From Hoops to Handhelds: A Riveting Return with Bestselling Author & WSJ Columnist (Ft. Rich Cohen)

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The history of the NBA and basketball is a topic of great interest to a wide range of people, from die-hard fans to scholars and collectors alike. The history of basketball is not just about a sport; it's about the people, stories, and cultural significance that have shaped it into what it is today. In this episode, we welcome back best-selling author Rich Cohen to discuss his new book When the Game Was War, which provides readers with a vivid and nostalgic look back at a pivotal moment in NBA history, celebrating the golden era of basketball and the transcendent players who made it unforgettable. In our conversation, we dive deep into the history of the sport and the NBA and hear about the personal side of basketball. We discuss the legends of the NBA, who the greatest player of all time is, and what we can learn from the sport’s iconic players. We also talk about a range of other topics from the culture of the ‘80s, the problem of too much choice, to our disconnection from the world, and much more. Tune in for this riveting conversation where literature and basketball collide with best-selling author Rich Cohen!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Background about the book and his motivation for writing it.
• Highlights from the book and fascinating basketball facts.
• Discover his approach to writing and conducting research.
• Learn about his writing style and how it has changed over time.
• He shares his perspective on how the basketball landscape has evolved.
• How technology is causing people to become disconnected from each other.
• Why Rich enjoys writing about sports history, even though he is not a sports writer.
• Important life lessons from the players he has written about.
• Interesting Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Michael Jordan facts.
• Rich shares who his favorite player and team are and why.
• The Superbowl and the impact the Chicago Bears winning had on him.
• Ways that Rich unwinds and why he values reading so highly.
• Hear about his favorite book and how it inspired him to be a writer.
• Balancing perfectionism with being authentic.
• What inspires him to write and what projects he is currently working on.
• Being a father to four boys, a husband, and a writer.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Rich Cohen

Rich Cohen on Instagram

Rich Cohen on X

Rich Cohen on LinkedIn

Rich Cohen on Facebook

When the Game Was War

The Wall Street Journal

Episode: Negotiations are Everywhere (Ft. Rich Cohen)

National Basketball Association (NBA)

NFL Super Bowl

Chicago Bears

Up in the Old Hotel

Kelly Minds Her Manors 

Kelly Minds Her Manors on Instagram

Kelly Minds Her Manors on Tiktok

The Kelly Robinson Team / Compass