{"product_id":"9780071642415","title":"The First Tip-Off: The Incredible Story of the Birth of the NBA","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"Charley Rosen has undertaken the challenge of documenting the latest and greatest history of the game professionally--and has done so to great success. . . . . When I finished the book it seemed as if I had gone through another season, injuries and all. . . . Rosen skillfully leads readers through the NBA's first steps along its journey toward what it has become today.”\u003cbr\u003e --\u003cb\u003ePhil Jackson, from the Foreword\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\"Rosen, a wonderful sportswriter . . . had forgotten more basketball history than the best fans will ever know.\"\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e, on \u003ci\u003eNo Blood, No Foul\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eGo back to a time when basketball players wore knee pads and itchy cotton jerseys. When even the team's leaders were grateful for dry towels, hot showers, and $60 paychecks. When winning was all that mattered.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eIn this vividly rendered and meticulously researched book, endorsed with a Foreword by Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, sportswriter Charley Rosen takes you on a rollicking tour of the NBA's first season. Filled with rare archival photographs and exclusive interviews, \u003ci\u003eThe First Tip-Off\u003c\/i\u003e brings to life a cast of unforgettable characters--including Chuck Connors, clown prince of the BAA, and Jumping Joe Fulks, ex-Marine turned basketball's first superstar--as Rosen deftly unfolds the dramatic events of that formative season.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eIt's enough to make you believe once again in the spirit of the sport.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"McGraw Hill LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47070892785904,"sku":"9780071642415","price":28.8,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780071642415_p0.jpg?v=1763636204","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780071642415","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}