|
Slick Watts's Tales from the Seattle Supersonics Hardwood | 
 enlarge | Author: Slick Watts
Creator: Frank Hughes
Publisher: Sports Publishing
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $5.08
You Save: $14.87 (75%)
New (21) Used (16) from $1.69
Avg. Customer Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 837373
Format: Illustrated
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 200
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8
ISBN: 1582619042
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.3236
EAN: 9781582619040
ASIN: 1582619042
Publication Date: September 1, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: NEW, UNMARKED, SLIGHT WEAR, 100% GUARANTEED, FAST SHIPPER, CHECK OUR FEEDBACKS.
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Slick Watts arrived in Seattle with nothing but his name, shiny head, headband, and his personality. He remains there to this day-one of the most memorable and likable icons of Seattle sports history. Not only did he win over the his first coach-Bill Russell-he won over an entire city that seemed desperate to embrace a role model with whom it could relate. Watts's sense of style, his humble beginnings, his down-to-earth personality and his determined hustle on the court made him more than a sports hero; he became larger than life. Some say if Watts ran for governor of Washington in the '70s, he would have won. He achieved the impossible: he became bigger than Russell. Watts details how his relationship with Russell deteriorated at the same time that relationships blossomed with Wilt Chamberlain, Walt Frazier, Bill Walton, Bob Lanier, Reggie Jackson, Jessie Jackson, "Pistol" Pete Maravich, and many others. He also reveals how a promising career abruptly ended at the hands of Hall of Fame coach and player Lenny Wilkens. Watts gives an insider's view of how Seattle's first professional sports team evolved through growing pains and into a world champion. In his unique Mississippi dialect, Watts spins tales about teammates, coaches, opponents, and some of the most memorable games in which he participated. He also outlines his journey from an unknown entity to an overnight celebrity- forced to move twice because people were camping outside his house. Much like the way he played the game, Watts combines boundless energy and unexpected entertainment as he spins, jumps, and shoots his way through this collection of tales from Seattle's original hardwood.
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Some interesting insights from Slick about Seattle and the NBA January 1, 2006
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
I grew up a Sonics fan in the era of Slick Watts. While I played basketball in various youth and school leagues, we all knew about the fast, bald, guy with the headband and big smile. Slick was "one of us". A short guy playing with giants, with seemingly little more than heart and determination. So, when I saw the book, I wanted to relive some of those memories and get the inside scoop.
The book itself is simple to read, and while it does contain some great tidbits of perspective on various NBA players, coaches and life in the NBA, it was poorly edited and structured. Instead of a chronological story, or a biographical retrospective, the book is nothing more than paragraphs and short blurbs. Further the timing skips around, and often repeats itself. I think Slick did a great job sharing his perspective, and being open and honest, but Frank Hughes seemed to rush this book out to print with little insight on how to really do a solid job of pulling it together in a more cohesive and memorable way.
The highlights are the funny anecdotes about Bill Russell, and the insights into some of his teammates. Slick comes off as a mostly humble guy, but too much time is spent on how he didn't "get paid". I came away thinking more of Slick, and far less of Bill Russell, who ends up looking like a bitter and controlling egomaniac. Lenny Wilkins is similarly dismissed. It was good to see a different perspective on Bob Hopkins, who according to Slick seemed to have a better basketball mind than he was given credit for.
Overall, if you are a Sonics fan, or like to read about the NBA, this book is a light and easy read about one of the Seattle cultural icons of the 1970's and a fun and memorable basketball player.
 Tell me more October 15, 2005
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
As I started this book, I couldn't put it down, so I walked to the cashier and bought it. Great memories from a great time in my life. This book is well written and has a great story for any Sonics or basketball fan.
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
