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The title is reminiscent of Chick Hearn's old line, "No Harm, No Foul"). thumbs up. I'm a bit surprised that the books weren't marketed together more aggressively. I hope to describe in a later review how the books jibe together. much to the joy of the cheering fans.
Even if the teams and names are not familiar, the stories are amusing and poignant given the realities of postwar America. --The coach of the St Lewis Bombers (a lawyer, pop pianist, and poet) nearly made good on his philosophy that "in order to achieve team unity and singleness of purpose, all players should hate the coach."--The Washington Capitols stopped a game while their mascot, a big, mean, rodent-killing alley cat, had kittens. Add to that Rosen's sense of the era (including, e.g., the difficulties attracting fans during hard times, corruption, flawed technologies [including obsolete airplanes that had frequent midair malfunctions while transporting players] and cultural attitudes following WWII), and you can imagine how the story gains momentum. I read his MSN/Fox column regularly, and I've read a few of his books. Real-life characters and situations from the early history of the league inhabit both books, albeit painted in different ways.
Charley Rosen has immersed himself in the first years of the NBA (atually the BAA) and produced two new, enjoyable books. The second book is about about the life-transformations of an all-too-human basketball-loving vet who through some of the book finds himself working as a ref for the BAA, warts and all. Modern-day fans of the game will find things that will interest them. ran out. Rosen tells the story of how the league (BAA; soon to become the NBA) was founded, as well as each team's story. --Members the Washington Capitols carried a wooden Buddha-like figure for good luck.
As a starting point, Rosen had access to 45 hours of interviews with key people from that first season (interviews were conducted by Phil Berger in from '81 to '82). But "The First Tip-Off" certainly can stand on its own two feet without the other book, so here is my review of it. Not surprisingly, I'm finding that the two books go better together. One can learn about how many conventions in NBA basketball were influenced by its association with hockey. Or one can learn about Red Auerbach's early career for better and. For instance, one can learn about how the NY Nicks got their name. It covers the playoffs, including the rather baffling playoff brackets that followed an archaic scheme that used to be used for hockey playoffs. To wit, here are just a few of them: --One member of the Providence Steamrollers stuck chewing gum in his ear to calm himself during stressful games.
Not to be missed is the chapter "of money, time, and justice," with its discussion of the league's decisions regarding race, corruption, on-court violence, and other eternal, socially-relevant issues. One is best characterized as non-fiction (The First Tip-Off), and the other is best characterized (more or less) as fiction (No Blood, No Foul). Rosen's presentation featuring Red is part description and part evisceration, IMHO. worse. and its luck. If I had a wish, it would be that Rosen, or somebody, had a website in which one could make additions or corrections to the stories in the book. I think it is great that Rosen has written this book and that he's carried it off in entertaining fashion.Anyway. ("No blood, no foul" refers to how the refs in the league were supposed to call the games, at one point.
At this point, I'm a diehard Rosen fan. Rosen has (and perhaps Berger had) a knack for catching the offbeat behaviors that in many ways defined the new league. until their luck. Although Rosen captured parts of the stories, and the opinions of some, there are always others who have different versions of key events. Highly recommended.
Nobody gets to the heart of the game like Charley Rosen. From fact to fiction, Charley Rosen is today's premiere Basketball historian and storyteller. The First Tip-Off brings to life the extreme beginnings of the NBA, where barnstorming across the country in a crowded van was the norm, and the game was played for the love of the sport. I am always religously looking forward to another writing from him. The bottom line on Charley Rosen is this: He has actually TOUCHED the Holy Grail (the original rules of basket ball).need I say more.Michael Idlis - Jupiter, FL
Birch wanted to play the game for his players, not coach them. Interviews of the living would have corrected the interviews of the dead. Birch benched Press for most of the season. The information would have been better written if it was fact checked.
Bebbers Milkovich was Press' childhood friend as well as peer. For example: The majority of players were called by Paul Birch to play on his team. NONE of them liked him, because of his temper. Just read this book last night. Pictures of the Ironmen would have been great as well. Birch also didn't like that the other players respected Press.
Eddie Melvin aka Bebbers Milkovich did play at Duquesne, NOT Press Maravich. Press was academically unable to attend.
I didn't know what to believe since the most of the facts were untrue or distorted. Appreciate the homage to Phil Berger, since I knew and worked with Phil.
Press finally attended Davis and Elkins college after attending night school for academic eligibility. Press knew Birch from his playing days, and did idolize him.
He also outscored him when he played against Birch, which started the rivalry played out in the Ironmen's season. Would have appreciated an interview with the Lalich brothers or Pete Lalich since they were there and Pete is still alive.
Sorry, this had the makings for a great book.
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