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The Wizard of Odds: How Jack Molinas Almost Destroyed the Game of Basketball

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Caveat Emptor: This book is based in large part on interviews conducted by the late New York Post sports columnist Milton Gross, my father. They were used without the permission of his heirs, and were never checked against the audiotapes on which they were based which are in my possession and have been for almost thirty years. But what's worse is that the book is factually innacurate and the author did not even attempt to confirm what he printed. Instead of thanking the person whose work he based his book on, Rosen prints untruths about him. One example: on the last page of the book, Rosen has Milton Gross skipping Molinas' funeral and instead, attempting to cash in on his death. Milton Gross had been dead for over two years when Molinas died. He would have had to make that call from his grave.

The book goes into great detail regarding the life
and times of Jack Molinas and his effect on the world
of Basketball in the early fifties. I was a High School
Classmate of Mr. Molinas so the book was of great interest
to me. He was an exceptional player and met a tragic end
most likely due to his earlier gambling connections.

Charley Rosen provides readers with an entertaining book about one of basketball's most talented players, Jack Molinas. Unfortunately, it seems that some of Rosen's information might not be accurate - especially the statements about one of Jack's long-time friends, Shirley Marcus, which are based on innuendoes; and some of Rosen's statements about one of the greatest sportswriters of all times, Milton Gross.

What is particularly disappointing about this otherwise interesting book is how Rosen protects the basketball establishment by putting all the blame on Jack Molinas. The fact is, a real exploration of gambling in sports could lead to a public outcry - followed by reduced advertiser support and cancelled television contracts.

Molinas was no angel, to be sure - and Rosen does a pretty good job of characterizing this complex and talented athlete. But as the title of the book implies, it is the betting odds - the point spreads that appear in most major newspapers - that is more key to the problem than the actions of a single "Wizard" like Jack Molinas, or a lone referee (as David Stern would like us to believe).

Sadly, the current Commissioner, team owners, as well as sportswriters and commentators, would rather sidestep the problem posed by gambling than risk the millions of dollars that are at stake from advertising, television contracts, and sports fans. (Jerry Marcus is the author of the just-published novel, Broken Trust - The Murder Of Basketball Star Jack Molinas)

This book is a work of fiction.The list of errorsis too great to warrant a non-fiction label.The author makes the case that Molinas is a habitual liar.So,why would Rosen print Molinas comments in interviews other sports writers had with him without corroboration.There is no doubt that Molinas was an unusual character with huge talents who preferred to break all the rules,making him a tragic figure.It is hard to enjoy this read,because there is no way to discern truth from fantasy.I think Molinas had the last laugh with his creative tales to writers.He figured they would accept his stories as the gospel...Bob Reiss

MUST READ FOR EVERY FAN OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL. HOW THE GAME WAS ALMOS RUINED BY GREED FOR THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR

I read this book on the life of Jack Molinas over a year ago. Now, as I get ready to write a review and recommend it I find many people reporting in the reviews here that info in the book is not true. I saw Molinas play and he could control a game even in the NBA. If the truth about his life could ever be arrived at his story is a fascinating one. Norm Jones author of Growing Up in Indiana: The Culture & Hoosier Hysteria Revisited

In a historical sense, this book is a continuation of a story Charley Rosen wrote about in "Scandals of 51". The life story of Jack Molinas, a central figure in the college basketball scandals, reads alternately like a novel and a reporter's notebook, and keeps you glued wondering what will happen next. Charley Rosen includes all the names involved, directly and peripherally, including the denials. There are surprises at every turn, whether its Jack Molinas childhood, his time in prison, or his business dealings. It makes you realize how easy it would be to have history repeat itself. An interst in basketball is not crucial. If you are interested in true crime, or just a fascinating true story, you will enjoy this book and learn some history in the process.

Besides being well over six feet tall, Jack Molinas stood above the basketball competition he faced in other ways. His I.Q. was a whopping 175 and he used his native itelligence and skills on the court to fix college games for Columbia during the 50's. Later on, he was suspended from the N.B.A in his rookie season for working the same scams there. The culmination came with the basketball scandals of the early 60's and his arrest and subsequent five-year prison sentence. After leaving the 'big house' he turned his talents to upholding the law by becoming a renowned lawyer. He had spent his life manipulating and lying to people so it seemed a natural fit that he eventually moved to California with a girl friend and became a porn producer. Ultimately, his mob ties from his fix days and shady connections caught up with him however. Apparently, he had welshed on sports bets to bookies connected with La Cosa Nostra. Obviously, a very dumb thing to do for someone gifted with his level of intelligence. He was shot by unknown assailents in his home in 1974. Clearly, out of all the people he cheated in his life, the author of this book makes very clear that the person he ultimately short-changed the most was himself.

Sent me the wrong book. Sent message, but no reply at all.The least they should do is make contact and try to correct the error.

Once I started this book, I could not put it down. Jack was a person with a great deal of athletic and intellectual talent. However, I thought he blurred the line between life and the game of basketball.

I was never interested in sports when I was growing up, but this book has certainly sparked my interest. It was a mind opening experience.

How did I come to read this book, considering my lack of interest in sports? I heard it reviewed on Nat'l. Public Radio. When I heard the name Jack Molinas, I remembered an athletically inclined boy that attended PS 33 and PS 79 with me. My memories of him in school were good so I think of his life as he felt compelled to live it as a tragedy.