 1960s. With his oral histories of pro basketball, Pluto is fast becoming the Studs Terkel of the hoop set. Here he interviews dozens of players, coaches, and observers, all of whom help to re-create the intensity, rivalries, and camaraderie of the era. Related in their own words are the observations of Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Red Auerbach, Bob Cousy, Johnny Kerr, and Jack Twyman, among others. A classic volume and a must for any serious sports collection. ~--Wes Lukowsky
Library Journal Review
Following the format he employed in Loose Balls (LJ 9/15/90), Pluto strings together capsule comments from players, coaches, officials, owners, and reporters to chronicle the growth of the National Basketball Association during the decades of the Fifties and Sixties, when the league was struggling to gain parity with other professional sports. Among the topics covered are the ``forgotten'' stars (e.g., Bob Pettit, Dolph Schayes), the breaking of racial barriers, the Bill Russell/Wilt Chamberlain battles, and life on and off the court in the smaller NBA cities of Fort Wayne and Syracuse. While many of the observations are of a jocular nature, others define the dramatic changes that have occurred in the way the game is played and operated. For popular sports collections. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 8/92.-- William H. Hoffman, Ft. Myers-Lee Cty. P.L., Fla. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
