Basketball (and Other Things)

Basketball (and Other Things) is a collection of 33 essays that examine specific questions about NBA history, players, and culture. Each chapter tackles a different basketball-related query, from player rankings to hypothetical scenarios. The book combines statistical analysis, cultural commentary, and personal observations to explore topics like championship teams, player legacies, and memorable NBA moments. Illustrations by Arturo Torres accompany the text, bringing key scenes and concepts to life. The writing style balances deep basketball knowledge with humor and accessibility, making complex aspects of the game understandable to casual fans. Serrano draws from decades of NBA history to support his arguments and observations. At its core, the book is an examination of how sports intersect with identity, culture, and human nature. Through basketball, Serrano explores larger themes about competition, excellence, and what makes moments and players meaningful to fans.

Readers appreciate the book's humorous, conversational tone and creative questions about basketball history and hypotheticals. Many note its accessibility for casual fans while still offering depth for die-hard followers. The illustrations by Arturo Torres receive frequent mention in positive reviews. Common praise focuses on: - The chapter formats that blend stats, stories, and pop culture - Clear explanations of complex basketball concepts - The author's personal anecdotes and emotional connection to the sport Main criticisms include: - Some questions/chapters feel stretched too long - Occasional juvenile humor - Heavy focus on recent NBA history rather than earlier eras Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,100+ ratings) Notable reader quotes: "Like talking basketball with your funniest friend" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect mix of analysis and entertainment" - Goodreads review "Made me laugh out loud on public transit" - Goodreads review

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The Rap Year Book by Shea Serrano Each chapter examines the most important rap song from every year, incorporating infographics, illustrations, and debates between music critics.

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach A story about baseball weaves together statistics, strategy discussions, and cultural analysis with narrative elements.

The Victory Machine by Ethan Sherwood Strauss The rise and fall of the Golden State Warriors dynasty serves as a framework to examine NBA culture, analytics, and behind-the-scenes dynamics.

But What If We're Wrong by Chuck Klosterman An examination of how current cultural touchstones in music, sports, and literature might be viewed differently by future generations through analytical frameworks and thought experiments.

🏀 The book reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2017, making Shea Serrano the first Mexican-American author to top the list twice. 🏀 Each chapter of the book is illustrated by Arturo Torres, whose distinctive art style helps bring the basketball debates and scenarios to life through more than 150 original drawings. 🏀 The book received an enthusiastic endorsement from former President Barack Obama, who included it on his list of favorite books of 2017. 🏀 Rather than a traditional sports history, the book poses and answers creative questions like "If 1997 Karl Malone and a bear swapped places for a season, who would be more successful?" 🏀 Shea Serrano wrote much of the book while still working as a middle school science teacher in Houston, often writing late at night after his teaching duties were done.