Rockin' Steady: A Guide to Basketball and Cool

by Walt Frazier, Ira Berkow

For millions of basketball fans in the 1970s, Walt "Clyde" Frazier defined the word cool. One of the greatest point guards in NBA history, Clyde guided the New York Knicks to their only two championships with a style and flair that was wholly his own. Back in 1974, Clyde and New York Times sportswriter Ira Berkow collaborated on a book that has become an iconic and much-sought-after piece of basketball history. Now, three decades later, Rockin' A Guide to Basketball & Cool is back with an all-new introduction, afterword, and everything that made it one of the most unusual sports books of all time.

Genres: Sports, Basketball, Nonfiction, Memoir

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[sevedge · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's impossible to pull this book off the shelf without smiling. berkow set out to write a basketball instructional featuring one of the most effective basketball players in the early 1970s. bookending the table of contents' otherwise typical hoops taxonomy ("Defense", "Offense", "Statistics") are chapters like "Cool" and "A General Guide to Looking Good, and Other Matters." this structure belies clyde's delightfully spastic integration of style and basketball throughout. the unending interplay between style and substance creates a work that is equal parts cultural relic and a fascinating portrait of the guard-né-broadcaster himself (one of the NBA's finest treasures, even today).

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Required reading for dorky white 15 year old boys. I should know. Great insight into his life but also lots of useful and practical advice for teenage boys. Loved it in 1985 and still do. Thanks Walt!!

[Michael S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clyde is the coolest 😎

[Jeremy Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes I am so conceited, I don’t even realize it

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clyde the glide. There are none like him.

[Fynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

hella chill

[Aiden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traveled back in time to the 70s and Knicks championship era with this book. Clyde is so genuinely cool, 1 of 1, Knicks legend and fashion icon!

[Peter lok · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think this is a really good book if you like basketball and want to get to know Walt Frazier. this tell part of the story of his life, about his life in the NBA and the problems he faced and basics of basketball that are helpful. while reading this, there are also some funny lines he incorporates into this book.

[Ken French · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like I remembered it from 36 years ago. Great nostalgia.

[Reinhardt]

How I learned to be cool... 'nough said.

[Roman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read if you're a fan of the Knicks or Walt "Clyde" Frazier, the epitome of cool.

[Traci Rai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sort of lost me in the basketball parts, but the chapters about cool were completely fascinating.