Overview
Bob Davies played a significant role in the development of modern basketball. Davies was one of the first three NBA superstars. As a Rochester Royal, he played on one of only four teams in NBA history to win the playoff championship or finish or tie for first in their division or conference for five consecutive seasons. Davies is credited with introducing the behind-the-back-dribble, developing the penetration and transition styles of play, and creating several innovative passes. Named by Sports Illustrated as one of the eight most influential players in the first century of college basketball, the NBA selected him as one of the ten best players in its first quarter century. Davies was a rarity in American sports history—a genuine sports hero and role model. This biography is rich in photos, archival materials and personal interviews.
About the Author
Barry Martin, a native of Webster, New York, saw Bob Davies play for the Rochester Royals. Martin is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the College of William and Mary, holds a master’s degree in American History from the University of Washington, Seattle, and graduated from the University of California Berkeley School of Law. He is a retired Administrative Law Judge. Martin has spent seven years doing extensive research, including interviews with Davies’ family members and former NBA players. The author and his wife, Carolyn, reside in Sacramento, California.
Details
Publisher: RIT Press (05/2016)
ISBN-13: 978-1-939125-28-6
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 296
Illustrations: 50
Size: 6 x 9 in.
Shipping Weight: 1lb
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Table of Contents
1 Halley’s Comet 1
2 Harrisburg Houdini 7
3 Li’l Abner and the Wonder Five 23
4 Duty to Country 53
5 The Rochester Royals Cinderella Season 75
6 Double Duty Davies 93
7 Win It For Dolly! 105
8 The Most Perfect Team 123
9 Adulation and Frustration 143
10 NBA Championship Game 165
11 NBA’s Grand Old Man 183
12 Farewell Tour 205
13 Life Off the Court 221
14 Postscript: The Literary Legacy of Bob Davies 239
Acknowledgments 251
Appendix 255
Abbreviations 259
Bibliography 261
About the Author 275
Index 277