John Dybvig - Author

No Big Hairy Ape

Cover by William Johnson

Read about John Dybvig's experiences with Peter Jackson (King Kong and Lord of the Rings), Jack Black, John Hurt, Christopher Lloyd and other actors in the movie and TV worlds of New Zealand and America.

"This book is my letter home to my fellow Americans. Especially the actor kids who may never get a break in Hollywood...and to those who have spent their whole life dreaming and failing at one particular goal...Dare to think outside the square! Dare to change! Don't surrender your dreams! Find another way of fulfilling them.

"When I arrived I was an oddity. You wanna laugh!?! Then introduce an American to the anal New Zealand culture.

"I bungled my way thru with blag, perseverance and most importantly a strong sense of self.

"I did some coaching. Got banned for my infamous outbursts on the court. Did some announcing and raised more than one eyebrow with my infamous outbursts on camera.

"I even did some pro-wrestling.

"I wrote for the national newspapers and hosted my own national radio and television show...wow how many American nobodies dream of that!?!

"But my Red, White and Blue opinions did not always go down well, I had chairs hurled at me and got invited to the odd round of local fisticuffs...

In turn I didn't understand what the huckleberry they were on about??? Man talk about a stranger in a strange land....any American who has visted there can testify to that...

Yup this is a travel book too.

My life and therefore this book is jam packed with strange and hilarious twists & turns...as I tell my fellow American's: YOU CAN DO IT TOO!!!!"

- John Dybvig

Technical Foul

Read about John Dybvig's amazing sports adventure in a strange culture Down Under:

"I've sometimes felt that trying to coach basketball in New Zealand is like trying to sell birth control pills in the Vatican."
John Dybvig

John Dybvig is honest. He pulls no punches, he calls it as he sees it, and sometimes that means the picture ain't pretty, but it's always interesting and highly entertaining.

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area John holds an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from De Anza College, a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education with a Minor in Colonial American History from Stanislaus State and a Master of Arts from San Jose State University.

Originally John came to New Zealand in 1980 to coach basketball. But, since those heady days John has graduated into the fields of television, newspaper columnist and feature writer, critic at large and radio.

He's the author of five books and his latest adventure is acting.

Fastbreak

This book touches many bases, not all directly associated with basketball. dybvig writes the way he speaks, with insight and humour.

Microphones Up My Nose

"It pays to remember the media reserves its biggest lies for when it's talking about itself. The television shows that television people make about television shows are a crock of sh--. It's nothing like that. It's far more like this. Honest."
- John Dybvig

John Dybvig on Basketball
- A complete coaching manual

Basketball in New Zealand has rocketed in popularity in recent years. And well-known coach, player and administator John Dybvig has played no small part in getting the sport where it is today. Controversial and outspoken - but above all dedicated to basketball - he has now brought together a lifetime of experience in this book.

The emphasis is on the planning behind 'the show', the execution of the fundamental moves, the development of a sound foundation - the sheer hard work that makes a team a positive force before they even step on to the court. All aspects of coaching, from creating a flexible team to running clinics, are covered in depth.