|
Plenty of better books out there about Bobby Orr and the Goal. And you'll get a lot more content in those than you will in this glorified essay/news story.
It is not hype - take the time to watch some game footage (beyond just highlights, because though Orr has astounding highlights, they don't tell the whole story) and you will become a believer.This book is brief, and thin on content, but the quotes and images contained within tell a lot about how respected and admired Orr was (and is) by teammates, opponents, coaches, and writers. People resent someone so dominant, and do all they can to contain them, ususally ineffectively.
I was a little young to see him play during his career (I only had a chance to see a few games towards the end of his career after his knees had failed him) but I've had a chance to see hours of footage from dozens of games in his prime, and I can confidently assert that there was no one as good as he was, ever. I will certainly grant that Gretzky had the greatest career of all time, putting together great skill and consistent performance for many years.
Bobby Orr was the greatest hockey player of all time. Perhaps you've seen adult amateur league games where some team will bring in a ringer, a guy who's played college or major junior hockey, who so clearly outplays everyone on the ice that people start getting angry.
I might even grant that someone like Mario Lemieux may have been endowed with a higher level of innate ability to play hockey. But by the standard of how much impact a player is able to have on a game, how much they are able to dominate the action, and do it all both ways at high speed, no one touches Orr.
Here's the connection: Bobby Orr was like a ringer in the NHL. I'd give the book a higher rating if it was more substantial, but what is there is good, and a worthy aquisition for hockey fans.
Some would argue that this is the greatest moment ever in the sport. I would say that Bobby Orr could pass, skate and check equal to or better than Wayne Gretzky. What makes this book special are all the quotes by other players who were in awe of Orr. Bobby would often block shots (sans helmet) and then break up ice to either set goals up or score them himself. Bobby Orr ran the defense and the offense for the Boston Bruins. Harry Sinden recalls some wonderful inside details in this polaroid style flashback. "The Goal" is a great book that brings back the memories and magic that culminated in one of hockey's greatest moments. His body took a pounding, whereas nobody laid a finger on the great one.
This book will further solidify the legend, and make the memories, stories and smiles all as fresh as when it all happened. Orr's slapshot was harder. Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of the greatest goal in hockey. Orr dominated both ends of the ice, and he could body check, fight and get very emotional. Orr's miracle season created a new era in hockey. Gretzky was rarely found playing any kind of defense.
Bobby not only made for one of the greatest pictures in sports, he also electrified and transformed a city. Gretzky was a great stat accumulator and an excellent passer and puck handler. Winner, Orr. It's safe to say it won't happen like that ever again.
Yeah, the G man was great. The greatest goal by the greatest hockey player ever. A must have for any Bobby Orr or Boston Bruins fan. But Orr was in a league of his own. Anyone saying "what's his name" is a better hockey player is too young to have seen Orr play. Statistics aren't everything - they are secondary to actual on the ice ability. I guarantee you if there were two teams, one made up of six Bobby's and one made up of six Gretsky's, Gretsky would never touch the puck.Never again will you see a player that good. Never.
|
