First edition book from a great basketball player, but not anyone who would be confused with the great writers of our times. Dave DeBusschere helped put the Knicks over the top in 1970 for the first time ever in their history (and again three years later). The book is written in diary form and brings small antidotes to light on the happenings with this record setting team.
You are not going to find anything controversial in this book. DeBusschere was still playing so he wasn't about to burn any current or ex-teammate a la "Ball Four." As a reader, you'll have to be content reading about a true team, before individualism became the norm. By 1969-70, the game isn't pure, but you can see it still has more highs than lows. Few players were getting rich and it was about pride. Players today will bring up pride, but often in the context of how their pride has been bruised by the latest contract offer and the disrespect shown. It's about gettin' paid nowadays. If you saw what they were paid 40 years ago, the travel, the practice facilities, ugh... Yeah, the players are babied today and enjoy everything the players before them helped bring about. When they are bitching about getting by on $350k a year for playing a game, they should read this book and transport themselves to 1970. Better yet, a trip to the food shelf line would be a strong kick in the teeth.
If you are a fan of basketball from the late sixty's and early seventy's, this is an excellent book for you. A fan of the Knicks glory days? A must read. You won't find it around much these days given its age. Don't expect to be wowed by the author's written skills... you will be disappointed. I got this book not so much as a Knicks fan, but to read about the start of this era. I know all about West, Chamberlin, Reed, and Frasier. Tell me about Connie Hawkins. Who was Lou Hudson? What made the Big O so special for the Royals and why did he get traded? What about the old Bullet teams and why couldn't they ever climb the mountain? You will appreciate the game and its history more once you have finished this book.
You are not going to find anything controversial in this book. DeBusschere was still playing so he wasn't about to burn any current or ex-teammate a la "Ball Four." As a reader, you'll have to be content reading about a true team, before individualism became the norm. By 1969-70, the game isn't pure, but you can see it still has more highs than lows. Few players were getting rich and it was about pride. Players today will bring up pride, but often in the context of how their pride has been bruised by the latest contract offer and the disrespect shown. It's about gettin' paid nowadays. If you saw what they were paid 40 years ago, the travel, the practice facilities, ugh... Yeah, the players are babied today and enjoy everything the players before them helped bring about. When they are bitching about getting by on $350k a year for playing a game, they should read this book and transport themselves to 1970. Better yet, a trip to the food shelf line would be a strong kick in the teeth.
If you are a fan of basketball from the late sixty's and early seventy's, this is an excellent book for you. A fan of the Knicks glory days? A must read. You won't find it around much these days given its age. Don't expect to be wowed by the author's written skills... you will be disappointed. I got this book not so much as a Knicks fan, but to read about the start of this era. I know all about West, Chamberlin, Reed, and Frasier. Tell me about Connie Hawkins. Who was Lou Hudson? What made the Big O so special for the Royals and why did he get traded? What about the old Bullet teams and why couldn't they ever climb the mountain? You will appreciate the game and its history more once you have finished this book.
