Title: Hang Time: My Life in Basketball
Author: Elgin Baylor (with Alan Eisenstock)
Genre: Autobiography, Sports
Before Michael Jordan and Julius Erving there was Elgin Baylor. In a thirteen year NBA career (the final two cut short by injuries), Baylor proved to be one of the greatest players in league history. During his career he averaged an incredible 27.4 points and 13.5 rebounds in an era when there was no three-point shot and NBA players took as much pride in playing defense as they did scoring points.
Baylor recounts his upbringing in Washington, D.C. where he learned the game on the playgrounds, being drafted into the army at age 24, as well as his many and varied experiences - first as a player and later as a general manager in the NBA. Some of those experiences were negative - dealing with racism and bigotry on a regular basis, as well as exciting - Baylor an active participant in an NBA that was transitioning into a major sports entertainment option. This is an engaging read that reminds professional basketball fans of all ages that each generation has its stars. Although Elgin Baylor never won a championship, "Hang Time: My Life In Basketball" serves as proof that one of the games greatest players was a winner - both within the game and outside the sport.
Baylor recounts his upbringing in Washington, D.C. where he learned the game on the playgrounds, being drafted into the army at age 24, as well as his many and varied experiences - first as a player and later as a general manager in the NBA. Some of those experiences were negative - dealing with racism and bigotry on a regular basis, as well as exciting - Baylor an active participant in an NBA that was transitioning into a major sports entertainment option. This is an engaging read that reminds professional basketball fans of all ages that each generation has its stars. Although Elgin Baylor never won a championship, "Hang Time: My Life In Basketball" serves as proof that one of the games greatest players was a winner - both within the game and outside the sport.
- Mike
