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Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball from A to Z
STUFF Good Players Should Know may very well be the best book ever written for basketball players and fans. It is conversational and easy to understand, yet filled with subtle insights into the game of basketball. STUFF is page after page of creative concepts, common sense, and special tips that can not be found anywhere else.
- GenresSportsBasketball
293 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1983
31 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 14, 2016
I recently finished up my second season coaching junior high and middle school basketball, and I was on the hunt for a more "advanced" resource I could use to learn more about the game. I knew the basics, and I wanted more. This book was definitely what I was looking for.
This book is a valuable resource for any basketball player or coach who wants to elevate his or her game, coaching abilities, etc. It's helped me learn some concepts I can absolutely implement as a coach. I recommend it for any basketball player or coach who wants to get better, and there are concepts in here that middle schoolers can use all the way up through college players. It's helpful for anyone.
This book is a valuable resource for any basketball player or coach who wants to elevate his or her game, coaching abilities, etc. It's helped me learn some concepts I can absolutely implement as a coach. I recommend it for any basketball player or coach who wants to get better, and there are concepts in here that middle schoolers can use all the way up through college players. It's helpful for anyone.
May 8, 2021
We give this book along with DeVenzio's other books to most of our players. While the examples are sometimes a little dated, the principles outlined will help any basketball player be better, if he or she will consciously and consistently apply them.
Re-read 3/2021 - 4-2021. Can't believe the how many practical applications popped out at me to use with our team in real time. Useful to at least peruse this bad-boy once a year or so.
Re-read 3/2021 - 4-2021. Can't believe the how many practical applications popped out at me to use with our team in real time. Useful to at least peruse this bad-boy once a year or so.
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November 14, 2017This book is amazing! Mr. Dick Devenzio taught me so much about basketball that I never knew, and I have been playing since 2nd grade. In one part of the book he tells you not to foul when you are ahead near the end of the game on defense. Usually my coach tells me to foul! At the beginning of chapter two it says, "Nothing would please the the other team more than getting you to foul them. If you foul them you give them a chance to score..."(22). This proves that Mr. Devenzio can teach you a lot that you did not know about the sport. If you did not understand something about basketball this book can explain it. Since the book is from A to Z, the table of contents is like a glossary. Mr. Devenzio also coaches a Point Guard College that can elaborate even more on basketball! I hope you read and enjoy reading this book, as I did!
November 2, 2020
I enjoyed this book very much. It reminded me of many details of the game that I have forgotten. Hearing another perspective will help me. There were things in the book as to what to be thinking about in the game. It wasn't just the motions of basketball, but it was also the mental side of things. This book without a doubt helped me grow as a player. The concepts in this book were simple and made so much sense. He helped things click in my brain. This book helped me think about what I think about in the middle of a game. For example the last minutes of a game, how to respond to mistakes, attitude towards fouls, and more. Overall this is the book for you if you are looking to further your knowledge on the game of basketball.
August 12, 2025
If theres one book every basketball players who thrive to be above average should read, its this one. Tons of details and details, breakdowns and plays, reading this book feels like taking a peek at 20,30 years of basketball knowledge. This the type of book you would reread over and over again because theres just so many valuable knowledge covered
December 16, 2019
Very basic but great for players and coaches. Puts the little things into details that most might do naturally.
August 1, 2022
Great insights into the game of basketball and how to get better and be at ease when playing the game.
April 8, 2024
I read this book because it was suggested from Rapture by Nick Nurse. A book that shares numerous little tid bits that would help increase a player's IQ.
October 29, 2019
GoodReads Book Review
The book "Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball From A to Z" is a great read, as it is a valuable resource for any basketball player or coach who wants to increase their knowledge of the game and coaching ability. As a player and student, I found this book very beneficial to my understanding of basketball at a higher level such as AAU. The author, Dick Devenzio, implemented many acronyms throughout the book to set reminders for in-game situations; for instance “P-O-O-P” which means to pivot out of pressure which I tend to forget to do. The book addresses many close counter situations and basic, well known, skills you need to know.
Honestly, this is a great resource especially for coaches. The book may not be applied for a game plan, but it is great for character development and personal coaching (1 on 1) at lower levels. But the game speed and skill increases as you get older so this book would be beneficial to recreation basketball and AAU (16u or lower).
Also Devenzio did a really good job with the organization of the book, dividing the book’s subtitles into alphabetical order which made it easy to navigate. This essentially made it easy to find skills and terms that you don't know or need to apply to your game. But, the book has some flaws as it is really basic and doesn’t go as in depth as some people need to increase their level of knowledge towards the game. The author formatted the book with a bigger font and only used about a page or so of information regarding the term (i.e 2-3 zone defense or layups). Overall, I consider the book as a dictionary for basketball that is easy to understand by anyone of age and would rate the book a 8/10.
The book "Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball From A to Z" is a great read, as it is a valuable resource for any basketball player or coach who wants to increase their knowledge of the game and coaching ability. As a player and student, I found this book very beneficial to my understanding of basketball at a higher level such as AAU. The author, Dick Devenzio, implemented many acronyms throughout the book to set reminders for in-game situations; for instance “P-O-O-P” which means to pivot out of pressure which I tend to forget to do. The book addresses many close counter situations and basic, well known, skills you need to know.
Honestly, this is a great resource especially for coaches. The book may not be applied for a game plan, but it is great for character development and personal coaching (1 on 1) at lower levels. But the game speed and skill increases as you get older so this book would be beneficial to recreation basketball and AAU (16u or lower).
Also Devenzio did a really good job with the organization of the book, dividing the book’s subtitles into alphabetical order which made it easy to navigate. This essentially made it easy to find skills and terms that you don't know or need to apply to your game. But, the book has some flaws as it is really basic and doesn’t go as in depth as some people need to increase their level of knowledge towards the game. The author formatted the book with a bigger font and only used about a page or so of information regarding the term (i.e 2-3 zone defense or layups). Overall, I consider the book as a dictionary for basketball that is easy to understand by anyone of age and would rate the book a 8/10.
October 1, 2015
Dick DeVenzio is a remarkable coach and reading his book is like having him face to face and being told to do stuff that can turn you from good to great.
The book points to the vital points and habits which look so simple yet players fail to inculcate them in our game.
A must read book as it improves game sense and gives a fresh perspective about all the departments of the game(offense, defense, rebounding).
Cons: 1500 rupees is too high a price. Kindle version would be a nice thing to have.
The book points to the vital points and habits which look so simple yet players fail to inculcate them in our game.
A must read book as it improves game sense and gives a fresh perspective about all the departments of the game(offense, defense, rebounding).
Cons: 1500 rupees is too high a price. Kindle version would be a nice thing to have.
August 14, 2016
Dick DeVenzio's Stuff: Good Players Should Know is a book full of basketball tips for players and coaches. If you are a player, coach, or even a parent this book will give you all new insights on how to play the game you love. If you want to make coaches say, "He/She can play," you need to read this book.
January 22, 2015
If you love basketball like me, this is a great book, from a former Duke player, who went on to become a huge person for the sport of basketball. The books gives you great advice and helps you out in situations in the future.
April 10, 2011
If you play basketball, even casually, you should read this book.
July 25, 2013
A must read for any aspiring NBA Player
June 14, 2016
The best book on basketball skills for a player beyond the basics [period].
May 2, 2016
This is a must read for coaches and players. Fundamental tips for everyone who wants to excel.
April 5, 2018
I loved this book because I love basketball and it had a lot of knowledge about the sport.
June 4, 2023
books good, the person that gave to me is an a$$hole 😘
November 20, 2012
If you coach or play basketball, this is a must read. This is Basketball IQ at its best.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews