All-Time All-Stars - Böcker

The history of the NBA has been filled with superstars, names known to fans and non-fans alike. But while comparisons between athletes who competed against each other face-to-face is a common occurrence in the sports world, it is not quite as easy to compare players from different eras. How would Wilt Chamberlain stack up against Shaquille O'Neal? What about LeBron James and Larry Bird, or Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson? In Pro Basketball’s All-Time All-Stars: Across the Eras, Robert Cohen not only examines the best players from each era, but also ranks the five greatest players at each position in the history of the pro game.Dividing the history of professional basketball into five distinct eras, this book first describes the style of play that prevailed during each period. From the slow-paced, rough-and-tumble style of play that characterized the NBA during its formative years, to the up-tempo, high-flying style that currently prevails, Pro Basketball’s All-Time All-Stars gives an in-depth view of how the game has evolved. For each of the five eras, Cohen has selected the best players to man the five positions on the court, providing career bios for each. To determine the best of the best, Cohen considers the level of dominance each player reached during his time in the league, his individual statistics, the degree to which he impacted the fortunes of his team, and the extent to which he improved his teammates’ level of play. Individual honors and quotes from teammates and opponents alike are used to support the rankings. Covering NBA greats such as Bob Pettit, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant, this book will appeal to basketball fans of all generations, and to any NBA fan interested in the history of the game.

Let’s say you’re the manager of the most successful professional baseball team in history, with every past and current player available on your bench. Game time is approaching and the ump needs your line-up card. Who’s your starting pitcher? Crafty Whitey Ford, lights-out Ron Guidry, or a big-game right-hander? Is Munson behind the plate or Yogi? Who’ll bat clean-up? Who’s your DH? Combining statistical analysis, common sense, and a host of intangibles, Jim Griffin constructs an all-time All-Star Yankee line-up for the ages. Agree with his choices or not, you’ll learn all there is to know about the men who played for and managed the winning-est baseball team of all time.

Let’s say you’re the coach of the Green Bay Packers, deciding which players should start in a Super Bowl matchup against the toughest team in the AFC. But instead of choosing from the current roster, you have every player in the team’s 100-year history in your locker room. Who starts at quarterback: the steady field general Bart Starr, gunslinger Brett Favre, or cannon-armed Aaron Rodgers? At outside linebacker, do you play Hall of Famer Dave Robinson, Lombardi-favorite Dan Currie, current All Pro Clay Matthews, or another player from the team’s deep roster? Which players get the start at wide receiver? Donald Driver, James Lofton, Sterling Sharpe, Max McGee, Jordy Nelson, or Antonio Freeman? Combining career stats, common sense, and a host of intangibles,veteran sportswriter Chuck Carlson imagines an embarrassment of riches and sets the all-time All-Pro Packer lineup for the ages.

Let’s say you’re the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, deciding which players should start in Game 7 of the World Series against the American League champs. But instead of choosing from the current roster, you have every player in the team’s 131-year history in your clubhouse. Who’s your starting pitcher: lefty John Candelaria, steady Bert Blyleven, Cy Young winner Doug Drabek, or crafty Rip Sewell? Who bats cleanup—hitting-machine Honus Wagner, home-run champ Ralph Kiner, Willie “Pops” Stargell, or the hugely talented Barry Bonds? Combining career stats, common sense, and a host of intangibles, veteran sportswriter Dave Finoli imagines an embarrassment of riches and sets the all-time All-Star Pirates lineup for the ages.

Let's say you're the coach of the NBA team with the most championship banners hanging from its rafters, with every current and former player available on your bench. Game 7 of the Finals is approaching and it's time to put your team on the floor. Who's your starting center? Bill Russell, Robert Parrish, or Dave Cowens? Who's starting at guard? Bob Cousy, Jo Jo White, Tiny Archibald, Dennis Johnson, or Kyrie Irving? At power forward, are you playing Kevin McHale or Jayson Tatum? Is Larry Bird your small forward or John Havliceck? Combining statistical analysis, common sense, and a host of intangibles, long-time Celtics writer John Karalis constructs an all-time All-Star Celtics line-up for the ages. Agree with his choices or not, you'll learn all there is to know about the men who played for and coached the most successful franchise in NBA history.

Let’s say you’re the manager of one of the most beloved franchises in Major League Baseball, with every past and current player available on your bench. Game time is approaching and the ump needs your line-up card. Who’s your starting pitcher? Fireballer Dwight Gooden, lights-out Tom Seaver, or run-stingy Jacob de Grom? Is Gary Carter behind the plate or Mike Piazza? Who’ll bat clean-up? Combining statistical analysis, common sense, and a host of intangibles, Brian Wright constructs an all-time All-Star Mets line-up for the ages. Agree with his choices or not, you’ll learn all there is to know about the men who played for and managed New York’s Amazin’ Mets.

Let’s say you’re the coach of the Minnesota Vikings, deciding which players should start in a Super Bowl matchup against the toughest team in the AFC. But instead of choosing from the current roster, you have every player in the team’s nearly 60-year history in your locker room. Who starts at quarterback: scrambling Fran Tarkenton, tough-as-nails Joe Kapp, gunslinger Daunte Culpepper, or deadly accurate Kirk Cousins? At defensive end, do you play Hall of Famer Carl Eller, fan favorite Jared Allen, sack specialist Chris Doleman, or stalwart Jim Marshall? Which player is your featured running back? Chuck Foreman, Adrian Peterson, Robert Smith, Bill Brown, or Dalvin Cook? Combining career stats, common sense, and a host of intangibles, veteran sportswriter Chris Tomasson imagines an embarrassment of riches and sets the all-time All-Star Vikings lineup for the ages.

Let’s say you’re the head coach of the Denver Broncos, deciding which players should start in a Super Bowl matchup against the toughest team in the NFC. But instead of choosing from the current roster, you have every player in the team’s nearly 60-year history in your locker room. Who starts at quarterback: John Elway, Peyton Manning, Craig Morton, or Frank Tripuka? At linebacker, do you play Bill Rowmanowski, Karl Mecklenburg, Tom Jackson, Randy Gradishar, DeMarcus Ware or Von Miller? Which player is your featured running back? Floyd Little, Otis Armstrong, or Terrell Davis? Combining career stats, common sense, and a host of intangibles, veteran sportswriter Andrew Mason imagines an embarrassment of riches and sets the all-time All-Star Broncos lineup for the ages.

Let’s say you’re the coach of the Cleveland Browns, deciding which players should start in a Super Bowl matchup against the toughest team in the NFC. But instead of choosing from the current roster, you have every player in the team’s 75-year history in your locker room. Who starts at quarterback: Hall-of-Famer Otto Graham, steady Brian Sipe, deadly accurate Bernie Kosar, or dynamic Baker Mayfield? At kicker, do you play Hall of Famer Lou Groza or 14-year-veteran Phil Dawson? Which players get the start at wide receiver? Dante Lavelli, Paul Warfield, Braylon Edwards, Ray Renfro, or Jarvis Landry? Combining career stats, common sense, and a host of intangibles, veteran sportswriter Roger Gordon imagines an embarrassment of riches and sets the all-time All-Star Browns lineup for the ages.