4 comments about In the Land of Giants: My Life in Basketball.

1. This is a really good book about a basketball player who overcame his great height disadvantage to become an NBA superstar. This book takes you through the basketball career of Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues. All his life he was shorter than everone on the basketball court. Can you imagine how it's like playing in the NBA when you are on average about 1.5 feet shorter than every one else? That's how Muggsy Bogues has played for his whole life.

   Yet he persevered and overcame his height. His basketball career was by no means all easy and problem-free, and many people doubted that someone who was 5'3 could play basketball with guys who were 7 foot tall. But in this book Muggsy shows that height doesn't determine whether or not you can play basketball. Heart and skill are what determine how well you play. From his wonderful high school basketball days to his terrible rookie year days in the NBA, the reader sees how Muggsy overcame his height to become a great point guard. His assist and stealing ability proved vital to the success or the Hornets. You have to admire the little fella'.




2. i thougt that this was a great book for any fan of muggsy bogues, or basketball itsself. if you are a fan of muggsy and do not already have this book, you should definately but it. it all the facts you need to know and great up-to-date pictures. this is a great atleast 5 star book. The main reason i liked this book so much is because i am a long time fan and it told me things, or facts that i had never known about the great muggsy bogues. all the information is great, and correct. also, the chapters have very catchy titles, and you will never get bored of this book. i would like to give mad props to muggsy, of course, and the author for making such a great book.



3. It had a good story behind it and it explained his life very well but it just kept going on and going on. It made me tired to read that book.



4. inspiring story. Entertaining and captivating. Muggsy tells a riveting story of challenges and triumphs! Great for adults and a must read for youths!

4 comments about Winning Sounds Like This: A Season with the Women's Basketball Team at Gallaudet, the World's Only University for the Deaf.

1. Women's basketball books occupy a special niche in sportswriting.
   Writing about a male players, an author might ask, "How did they make it into the big time?"
   Writing about women, authors are forced to ask, "How did they get here at all?" This question adds a new dimension to the stories of women athletes. Players as young as today's collegians have had to overcome stereotypes. Many played on boys' teams -- or tried to.

   Gallaudet women have to overcome a double stereotype -- being not only female, but also deaf. There was a time when opposing teams would openly ridicule deaf basketball players. One player was devastated as a high school student when a coach from a Christian academy openly laughed at her speech. She made the team but never forgot the experience.

   However, the players want to be taken seriously as athletes. They do not want or need pity or condescension. To Coffey's credit, the book focuses on basketball, not deafness. We learn how players and teams compensate for a silent world. They can hear someone dribbling behind them. Referees are briefed: players can't hear the whistle so they may not stop playing immediately. And players on "hearing" teams need ASL translators who understand basketball terms.

   Yet ultimately the story is about the game: coming together as a team and working to win. Like any sports book, there are stories of triumphs as well as tears. We come to care about the players as they, like all college athletes, balance basketball and books.

   Perhaps the most difficult story takes place after the book was written. Ronda Jo Miller, an All-American center, cannot reach her goal of playing on a WNBA team. In stories posted on the internet, we can learn that she earned admiration of players and coaches during the tryout camp. She eventually played professionally in Denmark, with a "hearing" team, and has played in Kansas City with an expansion league, the WNBL.

   What happens to the other athletes? Playing on a winning team can change lives and I found myself hoping they will continue to feel like winners, long after the season has ended.




2. Wayne Coffey not only knows sports but he knows how to write tight, action packed chapters. This story moves. Interpersed with backgrounds on the team members, the history of deaf culture, the story tracks the team through an incredible season. I am not an avid basketball fan nor did I have any particular interest in deaf culture, but this book captured my interest from the first page and held it throughout.

   A rare find.




3. Beautifully written that, at turns, is funny, touching, fascinating and absorbing. I read it at a single sitting.
   Such wonderful character studies of the players, their families and the world of Gallaudet. If you like basketball, if you like visiting other cultures or if you just like stories that bring people to life, you'll love this book. Highly recommended.



4. This book is so good I couldnt stop reading it! It's an inspirational story about human nature, what it takes to be the best and something I knew nothing about previously...deaf culture. It's a well written, must read for anyone who has ever worked hard for something...hearing or deaf.

1 comments about No Bull: The Unauthorized Biography of Dennis Rodman.

1. This book was awesome. I have read just about all of the sports books out there and I liked the way this one got right down to the basics of Dennis, his life, his childhood, and how he became what he is today. It laid out for me how all the events in his life lead to his present self. Furthermore, the author doesn't attempt to over-analyze Dennis on his own, but rather gives you all the info to let you form your own opinion. I wish all the sports bio's were written like this!!!

3 comments about Don't Call Me Coach: A Lesson Plan for Life.

1. Don't Call Me Coach: A Lesson Plan for Life
   Over the years we have watched Phil Martelli develop into one of the best story-tellers around. His presentations are fun, his messages very worthwhile. When working with Pete Nelson on the "Jameer" book, I had an opportunity to see Phil's intelligence and attention to detail first hand. This continues in this book and reinforces how lucky we who have been part of Philadelphia-area basketball have been.



2. I had the chance to meet Phil Martelli in person and hear his inspirational speech. For that one hour he was excellent, very funny and witty with alot of good advice. This inspired me to purchase his book. Though the book captures all the ideas of the in-person speech it is not quite up to par to having him in the room and it does tend to drag in parts. For that reason I didn't give it the full five stars.
   
   The book has a lot of good lessons (we are all coaches and teams) that don't require an intricate knowledge of basketball or to be a sports fan to appreciate his advice. A decent quick read.



3. I recommend this book for any parent, coach, business leader, teacher - or as Martelli says - everyone - since there is a coach in all of us.
   
   This must read book is not just for the sports lover. Martelli shares his own life lessons as a coach and offers a balanced view for helping people achieve their best. I've bought a book for my teenage children to read.

3 comments about One Of A Kind.

1. There are a lot of baseball biographies out there but this one provides a unique twist. Kathryn "Katie" Conley, the author of the book, is Gene Conley's wife and it is as much her story as it is his. You learn about their young lives, their courtship, Katie's devotion to the teaching of the Seventh Day Adventist church, and Gene's rise to play two professional sports, starting with the Boston Braves and later with the Boston Celtics. Gene would go on to win a World Series ring with the Milwaukee franchise in 1957 and then an NBA championship with the Celtics the year after (Conley would repeat to win two more consecutive NBA titles with the Celtics). Katie Conley is proud of her husband's achievements and she gives him his due.
   
   The author doesn't gloss over her husband's shortcomings with alcohol abuse while playing ball. Both would admit that this, as well as arm trouble, brought his baseball career to an end much sooner than if he had taken better care of himself. Money is a major topic of the book. The chronic shortage of money when they first started life together, the contract disputes and issues around playing two professional sports,
   and even the phone being removed because of mounting long distance bills
   are some of the problems faced by the couple as Gene was, for a while, gone year 'round, playing basketball after baseball season was over and then diving into baseball in late spring (he went on to play baseball for the Phillies and the Red Sox and the Knicks in the NBA).
   
   You are more likely to read about the horrid hotels and motels in which they would stay than you would about what it was like to pitch in the World Series. There is a distance in the telling of the story, since it is not written by Gene himself. There are glimpses into the goofiness that went on in baseball like the "Braves Playboys" where Gene at 6'10" is on the floor Indian wrestling someone and he ends up knocking he legs out from under a piano. Of course, the gendarmes were brought in, which later caused Gene a paucity playing time under manager Fred Haney.
   
   Perhaps one of the starker topics that threads its way through the biography is all of the injuries that he suffered playing two sports: fingers, hands, ankles, hip, feet, shoulder are all mangled or abused or damaged sometime during his career and like many others of the time, he played when he was hurt...as much out of fear being replaced as loyalty to his team.
   
   Also, in this book, you get the full account of why Gene Conley (after having been bludgeoned by the Yankees in game in the Bronx) decided after tying one on to catch a plane to Jerusalem. This AWOL action caught everyone off guard, even his family, who didn't know where he was.
   
   Katie Conley does a good job explaining what it was like as a baseball wife and mom, trying to bring up three children and this adds a personal touch that pages of stats won't provide. It is also obvious that she is proud of her husband's accomplishments, not only on the mound or court, but also his work with NBA pensions. (Both of them founded organizations to lobby the NBA to provide pensions to older NBA players who were receiving little or no pension money.)
   
   This book will not give you a pitch by pitch or jump shot by jump shot view of the professional careers of pro baseball and basketball. It does provide enough highlights of his career and a glimpse into his family's private life to provide well-rounded enjoyable reading.



2. There are a lot of baseball biographies out there but this one provides a unique twist. Kathryn "Katie" Conley, the author of the book, is Gene Conley's wife and it is as much her story as it is his. You learn about their young lives, their courtship, Katie's devotion to the teaching of the Seventh Day Adventist church, and Gene's rise to play two professional sports, starting with the Boston Braves and later with the Boston Celtics. Gene would go on to win a World Series ring with the Milwaukee franchise in 1957 and then an NBA championship with the Celtics the year after (Conley would repeat to win two more consecutive NBA titles with the Celtics). Katie Conley is proud of her husband's achievements and she gives him his due.
   
   The author doesn't gloss over her husband's shortcomings with alcohol abuse while playing ball. Both would admit that this, as well as arm trouble, brought his baseball career to an end much sooner than if he had taken better care of himself. Money is a major topic of the book. The chronic shortage of money when they first started life together, the contract disputes and issues around playing two professional sports,
   and even the phone being removed because of mounting long distance bills
   are some of the problems faced by the couple as Gene was, for a while, gone year 'round, playing basketball after baseball season was over and then diving into baseball in late spring (he went on to play baseball for the Phillies and the Red Sox and the Knicks in the NBA).
   
   You are more likely to read about the horrid hotels and motels in which they would stay than you would about what it was like to pitch in the World Series. There is a distance in the telling of the story, since it is not written by Gene himself. There are glimpses into the goofiness that went on in baseball like the "Braves Playboys" where Gene at 6'10" is on the floor Indian wrestling someone and he ends up knocking he legs out from under a piano. Of course, the gendarmes were brought in, which later caused Gene a paucity playing time under manager Fred Haney.
   
   Perhaps one of the starker topics that threads its way through the biography is all of the injuries that he suffered playing two sports: fingers, hands, ankles, hip, feet, shoulder are all mangled or abused or damaged sometime during his career and like many others of the time, he played when he was hurt...as much out of fear being replaced as loyalty to his team.
   
   Also, in this book, you get the full account of why Gene Conley (after having been bludgeoned by the Yankees in game in the Bronx) decided after tying one on to catch a plane to Jerusalem. This AWOL action caught everyone off guard, even his family, who didn't know where he was.
   
   Katie Conley does a good job explaining what it was like as a baseball wife and mom, trying to bring up three children and this adds a personal touch that pages of stats won't provide. It is also obvious that she is proud of her husband's accomplishments, not only on the mound or court, but also his work with NBA pensions. (Both of them founded organizations to lobby the NBA to provide pensions to older NBA players who were receiving little or no pension money.)
   
   This book will not give you a pitch by pitch or jump shot by jump shot view of the professional careers of pro baseball and basketball. It does provide enough highlights of his career and a glimpse into his family's private life to provide well-rounded enjoyable reading.



3. I know Katie and Gene, and they are wonderful people. Gene's sports life was terrific, to say the least. He played 2 national league sports, at the same time, basically; basketball and baseball. Not many can say that. This book highlights his life, his family, and him. God bless him, Katie, and their family, and those who read the book.

5 comments about Knight: My Story.

1. Coach Bob Knight is a colorful figure who ranks among the all- time greats in college basketball. Known by many people all over the nation for his outspoken personality and occasional temper tantrums, Knight has taken advantage of his skill at playing, recruiting, and coaching to reach the apex of his profession at every level through and including college.
   
   When I first heard about this book a couple of years ago, I thought about what I had heard on the news about Bob Knight, what I read in the newspapers, and what different people at Indiana University had said about the legendary coach; including players, assistant coaches, and university personnel. As a natural skeptic when it comes to the media, I was very curious about Knight's perspective on the many controversies that surrounded him and his coaching style during his forty plus years in college basketball. What would Knight say about everything in his book? Would he rant and rave about how unfairly he has been criticized? Would he return the insults to those who have so vocally criticized his personality and style? Or would he take it all with a grain of salt and stick with the positives that he has brought to the game of basketball?
   
   Reading about Bob Knight, and hearing about the controversial events from Knight's own perspective, I have a newfound respect for the man from Bloomington. Not that I didn't have respect before. I did. But this book cements that respect and proves what I had always felt all along: that the media was wrong about many (if not all) of the accusations against Bob Knight and that his dismissal from the head coaching job at Indiana was purely political in nature. There was no good, solid reason(s) to fire Bob Knight. He was a victim of some overzealous individuals at IU who had it in for him and were on a mission to eliminate him from Indiana at any cost.
   
   I really enjoyed the last few chapters of this book, because this is where the controversy comes out. It's interesting to listen as Knight talks about the different accusations against him and how the media and others would over-sensationalize things to increase newspaper sales and/or to try to bring him down. In some instances, Knight admits his guilt. Such is the case in the best- known of all the Knight- related coaching controversies: the infamous "chair tossing" incident discussed in chapter eleven. Knight admits that this particular act was a stupid thing to do on his part. But he also points out that he didn't aim the chair at anyone and no one was hurt. He just let his emotions get the best from him and he overreacted.
   
   With other controversial events, however, Knight isn't so quick to accept responsibility. One event that he is particularly disgusted over is the supposed "choking" of one of his players, Neil Reed. This is most significant because it was this event that led ultimately to his firing. Reed came forward in 1999 and claimed that Knight had physically choked him and this story made headlines all across the United States. If this was true, it would have been justification for some kind of reprimand against the coach. But the truth is, it was total bull. Reed had been voted off of the team by his own teammates (not by Bob Knight) in 1997. He made up this allegation, apparently, to get even. The other players said that there was no choking and a tape that was made when this event supposedly took place showed no evidence of choking at all. This should have brought an end to the controversy, but it did not. It was obvious that Reed, and those in control of the athletic department at IU, made up the whole story to bring him down. The media jumped all over this story, making it sound like Knight really did commit the crime, even though there wasn't the slightest grain of evidence that he did. And even when it was shown to be a bogus charge, the media said nothing about it. They exploited the accusation, but they said nothing about the truth when it came out later- that this story was a total fabrication by a disgruntled player and a tenacious IU athletic department that would stop at nothing to get Knight thrown out of Bloomington.
   
   It was at this point that IU instituted its "zero- tolerance" policy (or as I like to refer to this type of proposal, a "zero intelligence" policy) against coach Knight, warning him that any further problems would lead to his termination. Again, this was obviously a move to get Knight fired. I can remember when this decision was made public. I knew that it was only a matter of time before something happened that would get Knight terminated. Knight also saw it coming, but he was so attached to Indiana University, his players, and the fans, that he decided to ride it out. He was still hopeful that he could continue coaching at this school. But it was only a matter of time until something happened that would bring an end to his coaching career. And it did, a short time later, when a young guy referred to Bob Knight by his last name, prompting Knight to turn and ask him to please refer to him as Mr. Knight or coach Knight. That was all it took to get Knight fired. The young man went directly to the athletic department at IU and told what had happened (the book doesn't make any direct accusations, but it appears there is a good chance that this man planned the whole event, just to get Knight in trouble). After thirty years and three championships, Bob Knight was no longer the coach at IU.
   
   Along with these controversial moments, the remaining sections of the book are also very good. Knight describes his early years and his friendships with other coaches, sports people, and political figures with passion and admiration. He has met and is friends with many sports icons, like Ted Williams, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Bench, and others. He has also been a frequent guest at the White House and has met and formed friendships with many U.S. presidents, like Gerald Ford and George Bush. Knight describes these and other friendships with great feeling and deep trust. This might come as a surprise to those who always assumed that Bob Knight was difficult to get along with. Quite to the contrary, Knight speaks positively about most all of the people who have influenced his life, and they speak positively about him also. On only a few occasions in the book (with people like college basketball referee Ted Valentine) does Knight turn pessimistic and he only does so when someone continuously gets on his case, unprovoked, and won't back down.
   
   I really enjoyed reading about Knight's early days and his influences in the game of basketball. Shaped by these important people, it isn't difficult to understand why Knight got where he has in life and why he is so competitive when it comes to the game of basketball. His family and friends mean the world to Knight, and they have had an unmistakable impact on his life decisions and on his love of the game. It's also interesting to read and discover, in Knight's own words, how differently he is, as a person, on and off the court. While he still tends to be outspoken no matter where he might be, his mannerisms and personal conduct are far more reserved and friendly when he isn't involved in basketball. He comes across as a very down to earth, likable guy who loves to hunt and fish and who is fairly easy to get along with.
   
   Controversy has always surrounded coach Knight. He admits that, at times, his competitive nature and his fired- up emotions did get the best of him. He is not proud of everything he has done on the court, but he has no real regrets either. And regardless of all of the controversy, Knight is a proven winner and he commands (and deserves) a certain amount of respect. He has allowed his love of the game and his relentless desire to win to result in a few misjudgments in his career. But through it all, Bob Knight has been a winner. He has won NCAA championships as both a player and as a coach, reaching levels of success that are the envy of basketball coaches and other sports leaders all over the U.S. and the world. Enthusiasm, sportsmanship, discipline, and other factors are all important elements of the game. But the bottom- line goal is to achieve an honest and well- fought victory.
   
   And winning, as Bob Knight and other successful college basketball coaches know, is the name of the game.



2. With Coach Knight's long-time antipathy toward writers, often commenting how simple their job is compared to coaching, he left himself wide-open for criticism with his autobiography. Unfortunately, it reminds me of waking up a hibernating bear and jotting down his every yawn and gripe. A few moments of insight amid the tedium.



3. I truly believe there is only one way to judge a college basketball coach. League titles, NCAA appearances, total wins, Final Fours and National Championships are the norm in measuring success. And, of course, prowess in these areas will secure the legacy of anyone. However, the way I quantify coaching greatness is much more important than wins and losses. It's something you can't tangibly gauge. Simply stated, it's the relationships he or she cultivates with players. And the loyalty they show after they graduate.
   
   Even his staunchest critics can not deny that Bob Knight is a Hall of Famer in this category.
   
   In "Knight: My Story" Bob Knight writes about the relationships he has developed throughout the years with his former players. One needs to look no further than Landon Turner to realize why the ones he coached are tenacious Bob Knight supporters.
   
   Landon Turner played on Knight's 1981 championship team. Tragically, shortly after, Turner was paralyzed for life in a vehicle accident. Through the efforts of Knight, Red Auerbach selected Landon Turner in the late rounds of the NBA draft. A simple gesture which, Turner says, meant the world to him.
   
   The book is a window into the philosophies of a man who through the yelling, screaming, so called intimidation, language, and perceived sour demeanor, somehow has found the greatest allies in his former players.
   
   Some of Knight's pundits clearly know absolutely nothing about how to coach a basketball team; how to lead young men through a season of intense pressure and adversity. And, they are obviously not bright enough to understand that basketball is a metaphor for life. Knight is preparing boys for manhood. Do you think anyone of them (who gets it) make excuses when their boss asks them do accomplish a task? I think not.
   
   Knight is not a coach of basketball, he's a teacher of life.
   
   You need to look no further than his "eight greatest words", which appear in the first sentence of his book, "America, America, God shed His grace on thee", to realize how deep his character flows.
   
   I've been anticipating book since I was 15 years old. It was worth the wait.



4. 
   Whether you love him, hate him, or are neutral toward him (I'm in the last category), Bob Knight's book is a fascinating glimpse at his personality, his Indiana basketball teams, and college basketball in general. For Indiana basketball fans (I'm an ACC fan) and college basketball fans in general (a category I fit into), this is a must read. Knight gives a lot of detail about his Indiana teams, especially those that won national championships, and discusses his point of view on the state of college basketball today.
   
   There are really two main topics that run throughout the book - and that is Indiana basketball and the controversies that have surrounded Knight - mostly because of his volatile temper. From a basketball standpoint this is really a great inside look at the college game and the Hoosiers. Knight's detestation of losing and lack of effort are part of what gets him into trouble because he is clearly a disciplinarian and expects a lot from his players and others involved in the program. On the other hand that is also why his teams traditionally have been over achievers. In my opinion, his success in college basketball has been mostly because of his coaching talent and getting his teams to play like a team instead of selfishly.
   
   Even though in some ways Knight claims, and I think in a lot ways rightfully so, that a lot of controversies about his temper and clashes with players, officials, or others is a result of his reputation and are undeserved. Frankly, I do believe him on this account. And he does seem contrite about some incidents that are clearly his own fault where he's lost his temper. Some may argue that he is not apologetic enough or doesn't face his own faults in some of the controversies and I can't disagree with that either. On these issues the reader will have to decide what to believe.
   
   But either way, this is highly readable and very interesting.



5. What a book. It is filled with info I never really knew. Never an Indiana basketball fam, I was always a Bobby Kight fan. I finished the book in one reading. I could not put it down. His love for fishing and hunting is explained in his book.

4 comments about In the Paint: Tattoos of the NBA and the Stories Behind Them.

1. This may look odd but I was trying to post someone else's review of my book that they e-mailed to me. I mean, why would I review my own book? I didn't even read it.



2. NBA players have no respect for the art of tattooing or the history of it-- they simply get tattoos to look tough and/or get attention. This book is about as superficial as the tattoos it portrays.



3. I was'nt that impressed with this book.I thought it was going to go into alot more detail and show better array of pictures.Most of the pictures you can see on the internet already.The pictures that new were very few and far in between.It is a nice book to add to a collection,if you like tattoos or sports.Not a hreat book to learn about the players tattoos and meanings or even to see pctures of them.Some pictures shown didnt even get explained in the book.



4. This book is more than just a bunch of pictures of NBA guys with tatoos -- though it has some great pictures. It is wittily written (the jacket says the author is comedy writer) without being condescending to the athletes. It's informative and fun and thorough. The players come off as everything from funny and strange to thoughtful and deep. My only complaint is that the colors in the photography could be a little more vivid. I'd reccommend this book to any NBA, skin art, or self expression.

5 comments about Unguarded: My Forty Years Surviving in the NBA.

1. In 1960, when Lenny Wilkens graduated from Providence, he honestly didn't expect to be playing in the NBA - his idea was to go into teaching or another job - he barely even played a season of high school ball. A player like Wilt Chamberlain was coveted by the NBA probably when he was in junior high - a player like Bill Russell was coveted coming out of USF. Lenny Wilkens lasted alot longer than any of them in the NBA becoz he had to work for everything he got - that's the kind of player, the kind of athlete that is missing nowadays and the kind of athlete we will never see again - that's what makes this low key book a great read. Yes, he does play the race angle a little but not being in his shoes, I had no idea what he went through either. You won't go wrong with his book.



2. LENNY WILKENS DOES A GOOD JOB RELAYING HIS LIFE AND CAREER. HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN EXAMOLE OF CLASS AND GOOD WORK ETHICS. I REMEMBER HIM WITH CAVALIERS IN THEIR EARLY YEARS TRYING TO MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM THE BOTTOM TO CONTENDER. HE HELPED ADD SOME LEADERSHIP AND EXPERIENCE FOR ALOT OF YOUNG PLAYERS. LATER ON HE WOULD BE THE MOST SUCESSFUL COACH IN CAVALIER HISTORY. I LIKED HIS BOOK AND AGREE HE WAS OVER LOOKED AS A PLAYER AND COACH. A VERY CLASSY INDIVIDUAL AND INTELLIGENT. RECOMMENDED FOR YOUNG AND OLD SCHOOL PLAYERS.



3. I was drawn to "Unguarded" primarily because I grew up with the Sonics coached by Lenny Wilkens. I remember the championship season he guided the team to, and have always rued the day he left the Sonics for other coaching endeavors.

   This book isn't verbose, and doesn't go into tremendous detail about every aspect of his career, but this style works for Mr. Wilkens. What the reader gets is a nice, classy snapshot of a career that has - as player and coach - encompassed the rise and current decline of the NBA.

   I was particularly fascinated with his descriptions of the NBA he played in during the 1960's. The murky arenas, low pay, poor treatment of players in general, the caste system between rookies and veterans, and subtle bigotry were all things Mr. Wilkens highlighted. Most NBA fans would no doubt imagine the league as always being the "showtime", glamorous atmosphere of the Magic-Bird-Jordan era. Mr. Wilkens' description would probably be as surprising to the hard-core fan as it would be to the non-fan.

   I also found his opinions on the current state of the game to be fascinating. He laments the "SportsCenter" style of play where everyone's playing for highlight reel material, the "me-first" attitude among players, and the general loss of the art of the game he played. These are all things that have prompted me to quit watching NBA basketball in recent years, so I couldn't help but say a quiet "amen" as I read the book.

   One of the troublesome areas I found with the book were when he addressed the topic of racism. In the very first chapter he tackles it head-on, saying that he saw it and experienced it, but then alluding that he doesn't dwell on it or hold grudges. However, when it arises in later chapters - notably in his being left off the Olympic team as a player or when up for coaching the original "Dream Team" - Mr. Wilkens comes off as definitely holding grudges and letting racism play a big factor in his life. It is a paradox I couldn't grapple with personally. I certainly don't deny he was treated horribly in situations based on his race, but I found that it was almost as if he was trying too hard to walk the tightrope between being bitter and handling the issue with class. It was an area of the book that just didn't work, because you couldn't tell whether he had indeed let it go or was still holding grudges on many an situation.

   All in all, though, this was a nice memoir. There is nothing scandalous revealed, and he doesn't attack anyone - even in his descriptions of the aforementioned racial treatment or in his criticism of the modern game. Perhaps this also accounts for the puzzling, clumsy way he addresses racism, because while he does criticize a few, he writes very well of those who fired him or cut him over the years.

   There is no doubt Mr. Wilkens has led an extraordinary career, and has done so with dignity, modesty, and class. We get our best glimpse of this tremendous man with this book, and I recommend it to fans and non-fans of basketball. The fan will be interested in the history of the game; the non-fan will see that there are still a few class individuals in an otherwise horrendous NBA. Mr. Wilkens has penned a nice book here, and it further confers upon him the status that Seattle and the Northwest is STILL "Lenny's Country".




4. Along with John Wooden, who practically invented basketball, Lenny Wilkens is the only man to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach. In one or both of these capacities he has competed against giants of the game from Bill Russell to Michael Jordan to today's superstars such as Allen Iverson. He has experienced the evolution of the NBA from the shoestring operation it was in the 1950s to the global phenomenon that it is today. Wilkens was a publicly prominent African-American during one of this country's most racially turbulent periods. He has risen from childhood poverty to almost incomprehensible wealth.

   It is not hard to see why Lenny Wilkens has been so successful as a point guard or coach. In these memoirs he comes across as perceptive and self-effacing - just the qualities that one wants in a point guard or a coach. No chair-thrower, he. And with veteran basketball writer Terry Pluto handling the prose the book is an easy read. Yet herein lies the problem: I would have been happy to read twice as much. The book is weirdly uneven in its treatment of Wilkens' life both on an off the court. One feels like there are huge things going on both in the NBA and in the world that pass by unnoticed or with only cursory mention.

   Perhaps this is unfair: afterall the subtitle of the book is "My forty years of surviving in the NBA," not "what it was like to be a public figure in turbulent times." Even the basketball aspects of the book have some of this unevenness, however. To give one example: Wilkens goes into a fair amount of detail describing his first contract negotiation (he received less than $15,000 and had to take a summer job) and a subsequent salary dispute later in his career. Yet late in the book he mentions almost in passing that one of his coaching contracts was for millions. What is it like to have one's income rise like that? What does it do to your family and others around you?

   In the end these are quibbles, I suppose. The book is unguarded and revealing in certain aspects, but one gets the sense that the extreme self-discipline necessary to accomplish what Wilkens has also lends itself to a certain degree of self-censorship. I have no reason to believe that Wilkens is anything other than the thoroughly decent man that he appears to be from this book, and if he chooses to emphasize some aspects of his life over others in his memoirs, well, that's his prerogative.

   As another reviewer mentioned, Lenny Wilkens does come across as an admirable role model in this book without being a goody two-shoes or a candidate for sainthood. This book would make an excellent gift for young people interested in basketball or simply the life of one remarkable American individual. It might also be a good antidote for fans who believe the key to winning basketball games is throwing chairs.




5. I am not a fan of the NBA. I am not even a basketball fan. I bought and read this book because Lenny Wilkens was a member of the St. Louis Hawks of the 1960's when I closely followed the Hawks of Bob Pettit, Cliff Hagan, "The Big Z" Zelmo Beaty, John "Rabbit" Barnhill, Chico Vaughn, and others. I was interested in reading what Wilkens would have to say about the Hawks. According to Wilkens, coaching in the NBA in the '60's consisted of scrimmaging and shooting free throws. Rather than teaching, coaches screamed at players. Wilkens says that one of his Hawks' coaches, Richie Guerin, played favorites namely Bill Bridges and Gene Tormohlen. Wilkens credits his faith in God for directing his life and for providing him with the many blessings that have come his way. Having graduated from Providence with a degree in economics, he had no idea he would be playing in the NBA. He takes the reader through the discrimination he encountered in St. Louis during the '60's and how this was all new to him having been raised in Brooklyn, New York. Wilkens provides us insight of his experiences of playing with St. Louis followed by the trade to Seattle and his two coaching stints there along with coaching at Cleveland, Portland, Atlanta, and now Toronto. Along the way he managed to pass Celtic legend Red Auerbach's career victory total. Both Wilkens and former UCLA Bruins' coach, John Wooden are the only two members elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame as both players and coaches. I rate this book five stars, not because it is a keeper for me. I plan on sending this up to our local high school library so people who are interested in basketball can benefit from this book. In addition, how refreshing to read a book without any profanity. Lenny Wilkens, you have been a credit to the game of basketball and you will touch a number of lives of those who will read your book.

5 comments about Michael Jordan Speaks: Lessons from the World's Greatest Champion.

1. Michael Jordan Speaks is a very good book because Michael lets you know what he went through as he looks back at it all. As I read it I kept on thinking to myself whoa!. Mike had that God- given talent that comes naturally and he was determined to become a better player. He started to put a lot of work in and had that ability to make it. Micheal said "It's not how you start, it's how you finish." "It's not what's on you, it's what's in you." The stuff that he went through I didn't think that he would be able to conquer it. Mikes words made me think positive and how things in life will work out. His sophomore year he faced a bad thing that he felt like not playing anymore. He got cut from the basketball team. Micheal's coach felt like he wasn't ready, so he worked at it. As time went by money started to come and people were amazed on how this boy turned out to blossom.



2. Many people know Michael Jordan as a legend, but did you know that even this legend has failed. As a sophomore in high school, Michael was cut from the varsity basketball team. Though he may have had thoughts of giving up, it inspired him to work even harder. Michael Jordan Speaks by Janet Lowey tells the story of Michael's life, and what obstacles he has overcome. Throughout the book, Michael faces many struggles, not just physically but emotionally. This sports superstar had to deal with the murder of his father, his business (Jordan), and entertaining the fans of the Chicago Bulls. No matter how bad the problem looked, he never gave up.
   Follow Michael Jordan through the ups and downs of being the worlds most known person. See what it's like from growing up in a small town in North Carolina to packing NBA stadiums in almost every city he goes to. Michael has a storybook of a life, from what the general public knows. Find out what conflicts Michael came upon on his journey to the top.
   Michael faces many challenges throughout his life. The most difficult challenge brought upon the superstar was the murder of his father. Though Michael did retire from the NBA after his fathers' murder, he didn't just give up. He needed a break from the spotlight while he got his emotions in sorts. Later he did return to the NBA, but in my mind that isn't even close to giving up, because he returned to the Bulls to win three Championships in a row. Michael also faced some trouble with his gambling problems. Michael denies that he has ever had a gambling problem, though many NBA officials beg to differ. Reporters have tried to get him in trouble with the contract he signed with the NBA in reference to gambling. In the end the NBA couldn't try Michael for anything because he would make bets on legal things, such as a private golf game, or a card game. Throughout the whole conflict, Michael never lost his cool to any reporter, though many reports goal in life was to try to get Michael to explode at them just to get a good story. Michael hasn't once lost his cool in the public eye, because he believes that he is someone who kids look up to. He wants to give out a positive image, so that kids will follow his lead of being a polite and respected person.
   Janet Lowe took a different type of approach to writing this book. She based the book on quotes that Michael has said, and then went off on a tangent to tell his life story. It is a different type of read, but it is interesting to see what Michael is feeling in his quotes, compared to what is happening in his life. It took me a couple pages to get used to the style, but it is an interesting way to look at his life.
   Through all the ups and downs in his life, Michael never once gave up or lost his cool. He kept his eyes on his goal, and remembered his role in society as a role model. Kids look up to him, and he realized it, so he wanted to set a good example for the kids to follow. Nothing was handed to Michael on a silver platter, he had to work hard and never give up to achieve the level he was at.



3. I just started reading the book, spenbt about 20 minutes on it, im on page like 60 something . But its aight, gives facts and true stories about his life. Pretty tight, you find out soem interesting stuff, like he NEVER has had a job his entire life.



4. A quick and easy read about one of our true sports phenomonons. This book leaves us wanting more, infact when I finished my reaction was that now, I wanted to read a book about Michael Jordan.



5. Being a fan of the game but a Knicks fan, I can say this was a decent read about Jordans career. I always had great respect for the man and think he is the best basketball player of all time. This book will let you see in writing what he did over the years. Well put together by the author and worthwhile for anyone even those who are not fans.

1 comments about I'm Back!: More Rare Air.

1. A sure winner for young adult readers! MJ is a icon that represents the best in sportmanship, life teacher and skill!