The title pretty much says it all. I’ve followed the NBA since the late 00’s but I’ve always felt the need to know more about the game before that period, how the NBA was formed, what were the most significant changes to the league and all that. So if you guys can recommend some books I’d love to check them out 🤙🏻
When the Game Was War by Rich Cohen. Wicked read.
48 Minutes by Bob Ryan and Terry Pluto is dope AF
pun implied and intended
If you want more specific stuff, showtime by Jeff pearlman and blood in the garden by Chris herring (80s lakers and 90s knicks respectively) are great reads.
I’m always quick to recommend King of the Court. It’s a Bill Russell biography with great insights into the league’s early years, the popularization of basketball itself, and the intersection between sport and the civil rights movement. Of course it all centers around Bill Russell, who is one of the most important figures in basketball history. It’s a great read and kept me hooked.
Pistol by Mark Kriegel is a really great deep dive into the history of the sport and its early leagues (as well as a lot of great ABA/NBA era details)
Pete’s story on its own is wild and as dramatic as any tragedy, and then his Dad was heavily involved with the early leagues and helped push the style of game Pete played and ended up being the way the game is mostly played today. Great book in general that just happens to be all about basketball and one of the most skilled players ever
Loved that book.
24 Second to Shoot by Leonard Koppett covers the history of the NBA from 1946 to 1968.
It’s very Knicks specific, but “When the Garden Was Eden” by Harvey Araton is an excellent read about the early 70’s Knicks and the NBA in general
David Halberstams Second Coming is about Michael Jordan but traces the history of the league to the point of Jordan’s retirement after beating the Jazz. It’s a tour de force. The Last Dance is based on this