Best Basketball Books Every Hooper Should Read
#1 Mamba Mentality : How I Play - by Kobe Bryant
The Mamba Mentality is the story of Kobe Bryant's career, as told by Kobe himself and captured with photos by Andrew D. Bernstein (the Lakers' official photographer).
Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest basketball players in history, and his style of play was unlike anything we'd ever seen before. The Mamba Mentality is an incredible book that tells you how to get into the mind of the legendary player and understand how he played the game.
In this book, Kobe Bryant explains how he approached the game and what made him so unique. It's a great read for anyone who loves basketball or wants to learn more about one of its most fascinating players.
Bryant reveals his famously detailed approach and the steps he took to prepare mentally and physically to not just succeed at the game, but to excel. Readers will learn how Bryant studied an opponent, how he channeled his passion for the game, how he played through injuries. They'll also get fascinating granular detail as he breaks down specific plays and match-ups from throughout his career.
#2 Dream Team by Jack McCallum
The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games marked a turning point for basketball. The NBA decided to conquer the world, creating the Dream Team—a group of 12 of the greatest players in history that would go on to win gold.
Jack McCallum, a reporter for Sports Illustrated, was there to cover the first-ever Dream Team. He followed them from their selection process to the awarding of their gold medals and shares his exclusive interviews with us here in this book.
The Dream Team has fascinated the world and inspired a whole generation of athletes and managers. More than two decades later, its aura is even greater. This book recreates the moment when a group of exceptional athletes changed a sport forever.
Today, the NBA's TV rights are worth billions of dollars because they were able to build their brand around this team—and now they're doing it again with another generation of players who grew up idolizing those original stars!
#3 Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable by Tim Grover
If you're a basketball player and you're looking to improve your game, then you should definitely read this book.
It's called The Relentless 13: The Essential Traits of Champions by Tim Grover. It's an amazing book that will help you become a better player, not just on the court, but in life as well.
In this book, Grover breaks down the essential traits shared by top players in sports and business—and shows how those traits can be applied to any aspect of life. You'll learn about how to trust your instincts, get into the zone and stay there (even when things go wrong), and how to find your opponent's weakness and attack it until he or she gives up.
But what does he do differently than other coaches? What makes him so successful?
Grover gives readers a glimpse into what he's learned from coaching some of the greatest athletes in history. He also shows how anyone can be as successful as these athletes by following their advice: Don't think—just play!
