The Book of Basketball: The NBA According to The Sports Guyby Bill Simmons
702 pp
Why it’s a five: “Simmons delicately researched the history professional basketball in all its aspects. Between his in-depth descriptions and pop-culture comparisons, this book is enjoyable for even the most casual of fans.” — Upper Deck Underdogs
When the National Basketball Association is viewed today, it is looked at with a spiteful eye. The most apparent things visible to fans are the players’ ludicrous tattoos, massive (and sometimes undeserving) contracts, and the poor attitudes so often displayed and chronicled by the national media. Bill Simmons, most famously known for his Page 2 column on ESPN.com, is determined to prove that the league was once much more than a proverbial circus.
Simmons not only diligently researched for the preparation of this book, his life alone proved to provide a cornucopia of basketball knowledge. As the son of a season ticket holder for the Boston Celtics, some of Simmons’ greatest childhood recollections came in the seats of the late Boston Garden. He recalls being in the crowd to see some of the game’s greatest names, as well as some lesser-known players who deserve to be recognized more often.
Several pages of this book are dedicated to the always-enjoyable “what-if game.” Simmons delves into the realm of possibility and asks, then immediately answers some of the NBA’s greatest questions. He asks how the league would have differed if certain situations played out differently, and reflects back on some of the league’s most dreaded memories, such as the day superstar-to-be Len Bias died of a cocaine overdose.
Most of this book, however, tells of Simmons’ “Player Pyramid” Hall of Fame concept. He claims that the current National Basketball Association Hall of Fame should be “blown up and started all over,” and then states how he would do it, which includes a method of not inducting people annually, but only when truly deserving players, coaches, or front office members are eligible. The Player Pyramid ranks the best ninety-six players in league history, and places them on different levels within the Hall, which, most notably, is “The Pantheon.”
The Book of Basketball is an enjoyable read for the casual fan just as it is pleasing for the die hard. Simmons does not disappoint as he details nearly every notable moment in the league history, and further describes them with his signature footnotes. This book is a must-read for any sports fan, pop culture extremist, or Simmons follower.
– Matt Shanley
No comments:
Post a Comment