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There's Always This Year

Hanif Abdurraqib

271 Pages
2024

There's Always This Year

Random House

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There's Always This Year - Summary

Hanif Abdurraqib delivers a powerful meditation on basketball, ambition, and the human spirit through the lens of his experiences in 1990s Columbus, Ohio. This lyrical exploration interweaves personal narratives with cultural commentary, using basketball as a metaphor for life's larger questions about success, failure, and the pursuit of greatness. The author examines how legends like LeBron James emerged from the same courts where countless other dreams took different paths, challenging readers to reconsider their understanding of achievement and what it truly means to 'make it' in both sports and life.

Key Ideas

1

The Redefinition of Success

Through masterful storytelling, Abdurraqib challenges conventional notions of achievement in basketball and life. He explores how society's narrow focus on professional success overlooks the countless meaningful ways people find purpose and fulfillment in their relationship with the game, from neighborhood mentors to local legends who never made it to the NBA but profoundly impacted their communities.

2

The Geography of Dreams

The author examines how physical spaces - particularly basketball courts and neighborhoods - shape aspirations and identities. He illuminates how the concrete courts of Columbus became crucibles where young talents forged their dreams, revealing how geographic and social contexts influence the trajectory of athletic ambition and personal development.

3

The Legacy of Almost

Abdurraqib poignantly explores the lives of those who existed in the space between stardom and obscurity. He contemplates how near-misses and alternate paths contribute to the rich tapestry of basketball culture, challenging readers to appreciate the beauty and significance of journeys that don't end in professional glory.

FAQ's

This work stands apart through its poetic approach to basketball culture, focusing not on statistics or game analysis but on the human experience of aspiration and community. Abdurraqib's literary style elevates the subject matter beyond sports writing into a profound cultural examination.

No, the book intentionally highlights both celebrated successes and untold stories, examining how the pursuit of basketball excellence shapes individuals regardless of their ultimate destination in the sport. It's more concerned with the journey and its impact on personal growth than with traditional measures of success.

Abdurraqib's intimate knowledge of Columbus's basketball scene in the 1990s provides an authentic foundation for exploring larger themes about ambition, community, and identity. His personal connection to the material allows him to weave together individual stories with broader cultural observations in a uniquely compelling way.

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