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The Joy of Basketball

An Encyclopedia of the Modern Game
4.08 goodreads logo

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( 147 ratings, 28 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Joy of Basketball by Ben Detrick offers a vibrant exploration of basketball culture, blending insightful commentary with a celebration of the sport's influential moments and characters. The book delves into the essence of basketball's appeal, highlighting memorable players, trends, and the joy it brings to fans and players alike. It captures the dynamic spirit and evolving landscape of basketball in an engaging manner.
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Format: Hardback
$4500
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you have a passion for basketball and enjoy a deep dive into its history, culture, and iconic moments. Through engaging essays and vibrant illustrations, it captures both the game itself and its broader impact on society. If you're curious about the stories and personalities that have shaped basketball, this could be a thrilling read for you.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A vibrant, unconventional, highly opinionated guide to the triumphs, joys, struggles, and heartbreaks of the modern era of the game, for every obsessive basketball fan who loves to hate hot takes.--

A vibrant, unconventional, highly opinionated guide to the triumphs, joys, struggles, and heartbreaks of the modern era of the game, for every obsessive basketball fan who loves to hate hot takes

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Joy of Basketball celebrates the meteoric rise of basketball over the last quarter century by ignoring the bland, traditionalist binary of wins or losses. Instead, the book's focus is on everything else.

Using text, charts, and illustrations that upend conventional jock wisdom, the book details the most incredible players in history, draft flops, long-limbed oddballs, superteams, the international talent wave, brawls, scandals, the rapid evolution of contemporary gameplay, coaching, fashion, crime, positional erosion, tragic tales, memes, and the sacred Kardashian Blessing.

Bouncing between witty graphics and keen sociopolitical observations, The Joy of Basketball is a subversive sports manifesto camouflaged as a colourful reference book for your coffee table.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Ben Detrick's The Joy of Basketball is celebrated for its vibrant storytelling, intertwining the history of the NBA with elements of political history and pop culture. It is appreciated as both a visual masterpiece and an engrossing read, comparable to quintessential sports literature. The book is noted for its creativity and engaging content, emphasising the unique artistic contributions of its authors.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781419754821

Publisher: Abrams

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 09 December 2021

Country: United States

Imprint: Abrams Image

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Andrew Kuo

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 178.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Ben Detrick has been a contributing writer to the New York Times since 2007, covering pop culture, style, nightlife, travel, and music. His byline has appeared in publications like New York magazine, The New Yorker, GQ, Vice, Vibe, and Complex. Detrick is the cofounder and cohost of Cookies Hoops, and has been a guest on The Ringer NBA Show alongside Bill Simmons, NBA Desktop, The Dan Le Batard Show, and Jalen & Jacoby. He lives in New York.

Andrew Kuo is an artist and regular contributor to the New York Times, where his colorful visual columns have appeared in Arts & Leisure, the Magazine, T magazine, and the Sunday Section. Since 2013, he's been represented by Marlborough Gallery in New York City and London. His paintings and sculptures have also been reviewed in Art Forum, Frieze Magazine, and the New York Times. He is the cohost of Cookies Hoops and lives in New York.

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