Drive : How Vince Carter Conquered the NBA

Rating:
Summary: No need to bother with this one
Review: As an avid sports and basketball book reader, I'm glad to say that truly great sports books (ie. A Season on the Brink by John Feinstein or David Halberstam's Michael Jordan and the World He Made) actually exist. Sadly though, Chris Young's effort at documenting Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors' history does not even come close. In fact, in terms of both content and interest sustainability, it pales in comparison even next to Shaquille O'Neal's lighthearted autobiography, "Shaq Talks Back." Young is certainly a decent newspaper journalist, however, the book offers little beyond typical newspaper sports journalism. Essentially, what you get is a montage of newspaper articles about the history of the Raptors and not very much about Vince Carter. His life story, significant relationships with other people, and important events are all neglected and instead we get page after page of description of Carter's otherworldly leaping ability. Thanks Chris, but we could get that by watching TV. Also, the identity dilemma that appears to be the thrust of Young's portrayal of Carter, that of being a star athlete while trying to be a nice guy at the same time is imminently laughable.

The only sort of groundbreaking news this book offers Vince Carter and Raptors fans (who by definition, already know everything else Young tries to present) is its occasional naming of certain NBA players who have had a history of smoking marijuana. I'm glad to see Young at least put something in the book he doesn't write in the newspaper.

Rating:
Summary: Drive: How vince Carter Conquered The NBA
Review: If you read this book and it didn't have a title you would think it would be entitled "The Toronto Rapter's Organization." If you are looking for a biography on Vince Carter, sorry this is not the book to get. But if you want to see the aspect of business in the NBA, then this is the book for you. It's a great book about the business end of the NBA.

"Drive" shows an in-depth look at the business side of the NBA, and some of the controversies that happen in the NBA, and its teams. This book is suppose to be about hot Vince Carter has done so far in his three years in the NBA, and hit trials and tribulations with the Toronto Rapters, but is more about the Rapters organization, and players and coaches who have been with the team.

The book is written by Chris Young, who is a writer for the Toronto Star who followed Vince around for the 2000-2001 NBA season to complete the book.

The financial well being and the interest of fans is declining, because the business part is taking over the love of the game. When Vince Carter joined the NBA, he came at absolutely the right time. Michael Jordan had just retired, and ratings were down. There wasn't anybody that could capture the love of the game, and the charisma until Vince entered. The NBA needed something that stood out and Vinsanity took the NBA by storm. His growing fan population has brought back tv viewers, tv ratings, and sales of NBA merchandise.

Rating:
Summary: I agree
Review: The main problem I have with DRIVE is that it turns out to be more of a book on the Raptors organization as a whole than on Carter himself. Young devotes entire chapters to the likes of Tracy Mcgrady, Butch Carter, Isiah Thomas, Glen Grunwald, etc that have little or no connection to Vince Carter himself. Very little is devoted to Carter's childhood growing up in Florida or about his college career, or other historical moments about his life you would expect to find in a supposed biography.

Rating:
Summary: interesting
Review: This book is a good book, but don't buy it if your just a fan of Vince Carter. It's more about the franchise of the Raptors and the business of sports and the NBA. Chapter 5 is the best chapter in any book I've ever read, if you interested in the business side of sports and advertising. So to a sports fan this is a very interesting book, but to someone thats only in it to find out about Vince Carter, it's not a good choice.

Rating:
Summary: Review For Drive: How Vince Carter Conquered the NBA
Review: This is a very good book showing what the world of the NBA, Vince Carter lives in. It goes a little into the problems of Butch Carter, the Raptors organization , and Tracy Mcgrady's rise to stardom. Mostly it involves what Vince Carter, a rising superstar, has done to get where he is in the NBA. Overall it shows the side of the NBA you don't normally see. It' a very interesting book. I enjoyed this book very much and I think you will too.

Rating:
Summary: More about the Raptors than about vince...
Review: With his first published book, Toronto Star sports columnist Chris Young has compiled an impressive collection of stories and events from the last 3 years of Toronto Raptors basketball. Regular readers of his newspaper column will be pleased to find out that the same sharp wit and sense of humour displayed in his sports column are apparent throughout this book as well.

The main problem I have with DRIVE is that it turns out to be more of a book on the Raptors organization as a whole than on Carter himself. Young devotes entire chapters to the likes of Tracy Mcgrady, Butch Carter, Isiah Thomas, Glen Grunwald, etc that have little or no connection to Vince Carter himself. Very little is devoted to Carter's childhood growing up in Florida or about his college career, or other historical moments about his life you would expect to find in a supposed biography.

So if you want to read about the Raptors, this is a good book. If you are hoping to get insight into Vince Carter's life beyond what you've read or seen in the media in the last three years, you'll be truly dissapointed.