Scott Howard-Cooper

Author of “Kingdom on Fire: Kareem, Wooden, Walton, and the Turbulent Days of the UCLA Basketball Dynasty" (2024) | "Steve Kerr: A Life” (2021).

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

At work on my latest book: "Bam!: John Madden, the #NFL Explosion, and the Video Game That Changed Sports," out Oct. 13 from Diversion.

More details in the (free) Substack post.

https://t.co/c91rYL7SWw

#raiders #johnmadden #sportsmedia #books #maddengame

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

My latest Substack: Don Saffer, UCLA basketball, and the meaning of teammates for life. (Free subscription.)

https://t.co/cODSBsV3m9

#ucla #uclabasketball

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

Thanks to Larry Mantle and @LAist for including my "Kingdom on Fire: Kareem, Wooden, Walton, and the Turbulent Days of the #ucla Basketball Dynasty" on his list of favorite books of 2024.

https://t.co/awCZL0wREf

"Kingdom on Fire": https://t.co/QBgeSXmPQP or in bookstores.

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

The signature finger wag, but most of all the smile. I asked #DikembeMutombo moments after he was named a Hall of Fame finalist on Feb. 14, 2015, the best way to celebrate the news, then snapped the picture.

RIP to a man who made a difference in the real world

@officialmutombo

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

Excited to have “Kingdom on Fire” included in the Barnes&Noble #BNBookHaul. 50% off select hardcovers today and Thursday online for Premium Members, the same for all customers in store and online 8/16-9/2. Thanks to all for the positive feedback we have received. #ucla @BNBuzz

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

And thanks to @franfraschilla for the review. It means a lot from someone who has lived the college game with a passion as a major-college coach and broadcaster.

[Fran Fraschilla @franfraschilla]

I have always enjoyed @SHowardCooper’s work. This is a great read on the start of ⁦@UCLAMBB⁩ dynasty & its three most iconic figures. And, it’s refresher of the history of the 1960’s & 1970’s.

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

The LA Times excerpt in March of my "Kingdom on Fire: Kareem, Wooden, Walton and the Turbulent Days of the #UCLA Basketball Dynasty" has unfortunately become especially relevant. On Jerry West, Bill Walton and the strange start to an important friendship: https://t.co/7l2KvgnUFk

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

@ColbNewton Thanks so much, Colby. I appreciate the kind words. And I must say I was a little bummed as well when I finished writing it.

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

Jerry West loved Van Exel. Saw a lot of himself in Nick -- the passion to play, the tenacity, playing without fear. Jerry told me @vanexel31 was "one of my favorite players of all time" and spent years second guessing himself over trading Nick in 1998 #JerryWest #Lakers #TheLogo

[Nick Van Exel @vanexel31]

RIH Jerry West. Drafted me in the 2nd round and gave me a shot as a young player that wasn’t the better pg at the time. Always kept it a 💯 with me and I always knew where you were coming from. Prayers to the family!! Tough loss. 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

The amazing thing is no one needed to phony up #JerryWest to make great TV. Clip on a microphone, get some camera people, and stand back. Reality TV at its finest. Every emotion imaginable. #Lakers

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

I hope HBO's recent flagrant foul of a portrayal is not the way later generations know #JerryWest. Was he intense? God, yes. To an unhealthy extreme. But he cared deeply about people and the integrity of the game. He was generous on many levels. #Lakers

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

The on-the-court debate will go on. But #JerryWest is the most *impactful* Laker ever. Period. Quite a statement for a global brand that spends decades at the forefront of a sport. Brilliant player, historic exec, coach, broadcaster, mentor to future superstars. #Lakers #MrClutch

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

@sluhm Such sad news. My condolences to you on the loss of a friend and to the entire SLC/Weber State community on the loss of an important voice. What a kind, talented guy. I consider myself fortunate that I got to know him a little and shared fun conversations.

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

@grantnapear Great post, Grant. Bill projected joy even through decades of immense physical pain. He appreciated all the positives in his life.

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

I called Bill Walton back. This was last June, about 11 months ago. "Just hang on a sec.” That’s all he said. Then I heard music.

My Substack (free) on the irreplaceable Bill Walton.

https://t.co/JRZClJfWrk

#billwalton #ucla #nba #basketball

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

Bill Walton was one of the most genuine people I ever met. If he believed in something, he believed 100%. Nothing halfway with Bill. He drove a lot of people nuts with his broadcasts, but that was Bill. Passionate. I will miss my friend. #billwalton #ucla

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

@HincheyChris Thanks, Chris. I'm happy you enjoyed the book, and I appreciate the feedback. I loved working on this and am glad that energy came through. Tracing the personal growth of KAJ and BW was one of my favorite parts as well. There were so many fascinating storylines from that era.

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

@McCallum12 Nice just to be in your presence again. Hope you are doing well.

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

Perfect timing too. Today is the 50th anniversary of the double-OT loss to NC State that ended the #UCLA run of seven consecutive titles. I could still hear the pain in Bill Walton's voice as we talked about that day. The feeling of the historic collapse has never gone away.

[Patrick J. Sauer @pjsauer]

For @washingtonpost dug into two new terrific hoopstories by @McCallum12/@SHowardCooper on “The Real Hoosiers” of Oscar Robertson and @CattucksB & the wild and woolly “Kingdom of Fire” that was Wooden’s @UCLAMBB era.

Get #MarchMadness smarter, people.

https://t.co/WApMthqjBk

[Scott Howard-Cooper @SHowardCooper]

Grateful for the positive Washington Post review and Patrick Sauer seeing "Kingdom on Fire" as the story of #ucla basketball and its era, not box scores. Sharing a stage for a few minutes with the great Jack McCallum is a bonus.

[Patrick J. Sauer @pjsauer]

For @washingtonpost dug into two new terrific hoopstories by @McCallum12/@SHowardCooper on “The Real Hoosiers” of Oscar Robertson and @CattucksB & the wild and woolly “Kingdom of Fire” that was Wooden’s @UCLAMBB era.

Get #MarchMadness smarter, people.

https://t.co/WApMthqjBk