Loose Balls

Loose Balls chronicles the rise and fall of the American Basketball Association (ABA), which operated from 1967 to 1976. The history is told through oral accounts from players, coaches, officials, and executives who lived through the league's chaotic existence. The book captures the ABA's innovations, including the introduction of the three-point shot and the red, white and blue basketball. It documents the fierce competition with the NBA for players, the financial struggles of many franchises, and the characters who made the league unique. The stories range from team relocations and ownership shuffles to on-court action and locker room dynamics. Key figures like Julius Erving, George Gervin, and David Thompson appear throughout the narrative alongside lesser-known players and league personnel. The book serves as both a historical record and a reminder of how upstart sports leagues can drive innovation despite overwhelming odds. Its oral history format preserves the authentic voices of those who experienced this distinctive chapter in basketball history.

Readers highlight the book's oral history format and behind-the-scenes stories of the ABA, with many noting the humor and candid player accounts. Basketball fans appreciate the detailed coverage of the league's financial struggles, mergers, and colorful characters. Liked: - Raw, unfiltered stories from players and coaches - Coverage of Julius Erving and lesser-known ABA stars - Documentation of the red, white and blue ball origin - Business details about team operations - Photos and statistics Disliked: - Some found the oral history format disjointed - Limited coverage of certain teams/players - A few readers wanted more game details Ratings: Goodreads: 4.31/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (300+ ratings) Notable review quotes: "The crazy stories make you realize how different pro basketball was back then" - Goodreads "Like sitting at a bar listening to old ABA players tell war stories" - Amazon "Best basketball book I've ever read" - Amazon

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🏀 The title "Loose Balls" comes from a common ABA refrain: "The only thing we had more of than loose balls was loose women and loose money." 🏀 Terry Pluto conducted over 200 interviews with former players, coaches, and executives to create this definitive oral history of the American Basketball Association (ABA). 🏀 The ABA introduced several innovations that later became NBA staples, including the three-point shot, the slam dunk contest, and the red, white, and blue basketball. 🏀 Julius "Dr. J" Erving, who is prominently featured in the book, earned $500,000 per year with the Virginia Squires in 1971—an astronomical sum for professional basketball at the time. 🏀 The league once tried to generate publicity by claiming they had signed a 7'7" player named Goliath—who turned out to be completely fictional.