More Than a Game

This book is for the basketball junkie. It tells more about the intricacies of the triangle system of offense than most people would ever want to know. But for the serious fan, this is the book. On the surface, it examines the 1999-2000 season of the L.A. Lakers--"the Shaq and Kobe Show." Actually, it is about the journeys of two men through the several worlds of basketball: high school, small college, minor league professional, and the NBA. One author reads a section, then passes the mike to his co-author. Each talks largely about his own career, but the careers intersect on several occasions. Both have pleasant speaking voices. And they do know what they're talking about. R.E.K. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine

February 26, 2001

At first glance, this book is a strained synthesis. During the first half, storied NBA coach Jackson and CBA coach-turned-writer Rosen alternate chapters. Each details his upbringing, life in basketball and friendship with the other. Even though Jackson is the star here, he gives little attention to his years with the Bulls (covered in his earlier book Sacred Hoops). Later in the book, Jackson recounts, game by game, his championship first season with the previously undisciplined Lakers. It seems a somewhat perfunctory treatment of a surprising season, until the book's true (and higher) purpose slowly becomes clear: it is a magnificent tribute to Tex Winter's triangle offense, the perfect scheme. In describing their attempts to implement the triangle in the CBA, the authors illustrate its effectiveness, even its necessity. Jackson and Rosen depict the Lakers learning to make the offense work, finally suggesting that the triangle could work for any team—that Michael Jordan wasn't the only reason Chicago won six rings under Jackson. And through it all, they show that the only thing standing in the way of many teams adopting the triangle, just as many NFL teams have taken up the West Coast offense, is player ego. For the heart of the scheme is the individual's sacrifice of status and spotlight for the greater success of the team. The technical details in this wonderful book will give any fan a better appreciation of the game.