WITH A FOREWORD BY DICK VITALE

What can the film Hoosiers teach us about the meaning of life? How can ancient Eastern wisdom traditions, such as Taoism and Zen buddhism, improve our jump-shots? What can the "Zen Master" (Phil Jackson) and the "Big Aristotle" (Shaquille O'Neal) teach us about sustained excellence and success? Is women's basketball "better" basketball? How, ethically, should one deal with a strategic cheater in pickup basketball? With NBA and NCAA team rosters constantly changing, what does it mean to play for the "same team"? What can coaching legends Dean Smith, Rick Pitino, Pat Summitt, and Mike Krzyzewski teach us about character, achievement, and competition? What makes basketball such a beautiful game to watch and play?

In Basketball and Philosophy, a Dream Team of twenty-six academics trained in philosophy--also diehard hoops fans--proves that basketball is the thinking fan's sport. Whether you play basketball, coach it, or just love to watch it, this book will forever enrich your understanding and appreciation of the game.

Jerry L. Walls, professor of philosophy of religion at Asbury Theological Seminary, is the author of The Problem of Pluralism: Recovering United Methodist Identity and coauthor of C. S. Lewis and Francis Schaeffer: Lessons for a New Century from the Most Influential Apologists of Our Time. Gregory Bassham, department chair and professor of philosophy at King's College, is coeditor of several books, including The Chronicles of Narnia and Philosophy: The Lion, the Witch, and the Worldview and The Lord of the Rings and Philosophy: One Book to Rule Them All.

See other books in the series The Philosophy of Popular Culture.

Reviews:
"[T]he simple American game splayed with ball and net has prompted some deep thinking among its players, coaches, and fans... [and] this remarkably profound and wide-ranging collection of essays exposes readers to some of the best of that thinking."--Booklist

"A remarkably profound and wide-ranging collection. Cerebral fans will love this book."--Booklist

"Basketball isn't just about wins and losses, points and turnovers. It's about preparing young athletes for the disappointments and victories that we all experience. Basketball and Philosophy clearly demonstrates that basketball can teach us a lot about life and gives the reader a deeper appreciation of the depth and complexity of this great sport."--Mike Krzyzewski, Head Basketball Coach, Duke University & USA National Team

"The essays in this collection do a terrific job of demonstrating how one can glean genuine philosophical insights through reflection on sport."--Aeon J. Skoble, co-editor of Woody Allen and Philosophy: You Mean My Whole Fallacy Is Wrong?

"An engaging entrée into philosophy through basketball, the philosophy of basketball, and philosophical issues particular to basketball. This is fun philosophy"--Kelly James Clark, coeditor of Human Nature in Chinese and Western Culture

"An excellent book. It makes me almost believe that philosophers can jump and that guys like Shaq can break down philosophical arguments almost as well as defenses."--Eric Bronson, editor of Baseball and Philosophy: Thinking Outside the Batter's Box

"Offers a deeper examination about that connection between what we think, deep down, and what we play, straight up."--Lexington Herald-Leader