They Cleared the Lane The NBAs Black Pioneers
May 24, 2009 by NFL Stats · Leave a Comment
They Cleared the Lane The NBAs Black Pioneers
Thomas’s is probably one of the two or three best books about professional basketball ever read by this reviewer. The compelling narrative will hold every reader’s interest. Although the current National Basketball Association (NBA) is over 80 percent black, African Americans did not enter the league until 1950. Yet even the most dedicated NBA fan would be hard-pressed to identify such pioneers as Harold Hunter (the first black player to sign an NBA contract), Earl Lloyd (the first black to play in an NBA game), and Chuck Cooper (the first to be drafted by an NBA team). The book describes their trials and triumphs and then more briefly traces the rise of the black athlete as a force in the league. It was not easy, as there were official and unofficial “quotas,” and local harassment could make traveling with the teams a real ordeal. This book is important not just for basketball fans but for those who want to understand the role played by African Americans in the development of the NBA and big-time sports today. Highly recommended. William Scheeren, Hempfield Area H.S. Lib., Greensburg, PA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars An Ignored History Brought To Life
They Cleared The Lane: The NBA’s Black Pioneers by Ron Thomas, is an informative and entertaining account of the early Black players and coaches of the NBA.It is obvious Mr. Thomas has done extensive research through interviews, and media archives to examine and clarify the enormous social and athletic impact of the early Black NBA players. As a true basketball fanatic, I enjoyed the opportunity to read and learn about some important individuals who help to shape and define the NBA.
2 Stars Opened my eyes
Finally a book that talks about black sports, that’s not about just baseball. To know what these pioneers had to go through just to make it, makes me very proud to say that I’m black. But, you ask why such a poor rating. Because the author, Ron Thomas, did a very poor job of getting his facts first hand. He states that he got the idea about this book when alot of these ball players were still alive. But did not have “time” to interview them, so most of his recollections are through magizine or newspaper articles. Alot of these ball players past away before “he could get to them”. Their are a couple of times in the book were he leaves you hanging trying to figure out what he’s trying to say, for example when he’s explaining that “when they got hungry, it didn’t make matters easier because they practiced just a few blocks from the Nabisco plant.” My question? When they got hungry, then what, did they have to split the dinner, they had no money. What? But nothing was more frustrating then when the old black ball players were explaining to us “that everyone treated us bascically ok”, Mr. Thomas still tried to paint an “evil” side to the white owners and management. Making it seem like no one was willing to help. I think someone else should have done this book. And could’ve probably done a better job.
5 Stars A Toast a Must Read&Have
folks need to Know the Pioneers that Paved the way for Ball today.50-52 Years ago isn’t that long ago.alot isn’t mentioned of it&hat’s really sad to me.but glad to have this Book that speaks on the Past,Present&The Future.A Toast to the Men who Paved the way.
5 Stars Anecdotes, engaging stories, and little-known facts
They Cleared The Lane by professional sportswriter Ron Thomas is the amazing story of the people who dared to break the color line in professional basketball. Once, racism dominated this sport in America, but the efforts of the first professional black players and coaches changed all that. Filled with anecdotes, engaging stories, and little-known facts, They Cleared The Lane is informative reading that will appeal to all basketball enthusiasts who want to learn more about the history of this beloved sport. They Cleared The Lane is also highly recommended for Black Studies supplemental reading lists and reference collections.
