In a belated sequel to Hoop Kings (2004), Smith pays tribute to 12 NBA stars of today iring high-action photo montages of each player (in color) beating one or more opponents (in black and white) or gearing up for a shot with rapid, staccato rhymes evocative of the game's fast pace. As he explains in his closing notes, each poem is spun around a particular motif or idea. If the results aren't always seat-pounders (Joel Embiid's entire tribute: "Juggernaut / Of / Extreme / Length"), in general his creative flair and ear for language make the beats compelling, whether he's using weather imagery to capture "Freak of Nature" Russell Westbrook's play style, dubbing LeBron James "the Fearless Prince / Emperor of Improvisation," or praising "Slippery" Stephen Curry's "shimmy / with the dip / with the hesi / hesi / tation / to the finger-roll flip." Despite the occasional stumble, this poet's still got game . . . and his many fans would surely be delighted to see a similar companion update to Hoop Queens (2003), too.

All-star–caliber poems inspired by all-star NBA players.With varied rhyme schemes, rhythmic structures, and forms wrapped around high-energy art, Smith's newest addition to his b-ball–celebrating poetry collections is a solid refresher on some of the who's who of today's NBA. The poems are thoughtful and cleverly representative of the on-court production of 12 outstanding players from Anthony Davis to Russell Westbrook. In Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid, Smith sees sizable power, which he uses an acrostic poem to translate into large text and a bold, clear statement of Embiid's dominance: "Juggernaut / Of / Extreme / Length." To celebrate Kevin Durant's smooth athleticism, Smith pivots to jazz rhythms: "KD B-ball / he ball / all the time. / KD do it all / with the ball / all the time." Striking black-and-white photos from a variety of sources are touched up with fluorescent scribbles, adding energy. As with any field with as many die-hard fans as professional basketball, there is certainly room for debate about insulting omissions and questionable inclusions, but with concluding notes provided in the endmatter, readers get transparent and instructional insight into both poetics and athleticism.A singular basketball obsessive's voice in richly creative verse. (Picture book/poetry. 8-12)