Basketball: A Love Story

I have never been a fan of longform "oral histories" online. It's a format where they gather the opinions of a varied field of experts on a topic, and quote them and order it to sound like a conversation among old heads. I always knew it had its value... but it never appealed to me.This is an oral history of the NBA.And it's great.I am not sure there was a single chapter I didn't love.Additionally, I've read a number of books on basketball and basketball's history, and I still somehow learned quite a bit.This is a must read for any basketball fan. And a great gift, especially with the holidays approaching.9.5/10 (0.5 removed because there is WAY too much Bill Simmons in this book -- he's a tool)

What is the single greatest achievement in the history of NCAA Division One Women's College Basketball? Or let's put it this way: What record in NCAA Division One Women's College Basketball will probably never be broken? Then go to page 277 in this trade paperback and locate this statement about University of Connecticut superstar Breanna Stewart: "Stewart was prevented from winning four championships in four years when Mississippi State pulled off a shocking upset over Connecticut in the 2017 NCAA semifinals." The greatest feat in the history of NCAA Division One Women's College Team Basketball was and is the four straight titles over four straight years of Stewart's UConn career (2012-2016). She played in every NCAA Final (2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016) during her four-year UConn career, and her UConn team won every one, with Stewie winning the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) award in each. Those four straight titles and four straight MOP's have never been, nor are likely to be, duplicated. Stewart was graduated with a bachelor's degree from UConn in spring 2016, by the way, and began her WNBA career that same spring. So obviously she did NOT play against Mississippi State in the 2017 NCAA Final Four semifinals because she was already a pro basketball player earning "Rookie of the Year" for her first season in the WNBA. Who fact-checked this book? Why wasn't this egregious error caught and cut before 2018 publication? This abominable mistake is akin to stating another blockhead blunder: "Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Havlicek." The book should be retitled BASKETBALL: A FLUB STORY.

Really great gift for a basketball fan. The book has stories from hundreds of renowned basketball influencers. If you truly love basketball then this is a good book for you. There isnt a real "plot" per se, but the individuals are telling their own personal stories that come together under certain themes. This is not a book of someone reporting on basketball, but a book on people describing their interactions with the sport. Great way for younger fans to learn about older players' history.

This book is great; I could have read more and more. Enjoy college basketball? There are chapters on that. The early NBA? Ditto. The ABA? Great oral history. Current NBA? A slam dunk. Women's basketball? Chapters on the WNBA, women's basketball pioneers as well as Pat and Geno. Jackie, Rafe and Dan have something for everyone, and is a great companion piece for the ESPN documentary.

I bought this for my husband who is a big basketball fan for many years. He most of the players in the box and is really enjoying the context of it. I read a lot of reviews that did not like the way it was written but he really likes the way it is written and how it is in quote form. It may not be for everyone but he is loving it and that is what counts for me. He likes all the little antidotes that you normally don't hear and the behind the door discussions.

I'm a basketball junkie (especially "Old School" basketball, 1970s/80s). I couldn't get enough of the inside stories from the greats of that era. I felt like I was eavesdropping on history. A must read for anyone who loves the game.

Husband an invalid. Enjoyed listening to "Basketball a Love Story" and the "old timers" as he watched so many of them play in their day...….

This was a gift to a basketball fanatic. Once the season was over, the book was well received.

Love that style of book, told through the words of former players/coaches/journalists/etc. I also like how it's divided by subjects (women's game, Bird vs Magic, Olympic ball, UCLA Wooden years, ABA, etc.) and not merely chronologically. Highly recommended for basketball junkies.

Well written, several historical elements covered as told by the players and coaches involved. If you are a basketball lover, then this is a must read.

Great book, was a gift for a fan and will loved already!

If your a basketball nerd, there's not much to learn from this book. Too high of a level look for the hardcore fan to appreciate

Loved the range of stories and perspectives about many important moments in Basketball history.

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