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Chris Ballard: Shaq's larger-than-life presence transcends the game

Excerpted from "The Art of the Beautiful Game: The Thinking Fan's Tour of the NBA", by Chris Ballard. Copyright Š 2009 by Chris Ballard. Published by Simon & Schuster/SI Books. Full Article at Sports Illustrated

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  1. It looks easy on TV. Ray Allen’s flawless jumpshot. Steve Nash’s one-handed skip pass. Shane Battier’s hand-in-your-face defense. All of it. Every three pointer, every rebound and every dunk. It appear’s so carefree, especially to the highly skilled. Full Article at SLAM Online

  2. Despite possessing no coaching or playing experience, Idan Ravin is one of the NBA’s most sought-after personal trainers. Full Article at Sports Blogs

  3. Idan Ravin never orders stars like Carmelo Anthony (left) to run at the end of a session; he asks if they have it in them. They always say yes. Full Article at Sports Illustrated

  4. I can tell you, right now, in nine words, what is wrong with which is Chris Ballard's new book: I have no idea what the book is about. The subhead is "The Thinking Fan's Tour of the NBA," and that's accurate enough. But this tour is all over the place. Full Article at ESPN

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  1. LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 24:  Al Harrington #7 stretches to the basket against  New York Knicks during the thrid quarter of the NBA game at Staples Center on November 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
  2. New York Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni reacts during a time out against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of their NBA Basketball game in Los Angeles,Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009. The Lakers won 100-90.
  3. Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley (30) shoots past Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal (33) in the fourth quarter during an NBA basketball game in Miami, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. Beasley scored 24 points, as the Heat lost to the Cavaliers 111-104.
  4. NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: Shaquille O'Neal #33 of the Cleveland Cavaliers watches on the bench against of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden November 6, 2009 in New York City.
  5. CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 27:  Shaquille O'Neal #33 of the Cleveland Cavaliers moves the ball agaisnt Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics during the season opener at Quicken Loans Arena on October 27, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio.
  6. BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 22: Shaquille O'Neil shows off his swimming stroke to the media at a press conference for his new reality TV series 'Shaq Vs' at the Rusty Scupper Restuarant on Saturday, August 22, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland.
  7. LAS VEGAS - AUGUST 18:  Boxer Oscar De La Hoya (L) and Shaquille O' Neal of the Cleveland Cavaliers talk as they tape a segment for the new ABC television series 'Shaq Vs.' at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino August 18, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  8. SANTA MONICA, CA - AUGUST 05:  Olympic beach volleyballs champion Misty May-Treanor (L) and Kerri Walsh and NBA player Shaquille O'Neal attend a press conference for ABC's new reality show 'Shaq Vs.' held at the Lowes Hotel on August 5, 2009 in Santa Monica, California.
  9. FORT WORTH, TX - JUNE 06:  NBA All-Star Shaquille O'Neal changes a tire on the #2 US Air Force Luszo Dragon Racing car driven by Raphael Matos prior to the IRL IndyCar Series Bombardier Learjet 550k on June 6, 2009 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas.

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