Customer Reviews

More Than a Game

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a good book to read, but I wouldn't consider it a complete autobiography of Phil Jackson. This book primarily covers the 1999-2000 season where Phil coached the Lakers to their first title since '88. There is very little about his tenure with the Bulls which is why I say that Bulls fans will be disappointed when they read it. And then it switches over from Charley Rosen writing to Phil writing and back and forth. On the positive for Lakers fans, Phil goes into great detail on how he brought a dysfunctional Laker team together and took them to the promised land.

Wow. I just finished reading "More Than A Game" and loved every damn page of it. I initially bought this book simply because I am a huge Jackson fan, but I ended up enjoying Charley Rosen's chapters just as much. I will definitely be reading more of his work in the future as a result of reading this book. This is an insightful, funny book that is very difficult to put down.

Taking a look at their love for the game of basketball, Jackson and Rosen do an excellent job of showing the importance of finding beauty, selflessness, and transcendence in any job that one may have. They are very candid in their writing, which I appreciated as a reader. The book also contains a glossary and charts which explain the different plays and systems they describe in the book - including Tex Winter's triangle offense. For someone who has never coached a team, these made all the difference in the world to me as I read the book.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone. Period. This book is about so much more than basketball, which I suppose is what makes the title so fitting.

More than a Game is one of those books that is entertaining and interesting, but only applies to a certain type of people. Coaches and basketball enthusiasts will enjoy this book, but you should pass if you don't particularly like the sport of basketball. Phil Jackson, former coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls, gives insight into the strategic world of basketball, from the past to the present. Charlie Rosen, a former college player, coauthors the book. However, More than a Game is focused more on Phil Jackson. The book shows the background of two talented, intelligent basketball players from different regions-- Charlie from the city, and Phil from the country. They mesh perfectly as a dynamic duo. This book also gives insight to the formation of the Triangle offense, something that has perplexed the basketball audience for years. This is a great read for anyone who followed the Chicago Bulls and/or Los Angeles Lakers championship years. The glossary and play diagrams at the end of the book are helpful and descriptive. A minor basketball fan could understand the book, but only a coach or basketball intellectual could truly enjoy it. More than a Game is a good book if you enjoy basketball and admire the genius of Phil Jackson, but like I said, it's not for everyone.

This book alternates between sections written from the differing perspectives of Phil Jackson and co-author Charley Rosen. Phil offers up his trademark candor about his teams and personal life, and Rosen produces what he always has: nicely written revelations about a range of topics that have intersected Jackson's life, from the CBA to longtime assistant coach Tex Winter. Roland Lazenby, author of Mindgames, Phil Jackson's Long Strange Journey

This is a quick, fun read without a lot of depth. That is unfortunate, because the theme - an homage to Tex Winter's triangle offense as "pure" basketball - is worth exploring in depth. I enjoyed the book, but the sloppy editing, particularly in Phil's chapters, interfered with that enjoyment. If you haven't read "Sacred Hoops," start there. If you like that one, this is a lesser, but still enjoyable sequel.

This book is basketball junkie paradise. As for me, whenever Charlie or Phil went into detail about the triangle, I had no idea what they were talking about. And hey, dig them squiggly-line charts in the back of the book!

But otherwise the book is a relaxed, informal "conversation" between two old, very good buddies, sharing their beautiful obsession. It was sweet to gradually become aware of and then vicariously revel in the deep bond the two guys have, all from their passionate love of hoops and its people.

Let the technicalities wash over you and enjoy.

THIS BOOK SHARES MANY INSIGHTS INTO THE LAKERS CHAMPIONSHIP RUN,AND ALSO THE CHAMPION CHICAGO BULLS, AND PHIL'S VIEW OF MANY OF THE PLAYERS, TEAMS AND COACHES IN THE NBA. FOR THE NBA FAN, ITS ALWAYS INTERESTING TO HEAR WHAT THE COACH IS THINKING, VERSES WHAT YOU READ IN THE NEWSPAPER. THESE INSIGHTS ARE INTERSPERSED WITH THE HUMOUROUS COLOR COMMENTARY OF CHARLEY ROSEN, WITH HIS UNIQUE VISION OF THE CHARACTERS (ESPECIALLY REFEREES) THAT MAKE UP THE PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL SCENE. THIS MAKES FOR AN ENJOYABLE JOURNEY FOR THE BASKETBALL AFFICIENADO AND CASUAL FAN. THE NBA HAS THE WORLDS GREATEST ATHLETES, BUT THEY ALL SEEM TO HAVE THEIR HUMAN QUALITIES, AND THIS BOOK LETS THE FAN ENJOY THE PLAYERS AS MORE THAN JUST SOMEONE RUNNING UP AND DOWN THE COURT.

This book alternates between sections written from the differing perspectives of Phil Jackson and co-author Charley Rosen. Phil offers up his trademark candor about his teams and personal life, and Rosen produces what he always has: nicely written revelations about a range of topics that have intersected Jackson's life, from the CBA to longtime assistant coach Tex Winter.

Roland Lazenby, author of Mindgames, Phil Jackson's Long Strange Journey

I enjoy basketball but my knowledge of the players and game is moderate. If I were a basketball fanatic or a die hard Lakers fan, I'd probably give this book five stars. But for me, it was just too detailed about players and events, and didn't hold my interest. I found Roland Lazenby's Mindgames much more readable and entertaining, even though I got tired of reading about the conflicts Bulls' VP Jerry Krause had with Jackson, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen (scattered throughout 100 pages of the 400 page book). Lazerby's book is an unofficial biography of Jackson which covers his years in Chicago and his first year with LA. I very much enjoyed reading Jackson's Sacred Hoops, which looks at his philosophy of coaching.

I am a Lakers and a NBA fan and this books let me look inside head of two great basketball heads how know mutch about this game.