Author: Matt Chandler
Publisher: Capstone Press
ISBN: 1496690419
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 33
Book Description
Klay Thompson's skill with a basketball runs in the family. His father was drafted into the NBA in 1978. But it's Klay's own star qualities that shine as he plays for the Golden State Warriors. Known for his shooting ability, Thompson has helped his team win big. Find out more about his career moments and behind-the-scenes facts in this electric biography in the Stars of Sports series.
Klay Thompson
Author: Matt Chandler
Publisher: Capstone Press
ISBN: 1496690419
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 33
Book Description
Klay Thompson's skill with a basketball runs in the family. His father was drafted into the NBA in 1978. But it's Klay's own star qualities that shine as he plays for the Golden State Warriors. Known for his shooting ability, Thompson has helped his team win big. Find out more about his career moments and behind-the-scenes facts in this electric biography in the Stars of Sports series.
Publisher: Capstone Press
ISBN: 1496690419
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 33
Book Description
Klay Thompson's skill with a basketball runs in the family. His father was drafted into the NBA in 1978. But it's Klay's own star qualities that shine as he plays for the Golden State Warriors. Known for his shooting ability, Thompson has helped his team win big. Find out more about his career moments and behind-the-scenes facts in this electric biography in the Stars of Sports series.
Klay Thompson: the Incredible Story of One of Basketball's Sharpest Shooters
Author: Clayton Geoffreys
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781505541847
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 56
Book Description
Learn the Incredible Story of the Golden State Warriors' Star Shooting Guard Klay Thompson! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! In Klay Thompson: The Incredible Story of One of Basketball's Sharpest Shooters , you'll read about the inspirational story of basketball's star, Klay Thompson. This short unauthorized biography of Klay Thompson highlights his quick ascent into the league as a sharp shooter. Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry form arguably the most dangerous backcourt in the NBA due to their impressive ability to shoot and make three-pointers. It isn't uncommon to find the Warriors down more than ten points with only a few minutes to go, and yet still win the game behind a three-point shoot out led by the Splash Brothers. With a new four-year, $70 million contract as of the 2014-2015 NBA season, Klay Thompson still has much to prove, with his prime still to come. It will be incredibly exciting to follow the young career of this sharp shooter. Golden State's cast of Stephen Curry, Andrew Bogut, Andre Iguodala, and David Lee led by Steve Kerr will be an exciting team to watch out for in this year's postseason.Read on to learn about Klay Thompson's journey into the league, to his college years at Washington State before ultimately propelling into the NBA. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood and High School Years College Years at Washington State Klay Thompson's NBA Career Klay's Personal Life Klay Thompson's Impact on Basketball Klay Thompson's Legacy & Future An excerpt from the book: Klay Thompson is a natural born athlete gifted with a shooting stroke reminiscent of Alan Houston, who is coincidentally one of Klay's basketball idols growing up. Though genetics may play a huge role in Klay's ability to play multiple sports, hard work and dedication has clearly molded him into the player he is now and the player he will become. Growing up in Oregon, he was always with his brothers playing in a multitude of leagues, which included baseball and basketball. In addition, you would always find the Thompson brothers playing hoops in their backyard or in the front driveway. Klay lived a great life with his family and was brought up in a nice neighborhood.There was not much tragedy that Klay had to overcome to get to where he is now. He was not living in a bad neighborhood where rival gangs and drugs were rampant. He did not have to worry where his next meal would come from or whether his dad would ever return back into his life. Nevertheless, Klay's journey is inspirational in itself and he deserves to be exactly where he is because of his poise and character.Growing up with father Mychal Thompson, who was a 2-time NBA Champion, had its benefits and perks. For one, Klay was taught valuable lessons in all areas in life as well as life as a pro from his very own dad. Naturally, Klay was as intrigued as he was curious to know what it was like to play professionally; to play with the best of them. This eventually increased his desire to make it to the NBA and to experience what his father did successfully. One milestone at a time, Klay worked his way through high school, even setting a few records along the way. Tags: Klay Thompson, Steph Curry, Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, David Lee, Andre Iguodala, Steve Kerr, Mychal Thompson, Kenneth Faried, David Lee, Anthony Davis, Washington State Basketball
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781505541847
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 56
Book Description
Learn the Incredible Story of the Golden State Warriors' Star Shooting Guard Klay Thompson! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! In Klay Thompson: The Incredible Story of One of Basketball's Sharpest Shooters , you'll read about the inspirational story of basketball's star, Klay Thompson. This short unauthorized biography of Klay Thompson highlights his quick ascent into the league as a sharp shooter. Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry form arguably the most dangerous backcourt in the NBA due to their impressive ability to shoot and make three-pointers. It isn't uncommon to find the Warriors down more than ten points with only a few minutes to go, and yet still win the game behind a three-point shoot out led by the Splash Brothers. With a new four-year, $70 million contract as of the 2014-2015 NBA season, Klay Thompson still has much to prove, with his prime still to come. It will be incredibly exciting to follow the young career of this sharp shooter. Golden State's cast of Stephen Curry, Andrew Bogut, Andre Iguodala, and David Lee led by Steve Kerr will be an exciting team to watch out for in this year's postseason.Read on to learn about Klay Thompson's journey into the league, to his college years at Washington State before ultimately propelling into the NBA. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood and High School Years College Years at Washington State Klay Thompson's NBA Career Klay's Personal Life Klay Thompson's Impact on Basketball Klay Thompson's Legacy & Future An excerpt from the book: Klay Thompson is a natural born athlete gifted with a shooting stroke reminiscent of Alan Houston, who is coincidentally one of Klay's basketball idols growing up. Though genetics may play a huge role in Klay's ability to play multiple sports, hard work and dedication has clearly molded him into the player he is now and the player he will become. Growing up in Oregon, he was always with his brothers playing in a multitude of leagues, which included baseball and basketball. In addition, you would always find the Thompson brothers playing hoops in their backyard or in the front driveway. Klay lived a great life with his family and was brought up in a nice neighborhood.There was not much tragedy that Klay had to overcome to get to where he is now. He was not living in a bad neighborhood where rival gangs and drugs were rampant. He did not have to worry where his next meal would come from or whether his dad would ever return back into his life. Nevertheless, Klay's journey is inspirational in itself and he deserves to be exactly where he is because of his poise and character.Growing up with father Mychal Thompson, who was a 2-time NBA Champion, had its benefits and perks. For one, Klay was taught valuable lessons in all areas in life as well as life as a pro from his very own dad. Naturally, Klay was as intrigued as he was curious to know what it was like to play professionally; to play with the best of them. This eventually increased his desire to make it to the NBA and to experience what his father did successfully. One milestone at a time, Klay worked his way through high school, even setting a few records along the way. Tags: Klay Thompson, Steph Curry, Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, David Lee, Andre Iguodala, Steve Kerr, Mychal Thompson, Kenneth Faried, David Lee, Anthony Davis, Washington State Basketball
Thinking Basketball
Author: Ben Taylor
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781532968174
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 180
Book Description
Are top scorers really the most valuable players? Are games decided in the final few minutes? Does the team with the best player usually win?Thinking Basketball challenges a number of common beliefs about the game by taking a deep dive into the patterns and history of the NBA. Explore how certain myths arose while using our own cognition as a window into the game's popular narratives. New basketball concepts are introduced, such as power plays, portability and why the best player shouldn't always shoot. Discover how the box score can be misleading, why "closers" are overrated and how the outcome of a game fundamentally alters our memory. Behavioral economics, traffic paradoxes and other metaphors highlight this thought-provoking insight into the NBA and our own thinking. A must-read for any basketball fan -- you'll never view the sport, and maybe the world, the same again.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781532968174
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 180
Book Description
Are top scorers really the most valuable players? Are games decided in the final few minutes? Does the team with the best player usually win?Thinking Basketball challenges a number of common beliefs about the game by taking a deep dive into the patterns and history of the NBA. Explore how certain myths arose while using our own cognition as a window into the game's popular narratives. New basketball concepts are introduced, such as power plays, portability and why the best player shouldn't always shoot. Discover how the box score can be misleading, why "closers" are overrated and how the outcome of a game fundamentally alters our memory. Behavioral economics, traffic paradoxes and other metaphors highlight this thought-provoking insight into the NBA and our own thinking. A must-read for any basketball fan -- you'll never view the sport, and maybe the world, the same again.
Golden
Author: Marcus Thompson
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1501147854
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 288
Book Description
The #1 national bestseller and inside story of Steph Curry, the greatest shooter basketball has ever seen. Golden is the first book to provide an all-access look at Steph Curry and the team that has fueled Dub Nation—by longtime Warriors beat reporter and Bay Area News Group sports columnist Marcus Thompson, the go-to expert on all things Golden State. A lifelong Warriors fan turned insider Thompson is uniquely qualified to tell the definitive story of a singular talent, pulling back the curtain on the crazy work ethic and on-court intensity that make Curry great—and the emphasis on family and faith that keeps him grounded. Combining the competitive grit and fun-loving spirit of his mother with the mild demeanor, easy charm, and sharp shooting of his father, former NBA player Dell Curry, Steph Curry derives support and strength from his close-knit kin and his commitment to Christianity. This hard-working, wholesome image however is both a blessing and curse in a League of big personalities. Thompson unravels the complicated underpinnings of the Steph Curry hate with a nuanced analysis of how class and complexion come into play when a child with an NBA pedigree becomes the face of a sport traditionally honed on inner-city black top and dominated by the less privileged. With unprecedented access, Thompson draws from exclusive interviews with Steph Curry, his family, his teammates, Coach Steve Kerr, and the Warriors owners to bring readers inside the locker room and courtside with this remarkable athlete and man.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1501147854
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 288
Book Description
The #1 national bestseller and inside story of Steph Curry, the greatest shooter basketball has ever seen. Golden is the first book to provide an all-access look at Steph Curry and the team that has fueled Dub Nation—by longtime Warriors beat reporter and Bay Area News Group sports columnist Marcus Thompson, the go-to expert on all things Golden State. A lifelong Warriors fan turned insider Thompson is uniquely qualified to tell the definitive story of a singular talent, pulling back the curtain on the crazy work ethic and on-court intensity that make Curry great—and the emphasis on family and faith that keeps him grounded. Combining the competitive grit and fun-loving spirit of his mother with the mild demeanor, easy charm, and sharp shooting of his father, former NBA player Dell Curry, Steph Curry derives support and strength from his close-knit kin and his commitment to Christianity. This hard-working, wholesome image however is both a blessing and curse in a League of big personalities. Thompson unravels the complicated underpinnings of the Steph Curry hate with a nuanced analysis of how class and complexion come into play when a child with an NBA pedigree becomes the face of a sport traditionally honed on inner-city black top and dominated by the less privileged. With unprecedented access, Thompson draws from exclusive interviews with Steph Curry, his family, his teammates, Coach Steve Kerr, and the Warriors owners to bring readers inside the locker room and courtside with this remarkable athlete and man.
The Sixth Man
Author: Andre Iguodala
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0525533990
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 258
Book Description
**The Instant National Bestseller** The standout memoir from NBA powerhouse Andre Iguodala, the indomitable sixth man of the Golden State Warriors. Andre Iguodala is one of the most admired players in the NBA. And fresh off the Warriors’ fifth Finals appearance in five years, his game has never been stronger. Off the court, Iguodala has earned respect, too—for his successful tech investments, his philanthropy, and increasingly for his contributions to the conversation about race in America. It is no surprise, then, that in his first book, Andre, with his cowriter Carvell Wallace, has pushed himself to go further than he ever has before about his life, not only as an athlete but about what makes him who he is at his core. The Sixth Man traces Andre’s journey from childhood in his Illinois hometown to his Bay Area home court today. Basketball has always been there. But this is the story, too, of his experience of the conflict and racial tension always at hand in a professional league made up largely of African American men; of whether and why the athlete owes the total sacrifice of his body; of the relationship between competition and brotherhood among the players of one of history’s most glorious championship teams. And of what motivates an athlete to keep striving for more once they’ve already achieved the highest level of play they could have dreamed. On drive, on leadership, on pain, on accomplishment, on the shame of being given a role, and the glory of taking a role on: This is a powerful memoir of life and basketball that reveals new depths to the superstar athlete, and offers tremendous insight into most urgent stories being told in American society today.
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0525533990
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 258
Book Description
**The Instant National Bestseller** The standout memoir from NBA powerhouse Andre Iguodala, the indomitable sixth man of the Golden State Warriors. Andre Iguodala is one of the most admired players in the NBA. And fresh off the Warriors’ fifth Finals appearance in five years, his game has never been stronger. Off the court, Iguodala has earned respect, too—for his successful tech investments, his philanthropy, and increasingly for his contributions to the conversation about race in America. It is no surprise, then, that in his first book, Andre, with his cowriter Carvell Wallace, has pushed himself to go further than he ever has before about his life, not only as an athlete but about what makes him who he is at his core. The Sixth Man traces Andre’s journey from childhood in his Illinois hometown to his Bay Area home court today. Basketball has always been there. But this is the story, too, of his experience of the conflict and racial tension always at hand in a professional league made up largely of African American men; of whether and why the athlete owes the total sacrifice of his body; of the relationship between competition and brotherhood among the players of one of history’s most glorious championship teams. And of what motivates an athlete to keep striving for more once they’ve already achieved the highest level of play they could have dreamed. On drive, on leadership, on pain, on accomplishment, on the shame of being given a role, and the glory of taking a role on: This is a powerful memoir of life and basketball that reveals new depths to the superstar athlete, and offers tremendous insight into most urgent stories being told in American society today.
I Love Being the Enemy
Author: Reggie Miller
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 0684870398
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 292
Book Description
Reggie Miller on the New York Knicks: I'm telling you right now, I hate the Knicks. Absolutely hate those kids....Face it: The Knicks are dirty players. Let me take the back. They're not dirty players, but when things aren't going New York's way, they're going to do whatever it takes to win. And if that means hurting someone, then they'll do it. I'm not going to say that's dirty, but sometimes they take it to the extreme. On the mental side of the game: Everybody in the NBA knows how to play basketball or else they wouldn't be there. But what separates the good players from the great players is their mental capacity, not only to overcome their opponent, but to get through the tough spots...I always feel mentally stronger than any opponent I step on the same floor with. He might have more talent than I do, but I don't think anybody is mentally stronger than me. I'll match wills with anybody. On determination: On Cheryl Miller: "Cheryl, I got 39." "Reggie, that's great." "Yeah, so how'd you do?" "Uh, I got 105." Thing was, Cheryl didn't say it to be mean, But, damn, 105 points in one game? But I got my revenge a few years later... We got out to the court and shesaid, "Your ball." I told her she could have it first. So she kind of crouched down, made her usual strong first move, got right past me and put up the shot.Cheryl paused for a moment and then said, in a real serious tone, "We're going to play Hors
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 0684870398
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 292
Book Description
Reggie Miller on the New York Knicks: I'm telling you right now, I hate the Knicks. Absolutely hate those kids....Face it: The Knicks are dirty players. Let me take the back. They're not dirty players, but when things aren't going New York's way, they're going to do whatever it takes to win. And if that means hurting someone, then they'll do it. I'm not going to say that's dirty, but sometimes they take it to the extreme. On the mental side of the game: Everybody in the NBA knows how to play basketball or else they wouldn't be there. But what separates the good players from the great players is their mental capacity, not only to overcome their opponent, but to get through the tough spots...I always feel mentally stronger than any opponent I step on the same floor with. He might have more talent than I do, but I don't think anybody is mentally stronger than me. I'll match wills with anybody. On determination: On Cheryl Miller: "Cheryl, I got 39." "Reggie, that's great." "Yeah, so how'd you do?" "Uh, I got 105." Thing was, Cheryl didn't say it to be mean, But, damn, 105 points in one game? But I got my revenge a few years later... We got out to the court and shesaid, "Your ball." I told her she could have it first. So she kind of crouched down, made her usual strong first move, got right past me and put up the shot.Cheryl paused for a moment and then said, in a real serious tone, "We're going to play Hors
The Victory Machine
Author: Ethan Sherwood Strauss
Publisher: PublicAffairs
ISBN: 1541736214
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 224
Book Description
How money, guts, and greed built the Warriors dynasty -- and then took it apart The Golden State Warriors dominated the NBA for the better part of a decade. Since the arrival of owner Joe Lacob, they won more championships and sold more merchandise than any other franchise in the sport. And in 2019, they opened the doors on a lavish new stadium. Yet all this success contained some of the seeds of decline. Ethan Sherwood Strauss's clear-eyed exposé reveals the team's culture, its financial ambitions and struggles, and the price that its players and managers have paid for all their winning. From Lacob's unlikely acquisition of the team to Kevin Durant's controversial departure, Strauss shows how the smallest moments can define success or failure for years. And, looking ahead, Strauss ponders whether this organization can rebuild after its abrupt fall from the top, and how a relentless business wears down its players and executives. The Victory Machine is a defining book on the modern NBA: it not only rewrites the story of the Warriors, but shows how the Darwinian business of pro basketball really works.
Publisher: PublicAffairs
ISBN: 1541736214
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 224
Book Description
How money, guts, and greed built the Warriors dynasty -- and then took it apart The Golden State Warriors dominated the NBA for the better part of a decade. Since the arrival of owner Joe Lacob, they won more championships and sold more merchandise than any other franchise in the sport. And in 2019, they opened the doors on a lavish new stadium. Yet all this success contained some of the seeds of decline. Ethan Sherwood Strauss's clear-eyed exposé reveals the team's culture, its financial ambitions and struggles, and the price that its players and managers have paid for all their winning. From Lacob's unlikely acquisition of the team to Kevin Durant's controversial departure, Strauss shows how the smallest moments can define success or failure for years. And, looking ahead, Strauss ponders whether this organization can rebuild after its abrupt fall from the top, and how a relentless business wears down its players and executives. The Victory Machine is a defining book on the modern NBA: it not only rewrites the story of the Warriors, but shows how the Darwinian business of pro basketball really works.
The Full Plate
Author: Ayesha Curry
Publisher: Voracious
ISBN: 0316496189
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 372
Book Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Enjoy family-friendly recipes that are ready in no time, when you've got no time, from New York Times bestselling author, online phenomenon, and TV star Ayesha Curry. Ayesha Curry knows what it's like to have so much on your plate you can barely think about dinner. But she also knows that finding balance between work and family life starts with gathering around the table to enjoy a home-cooked meal. The Full Plate brings the best of Ayesha's home kitchen straight to you, with 100 recipes that are flexible and flavorful and come together in less than an hour. You'll find sheet pan dinners and crowd-pleaser pastas, hearty salads and healthy updates to takeout favorites, and fresh spins on classic dishes-plus kid-friendly meals, desserts, and sides (and a few beverages just for the adults). Recipes include: Mushroom Tacos with Avocado Crema Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches Crab Bucatini Sheet Pan Pork Chops Guava Ginger Ice Cream Spicy Margaritas, and more
Publisher: Voracious
ISBN: 0316496189
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 372
Book Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Enjoy family-friendly recipes that are ready in no time, when you've got no time, from New York Times bestselling author, online phenomenon, and TV star Ayesha Curry. Ayesha Curry knows what it's like to have so much on your plate you can barely think about dinner. But she also knows that finding balance between work and family life starts with gathering around the table to enjoy a home-cooked meal. The Full Plate brings the best of Ayesha's home kitchen straight to you, with 100 recipes that are flexible and flavorful and come together in less than an hour. You'll find sheet pan dinners and crowd-pleaser pastas, hearty salads and healthy updates to takeout favorites, and fresh spins on classic dishes-plus kid-friendly meals, desserts, and sides (and a few beverages just for the adults). Recipes include: Mushroom Tacos with Avocado Crema Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches Crab Bucatini Sheet Pan Pork Chops Guava Ginger Ice Cream Spicy Margaritas, and more
The Midrange Theory
Author: Seth Partnow
Publisher: Triumph Books
ISBN: 1641256974
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 239
Book Description
From one of basketball's foremost experts in the field of analytics, a fascinating new perspective on how to watch and think about the game. At its core, the goal of any basketball team is relatively simple: take and make good shots while preventing the opponent from doing the same. But what is a "good" shot? Are all good shots created equally? And how might one identify players who are more or less likely to make and prevent those shots in the first place? The concept of basketball "analytics," for lack of a better term, has been lauded, derided, and misunderstood. The incorporation of more data into NBA decision-making has been credited—or blamed—for everything from the death of the traditional center to the proliferation of three-point shooting to the alleged abandonment of the area of the court known as the midrange. What is beyond doubt is that understanding its methods has never been more important to watching and appreciating the NBA. In The Midrange Theory, Seth Partnow, NBA analyst for The Athletic and former Director of Basketball Research for the Milwaukee Bucks, explains how numbers have affected the modern NBA game, and how those numbers seek not to "solve" the game of basketball but instead urge us toward thinking about it in new ways. The relative value of Russell Westbrook's triple-doubles Why some players succeed in the playoffs while others don't How NBA teams think about constructing their rosters through the draft and free agency The difficulty in measuring defensive achievement The fallacy of the "quick two" From shot selection to evaluating prospects to considering aesthetics and ethics while analyzing the box scores, Partnow deftly explores where the NBA is now, how it got here, and where it might be going next.
Publisher: Triumph Books
ISBN: 1641256974
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 239
Book Description
From one of basketball's foremost experts in the field of analytics, a fascinating new perspective on how to watch and think about the game. At its core, the goal of any basketball team is relatively simple: take and make good shots while preventing the opponent from doing the same. But what is a "good" shot? Are all good shots created equally? And how might one identify players who are more or less likely to make and prevent those shots in the first place? The concept of basketball "analytics," for lack of a better term, has been lauded, derided, and misunderstood. The incorporation of more data into NBA decision-making has been credited—or blamed—for everything from the death of the traditional center to the proliferation of three-point shooting to the alleged abandonment of the area of the court known as the midrange. What is beyond doubt is that understanding its methods has never been more important to watching and appreciating the NBA. In The Midrange Theory, Seth Partnow, NBA analyst for The Athletic and former Director of Basketball Research for the Milwaukee Bucks, explains how numbers have affected the modern NBA game, and how those numbers seek not to "solve" the game of basketball but instead urge us toward thinking about it in new ways. The relative value of Russell Westbrook's triple-doubles Why some players succeed in the playoffs while others don't How NBA teams think about constructing their rosters through the draft and free agency The difficulty in measuring defensive achievement The fallacy of the "quick two" From shot selection to evaluating prospects to considering aesthetics and ethics while analyzing the box scores, Partnow deftly explores where the NBA is now, how it got here, and where it might be going next.
Betaball
Author: Erik Malinowski
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1501158198
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 400
Book Description
"A compelling look at how the Golden State Warriors organization embraced saavy business practices and the corporate culture of Silicon Valley to produce one of the greatest basketball teams in history and become a model franchise for the NBA"--
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1501158198
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 400
Book Description
"A compelling look at how the Golden State Warriors organization embraced saavy business practices and the corporate culture of Silicon Valley to produce one of the greatest basketball teams in history and become a model franchise for the NBA"--