Boom, Baby!: My Basketball Life in Indiana

by Bobby "Slick" Leonard, Lew Freedman, Larry Bird (Foreword)

Bobby "Slick" Leonard has etched his name forever on the Mount Rushmore of Indiana basketball, and in Boom, Baby! he shares memories from his storied career. Leonard takes readers inside the Indiana locker room with legendary head coach Branch McCracken and onto the court when he hit the deciding free throws as the "Hurrying Hoosiers" topped Phog Allen's Kansas Jayhawks. He recalls the NBA's early years, including being drafted by a Baltimore Bullets team that folded soon after selecting him. He tells of his time as the winningest coach in the ABA's nine-year history, securing three championships in his first five seasons with the Indianapolis Pacers. In his final act, "Slick" endeared himself to new generations of Hoosier hoops fans as the longtime Pacers radio voice, with his trademark call "Boom, Baby!" for a successful three-point shot.

Genres: Sports, Basketball, Biography

288 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2013

Reviews

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slick is a great guy and this book tells his story wonderfully. This is almost a history lesson on basketball in Indiana from the 1940's through today. It's amazing what he (and his wife) did for the Pacers and he may single handily be the reason the Pacers are still in Indiana.

This is a must read for any IU, Pacers, or just general fan of basketball in Indiana.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favorite characters in basketball. I was so glad that he finally got inducted into the Hall of Fame this year especially since he is over eighty years old. An entertaining, though not the best written, memoir of his basketball life.

[RA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bio of Bob "Slick" Leonard, coach of the Indiana Pacers during their ABA days, and continuing through the merger, and then becoming a broadcaster for the Pacers. A legendary Indiana hoopster, continuing at IU, winning an NCAA title, barnstorming, playing in the early NBA.

[Dale Stonehouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

For Indiana basketball fans and some Minnesota basketball fans this might be interesting, otherwise it is repetitive and rather dull. As a record of basketball history it is excellent - such books are far too rare.

[Adam J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Switching perspectives between authors is jarring, but I really enjoyed learning about Leonard and his career in basketball. Highly recommended for Pacers fans in particular.

[Jim Serger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book