American hoops : U.S. men's olympic basketball from Berlin to Beijing

Those who avidly followed the on-court acrobatics and off-court celebrity of the “Dream Team” in Barcelona in 1992 would hardly recognize what passed as basketball fifty-six years earlier, when the United States first played the game in the 1936 Olympics. In those early days of men’s Olympic basketball, many teams lacked basic skills, games were played in the pouring rain, only seven players could suit up, and the rules allowed only two substitutions and no time-outs. How this slow, low-scoring sport became the breakneck game that enraptures millions worldwide is the story of American Hoops. In this fascinating history of Olympic basketball on the world stage and behind the scenes, Carson Cunningham presents a kaleidoscopic picture of the evolution into the twenty-first century of one of America’s most popular sports. From clashes between celebrated egos and thrilling action on the court to the intense rivalries of the Cold War and technological advances in everything from television to sports equipment off the court, American Hoops follows the fortunes of Olympic basketball, in the United States and internationally, as it developed and emerged as one of the most challenging and entertaining sports in the world. Cunningham traces how the modifications made by the International Olympic Committee and the International Basketball Federation have transformed the game of basketball over the years, from the Berlin to the Beijing Olympics. His book offers a remarkable view of the changing world through the prism of Olympic sport. (20100419)

those Who Avidly Followed The On-court Acrobatics And Off-court Celebrity Of The “dream Team” In Barcelona In 1992 Would Hardly Recognize What Passed As Basketball Fifty-six Years Earlier, When The United States First Played The Game In The 1936 Olympics. In Those Early Days Of Men’s Olympic Basketball, Many Teams Lacked Basic Skills, Games Were Played In The Pouring Rain, Only Seven Players Could Suit Up, And The Rules Allowed Only Two Substitutions And No Time-outs. How This Slow, Low-scoring Sport Became The Breakneck Game That Enraptures Millions Worldwide Is The Story Of american Hoops.

in This Fascinating History Of Olympic Basketball On The World Stage And Behind The Scenes, Carson Cunningham Presents A Kaleidoscopic Picture Of The Evolution Into The Twenty-first Century Of One Of America’s Most Popular Sports. From Clashes Between Celebrated Egos And Thrilling Action On The Court To The Intense Rivalries Of The Cold War And Technological Advances In Everything From Television To Sports Equipment Off The Court, american Hoops Follows The Fortunes Of Olympic Basketball, In The United States And Internationally, As It Developed And Emerged As One Of The Most Challenging And Entertaining Sports In The World.

cunningham Traces How The Modifications Made By The International Olympic Committee And The International Basketball Federation Have Transformed The Game Of Basketball Over The Years, From The Berlin To The Beijing Olympics. His Book Offers A Remarkable View Of The Changing World Through The Prism Of Olympic Sport.

frommersports.blogspot.com

with So Much Scope To This Work, So Many Interesting Nuggets Of Information, So Much Careful Research—this Is A Must Read Especially For Fans Of The Hoop Game.

Contents......Page 6 Illustrations......Page 8 Tables......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 12 Introduction......Page 14 1. American Hoops Help Establish the International Standard in Berlin......Page 22 2. U.S. Basketball Advances the Game in Postwar London......Page 50 3. Cold War Basketball’s Opening Salvo in Helsinki......Page 82 4. The Russell Model Revolutionizes the International Game in Melbourne......Page 110 5. Basketball Accelerates as Robertson, Lucas, and West Run through Rome......Page 140 6. In Liberal, Postwar Tokyo, Teamwork, Television, and a Cold War Tilt for Gold......Page 171 7. Haywood Shines as Satellites, Cable, and Shoes Mature in Mexico City......Page 195 8. Mayhem in Munich......Page 223 9. Trademark Speed Returns in Montreal, Then Politics Intrude in Moscow......Page 254 10. Air Jordan Arrives and The General Delivers in Los Angeles......Page 278 11. Oddities in Seoul Open the Lane for the Dream Team......Page 309 12. Basketball Bedlam in Barcelona......Page 339 13. From Underrated Greatness in Atlanta to the Gap Closed in Athens......Page 371 14. Reclamation in Beijing......Page 406 Notes......Page 438 Index......Page 504