In this episode of the often chosen for book tours #BallisBae NBA Podcast, we talk to author Pete Croatto who talks about his latest book, From Hang Time to Prime Time. The book is a time machine transporting us to the years between 1975-1989 and the steps the NBA took to becoem the global giant it is today. We talk about the principles of media in this age of race-to-first philosophy, the need for nuance, and how the media coverage of the NBA has changed with the NBA.

(00:17) - Real Start
(00:43) - In the association this week
(01:13) - Our guest is here
(02:02) - Origins of Pete's name
(03:17) - NBA journey of Pete Croatto
(05:30) - Which team is he rooting for nowadays
(10:20) - Pete's experience of the worldwide appeal of the NBA
(16:13) - Pete's favorite NBA writers
(19:36) - How has NBA coverage changed through the years
(23:41) - Pete on the press coverage of the Boston situation
(28:42) - What we learnt about the media, from Boston
(30:34) - Conspiracy theory time with Vineet
(33:00) - What bothers Pete about fans
(37:28) - How did Pete get into writing about the NBA
(41:15) - Story about Marvin Gaye's national anthem at the 1983 All-Star Game
(45:42) - Crazy learnings about the NBA during research
(48:41) - Why 1975-1989 for the book's period
(50:37) - Why Hang Time to Prime Time
(54:32) - Was it easy to write this book ?
(61:28) - #ThisOrThat with #BallisBae
(65:55) - Why buy the book, by author Pete Croatto