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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The wildly opinionated, thoroughly entertaining, and arguably definitive book on the past, present, and future of the NBA—from the founder of The Ringer and host of The Bill Simmons Podcast “Enough provocative arguments to fuel barstool arguments far into the future.”—The Wall Street Journal In The Book of Basketball, Bill Simmons opens—and then closes, once and for all—every major NBA debate, from the age-old question of who actually won the rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to the one about which team was truly the best of all time. Then he takes it further by completely reevaluating not only how NBA Hall of Fame inductees should be chosen but how the institution must be reshaped from the ground up, the result being the Pyramid: Simmons’s one-of-a-kind five-level shrine to the ninety-six greatest players in the history of pro basketball. And ultimately he takes fans to the heart of it all, as he uses a conversation with one NBA great to uncover that coveted thing: The Secret of Basketball. Comprehensive, authoritative, controversial, hilarious, and impossible to put down (even for Celtic-haters), The Book of Basketball offers every hardwood fan a courtside seat beside the game’s finest, funniest, and fiercest chronicler.
The Book of Basketball investigates the history, key rivalries, and foundational figures of the NBA to establish a definitive ranking of its greatest players. Bill Simmons, a prominent sports commentator and host, uses his extensive knowledge and passionate, often controversial, opinions to re-evaluate NBA history. His framework, the Pyramid, categorizes the ninety-six greatest players into five tiers, aiming to reshape how Hall of Fame inductees are chosen and to settle long-standing debates about legendary rivalries and teams.
This book is widely regarded as a comprehensive and entertaining deep dive into NBA history, praised for its provocative arguments and authoritative, albeit subjective, analysis. Readers appreciate Simmons's ability to blend deep statistical knowledge with engaging storytelling, making complex debates accessible and compelling. While some critics may debate his rankings and conclusions, the book is celebrated for its thoroughness and its capacity to spark passionate discussion among basketball fans. It has solidified its place as a significant work for enthusiasts seeking a definitive, if opinionated, perspective on the game's legacy.
Page Count:
752
Publication Date:
2010-12-07
Publisher:
Random House Publishing Group
ISBN-10:
0345520106
ISBN-13:
9780345520104
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