Description
Book SynopsisRichie Adubato—one of basketball’s most colorful characters and storytellers—chronicles his life in the game, from New Jersey high schools to head coach in both the NBA and the WNBA.
Trade Review"[
Havin' a Ball is an] appealing account that blends Adubato’s own memories with basketball’s growth over five decades. Recommended for all sports collections."—Janet Davis,
Library Journal"If you’re a fan of the Magic in particular and the NBA in general, this is a must-read with Adubato taking us on a colorful, nomadic odyssey through his 60 years as a high school, college, NBA and WNBA head coach."—Mike Bianchi,
Orlando Sentinel"Any basketball fan who has heard about Abudato, either through his coaching or his broadcasting, will want to read this book. It has the feel of a chat on the porch while sitting on a swinging bench and enjoying one’s favorite beverage while the coach shares another tale from his coaching life."—Lance Smith,
Guy Who Reviews Sports Books“Richie Adubato has a gift for teaching basketball and developing talent, which explains why he became such an outstanding coach at every level. . . . And then there is his gift of storytelling, where Richie takes a backseat to no one. . . . He has quite a story to tell, and he has done just that in this gem of a book.”—Hubie Brown, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer
“Without Coach Richie Adubato, my career would have turned out much differently. I was an undrafted free agent, but not only did Richie appreciate my play, he gave me an opportunity and taught me countless ways to see and play the game of basketball. The added bonus was Richie’s rich and vivid stories, which now make for an incredible read. You are sure to smile, shake your head, scratch your head, laugh out loud, and maybe even shed a tear. Richie is special, and so is his book.”—Becky Hammon, San Antonio Spurs assistant coach
“During my time in New York, I had the pleasure of encountering a wonderful assistant coach by the name of Richie Adubato. He helped me tremendously on the professional level, teaching me the intricacies of the game. His tutelage continued to benefit me after my NBA career was over.”—Patrick Ewing, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer
“My first exposure to Richie Adubato came during his tenure as head coach of the New York Liberty. What immediately struck me was the level of preparation he put into his craft and how passionate he was about making sure his players were as prepared as possible for every opponent.”—Doris Burke, NBA analyst and reporter
“Richie Adubato is without a doubt one of the best coaches I ever played for. He is a championship coach and, more important, a championship person. . . . Richie’s love for basketball, for people, and for a great story resonate in his autobiography. He has seen it all, lived it all, and now he tells it all with great passion.”—Bernard King, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer
“Two pages in and you fully understand where basketball fit into Richie Adubato’s life. Yet as you move through the pages, you realize it’s more than basketball. It’s a guy who starts from ground zero in coaching and reaches the pinnacle of becoming an NBA head coach, all while maintaining a strong connection to the students he taught.”—George King, sportswriter for the
New York Post“Whether coaching men or women at the high school, college, or pro level, Richie always found a way to succeed, thanks to incredible teaching and coaching skills combined with a passion for the game. Richie is a basketball lifer, and it is a life rich with the kind of inside stories that will keep you turning pages.”—Mike Fratello, broadcaster and former NBA head coach
Table of ContentsForeword by Dick Vitale
1. The Jersey Guys
2. Back in College
3. Closing in on the Big Time
4. Motormouth City
5. Unfortunately, You Can Go Home Again
6. From the Garden State to Madison Square Garden
7. From the Big Apple to Big D
8. Back in the Saddle Again
9. Orlando by Way of Cleveland
10. Shaq, We Hardly Knew You
11. My Last Go as an NBA Head Coach
12. Ricky and Me
13. I Always Considered Myself a Ladies’ Man
14. Finishing in a Blaze . . . but Not of Glory
15. Into the Mystic
16. A Basketball-Shaped World
17. The Sound and the Funny
18. Havin' a Ball
Appendix: Coaching Timeline
