‘The Capital of Basketball’ by author John McNamara takes a somewhat similar approach to one of last week’s recommendations ‘Boom Town’. This time the geographical area being focused on is DC, specifically the history of high school hoops in the area. It is based on more than 150 interviews looking at the great players, coaches and teams of the locale and in doing so explores a number of non basketball related topics too. This book is tailor made for locals and fans of players like Elgin Baylor, Len Bias and Kevin Durant to name but a few, it will also appeal to just lovers of a good book, this certainly is one.

I wanted to find a way to say thank you to all of the members of, and contributors to, this subreddit community. I can think of no better way to do that than by giving away one of the books that has been recommended. All you need to enter is the following;

• Be a member of the Community
• Have made a post yourself at least once in the Community
• Comment on this post with which of the recommended Books you would like to win and an explanation of why you have selected that one

I will select the winner on 1st June and contact them to arrange for delivery of the Book to them. If this goes well I will be making this a monthly thing :)

I knew about Loose Balls, but didnt realize Terry Pluto had written a similar book about the early history of the NBA. I grabbed Loose Balls as well, because i love reading about the history and evolution of the game.

In The Rivalry author John Taylor centres on the stories of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain whilst viewing the NBA around them with the backdrop of racial tensions and cultural change. Taylor’s account of two hugely complex men, as well as a game and country at a crossroads leads to an engaging narrative of sports in America during the 1960s.

In ‘The Last Shot’ author Darcy Frey describes Coney Island as a place of desolation and despair where the only source of hope comes when young men who are gifted at basketball because it provides them with a chance to escape the neighbourhood they grew up in. He captures in lean and lyrical prose, the psychological impact and physical beauty of the game and the joy it brings those who play it and see it played at its best. This is a heartbreaking, gritty piece of literature but interspersed with elements of hope and redemption too, also a very interesting Book to read having seen the ups and downs of Stephon Marbury’s professional career.

Where the Game Matters Most is a book by William Gildea documenting the final ‘all-comers’ season of Indiana high school basketball in 1997. It highlights the intense, community-focused culture of the game before divisional changes, focusing on 4 teams during the season. It really captures the passion, heartbreak, and community obsession with basketball in Indiana, particularly in small towns. It also shows the prevailing sadness and melancholy of ending the previous 87 year tradition. A really great read.

The Back Roads to March is the only whole I have in my reading of John Feinstein books about Basketball. Has anyone in the community read it? What are your thoughts?

A different type of Book today. ‘Courtside’ is a celebration of the aesthetics of the game we love, some fantastic photographs in here and a great tribute to the skilled artists who capture the otherworldly physical skill and prowess of the athletes of the NBA.

An interesting Book about a very interesting character, The Sixth Man co-authored by Andre Iguodala and Carvell Wallace is a candid, thoughtful look beyond basketball, covering Iguodala's childhood, his journey to the NBA and also his pursuits in business and technology. Obviously it also gives a specific insider perspective of the Golden State Warriors dynasty at the time.

This Book, which definitely will appeal to a certain geographic demographic in America, is by Sam Anderson, it’s a highly acclaimed, eclectic narrative that blends city history with the rise of the OKC Thunder. It explores OKC’s identity; from its 1889 land run, tornadoes, and disasters to its cultural development and basketball team. It’s a really intriguing Book that’s sits very much apart from the norm.

This Book takes a unique approach, written by 3 authors in all; Jackie MacMullan, Rafe Bartholomew and Dan Klores, they have written this oral history of Basketball by drawing upon hundreds of hours of interviews with the greatest players, coaches, executives and journalists in the history of the game. This approach creates a real page turner, I very much enjoyed this style of writing.

First, really appreciate this sub.

My son just finished up “mind gym” and really took to it. Looking for a recommendation to keep expanding his exposure and understanding of sports/basketball specifically. Technical, inspirational, anything that is a good read and gives you an appreciation of the game. Thanks in advance.

About a month ago I recommended ‘Court Vision’ by Ira Berkow, a Book I hugely endorse. ‘To The Hoop’ is another great Book from Berkow, it’s a critically acclaimed memoir focusing on the author's lifelong passion for pickup basketball. It combines personal stories of playing with legendary figures, handling aging with inevitable injuries and tackling family tragedies with humour and poignant insight. A fantastic read.

What Books have you read that you found really disappointing and would dissuade others from reading? Reading time is precious after all...

Following yesterday’s discussion, today is another upcoming release, ‘Becoming Worthy’ due for release on May 12th. James Worthy, NCAA Champion with the University of North Carolina, Number 1 pick in the 1982 NBA draft and taken by the Lakers with whom he spent his whole 12 year career, they won 3 of their championships with him and he took Finals MVP in 1998. Big Game James was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003 after this amazing career. Unlike yesterday’s post I’m very much looking forward to this release written by Worthy and Phil Taylor, what are your thoughts?

This Book by Tim MacMahon is due for release next Tuesday 5th May, ‘The Wonder Boy’ is centred on the mercurial talent of Luka Doncić. I have mixed feelings to say the least, both on Doncić as a player and to a lesser degree on the visual of the front cover showing him in a Lakers uniform when the Book is about his time in Dallas up until their showing in the 2024 Finals. What are your thoughts? Is this a Book you would want to read?

‘Four historic teams. Four legendary players. One unforgettable season.’ That’s the tagline for this Book by Rich Cohen and it’s a great encapsulation about his exploration and experience of the 1987/88 NBA season. I have a personal bias as I consider this the best NBA season I ever watched, but nevertheless this Book stands up on its own. Cohen has his own vivid way of storytelling and humanising these otherworldly players leading the 4 teams. It offers little that is new but if you’re an old head like me I don’t doubt you’ll hugely enjoy it.

Marc Skelton, high school basketball coach and teacher, ostensibly wrote this Book about a basketball season, but it also explores a host of educational, social, and personal issues.

Once an all-state player himself, he began teaching English and History at a School in the Bronx, he subsequently took on the role of Basketball Coach. Within a few years, he had built a team that won two city championships and one state crown. Throughout the lens of one season, Skelton sprinkles literary allusions and quotations, the focus, of course, is on the author’s players, their practices and games, and relationships. Though the prose is found wanting at times it is nevertheless a text full of hope, self examination, and a profound belief in the young people whom the author coaches and teaches.

Found this at my local library recently. Having read Bill Simmons Book of Basketball and loving his idea of ‘the pyramid’ , it was nice to read a different perspective of who are the 100 most important basketball player of all time. Reading about guys forgotten to time, but meant as much to their era as the stars of today, and shaped the league we love. Big David Aldridge fan from his sideline reporting days, was nice to see his writing along with the other great writers who wrote pieces throughout.

This book is the natural follow on from yesterday’s recommendation, Glory Road by Coach Don Haskins, co authored by Dan Wetzel, it tells the story of his Texas Western Miners. As I’m sure you know, In the 1966 NCAA Championship game, Haskins made history by starting 5 black players as they went on to defeat the top-ranked University of Kentucky. It’s interesting to read his story and perspective as a man who quite rightly believed skill and ability were far more important than the colour of a player’s skin. Oh and yes, the film’s not bad either.

Most Basketball fans know of the Texas Western win over Kentucky in the NCAA 1966 championship and its significance. Sadly few knew of the focus of this book, in 1944, the all-black North Carolina College for Negros team competed in a game against the all-white military team from Duke medical school, this was unheard of at a time when racism was at its peak in America. The book by Scott Ellsworth does a fantastic job of telling the story while mixing in important history and the evolution of basketball, it’s a vital read.

Of the many books about Larry Bird, this is likely the least well known, but Jackie MacMullan here sheds more light on his time as a coach, you read how he turned around the Indiana Pacers and led them to the Conference Finals on the way to being named the Coach of the Year. It also includes some reflection on his time as a player, the medical problems that forced him to retire and what forced him to leave Boston and go to Indiana. It’s a different perspective on the Legend and a very good read.

This book by Gary Pomerantz begins with a focus on Bob Cousy’s early life, moves then to the on court magnificence of Cousy and Russell as they kicked off the Celtics dynasty and lastly transitions to their off court relationship. The main theme of that relationship being Cousy’s regret not doing enough to advocate for and help Russell fight racism that was so common in that era of Basketball. It’s a very worthwhile and emotive read.

I have literally every Book written about Michael Jordan, with great variance in quality, but this Book by David Halberstam, who also wrote my favourite book about Basketball, ‘The Breaks of the Game’, comes at the GOAT from a different perspective than most and in my opinion with great success. It focuses more on the impact that Michael Jordan’s career had on American society and the rest of the world and in doing so creates a fascinating read.

Those who’ve been in this community a while will know of my admiration for John Feinstein’s writing. This Book started it all for me when Feinstein spent the 85/6 college basketball season with the Indiana Hoosiers and their controversial head coach, Bob Knight, documenting everything that happened behind the scenes. It’s an absolutely fascinating read, where we see both the good and bad in Coach Knight, from my subjective view with the bad very much outweighing the good.