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Values of the Game
"In many ways basketball was a lens through which I looked at life—I had learned to make judgments about character from what I saw players do on the court." —Bill Bradley Bradley, former U.S. senator and presidential candidate and member of two championship New York Knicks teams, returns to the scene of his first career, and first passion, in Values of the Game. In ten esssays, filled with personal observations and reflections, he illustrates how the "right stuff" on the court—risking a last-second shot, staying in shape and playing hard, making the unselfish pass, not giving in until the final buzzer—is a proving ground for the "right stuff" in life. More than one hundred dramatic photographs of the best of the NBA—from legends Elgin Baylor and Bob Cousy, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, to such stars as Kobe Bryant and Grant Hill, to the greatest ever, Michael Jordan—exemplify the power of courage, discipline, selflessness, respect, and fair play.
160 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1998
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160 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 12, 2010
If you are a Bill Bradley fan this is a interesting book. Really intertwines life lessons that can be learned through competitive sports. Well written and a quick read.
June 29, 2007
I immediately thought "I would love to give this to my future son one day" after reading Values of the Game.
It's a but mawkish, perhaps overwrought at times but is still for the most part well written ode to basketball, life and the lessons therein.
It was nice to read the words of a articulate, intelligent pro athlete.
It's a but mawkish, perhaps overwrought at times but is still for the most part well written ode to basketball, life and the lessons therein.
It was nice to read the words of a articulate, intelligent pro athlete.
March 7, 2009
Some good concepts, good stuff maybe to talk about if you are a basketball coach (wink, wink) but overall it was kinda boring. Bradley was a better basketball player than author. The book kinda jumps around too much and didn't hold my interest very well.
May 13, 2021
Задължително четиво за всеки уважаващ себе си и баскетбола човек. За човек, който е минал през университетите Принстън и Оксфорд, златен медалист от олимпиада с отбора на САЩ през 1964г, бил е играч на годината в колежа 1965г., шампион на НБА с Никс през 70-та и 73та, а след това се впуска в политическите игри като сенатор....вероятно има какво да каже за баскетбола и живота. В едни бързо четими 100 странички, Бил Брадли прави дисекция на играта под формата на 10 есенца със заглавия : Страст, Дисциплина, Безкористност, Уважение, Перспектива, Кураж, Лидерство, Отговорност, Устойчивост и Въображение. Особено полезна за подрастващи или тепърва навлизащи в необятният свят на тази невероятна игра, която спокойно може да се възприема като сцена отразяваща истинският живот. Винаги съм знаел ,че можеш да разбереш много за характера на даден човек просто като го гледаш как играе баскетбол. Препоръчвам :)
May 6, 2021
This is a good coffee table book if you appreciate basketball from yesteryear. I enjoyed the photos and reading some of the stories. I gave it 3-stars because although it was fun, it wasn't deep enough, but I don't think it was meant to be.
October 20, 2016
No one is perfect, but it is a joy to read the account of a man whose life and counsel match his words. Bradley weaves threads of wisdom through his accounts of life on and off the court. My copy is marked nuggets on self-discipline, team work, practice, synergy, perspective, selflessness, leadership, and more. One highlight that sums up a theme that runs through this work: "Winning was fun, but so was the struggle to improve."
February 11, 2018
Enjoyed the book.
August 29, 2020
One of the best reads to remind us of INTEGRITY, along with John McCain’s book.
I have given as gifts across generations.
I have given as gifts across generations.
January 1, 2025
Wish he'd been president.
January 24, 2017
Excellent book! A must read!
November 7, 2016
Book Review : values of the game
As a basketball player, I should I have started to read basketball books to know the game of basketball. It would of been better for me , as a person and as a player as also. It would help me what to expect and how to better up my game to be a decent player coming from no experience.
Reading Values of the game can make you see there is more to basketball then you think it is.There's so many things you can do in basketball with defense, offensive and dribbling. Playing basketball you have to be physically ready and mentally ready, you have to play sport and think before you do because it can cost you the game basic on your action. With me playing basketball now and reading this book makes me understand basketball way more than I did before. This book is a learning experience and it gives you the little and big ideas of basketball and that things doesn't come overnight , you have to work for it , and that “hard work pays off” pays off all the time.
Bill Bradley is a three -time all-american basketball player at Princeton, a member of the New York Knicks from 1967 to 1977 and two-time NBA champions. He was on the Hall of Fame in 1982. So, after his career he had all this working experiences of basketball and wanted to give people the ideas he had to be a three time all american basketball player . So know there is a book Values of the game.
Values of the game explains about 10 main topics of basketball : Passion, Discipline, Selflessness, Respect, Perspective, Courage, Leadership, Responsibility, Resilience, and Imagination. He explains how all theses topics can help you be a great outstanding basketball player. But who has these abilities and who has real passion for basketball and who doesn't just play it for fun .To play basketball you have to have passion, enough passion when you can just yell out “I love this game”. Respect you have to give respect to get respect . Perspective is balancing out the act, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses , so the team would have to balance out the act. Courage is putting it on the line for your team because everyone has work as hard as you or even harder. Leadership is bringing out the best in you and the team.Responsibility is having no excuses (none at all). Theses ten main topics are the success in being an all time basketball player and being on the hall of fame.
As a basketball player, I should I have started to read basketball books to know the game of basketball. It would of been better for me , as a person and as a player as also. It would help me what to expect and how to better up my game to be a decent player coming from no experience.
Reading Values of the game can make you see there is more to basketball then you think it is.There's so many things you can do in basketball with defense, offensive and dribbling. Playing basketball you have to be physically ready and mentally ready, you have to play sport and think before you do because it can cost you the game basic on your action. With me playing basketball now and reading this book makes me understand basketball way more than I did before. This book is a learning experience and it gives you the little and big ideas of basketball and that things doesn't come overnight , you have to work for it , and that “hard work pays off” pays off all the time.
Bill Bradley is a three -time all-american basketball player at Princeton, a member of the New York Knicks from 1967 to 1977 and two-time NBA champions. He was on the Hall of Fame in 1982. So, after his career he had all this working experiences of basketball and wanted to give people the ideas he had to be a three time all american basketball player . So know there is a book Values of the game.
Values of the game explains about 10 main topics of basketball : Passion, Discipline, Selflessness, Respect, Perspective, Courage, Leadership, Responsibility, Resilience, and Imagination. He explains how all theses topics can help you be a great outstanding basketball player. But who has these abilities and who has real passion for basketball and who doesn't just play it for fun .To play basketball you have to have passion, enough passion when you can just yell out “I love this game”. Respect you have to give respect to get respect . Perspective is balancing out the act, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses , so the team would have to balance out the act. Courage is putting it on the line for your team because everyone has work as hard as you or even harder. Leadership is bringing out the best in you and the team.Responsibility is having no excuses (none at all). Theses ten main topics are the success in being an all time basketball player and being on the hall of fame.
February 22, 2017
Full disclosure: I am a Bill Bradley mark. Inherited it from my Knick-fan Dad, so even reading this book my Dad bought at the Grand Union supermarket in 1999 (receipt was in there as a bookmark) made this worthwhile for me. That aside, this was a good telling by a Hall-of-Famer of the values that drive elite basketball players the people and competitors they are. Of course, if you read just barely below the surface, these values apply to life no matter what you do.
An easy, quick read made more enjoyable by the photos, especially of players from the old days (at least for me).
An easy, quick read made more enjoyable by the photos, especially of players from the old days (at least for me).
January 6, 2016
This book talks about Bill Bradley and his journey from a little kid to a champion with the New York Knicks. Along the way he talks about the core values of the game and how he got his character and how he can see other peoples character by seeing how they act on the court. He teaches how to be a great basketball player mentally and how to be unselfish with your teammates to have your team take their game to the next level. I would recommend this book to whoever wants to learn about basketball. This book is a little slow but not slow for those who are big basketball fans and want to learn Bill Bradley's journey to how he became an effective pro basketball player. I give this book 4 stars.
July 5, 2016
A good read that is as much a business and/or motivational book as it is a basketball book. Sen. Bradley discusses ten items that are valued in basketball and explains them in a manner that can foster broader applications of the values.
June 29, 2008
One of several books written by the man who should have been president. I have given copies of this book to my girls JV basketball team. It's a nonpreachy discussion of values that ensure success in basketball and in life.
May 3, 2010
What a remarkable collection of Knickerbockers that was ... I will always remember the 'second language' that was used within that team from this book ... which like hundreds of others, I no longer have a copy of :(
July 14, 2007
Might be my favorite basketball book. Bill does a great job relating life, politics and basketball together.
January 21, 2008
2000 Presidential campaign.
May 21, 2008
for basketball lovers.
July 8, 2008
Bradley was a true basketball renaissance man. His transformation from basketball star to successful senator just provides a small glimpse into the talents of this gentle man.
August 13, 2009
Short read with lots of wonderful athletic pictures. Bradley talked about his athletic career, but also about race relations in and out of sports. Very good.
April 30, 2010
I want to learn more about the game
April 28, 2012
Good Book...interesting perspective about life and basketball by Bill Bradley.
January 29, 2013
Bradley explores the intersection of basketball and character. Apt not only for coaches and athletes, but also for parents, teachers and young people generally. Lots of good stuff in here.
Want to read
May 17, 2013Bought: April 11, 2013
Location: Booksale (Megamall)
Price: P115
Location: Booksale (Megamall)
Price: P115
May 6, 2015
Good general advice. Good for those that coach young athletes.
January 7, 2017
"An agenda for life" -- Oldman Kenna
November 5, 2007
The best book on basketball EVER!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews