This is an extraordinary oral history of basketball—its eye-opening untold history, its profound deeper meaning, its transformative influence on the world—as told through an unprecedented series of candid conversations with the game’s ultimate icons.

"Inspired by a landmark ESPN Films series"--Jacket. Includes index.

First loves -- Celtics vs. Lakers : Russell's dominance, West's heartbreak, and those balloons -- Wilt's century mark -- Wilt vs. Russell : friends, rivals, and champions -- Basketball's battle for racial equality -- The Big O's quest for justice -- Breaking barriers : Title IX and the growth of the women's game -- The Mighty Macs -- Gamblers ensnare the game -- The Wizard of Westwood -- Relief or joy? NCAA championship coaches on the feeling of winning a title -- From unbeatable to the unthinkable : Team USA and the Olympics, 1956-1972 -- In the beginning, there was a hoop -- The renegade league -- UNC : the family that Frank and Dean built -- Coach K : from Bob Knight's protégé to the one-and-done era -- Larry and Magic : NBA renaissance men -- Bird steals the ball, and Detroit's trip to the finals -- The city game -- Pat vs Geno : icons divided -- The agitator -- Your heroes' heroes -- The greatest of all time -- The NBA's reluctant revolutionary -- The greatest team ever assembled -- We got next -- Have game, will travel -- The basketball world becomes flat -- The Laker alpha males -- The Spurs way -- The new NBA : Lebron and small ball -- Ball is life.