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Tall Tales: The Glory Years of the NBA | 
 enlarge | Author: Terry Pluto
Publisher: Bison Books
Category: Book
Buy New: $17.95
New (1) Used (9) from $0.01
Avg. Customer Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 680372
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 413
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.1 x 0.9
ISBN: 0803287666
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.323640973
EAN: 9780803287662
ASIN: 0803287666
Publication Date: October 1, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
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Product Description
Using a lively oral history format, Terry Pluto provides the best look yet at the glory days of the NBA. Tall Tales is essential reading for any fan who understands that the history of the league does not begin and end with Michael Jordan.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Another Good Terry Pluto Book June 27, 2007
I have to agree with Michael Erisman's review of this book - well written and informative but it just doesn't have the "ooomph" of Pluto's other basketball book, "Loose Balls." About halfway through the book, it feels like it starts to follow more of a season to season format, instead of continuing to concentrate on the personalities and the players in the league, and the league itself - most everyone knows the Celtics dominated the league during this period and it gets just a lil tedious to be reading about them all the time - a more comprehensive review of the league would have been nice.
 The NBA's Formative Years, As told by the players and directed by Terry Pluto October 6, 2006
"Tall Tales" by Terry Pluto is a fascinating, insightful and wild ride through the NBA's formative years. I'm 25 and have been following the game since the late 80s. I've always had an awareness and appreciation of NBA history with Chamberlain, Russell, Auerbach, Pettit, the Celtics, West, etc, but "Tall Tales" dives deep into the memories of the men who shaped the game, from the inventor of the 24-second shot clock to improvisational refs who made up calls on the spot to running hook shots, daily fist fights and coaches smoking on the bench-it's all here. "Tall Tales" is a masterfully conducted journey with Pluto at the wheel showing you all the great scenery of the NBA's past, but never getting in the way of the insider's stories. From players and coaches to refs and GMs and owners, all the great names from this era contribute (except for Russell, which doesn't surprise after reading some of player's and coach's comments about him). For anyone with even a casual interest in the NBA's glorious, if much ad-libbed, past, this book is a must read.
The players were different, the game was different, the fans and social climate were at polar extremes compared to what we see today. I've always tried to compare players of this generation to the all-time greats, but after reading this book, you can see how it's hard to even compare two greats who played in the same era like Chamberlain and Russell, let alone players from different decades and really, different games. To compare Shaq to Wilt or Magic to Oscar just isn't fair to any of the players because the game changed so much over the years. To compare players from different ages is similar to comparing the NBA to FIBA (international hoops)- it's the same game, but played with such different rules that comparisons do little except expose the differences. Speaking of the Wilt-Russell comparison, several of the book's contributors comment on the age-old Wilt vs. Russell debate which never gets old. A lot of these retired players come across as bitter about the way the game is played today and the kind of money the players are making. Often it comes across as sour grapes which is disappointing because these guys were so unbelievably talented and did so much for the game's development.
If you like the NBA and have any curiosity about the game's forebearers, then you need to check this out. The cast of characters is colorful, insightful and the anecdotes are amusing and entertaining.
Like the NBA, this book less entertaining than his ABA book September 14, 2005
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Terry Pluto is a great writer. He has a knack for pulling together short paragraphs, quotes and descriptions that make his subject come alive. In this book he reflects on the early years of the NBA. The book is written in the same style of "Loose Balls" his classic story of the ABA, yet like the NBA itself it is not as funny nor interesting.
The book covers from the 50's through the early 70's with lots of discussions about the early style of play which was much more physical than the constant whistles and free throws of today's "superstar rules". The section on the referees was especially interesting. It seems that these early games could literally be influenced by the crowds and the "home court advantage.
Of course there are some great insights into the early superstars; Chamberlain, Russell, Cousy, Miken, West, Baylor and Oscar Robertson. Many of these early records will never be touched. In addition to Chamberlains 50.4 scoring average for a season, you have his 100 point game, his 55 rebound game, his 27 rebound average, Oscar Robertson averaging a triple double for a whole 82 game season, and could have had as many as five seasons like that had the stat been a big deal then.
The Celtics early dominance, the Lakers move to LA, and with the league trying to build its fan base, the "home teams" playing cities all over their "region". The racism faced by black players in the 50's and early 60's. All of these quirks, growing pains and oddities are discussed here. For any fan of the game, this book is a must as the best way to learn about the history of the game as we know it today.
While not as good as his depiction of the ABA (which is the best sports book period) this book is nonetheless a great read, entertaining and engaging and interesting to even a causal fan, or someone who wants a glimpse into some American history.
basketball lovers dream July 16, 2003
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
very good book. brillant oral history of the NBA from the beginning until the 1968-1969 season, the end of the Boston Celtic dynasty. A brillant companion piece to Loose Balls the flip side from the ABA version of events.
NBA glory days December 27, 2001
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
Excellent book on the NBA of the 50s and 60s. All the big names are here, Wilt, Russell, West, the Big O and also many names that have been forgotten but shouldn't have been. Bob Pettit, Lenny Wilkens (as a player not coach), Tom Meschery, Al Attles and more. The stories come directly from the players with numerous quotes from different individuals who were actually there. This book is written in the same style as Loose Balls another great book by this author about the ABA. Anyone who thinks the NBA came into being with Michael Jordan should read this book and get a reality check. These are the real founders of the NBA. Current fans think a triple double by a player is a wondrous feat, Oscar Robertson averaged a triple double for a whole season!! If you like basketball and are interested in its history, this is the book for you.
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