Sacred Hoops

October 1, 1995
Considered a maverick for his unorthodox coaching methods, Jackson demonstrates how he adapts the precepts of Zen Buddhism, the ways of the Lakota Sioux, and other alternative styles to the task of coaching the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls. They range from group meditation sessions, to hanging Lakota warrior items on the locker room shelf, to splicing segments of the movie Wizard of Oz into game films to make a point. Perhaps of greater interest to fans are his reactions to the return of Michael Jordan, following Jordan's retirement, and his take on an incident in which one of his players refused to reenter a playoff game during its final moments. Chicago Bulls fans, in particular, should take interest in this inside view. For regional and large public libraries.-William H. Hoffman, Ft. Myers-Lee Cty. P.L., Fla.

September 1, 1995
Jackson is the head coach of the NBA's Chicago Bulls. The team won three successive championships with Jackson in charge. A fellow named Michael Jordan was on those teams, so there are those who dismiss Jackson's coaching ability in favor of an "anybody could win with Michael" theory. They're wrong. Jackson is an excellent tactician and a shrewd motivator who contributes greatly to the Bulls' success. Here he puts forth his coaching philosophies, an eclectic mix of hoop sense, Zen, Native American wisdom, and Western philosophy. His earliest challenge was to maximize Jordan's skills by convincing him to believe in his teammates' abilities. He met it with an assist from the philosophy of a Middle Eastern guru. Jackson has always had a reputation for being a little off center, and this book will provide fuel for his critics. His genius isn't for devising strategy but for inducing wealthy, pampered, often petulant young men to pull together spiritually to attain a common goal. To the cynics who will mock his spiritual approach to leadership, we can only offer the lyrics to an old song: "What's so funny about peace, love, and understanding?" Thought-provoking reading. ((Reviewed Sept. 1, 1995))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1995, American Library Association.)