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More Than a Game
More than a GameÌýcovers the yearsÌýthat followÌýthe oneÌýfeatured in the ESPN documentary series "The Last Dance."After leaving the Bulls at the end of the 1997-1998 season—the year featured in the new ESPN documentary series "The Last Dance"—Phil Jackson had one year off and started to write this book—together with his old friend, fellow player and coach, the basketball novelist Charley Rosen. Then Phil took the LA Lakers coaching job, Rosen followed him there, and by the time they finished writing this book it was 2000 and Phil had won yet another NBA championship, the first of five he would win with his new team.ÌýÌý Ìý ÌýInÌýMoreÌýthanÌýaÌýGame, Jackson and Rosen look backward to their origins as players and coaches, forward to the future of theÌýgame of basketball, and linger in the moving target of the present—lavishing page after page on the Triangle Offense and all the ways it reveals the essence of theÌýgameÌýof basketball they both love so much. This is Jackson in his prime, transitioning from the Bulls to the Lakers, a master of the art of winning, who would go on to claimÌýmoreÌýNBA championships, eleven,ÌýthanÌýany other coach in NBA history. As he writes inÌýMoreÌýthanÌýaÌýGameÌýof his newest championship "We won because our fundamentals were sound, because Shaq was so dominant and Kobe was so creative, but we also won because we developed a certain confidence in our ability to win."
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 4, 2011
48 people are currently reading
676 people want to read
About the author
Phil Jackson
42Ìýbooks260ÌýfollowersPhilip Douglas Jackson is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive. A power forward, Jackson played 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), winning championships with the New York Knicks in 1970 and 1973. Regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time, Jackson was the head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 to 1998, leading them to six NBA championships. He then coached the Los Angeles Lakers from 1999 to 2004 and again from 2005 to 2011; the team won five league titles under his leadership. Jackson's 11 NBA titles as a coach surpassed the previous record of nine set by Red Auerbach. He holds numerous other records as a coach, such as most postseason wins (229), and most NBA Conference titles (13).
Jackson is known for his use of Tex Winter's triangle offense as well as a holistic approach to coaching that was influenced by Eastern philosophy, garnering him the nickname "Zen Master". Jackson cited Robert Pirsig's book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance as one of the major guiding forces in his life. He also applied Native American spiritual practices as documented in his book Sacred Hoops. He is the author of several candid books about his teams and his basketball strategies. In 2007, Jackson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1996, as part of celebrations for the NBA's 50th anniversary, Jackson was named one of the 10 greatest coaches in league history.
Jackson retired from coaching in 2011 and joined the Knicks as an executive in March 2014. He was dismissed as the Knicks' team president in 2017.
Jackson is known for his use of Tex Winter's triangle offense as well as a holistic approach to coaching that was influenced by Eastern philosophy, garnering him the nickname "Zen Master". Jackson cited Robert Pirsig's book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance as one of the major guiding forces in his life. He also applied Native American spiritual practices as documented in his book Sacred Hoops. He is the author of several candid books about his teams and his basketball strategies. In 2007, Jackson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1996, as part of celebrations for the NBA's 50th anniversary, Jackson was named one of the 10 greatest coaches in league history.
Jackson retired from coaching in 2011 and joined the Knicks as an executive in March 2014. He was dismissed as the Knicks' team president in 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 24, 2020
I breezed through this short book and enjoyed much of the book. This is written before the start of the 2000-20001 series after the Lakers had one the previous season title.
I really enjoy learning more about Phil Jackson and his approach to basketball and life. I will pick up more of his biographies.
The book changed my impression of Charley Rosen and I enjoyed his writing and humor. However, his parts seemed mismatched to Phil’s at the end. This is my main reason for not giving this more stars.
I really enjoy learning more about Phil Jackson and his approach to basketball and life. I will pick up more of his biographies.
The book changed my impression of Charley Rosen and I enjoyed his writing and humor. However, his parts seemed mismatched to Phil’s at the end. This is my main reason for not giving this more stars.
January 1, 2025
Enjoyed this one on Phil Jackson, probably the best NBA coach of all time. Didn't learn a whole lot about him as I've read two books on Jackson already, but this one had the backdrop of the 1999-2000 season, Jackson's first title with the Lakers, the first of five with the team. Was run to relive that part of his era and learn what his mindset was before he would win another four titles with L.A. later on.
October 2, 2024
Classic PJ. Didn't really enjoy the parts with the co-author, but there wasn't that many of them.
June 8, 2020
For anyone wishing to understand the game of basketball and/or an in-depth look at the Lakers' championship runs during the early 2000s, you will not be disappointed. Especially as a Lakers fan, I learned more about the early 2000s Lakers and overall enjoyed this book. I recommend this book.
"More than a Game" is a non-fiction book set mainly during the early 2000s. However, it also jumps around during the 70s and 90s. It was written by both Phil Jackson and Charley Rosen. Although Jackson is the main star in the book, Rosen also shares his perspective. Phil Jackson was the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA during the early 2000s. Already having experience in coaching in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls in the 90s, Jackson brings on a new style of coaching to the young and talented Lakers led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquile O'Neal. Charley Rosen, similar to Jackson, was a former basketball player in high school and college. Rosen was the assistant coach to Phil Jackson during Jackson's coaching career in the CBA. Rosen continued to coach in the CBA and later coached in a New York college.
This is one of the most interesting books I have ever read. Not only because I am a basketball fan but also because of the way the book is structured. Since there are two authors, the chapters alternate between Jackson and Rosen. For example, the first chapter is written by Rosen and the second by Jackson. This pattern repeats itself throughout the book. In the chapters written by Jackson, it is written in first person. However, in chapters written by Rosen, most are third person while a few are in first person. Some earlier parts of the book feel like you are reading a biography of Phil Jackson while other parts feel like you are reading a part of history. Although most of the insight is from Phil Jackson, there is dialogue in the book with the players, which I found to be interesting.
The book starts off with Rosen retelling Jackson's coaching years in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and in Puerto Rico. Jackson continues to tell his years as a basketball player in high school and college. After being drafted in the NBA, he won two championships and ended his career in the early 80s. We also get to learn about Charley's days as a basketball player in college. Jackson highlighted his coaching career with the Lakers and what he did to become a champion with them. It was not easy; the Lakers had many problems prior to Jackson's arrival. Jackson claimed that in order to win the championship, the team had to let go of their ego as he would be introducing his triangle offense. This type of offense required that the players of a team be selfless. This was hard to do in a team with egotistical players like Shaq and Kobe. In fact, Kobe stated that the triangle offense was "boring" and that"the triangle doesn't do anything for me" (Jackson and Rosen 9). However, after working hard to bond with the players and introducing a holistic approach to basketball, Jackson was able to make the triangle offense work and earned a championship with the Lakers in his first year as head coach. This book focuses mainly on the hardships faced by Jackson in his first year as head coach of the Lakers.
The main character in the book is Phil Jackson as well as Shaq and Kobe who are a big part of the book. All of the characters are compelling because throughout the book Jackson's goal is to get the triangle offense working in the Lakers. However, it is very hard to adapt that type of offense with Shaq and Kobe, who are very egotistical. What makes the characters even more compelling is the fact that the general public sees these players as nice and humble individuals. However, we can tell by reading the book that Shaq and Kobe were filled with ego and sometimes did not get along. That is very interesting because we are not used to seeing them as egotistical individuals and this totally changes our perspective. People can relate to them because it is usually hard to let go of your ego for the greater good. Many of us have trouble doing that and this book shows us why it is important to do so. In the book, Kobe and Shaq let go of their ego to win the championship.
After reading the book, I was reminded of ESPN's latest documentary "The Last Dance". "The Last Dance" highlights Phil Jackson's coaching years with the Chicago Bulls in the 90s. It is very similar to this book because the conflicts Jackson comes across in the both teams are essentially the same; some players are too egotistical to adapt the type of play of the triangle offense. In "The Last Dance", Bulls player Michael Jordan has to let go of his ego and trust his teammates in order to win championships. This is similar to Shaq and Kobe and their ego. In both instances, Jackson had to work hard to bond with the players and make them adapt to the triangle offense. The only difference is that they were two different teams and were different time periods.
The main theme and central idea of "More than a Game" is that in order to achieve your goal, you have to let go of any ego that you have. By doing so, you are being selfless and a part of something bigger than yourself. This book also highlights the idea (as stated in the title) that basketball is more than a game. The public usually watches basketball games and views them as a form of entertainment. However, basketball is much more than that. Players have to work very hard to be in shape and be part of a team, which involves being selfless. As shown by Jackson and the Lakers, winning a championship takes more than being good at basketball. It is bonding with your fellow teammates and coach.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to know what goes on behind the scene in the basketball world. It will further increase your knowledge of basketball. This means that anyone can pick up this book and enjoy it, not just basketball fans. However, if you are a basketball fan, you will not be disappointed. This book will teach about how basketball was different back in the early 2000s and take you inside the mind of a legendary coach like Phil Jackson.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. There were few parts of the book that were written by Rosen that were a bit uninteresting. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book and all it had to offer. Since the book was written and before Shaq left the Lakers, the Lakers went off to win two more championships with Jackson, Shaq and Kobe. However, one question has been in my mind ever since I finished this book; how many more championships would Jackson, Shaq, and Kobe have gotten together if Shaq had stayed?
"More than a Game" is a non-fiction book set mainly during the early 2000s. However, it also jumps around during the 70s and 90s. It was written by both Phil Jackson and Charley Rosen. Although Jackson is the main star in the book, Rosen also shares his perspective. Phil Jackson was the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA during the early 2000s. Already having experience in coaching in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls in the 90s, Jackson brings on a new style of coaching to the young and talented Lakers led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquile O'Neal. Charley Rosen, similar to Jackson, was a former basketball player in high school and college. Rosen was the assistant coach to Phil Jackson during Jackson's coaching career in the CBA. Rosen continued to coach in the CBA and later coached in a New York college.
This is one of the most interesting books I have ever read. Not only because I am a basketball fan but also because of the way the book is structured. Since there are two authors, the chapters alternate between Jackson and Rosen. For example, the first chapter is written by Rosen and the second by Jackson. This pattern repeats itself throughout the book. In the chapters written by Jackson, it is written in first person. However, in chapters written by Rosen, most are third person while a few are in first person. Some earlier parts of the book feel like you are reading a biography of Phil Jackson while other parts feel like you are reading a part of history. Although most of the insight is from Phil Jackson, there is dialogue in the book with the players, which I found to be interesting.
The book starts off with Rosen retelling Jackson's coaching years in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and in Puerto Rico. Jackson continues to tell his years as a basketball player in high school and college. After being drafted in the NBA, he won two championships and ended his career in the early 80s. We also get to learn about Charley's days as a basketball player in college. Jackson highlighted his coaching career with the Lakers and what he did to become a champion with them. It was not easy; the Lakers had many problems prior to Jackson's arrival. Jackson claimed that in order to win the championship, the team had to let go of their ego as he would be introducing his triangle offense. This type of offense required that the players of a team be selfless. This was hard to do in a team with egotistical players like Shaq and Kobe. In fact, Kobe stated that the triangle offense was "boring" and that"the triangle doesn't do anything for me" (Jackson and Rosen 9). However, after working hard to bond with the players and introducing a holistic approach to basketball, Jackson was able to make the triangle offense work and earned a championship with the Lakers in his first year as head coach. This book focuses mainly on the hardships faced by Jackson in his first year as head coach of the Lakers.
The main character in the book is Phil Jackson as well as Shaq and Kobe who are a big part of the book. All of the characters are compelling because throughout the book Jackson's goal is to get the triangle offense working in the Lakers. However, it is very hard to adapt that type of offense with Shaq and Kobe, who are very egotistical. What makes the characters even more compelling is the fact that the general public sees these players as nice and humble individuals. However, we can tell by reading the book that Shaq and Kobe were filled with ego and sometimes did not get along. That is very interesting because we are not used to seeing them as egotistical individuals and this totally changes our perspective. People can relate to them because it is usually hard to let go of your ego for the greater good. Many of us have trouble doing that and this book shows us why it is important to do so. In the book, Kobe and Shaq let go of their ego to win the championship.
After reading the book, I was reminded of ESPN's latest documentary "The Last Dance". "The Last Dance" highlights Phil Jackson's coaching years with the Chicago Bulls in the 90s. It is very similar to this book because the conflicts Jackson comes across in the both teams are essentially the same; some players are too egotistical to adapt the type of play of the triangle offense. In "The Last Dance", Bulls player Michael Jordan has to let go of his ego and trust his teammates in order to win championships. This is similar to Shaq and Kobe and their ego. In both instances, Jackson had to work hard to bond with the players and make them adapt to the triangle offense. The only difference is that they were two different teams and were different time periods.
The main theme and central idea of "More than a Game" is that in order to achieve your goal, you have to let go of any ego that you have. By doing so, you are being selfless and a part of something bigger than yourself. This book also highlights the idea (as stated in the title) that basketball is more than a game. The public usually watches basketball games and views them as a form of entertainment. However, basketball is much more than that. Players have to work very hard to be in shape and be part of a team, which involves being selfless. As shown by Jackson and the Lakers, winning a championship takes more than being good at basketball. It is bonding with your fellow teammates and coach.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to know what goes on behind the scene in the basketball world. It will further increase your knowledge of basketball. This means that anyone can pick up this book and enjoy it, not just basketball fans. However, if you are a basketball fan, you will not be disappointed. This book will teach about how basketball was different back in the early 2000s and take you inside the mind of a legendary coach like Phil Jackson.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. There were few parts of the book that were written by Rosen that were a bit uninteresting. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book and all it had to offer. Since the book was written and before Shaq left the Lakers, the Lakers went off to win two more championships with Jackson, Shaq and Kobe. However, one question has been in my mind ever since I finished this book; how many more championships would Jackson, Shaq, and Kobe have gotten together if Shaq had stayed?
April 2, 2022
I grew up loving basketball because my Dad loved it. I would occasionally join in after-school pick-up games in the girls' gym at my high school and was so pleasantly surprised that my teammates welcomed this short, klutzy player. They admired my spunk, aerobic endurance, and sense of fun and for the most part overlooked my complete lack of talent. These are happy memories.
I found this book to be thoroughly enjoyable and listened to the audiobook version throughout a very busy week at work. Phil Jackson is my dream coach. I learned more about his career in this book than I knew previously, including details about his time in LA. I recommend this book, although I felt it dragged somewhat in the middle.
I found this book to be thoroughly enjoyable and listened to the audiobook version throughout a very busy week at work. Phil Jackson is my dream coach. I learned more about his career in this book than I knew previously, including details about his time in LA. I recommend this book, although I felt it dragged somewhat in the middle.
January 9, 2023
I loved Jackson's outlook on things. I loved the way he appreciated all that made him the person he is, and the way he knew his players. He appreciated them and all their good qualities and flaws in a way I found rather moving.
I enjoyed Charley's input and learning about his background. He has a way with words, and his contrasting perspective made it a more rounded read in my opinion. My only notable criticism is that it got a bit jarring to hop back and forth between the two of them.
Also I don't know all too much about basketball so a lot of the talk and significance of the technical stuff had me lost, but I'm not letting that influence my rating (because what did I expect reading something about basketball).
I enjoyed Charley's input and learning about his background. He has a way with words, and his contrasting perspective made it a more rounded read in my opinion. My only notable criticism is that it got a bit jarring to hop back and forth between the two of them.
Also I don't know all too much about basketball so a lot of the talk and significance of the technical stuff had me lost, but I'm not letting that influence my rating (because what did I expect reading something about basketball).
December 1, 2017
My question for Phil would be, “Tex Winter describes his time at Northwestern University where he coached good students, but not the best basketball players. His coaching record deteriorated, but he enjoyed coaching them and they ran the triangle well. Lets say you had to coach 0.500 team, that would never win a championship, but who played the triangle to perfection. Which 10 NBA players from any era, who never appeared in an all-star game or made an all-NBA first team, would you choose for your team?�
August 20, 2020
Il racconto si divide in due + 2 parti
Da un lato la voce di Phil Jackson e la voce di Charley Rosen (giornalista), e da una parte gli anni da giocatore di Phil e dall'altra gli anni da coach di Phil. In tutto ciò, un elogio continuo e ossessivo del triangolo , e delle capacità uniche dello stesso (e di Phil). In certi momenti risulta quasi stucchevole nel criticare gli arbitri o situazioni simili, e praticamente mai ammettere un errore. Ad ogni modo, a parte qualche rallentamento e passo falso, il resto è leggibile
Da un lato la voce di Phil Jackson e la voce di Charley Rosen (giornalista), e da una parte gli anni da giocatore di Phil e dall'altra gli anni da coach di Phil. In tutto ciò, un elogio continuo e ossessivo del triangolo , e delle capacità uniche dello stesso (e di Phil). In certi momenti risulta quasi stucchevole nel criticare gli arbitri o situazioni simili, e praticamente mai ammettere un errore. Ad ogni modo, a parte qualche rallentamento e passo falso, il resto è leggibile
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2023
This was a fine enough book showing some autobio of Jackson and Charley Rosen, but I was hoping for a lot more.
It gave minimal details on their experiences, but what I was craving was coaching knowledge. I wanted to know trials they experienced and how they coached their way through it. PJ is legendary. His resume proves it. This book didn't give me any of that knowledge and experience that he so clearly has.
It's a fine enough tale, but feels like a cash grab of a book instead of an explanation of theory.
It gave minimal details on their experiences, but what I was craving was coaching knowledge. I wanted to know trials they experienced and how they coached their way through it. PJ is legendary. His resume proves it. This book didn't give me any of that knowledge and experience that he so clearly has.
It's a fine enough tale, but feels like a cash grab of a book instead of an explanation of theory.
May 22, 2022
I found Phil’s philosophy to coaching and life extremely interesting and enlightening. In this busy distracting world we can all learn a thing or two from the “Zen Master� on being present in the moment.
I didn’t however care for Charlie Rosen’s storyline. I’m confused why they chose to use paper recapping his episodes in minor league basketball, when the co-author coaches Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaq. ..But maybe I missed the point.
I didn’t however care for Charlie Rosen’s storyline. I’m confused why they chose to use paper recapping his episodes in minor league basketball, when the co-author coaches Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaq. ..But maybe I missed the point.
June 3, 2024
This was quite enjoyable. It's a good book for those who know, love, and follow the game of basketball. I have a lot of respect for Phil Jackson and his accomplishments with the Bulls and Lakers. Charley Rosen is a compelling writer, though his sections contain some strong language. While his basketball savvy isn't as remarkable as Phil's, his personal story is interesting. I liked how their experiences converged into a conversation at the end of the book.
July 1, 2020
I read this book after watching the inspirational documentary “the last dance.� I am not a huge basketball fan, so I didn’t really understand all the name drops. I also have no idea who the co-author is who seems to be riding on the coattails of Jackson’s success. Some parts were interesting, especially about the bulls and even working with Shaq. However, the book was not at all what I expected.
June 29, 2020
I enjoy basketball but am not a huge watcher. For me reading the book, it was very interesting to hear how one of the greatest coaches of all time thinks about his job and career. This book would be even more exciting for a basketball fanatic who remembers the classic games he discusses.
October 15, 2023
The audiobook is decent. It might have been better had it been read by a professional or by Phil Jackson only. I've always been a fan of Phil Jackson and his approach to basketball and life. The content outshined the poor reading.
July 27, 2020
As a Lakers fan, I found the book very interesting as it describes the journey towards the first championship won by Shaq and Kobe.
June 30, 2024
The pass before the assist pass. 😮
January 28, 2020
Championships are great, but they don't last. What is more valuable is the evolution of consciousness that a team enjoys.
June 21, 2014
This book covers up Phil Jackson's first ring with LAL. Jackson and Rosen alternate chapters, though Jackson have written many more pages than Rosen. And the more interesting ones, I'd add.
Rosen's chapters are about his basketball life as player and then as coach, as well as various anecdotes and an approach to the figure of Tex Winter, the man behind the famous 'Triangle' offense which Jackson had developed both in Bulls and Lakers. I felt his chapters like more boring than the Jackson's ones because I don't have special interest in the life of him, however I consider the figure of Phil Jackson much more attractive. Of all these chapters I only enjoyed the part devoted to Winter, a man whose importance developing the 'Triangle' was crucial to the success of Jackson and whom I scarcely knew.
So the best part of the book are Jackson's chapters. He makes a brief view of his entire basketball career until year 2000, paying special attention to the 1999-2000 season, in which he won his seventh NBA title as coach with the Los Angeles Lakers. Roughly one third of the book is about that.
I enjoyed his first chapters talking about his player years and then his beginning as coach in CBA and Puerto Rico. He offers us several stories in these leagues when he was developing his skills to lead a team, and they result interesting for a different view of a beginner, not the usually better known successes.
The last third of the book is the story of Lakers' 1999-2000 season, the first one of Jackson with this team, in the end of which they won the title. They were an outstanding team and the Jackson's willing to implement the 'Triangle' was a big challenge, finally successful. It wasn't easy to treat Kobe or Shaq's egos, but Jackson was able to cope with all of them and to achieve their main goal: the ring.
Besides Phil Jackson explains many of the concepts of the 'Triangle', there even are several graphics at the end of the book to help us understanding them. It's very interesting to know how Jackson, with Winter's contribution, of course, implemented the system and was able to develop it through the season. His doubts about this or the relationships inside the team. And also his own personal life, how after his divorce he had to learn how to be a single again and how this influenced in his day-to-day.
Rosen's chapters are about his basketball life as player and then as coach, as well as various anecdotes and an approach to the figure of Tex Winter, the man behind the famous 'Triangle' offense which Jackson had developed both in Bulls and Lakers. I felt his chapters like more boring than the Jackson's ones because I don't have special interest in the life of him, however I consider the figure of Phil Jackson much more attractive. Of all these chapters I only enjoyed the part devoted to Winter, a man whose importance developing the 'Triangle' was crucial to the success of Jackson and whom I scarcely knew.
So the best part of the book are Jackson's chapters. He makes a brief view of his entire basketball career until year 2000, paying special attention to the 1999-2000 season, in which he won his seventh NBA title as coach with the Los Angeles Lakers. Roughly one third of the book is about that.
I enjoyed his first chapters talking about his player years and then his beginning as coach in CBA and Puerto Rico. He offers us several stories in these leagues when he was developing his skills to lead a team, and they result interesting for a different view of a beginner, not the usually better known successes.
The last third of the book is the story of Lakers' 1999-2000 season, the first one of Jackson with this team, in the end of which they won the title. They were an outstanding team and the Jackson's willing to implement the 'Triangle' was a big challenge, finally successful. It wasn't easy to treat Kobe or Shaq's egos, but Jackson was able to cope with all of them and to achieve their main goal: the ring.
Besides Phil Jackson explains many of the concepts of the 'Triangle', there even are several graphics at the end of the book to help us understanding them. It's very interesting to know how Jackson, with Winter's contribution, of course, implemented the system and was able to develop it through the season. His doubts about this or the relationships inside the team. And also his own personal life, how after his divorce he had to learn how to be a single again and how this influenced in his day-to-day.
September 5, 2010
Give and go between Jackson and his old warhorse buddy. I read this while fighting off a light cold and it was perfect for that, so the rating is admittedly skewed. Atwood's "Payback" is a better written book, but for its purpose this was alright.
I am not a former Bulls' fan or current Lakers' fan and I think Jackson is lucky as he is talented, and maybe even more so. I like them giving props to Tex Winter, and loved the idea that Winter still hoards bread from Jackson's four-star meals. There was a little talk of some of the famous assignments that Jackson would give his players, watching "American History X"...interesting choice to say the least.
Mostly Jackson reveals less over more, what else would a Zen-master do? He does briefly cover his marriage collapsing, and his isolation in hooray for Hollywood-land. This just goes up through the first Lakers' championship, so there's not dating of the boss' daughter or other People magazine bits. There's some Krause stuff that might whet that appetite.
I think I enjoyed the older anecdotes the most, especially life in the CBA. As for Rosen, well he gets half the book, so that's more than generous of Phil, and I got off on the wrong foot with Rosen as he talks about his dirty play, throwing elbows and such. Oddly I never thought I could feel sorry for Craig Kilborn, till Rosen...kidding, kind of. But Rosen also mentioned the idea of working past the grind of the game, and rising above the competition to appreciate the art of basketball, which I can completely relate to. Something about a 1-inch vertical keeps an aging player grounded.
At the end there are some diagrams for the triangle's variations. I've never thought that much about it, but anything that forces multiple simultaneous motion into an office is welcome to me. I do agree that the NBA lives way too much off iso and two-man games, so it was nice to hear these guys chat about that.
Anyways, thanks Dad for sharing this book with me, and more so for sharing your love of hoops too!
I am not a former Bulls' fan or current Lakers' fan and I think Jackson is lucky as he is talented, and maybe even more so. I like them giving props to Tex Winter, and loved the idea that Winter still hoards bread from Jackson's four-star meals. There was a little talk of some of the famous assignments that Jackson would give his players, watching "American History X"...interesting choice to say the least.
Mostly Jackson reveals less over more, what else would a Zen-master do? He does briefly cover his marriage collapsing, and his isolation in hooray for Hollywood-land. This just goes up through the first Lakers' championship, so there's not dating of the boss' daughter or other People magazine bits. There's some Krause stuff that might whet that appetite.
I think I enjoyed the older anecdotes the most, especially life in the CBA. As for Rosen, well he gets half the book, so that's more than generous of Phil, and I got off on the wrong foot with Rosen as he talks about his dirty play, throwing elbows and such. Oddly I never thought I could feel sorry for Craig Kilborn, till Rosen...kidding, kind of. But Rosen also mentioned the idea of working past the grind of the game, and rising above the competition to appreciate the art of basketball, which I can completely relate to. Something about a 1-inch vertical keeps an aging player grounded.
At the end there are some diagrams for the triangle's variations. I've never thought that much about it, but anything that forces multiple simultaneous motion into an office is welcome to me. I do agree that the NBA lives way too much off iso and two-man games, so it was nice to hear these guys chat about that.
Anyways, thanks Dad for sharing this book with me, and more so for sharing your love of hoops too!
June 30, 2012
This book completely feels like Rosen's idea, but knowing that no one cares about him tapped his friend Phil to includes a few chapters (and to put a photo of Phil on the cover with his name in HUGE FONT).
Phil's chapters are really interesting, Rosen's are not. Rosen talks about himself a lot and his history as a player and coach, blah blah, who cares? Does anyone want to hear from a mediocre player and a worse coach who only realized years later how he should have handled himself professionally?
Phil on the other hand could get away with talking about himself since his life has actually been interesting (and successful), but instead he is quite humble. Phil mostly talks about the game of basketball-both as a coach and a player-and the various challenges he has faced over the years.
Overall I liked the book, but only because of the chapters done by Phil Jackson. It's nice that Rosen is fulfilling his dream as a writer and all, but ... well he's not very good at it-this should be obvious to you when the publisher puts your name in tiny font even though you wrote most of the book and did all of the research.
I'd recommend renting this from the library and only reading Phil's chapters.
Phil's chapters are really interesting, Rosen's are not. Rosen talks about himself a lot and his history as a player and coach, blah blah, who cares? Does anyone want to hear from a mediocre player and a worse coach who only realized years later how he should have handled himself professionally?
Phil on the other hand could get away with talking about himself since his life has actually been interesting (and successful), but instead he is quite humble. Phil mostly talks about the game of basketball-both as a coach and a player-and the various challenges he has faced over the years.
Overall I liked the book, but only because of the chapters done by Phil Jackson. It's nice that Rosen is fulfilling his dream as a writer and all, but ... well he's not very good at it-this should be obvious to you when the publisher puts your name in tiny font even though you wrote most of the book and did all of the research.
I'd recommend renting this from the library and only reading Phil's chapters.
August 28, 2009
Great read for basketball fans-- a meandering journey through the minds of Phil Jackson and Charley Rosen, covering Jackson' s early coaching days, Jackson and Rosen's basketball philosophies, and some interesting stories from the 2000-2001 season (Jackson's first with the Lakers). I prefer Sacred Hoops for an elucidation of PJ's coaching/spiritual philosophy, and The Last Season for a behind-the-scenes look at the Lakers, but this book is a solid combination of the two and worth your time.
November 2, 2014
Eh. Pretty good. I've read a few of Phil's books and this was not my favorite. Charley Rosen writes about half the chapters, and while his stuff is sometimes interesting, I didn't get the book to read about him. So I didn't love the structure, and even Phil's parts were a little bit too into what happened, and not rich enough into the mindsets and the behind-the-scenes juicy stuff about why things really happened.
August 28, 2012
Good read....a little long in certain parts especially for those with a much more basic understanding of the game, but overall it was really interesting. The back and forth between Charley/Phil added a lot of color to the book and worked well to reaffirm why the technical aspects of the triangle offense also can serve as a life philosophy.
August 13, 2012
I enjoyed this book. It was a great collaboration between Phil Jackson and Charlie Rosen. It was quite detailed, in some sections, about the particulars of specific games which I didn't expect. As a whole, it was quite enjoyable and informative. Jackson and Rosen skillfully used the game as a metaphor for life. Worth reading or listening to the audio book as I did.
September 11, 2012
Jackson focuses more on documenting his famed 'triangle offense' in this book compared to his other efforts. The back and forth format between Jackson and Rosen was less annoying that it appeared to be the first few chapters. The alternating entries provide journalistic insight by Rosen to complement the more direct writing style of Jackson.
October 8, 2014
A fairly interesting basketball book co-authored (in alternating chapters) by Phil Jackson and Charlie Rosen. Jackson's prose is kind of wooden but they both have some interesting stories from basketball history. The centerpiece is Jackson's account of the Laker's first championship under his coaching.
April 28, 2017
Un libro da leggere se si è appassionati della NBA. Phil Jackson racconta la sua prima stagione da allenatore ai Lakers (1999-2000), culminata con la vittoria del titolo, parlando anche di sé e del suo passato, personale e professionale. Belli anche i capitoli firmati dall'amico Charley Rosen, ex collega di Jackson poi divenuto scrittore a tempo pieno.
August 31, 2008
Phil Jackson, coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, offers his observations and experiences, including the first championship season he had with the team. I actually abhor the Lakers but I enjoyed reading about the coaching aspect of things.
June 12, 2009
Jackson is a very compelling figure in basketball and Rosen's narrative does him justice. A great read for any hoops fan. Published before the Laker years...so you won't find any juicy Kobe smack.
September 27, 2010
I don't recommend it for anyone who isn't a considerable basketball fan. I was probably about 13 when I read this so I don't have a very vivid recollection of it, but I remember being satisfied with it. I do remember that the potrayal of the progession of the NBA seasons is well done.
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