Books on the History of the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most recognizable and global professional sports programs. With gravity defying dunks, fast break scoring, and defensive intelligence, the NBA is the pinnacle of the basketball world.
But, how did the NBA begin and what is its history? Below, we’re going to look at the best books on the history of the NBA.
The NBA wasn’t always a professional league powerhouse. In-fact, there were many instances where its survival was questioned, and declining ticket sales made for a difficult sell to both owners and fans.
These books below discuss the history of the NBA, its ups and downs, while also looking at where the league is headed. In addition, these books not only discuss the history of the NBA but also the history of the sport as well.
Looking for more books on basketball? Definitely check out our review on the best basketball books on mental toughness!
Basketball: A Love Story
A tale of love, passion, and inclusivity, Basketball: A Love Story is a unique take on how a Canadian invention took over the American heartland. It discusses how basketball, originally conceived as a “white man’s” game became a way of life for many people of color, women, and immigrants.
A deep dive and oral history by some of the sport’s greatest players. From Kobe Bryant to LeBron James to Magic Johnson and Lisa Leslie. This book is the definitive untold story and history of basketball and what it truly means to love the game.
Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball
James Naismith didn’t set out looking to invent the sport of basketball. In fact, he didn’t set out to invent anything. But after taking on a rowdy gym class before winter break, Naismith needed to excite and energize the students. Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball is a true story of how a gym teacher made an improbable game and transformed the world.
The Book of Basketball: The NBA According to the Sports Guy
Bill Simmons, best known for his commentary and podcast, takes a definitive look at the sport and the league in The Book of Basketball: The NBA According to the Sports Guy. A deep, in-depth and widely entertaining take on the sport and age-old questions that fans have debated endlessly.
This book not only looks at the past and present but also what steps the NBA should take to remain relevant in the future. He specifically discusses the process for being inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame and proposes new requirements that would not only make the process fairer but also more definitive.
The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball
Many books have been written on the greatness of Michael Jordan or the athleticism of LeBron James or the sharpshooting skills of Stephen Curry. But what about the lesser known players, those who were never fully remembered? The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball looks at the history of the NBA and the game but does so in a way that pays homage to the lesser known names and figures.
Basketball (and Other Things)
Recommended by President Barack Obama as one of the best books he read in 2017, Basketball (and Other Things) is more of a collection of fantastical historical facts with sprinkles of hypothetical circumstances. Not truly a historical book on the NBA, yet one that provides an entertaining and interesting set of questions on its history.
Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Basketball
Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Basketball takes a deeper look into the history of the NBA by going into the nuances of some of the best players, games, and teams in the league. Featuring top ten lists that help new and experienced fans gain new insight and perspective into the game and a comprehensive list of some of the greatest dynasties and how they were formed.
Basketball: Its Origin and Development
What better source to learn about the history of basketball and the NBA than from the inventor, James Naismith, himself. Preaching a life of cleanliness through sport, Naismith was teaching a gym class to a local YMCA in Massachusetts. Feeling discouraged by the lack of participation, Naismith came up with the sport and instantly fell in love with it.
Basketball: Its Origin and Development is a unique insight into the mind of the inventor of the sport. He details his inspiration for the game and discusses his creative reasoning behind the game and its flow.
Three Ball
The history of the NBA is often filled with strategies and maneuvers in the paint. And although the three-point shot wasn’t initially accepted by coaches and players, its addition to the game was a pivotal moment to how the game was played. In Three Ball: the History of Basketball’s Three-Point Shot and How it Has Taken Over the NBA, Sam Amico discusses its addition to the game and how it evolved from a relatively unused strategy to one that is encouraged by coaches and players alike.