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, an Imprint of National Highlights
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INSIDE THE
WORLD OF SPORTS
Inside the World of Sports gives readers a behind-thescenes look at the
development and progression of 13 major sports. Take a look back in
history at the origins and evolution of these sports, read about the modern
day stars, the up-and-coming athletes, and predictions for future changes
to each sport. Engulf yourself into the discussion of how fans truly gauge
greatness as authors compare some of the sport’s top athletes from its
inception to today.
UNIQUE TO THIS MASON CREST SERIES IS A NEW EDITORIAL ADDITION FOR TODAY’S TECH SAVVY TEEN. NOT
ONLY CAN YOU READ ABOUT THE GREATEST MOMENTS OF ALL TIME AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH VOLUME,
BUT EVERY BOOK INCLUDES QR CODES WHICH, ONCE SCANNED WITH A SMART PHONE, ALLOW READERS
TO VIEW VIDEOS OF THESE ICONIC MOMENTS. FROM YESTERDAY… TO TODAY… TO TOMORROW… JUMP
INSIDE THE WORLD OF SPORTS!
TheNaismithMemorialBasketballHallofFame is located inSpringfield,
Massachusetts.JamesNaismith invented thegameat theSpringfieldYMCA
in1891.Seventy-sevenyears later, theHallopened in1968. Among the first
inducteeswereNaismith,GeorgeMikan,andPhogAllen.The firstclasswas
selected in1959,nineyearsbefore thebuilding itselfopened.Thecurrent
building ismore than40,000square feet,housingmemorials to thecareersof
nearly350members.ThebasketballHall is theonlyoneof the fourmajor team
sports thatelects itsmemberswithananonymousvote.
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LEBRON JAMES
SHAQUILLEO’NEAL
LARRYBIRD
CHARLESBARKLEY
KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR
BILL RUSSELL (LEFT)
MICHAEL JORDAN
HAKEEMOLAJUWON
KOBEBRYANT
JOHN STOCKTON
TIMDUNCAN
BASKETBALLHALLOF FAME
Scanhere togo to the BasketballHallofFamewebsite.
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CHAPTER
BASKETBALL’S GREATEST PLAYERS
Likeanysport, thewaybasketball isplayedevolvedover theyears.Thegamehasshifted
frombeingdominatedbybigmen in the1950sand1960s toaperimetergamedominatedby
long-rangeshooters in the2010sandbeyond.
Throughout thisevolution,playersofallshapesandsizeshave thrivedat theprofessional
level.CalvinMurphyat5'9" (1.8m)hadaHallofFamecareer in the1970sasapointguard
forSanDiegoandHouston.Despitehis lackofsize,hewasdrafted in thesecond round for
hisdefense,quickness,andsuperior free throwshooting.RalphSampsonat7'4" (2.2m)
made theHallofFamewithacompletelydifferentsetofskills.The firstoverallpick in1983
wascovetednotonly forhissizebutalso forhisagilityunder thebasket.
Wherewinning factors into theequationas towhichare thesport’sgreatestplayershas
longbeenapointofdebate.Whilesomeplayersexcelled in theclutchmoments,pulling
outvictorieswhen itmatteredmost,others fellshortwithchampionshipson the line.But
should thatnegateacareerwithsuperiorstatistical results?JimLoscutoffandRobertHorry
eachwonsevenchampionships,more thanMichaelJordanorKareemAbdul-Jabbar.
Frompostplayers toballhandlers, jumpshooters to lanedrivingspecialists,players
possessingawide rangeofabilitieshave risen to thevery topof thegame.
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Actual Text Size
his defense, quickness, and superior free thr
made the Hall of Fame with a completely di
was coveted not only for his size but also for
Where winning factors into the equation as t
long been a point of debate. While some pla
out victories when it mattered most, others
should that negate a career with superior st
each won seven championships, more than
From post players to ball handlers, jump sh
possessing a wide range of abilities have ris