by Phil Jackson
First published 1975
Phil Jackson steps onto the court carrying more than just his basketball skills. The son of a preacher, armed with degrees in philosophy, psychology and religion, he sees the game differently than his teammates. Jackson pursues truth about himself and his fellow professional athletes with the same intensity he brings to scoring. He refuses to look away from what happens both during games and in locker rooms, hotels, and private moments that define a player's life. His search for understanding cuts through the surface glamour of professional sports. Jackson writes about teammates, coaches, and opponents without filters or comfortable lies. The book reveals a man caught between his intellectual training and the raw demands of professional athletics. His religious background clashes with the realities he witnesses. Jackson's honesty about the basketball world creates tension as he navigates relationships with players who don't share his philosophical bent. The story captures an athlete's struggle to maintain personal integrity while succeeding in a system that often rewards different values.
Genres: philosophy, psychology, religion, non-fiction, biography-memoir
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water
249 pages · Hardcover · Playboy Press