The 10 best books written by NBA players, from a fan who's read them all

Beyond being one of the greatest players to ever step foot in a gym, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a civil rights leader and passionate advocate. Plus, he's a fantastic writer. Written in a style meant for young readers, this 2017 memoir is a quick read for people of any age to learn about his amazing life and how he became such an exemplary man and athlete.

Bill Bradley is one of the most interesting and influential characters in basketball history, mostly because of his political career after he retired from professional basketball. In his 1976 book, "Life on the Run," Bradley documents 20 days within one of his seasons playing for the New York Knicks, offering a unique perspective on how life in the league looked 40 years ago.

Bill Russell's stretch with the Boston Celtics was one of the most successful dynasties in league history. The team won 11 championships under the leadership of Russell and Celtics legend Red Auerbach.

Get Russell's perspective on how they were able to achieve such lofty success and how the partnership between Red and his players helped forge a winning culture that still permeates within the franchise to this day.

From his time with the Fab Five at the University of Michigan all the way through his 19 years playing in the NBA, Jalen Rose has been an outspoken, charismatic, and entertaining personality.

While he's evolved into the premier basketball commentator for ESPN, serving as the headline host for "NBA Countdown," "Get Up!," and "Jalen and Jacoby," Rose has built a prolific career on his basketball knowledge and media savvy. He digs deep into his famous (and infamous) collection of stories that have helped him become the star he is today.

NBA superstar Kobe Bryant is well-known for his unguardable offensive skill set and über-athleticism, but it's his otherworldly work ethic that truly sets him apart from the pack.

Often referred to as "The Black Mamba," Bryant reveals all the work required to reach his level of success — it's everything they don't show on the Jumbotron. "The Mamba Mentality" was Bryant's first creative foray after retiring from playing, and exposes some of the seemingly over-the-top competitiveness displayed throughout Bryant's career alongside incredible photographs taken by Andrew Bernstein.

Wilt Chamberlain has a larger-than-life personality that fits well alongside his staggering frame and athletic ability.

"A View From Above" is one of the most popular books written by an NBA player of all time not because of what Chamberlain accomplished on the court, but for the lavish lifestyle he displayed off it. He offers a fascinating glimpse into being one of the most famous individuals of the 1960s and '70s, but be warned, reader's discretion is advised.

While Pat Riley is most well-known for his days coaching the showtime Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s, he was also a distinguished player in the early days of the league.

Riley has achieved virtually unrivaled success throughout his career in the NBA and has won big at every stop along his illustrious career. After coaching the Showtime Lakers, he brought the Knicks to the finals with Patrick Ewing in the '90s, won a championship in Miami as the coach and team president in 2006, and still retains his position as president today in Miami.

Learn what he believes is necessary to establish this winning culture on and off the court in his 1994 book "The Winner Within."

Jerry West has had a tremendous impact on the league's history — so much so that he's literally the NBA's logo.

Despite being regarded as one of the best guards to ever play, West also has a reputation for consistently coming up short against Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics. Learn "The Logo's" story first-hand in this autobiography with Jonathan Coleman originally released in 2011.

Known as Dr. J, Julius Erving was one of the most dynamic athletes to ever play basketball. He electrified arenas with mind-blowing dunks in the '70s and '80s, but his personal life was not as easy-going as his elevated play.

Learn about the man behind the legend in "Dr. J: The Autobiography," originally published in 2013 with Karl Taro Greenfeld.