Sam Smith

Sam Smith is a sportswriter and journalist best known for his coverage of the Chicago Bulls and the NBA, particularly during the Michael Jordan era. His 1992 book "The Jordan Rules" provided an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the Chicago Bulls' 1990-91 championship season and became a New York Times bestseller. As a longtime beat writer for the Chicago Tribune, Smith gained intimate access to the Bulls organization and developed a reputation for candid, investigative reporting. His work helped establish a new standard for sports journalism that went beyond game coverage to examine team dynamics and personalities. Smith's "The Jordan Rules" was particularly notable for its unflinching portrayal of Michael Jordan, showing both the basketball star's intense competitive drive and his challenging relationships with teammates. The book generated significant controversy upon release but is now considered a seminal work of sports journalism.

Readers consistently highlight Smith's insider access and detailed reporting in "The Jordan Rules," appreciating his straightforward writing style and unvarnished look at the Bulls dynasty. Many note the book's value in showing Jordan's complete personality beyond his public image. Liked: - Raw, authentic portrayal of team dynamics - Primary source material and first-hand observations - Clear, journalistic writing without sensationalism "Finally got the real story behind the headlines" - Amazon reviewer "Changed how I viewed sports reporting" - Goodreads user Disliked: - Some readers found the tone too negative - Occasional repetitive passages - Limited game action descriptions "Felt like it focused too much on conflicts" - Goodreads review Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (900+ reviews) The book maintains strong sales and review numbers 30+ years after publication, with readers noting its continued relevance to sports journalism and team dynamics.

The Jordan Rules An inside account of the Chicago Bulls' 1990-91 championship season, detailing team dynamics, Michael Jordan's leadership style, and the complex relationships between players, coaches, and management.

David Halberstam wrote definitive books about NBA basketball including "The Breaks of the Game" about the Portland Trail Blazers and "Playing for Keeps" about Michael Jordan. His deep reporting style and focus on team dynamics mirror Smith's approach to basketball journalism.

John Feinstein specializes in season-long immersive sports reporting, exemplified by "A Season on the Brink" about Indiana University basketball. His behind-the-scenes access and focus on coach-player relationships align with Smith's reporting methods.

Roland Lazenby has written extensively about the NBA and the Bulls dynasty, including biographies of Michael Jordan and Jerry West. His work combines historical research with insider access to reveal the complete picture of basketball personalities and organizations.

Jack McCallum covered the NBA for Sports Illustrated and wrote "Dream Team" about the 1992 Olympic basketball team and "Seven Seconds or Less" about the Phoenix Suns. His focus on team chemistry and organizational dynamics matches Smith's investigative approach.

Mark Heisler covered the NBA for decades and wrote "The Lives of Riley" about Pat Riley's coaching career. His work examines the relationships between players, coaches, and management in professional basketball.