Magic in the Air: The Myth, the Mystery, and the Soul of the Slam Dunk

by Mike Sielski

From the author of the bestselling Kobe Bryant biography The Rise comes the legend of the most powerful shot in the slam dunk.

The evolution of basketball, and much of the social and cultural change in America, can be traced through one powerful act on the the slam dunk. The dunk's history is the story of a sport and a country changed by the most dominant act in basketball, and it makes Magic in the Air a rollicking and insightful piece of narrative history and a surefire classic of sports literature.

When basketball was the province of white men, the dunk acted as a revolutionary agent, a tool for players like Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell to transform the sport into a Black man’s game. The dunk has since been an expression of Black culture amid the righteous upheaval of the civil-rights movement, of the threat that Black people were considered to be to the establishment. It was banned from college basketball for nearly a decade -- an attempt to squash the individual expression and athleticism that characterized the sport in America’s cities and on its playgrounds. The dunk nevertheless bubbled up to basketball’s highest levels. From Julius Erving to Michael Jordan to the high flyers of the 21st century, the dunk has been a key mechanism for growing the NBA into a global goliath.

Drawing on deep reporting and dozens of interviews with players, coaches, and other hoops experts, Magic in the Air brings to life the tale of the dunk while balancing sharp socio-racial history and commentary with a romp through American sports and culture. There's never been a basketball book quite like it.

Genres: Sports, Basketball, Nonfiction, History, Audiobook

368 pages, Hardcover

Published February 11, 2025

About the author

Mike Sielski is the author of four books, including Magic in the Air: The Myth, the Mystery, and the Soul of the Slam Dunk and The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality. A co-host on Sports Radio 94 WIP, he has been a sports columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer and Inquirer.com since 2013 and was formerly a reporter at The Wall Street Journal. His work has been anthologized in The Best American Sports Writing and The Year’s Best Sports Writing, and over his career he has been honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors, the Jenkins Medal for Excellence in Sportswriting, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the National Association of Black Journalists. He lives in Bucks County, Pa.

Reviews

[Deanna (she_reads_truth_365) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an interesting and informative non-chronological narrative on the history of the slam dunk. The author, wrote every chapter on an individual that contributed and has had their lives defined, by varying degrees by the game of basketball, especially the slam dunk. Every chapter could stand on its own as a brief article or post. I enjoyed savoring each story and read one chapter a day. I enjoyed learning so much history surrounding the slam dunk that I didn’t even know before!

I received a physical copy from publisher St. Martin’s Press. Thank you for my gifted copy and the opportunity to preview this book.

[Brian Shevory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big props to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Publishers, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of Mike Sielski’s excellent new book on basketball Magic in the Air: The Myth, the Mystery, and the Soul of the Slam Dunk. I was excited to find this book available to read since I’m familiar with Sielski’s writing from The Inquirer and his weekly show on 94.1. To say this book is simply about basketball really doesn’t approach the full scope and nature of this book. Sielski starts the book in the present, by examining one of the most exciting and entertaining players in the NBA, Ja Morant. Sielski goes much deeper than his on the court interview with Morant before a Sixers game, and actually visited Murray State in Kentucky to learn more about Morant’s journey to the NBA and how he became such an explosive dunker. In fact, Sielski’s deep dive into Morant’s college years is similar to the kind of treatment his other subjects receive. That is, Sielski conducts extensive research, including personal interviews with subjects and their families, whenever possible, to trace the social and cultural history of the dunk. I really appreciated this kind of approach since it allows Sielski’s narrative and thesis about the dunk to expand beyond the hardwood, and look at how the dunk is reflective of changes in society. Beyond Ja Morant’s story, there was a lot that I learned from this book, particularly about the nature and rules about basketball. Each chapter delves into different innovators and individuals who had some hand in pushing the game into different directions, with the dunk being one of the more innovative practices that has helped to change the game. I really enjoyed learning about John McLendon, who ended up studying under Dr. James Naismith at the University of Kansas. This early chapter not only provided some information about the purpose of basketball, but also allowed readers to see how McLendon’s philosophies, especially the idea of the fast break, helped to reshape the game and alter the kinds of coaching strategies for basketball. Furthermore, as one of the few African American students at the University of Kansas in the 1930s, McLendon faced challenges in accessing the facilities that other white Phys Ed majors had access to. This section not only showed how Naismith envisioned basketball as a kind of social tool to teach cooperation, but also showed how progressive and accepting he was, providing McLendon with football players to stand guard while he swam in the pool. Other chapters traced the elusive history of the first dunk, examining some of the potential first dunkers in NCAA games. Interestingly, many coaches did not like the dunk, since it seemed like something only a tall player could execute well. This not only highlighted the kind of height advantage that tall players had, but it also starts to emphasize the kind of differences in philosophies that basketball coaches presented, where the original game was based more on sound fundamentals, including passing, dribbling, and teamwork. The dunk seemed more like an individual expression; yet, Sielski’s research and analysis presents some examples of how teammates, especially KC Jones and Bill Russell developed the alley-oop (or from the French circus term allez hop), to bring in some of the team work and collaboration that this involved.

I have to say that these sections that trace some of the more well-known NBA players (Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Kareem Abdul Jabar) were my favorite parts of the book. Not only does Sielski provide great historical context, but he also analyzes how the dunk moved from like a tall advantage shot to something more skillful and personal- an expression that not only reflected the creativity and talent from players, but also represented a change in the game, moving from the kind of sound fundamentals to bringing in some of the flair and style from the playground. What I didn’t know was that there was a nearly decade long ban on dunking in high schools, colleges, and the NBA. I was shocked to learn this, and Sielski’s research kind of leads to some suggestions that there was a kind of bias that helped to institute the ban. This section was interesting to read, and shows the extent of Sielski’s research, although he was denied access to the archives that could help confirm or deny the ban. I also loved that Sielski’s book has such a strong Philly vibe, although I guess that is to be expected. Nevertheless, reading his book helped remind me of how Philly hoops are often overlooked, especially when considering places like NYC. Sielski pays homage to greats like Wilt and Tom Gola, who was one of the NCAA’s best players in the 50s at La Salle College (now University), and John Edgar Wideman, the esteemed writer, originally from Pittsburgh, but who played at Penn in the 60s.
Other chapters look at some great dunkers whose careers might not have been as well known as some of the greats, for various reasons. I really enjoyed learning about these players since I’ve heard of them, but didn’t really know much about their careers and the factors that may have limited their exposure and opportunities with the NBA (Connie Hawkins, Earl Manigault, and David Thompson). Sielski portrays them with respect and reverence, and helps to explore the context of the NBA/ABA when they were playing, allowing readers to better understand the situation. I was really surprised to learn how unfairly Connie Hawkins was treated, and despite winning a championship for Pittsburgh’s ABA team, he never really reached the same kind of success and recognition that someone like Wilt Chamberlain reached. I also really enjoyed learning more about the ABA, and how innovative that short-lived league was. Not only did they allow dunks, but they also had the first dunk contests. Julius “Dr. J” Erving features prominently in these sections, as he was one of the first stars to transition from the ABA to the NBA. Growing up around the Philly area, Dr. J was probably the first basketball player I remember, and it was great to learn about his life and background. Sielski dedicates more than a chapter to Dr. J, going back to his early childhood on Long Island and his time at UMass. The other chapters that I also really liked were the later chapters that looked at Michael Jordan and the dunk contests from the 80s, which was when I really started to get more into the NBA.

The later chapters are also really interesting in that Sielski explores the demise of the dunk, and how analytics have extended the game beyond the arc, focusing more on the 3 point shot. Some comments from older players like Dominique Wilkins and Vince Carter suggest that current players have too much to lose in both defending and executing dunks, and that the value in outside shots helped to shift the game from an inside, driving style, to a game on the perimeter. I hadn’t thought too much about this shift, and how basketball has really changed over the past 20 years or so, but it is interesting to consider. It’s also cool to see more players like Morant and Anthony Edwards who continue to drive the lane and remain fearless in their pursuit of posterizing opponents. Yet, according to some of the players in Sielski’s book, protecting reputations and brands seem to be more important than helping the team win or taking risks like the kinds of risks that have helped to further the game of basketball.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and it was much more in-depth and analytical than I initially expected. However, having read some of Sielski’s columns, I know that he is a skilled writer who can dribble drive his subject and play above the rim, while also passing the ball to others through skilled in-depth interviews, creating a broad perspective of the game and going in-depth with a subject like the dunk. Sielski’s analysis explores not just the historical facts, but also the social, cultural, and strategic significance of the dunk for players and the game. I highly recommend this book, especially if you are a Philly sports fan or a fan of basketball.

[Ric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read that was really well researched, and I especially enjoyed learning about slightly less known dunkers like Bob Kurland. Obviously we have Dr. J and Wilt Chamberlain, but those guys who may not have the recognition of the all time greats getting their flowers in this book was fantastic.

However, I feel like dedicating more of the modern day chapters to Ja Morant and Mac McClung than Vince Carter was a bit of an oversight.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic in the Air is a series of narrative stories, much like features in a sports magazine, weaved in a chronological order to trace back the history of the dunk and its importance to both the game of basketball and how it shaped society over the past century plus. For someone that’s aware of a bit of basketball history but hasn’t dug into it, I was impressed and surprised at the depth of research done by Mike Sielski. For instance, I had no idea the NCAA banned the dunk for a decade; Sielski denoted his attempts to find out why, ending in failure. The first story is at the present with Ja Morant, a talented yet troubled superstar that earned fame with the dunk. It then traces back to the first dunk and creation of basketball around the start of the 20th century and making ways forward back to 2024. Each story was intriguing and enlightening, tying the dunk to key players, markers of basketball development, and society at large. I was hoping to have another story in the 21st century, but it’s not a big loss. The audiobook was read by Landon Woodson, and his eloquent tones made the many stories captivating. If you’re into basketball or want to know a bit about the sport shaped culture and society, this is a can’t miss!

*I received an ARC from Netgalley and Macmillan Audio. All opinions are my own.*

[John Schorg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps if you've never read any book on basketball, this might serve as a definitive work on the evolution of the sport. If you have, though, this comes across as a collection of essays that remind you of other books that talk about some of these personalities in greater depth. It's an ok book, but it reminded me of the need to go back and read Foul, the great David Wolf story on the life of Connie Hawkins.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A history of the slam dunk that also serves as a history of the sport of basketball. Each chapter follows a different person who was important to the slam dunk--the first ones to do it, Dr. J. MJ, Vince Carter. In addition to the people, some chapters are also representative of different eras or developments in basketball history. Wilt vs. Bill Russell is a discussion on how big men came to dominate the game, in part because of the dunk. Through Julius Erving, Connie Hawkins, and others, we get a history of the ABA and the Harlem Globetrotters. Sielski also covers the decade-long ban of the dunk in college and high school, the rise and fall of the NBA slam dunk contest, and the playground battles in Rucker Park. He also argues that, in today's NBA where statistical analysis and efficiency are prized, the three point shot has eclipsed the dunk. I also really enjoyed the chapter on women's basketball through three women who were able to get above the rim. Locally, we get Wilt, Phog Allen (not a fan of the dunk), and John McClendon, a Black student mentored by Dr. Naismith who went on to be instrumental in the development of the fast break, where dunks flourish. As enjoyable as a lot of this is, it also felt a little sparse in its greater analysis, especially around race, and lacking in key sources (though it's clear he tried to get more people to talk to him and was rebuffed), and a little meandering within each chapter.

[Andy Tuite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book especially the first 2/3. Legendary and unkowns then the superstars. A little slow ending but maybe that makes sense when measured against the dunk

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dunk is one of the most exciting plays in basketball. Players who may not have great skills or statistics in other facets of the game but can dunk with flair can become legendary anywhere from playgrounds to NBA arenas. Of course, superstar players can also add to their legendary status with dunking prowess. This book by Mike Sielski takes the reader on a journey through the history of this shot and how it not only affected the sport, but how it also became a way to introduce Black culture to a mostly white fan base.

The story of the dunk really begins with Jack Inglis, who was considered to be the best professional basketball player of the early 20th century, long before the birth of the NBA. The stories that Sielski found about Inglis and some of the shots and jumps he made are at times hard to believe and make up one of the best parts of the book.

There’s also a good write up about Inglis’ life, which is something Sielski does for most players featured in this book. They do include the legendary stars whose dunks are famous (Michael Jordan and Julius Erving) but also some other players whose names may well have been forgotten save for one famous dunk or a win in a slam dunk contest. Lorenzo Charles and Mac McClung are two examples of these types of players in the book and their stories, especially that of Charles, were also very good.

The linkage between the dunk and Black culture, and as an extension of that’ its influence in the sport, is also well documented and researched in the book. Here the reading can be a little more tedious and slow paced, but that doesn’t take away the quality and depth of the research. The best example and illustration of this is Sielski’s chapter on the famous 1966 NCAA championship game between Texas Western and Kentucky. Basketball fans will recall its place in history as Texas Western won with five Black starters against Kentucky’s team of all white players. What isn’t as well know is that David Lattin decided to send a message to Kentucky by dunking during Texas Western’s warm ups. Stories like this one make this book a very good source of information for anyone who wants to learn more about the dunk.

I wish to thank St. Martin’s Press for providing a copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...

[Mark Lieberman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from Netgalley so I can read and review it before it’s published. But, that didn’t happen as I tried a few times to read it and just couldn’t get my mindset into it.

A few days ago, though, I needed a break from the Michael Bennett books I have been reading and wanted a good sports book. So, I tried one final time for this one, and I really enjoyed it.

To me, it was more of a history of the dunk and some of the key players who were known for dunking. Those key players also had a brief summary of their careers.

Of course, there was Wilt Chamberlain, Dr. J, Michael Jordan, David Thompson, Dominique Wilkins, Spud Webb, Brent Barry, Earl Manigault, Connie Hawkins, Vince Carter, and more but there were also a lot of unknown names to me like Bob Kurland, Joe Fortenberry, and Duane Hillman. Sielski also mentioned some of the female dunkers.

Also discussed was the movie, White Men Can’t Jump.

I didn’t realize that the dunk got banned in college basketball from 1967 to 1976, primarily because of how dominate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was.

[Tanner Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic in the Air is a captivating read about the history of the slam dunk in basketball. Going all the way back to the first dunkers in organized basketball in the 1930’s and 40’s. Touching on the cultural significance of the dunk in the 60’s. It also talks about the huge role of the slam dunk in the ABA and how it allowed players such as Dr. J and David Thompson to transition from the uptempo playstyle of the ABA to the NBA. This book even touched on the earliest recording dunks by a female, which I found an interesting and nice touch. Of course the Slam Dunk Contest and its impact starting in the 80’s had to be mentioned as well.

I really enjoyed how the chapters of this book were split up and how well it flowed from one portion to the next. I would highly recommend this book!

Special thanks to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for providing me with this advanced copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinion

[Chelsea]

I couldn't finish this one. I found the introduction interesting, but starting the book with Ja Morant was a weird, off-putting choice. I was expecting the history of the dunk, not some guy relatively new to the NBA who had no impact on the invention or evolution of the dunk. After that, it backed up and got interesting again. I liked the first 100 pages. There were several little tidbits I didn't know, and it was fun to read about the perception of the dunk and how it evolved. But it did drag at times, jumping forward and back, jumping between players within chapters. And after the first 100 pages, it dragged even more, just highlighting different players who dunked well. Might be interesting to some, but the more recent players were people I already knew about, so I got bored fast, and gave up around the 200 page mark.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a big sports person, but I do like basketball, so when I saw this new book coming out, I wanted to listen to it. Now I grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, so I remember NBA games on regular network TV, and the Boston Celtics with Larry Bird. I also got back into watching basketball around 2012 so I remember some of the more recent players like of course Lebron James. But a lot of basketball history was before my time - I don't remember when the slam dunk was banned. Or when due to racism most all of the players were white, and very few were black. Also, I watched mainly NBA games, so I did not know much about college basketball history or the predecessor of the NBA, the ABA. It was an interesting listen and moved along at a good pace. I enjoyed it.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for the sports lovers, basketball lovers, and history buffs. While I am a basketball fan, this book gave me a greater appreciation into the early basketball players and the slam dunk. I very much appreciated the detail and care that the author took to research a deep history and included women in the book. I was excited to hear more about the slam dunks by Jordan and Vince Carter, but the focus of the history was earlier than them. It would have been nice to have more than just a few chapters dedicated to the 80s/90s/00s dunks. It's a very deep dive, but one well worth taking. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. My reviews is unpaid and honest.

[David Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I really enjoyed the content of the book. Frankly, I do wish Sielski's writing was a bit better. The author is a Philadelphia based sports journalist, and even while writing about a topic that isn't specific to one place, he sure seemed to put in a lot of Philly references. As a Sixers fans I didn't personally mind, but I could see it being annoying to other readers. I also thought there were time when Sielski gave a statistic, then brought up why the statistic wasn't really relevant as presented, but made no effort to have someone do the math to account for the variables involved.

[Stacey (Bookalorian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magic in the Air by Mike Sielski

As a woman at 5 ft 3 I have never dunked a ball. This didn’t make the book any less entertaining.

I used to watch a lot of basketball. LA Lakers fan right here so this book was really interesting. The writing was ok. It felt a little repetitive in places but all in all the author did a good job. I learned a lot and I am glad I dug in. I loved the interviews.

If you are a fan of basketball, then give this one a go.

3.75

[Rick Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an incredibly well written and researched book about the history, soul and art of the dunk. Never knew that the dunk was banned in college for years, and also that there was a time that freshmen could not play varsity college b-ball. Definitely learned a lot from this book (although I could have done without the opening chapter about Ja).

[Jeff Wait · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid book. There's some cool anecdotes powered by strong research. I think this project might have been a bit too much for the writer's skill level, but I admire him for going for it. Worth checking out if you want some deep-cut references related to the history of dunking.

[Shayla Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was an interesting take on the evolution of the slam dunk and the people who were involved in making this unique move the way it is today. Some of those have been forgotten to time and history but it's good to know that the author found them to tell their story!

[Ellison · Rating 3 out of 5]

this aspires to examine when it was discovered to manually put the ball through the hoop. the first one-hundred pages are about players most have never heard.

eventually it gets to the modern era of hawkiins, wilt, dr j, jordan and ...mcclug? investigative reporting long form. pix.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

great look at some "forgotten" hoopers. At least by me.

[Will Plunkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Hospital stay book dump… just ratings, no reviews! – 4/8/25)

[John Machata · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. Often engaging stories of dunk masters.

[John Deardurff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part sports history, part cultural odyssey. This book traces the slam dunk from its humble, even frowned-upon beginnings to its current status as a symbol of athletic artistry and cultural power.

[Jim Blessing · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I did not find this an interesting read.

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly reading, a little bit of audio. Each chapter covers a person or people who shaped the dunk. A fun read for a basketball fan bc dunks rule.

[Eric Probst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal! A must read for NBA fans. Loved the Doc and MJ chapters!

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid overview of basketball history and names both lionized and forgotten. But what really makes it special is the quality of the writing. Sielski knows how to string those words together.

[Kenny Schwarz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was initially skeptical that a book go hold my interest on one aspect of basketball, but I was mistaken. This was a superbly written book on the dunk. From multi-sourced origins, to its temporary ban to its contemporary crowd-pleasing show, the book provides a rich detailed history that is perfect for anyone who loves the game. I highly recommend it.