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I consider myself a basketball junkie, but am strangely critical of all basketball books. In my opinion, most miss the mark with heapings of hyperbole, while others are in need of far more research and detail. Maybe my love for the game places these books under an impossible microscope, but you'll rarely find me gushing about titles to non-basketball fans.
Until this fall.
Not sure what's prompted it, but the publishing world is churning out some impressive roundball reads lately. I've made no secret of my love for Bill Simmons's The Book of Basketball -- this is at least my third post about it -- as his meticulously-researched and hilariously-chronicled NBA opus reminds me why I truly do love this game. However, I'm also a huge fan of the recent Magic Johnson/Larry Bird memoir , When The Game Was Ours, as it provides a remarkably revealing look at two of the NBA's greatest icons. Even with a bit of controversy -- fans of Isiah Thomas and Karl Malone may not be pleased -- the talented Jackie MacMullan helps ensure the superstars' voices stay genuine and engaging.And if that wasn't enough, I got my first look at Gilbert Arenas's upcoming memoir last night. I picked up Score Like Agent Zero only because the above titles got my NBA juices flowing, but honestly expected it would be just another "zany" hardwood biography.
Two hours later, I came to the realization that I had mis-judged Agent Zero. Any author who begins his book by informing readers that they are "lucky to have their hands on a copy of this book" had better bring their "A" game. Happily (and comically), Arenas more than delivers. You'd think I'd be smart enough not to count out a player who has proved naysayers wrong for years, but I did. My bad, Gil.
I hope this publishing trend continues, but if you're a roundball addict or rookie fan looking to fill out a holiday wishlist, you owe it to yourself to check out these books. They won't help your mid-range game, but you'll definitely satisfy your basketball jones.
--Dave Callanan
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