Examine
the social and cultural impact of basketball on America at the amateur
and professional levels!
Basketball in America: From the
Playgrounds to Jordan’s Game and Beyond is a pioneering analysis of the
history of basketball and its effect on popular culture from the 1970s
to today. The popularity of basketball is undeniable, and the subject
allows for such a broad range of interpretations in popular culture. It
cuts across economic, racial, and social boundaries, and its major stars
cross over into other forms of popular entertainment more than any
other professional sport. This book examines the entire scope of modern
basketball history, from the playgrounds, where people first learn the
fundamentals, to the college and professional levels.
Basketball
in America is a collection of essays that explores the intersection of
basketball and popular culture in America. The contributors are an
eclectic mix of writers, scholars, journalists, former players, coaches,
and sports enthusiasts who all share an undying love for the game of
basketball. The authors analyze the sport from a cross-cultural and
historical perspective—digging deep into the profound popular cultural
influences of basketball and exploring the scope and depth of its
influence. This is the first book that examines the social and cultural
impact of basketball on American society to reveal how tightly it is
woven into America’s cultural fabric. Also included are photographs and
tables to enhance your understanding of the material.
Topics
covered in Basketball in America include:
- Elgin Baylor—the first
“modern” basketball player
- Chocolate Thunder and Short
Shorts: The NBA in the 1970s
- Dr. J, Bird, Magic, Jordan,
and the Bad Boys: The NBA in the 1980s
- The Jordan Era: The
NBA in the 1990s
- LeBron James and the future of the NBA
-
the Nike brand and popular culture
- lessons learned from
legendary UNC coach Dean Smith
- professional women’s
basketball
- and much more!