The Breaks of the Game

The Breaks of the Game follows the Portland Trail Blazers through their 1979-80 NBA season, documenting the team's challenges and transformations. The narrative centers on the aftermath of their 1977 championship, Bill Walton's departure, and the complex dynamics of professional basketball. Through extensive access and interviews, Halberstam examines the relationships between players, coaches, management, and media during a pivotal period in NBA history. The book chronicles significant events like Kermit Washington's suspension and explores the personal stories of players navigating their careers in professional basketball. The text covers the business aspects of the NBA, television's growing influence on the sport, and the racial dynamics within basketball during the late 1970s. Halberstam integrates broader social context with detailed reporting of games, practices, and behind-the-scenes moments. Beyond its sports coverage, the book stands as a study of American institutions, power structures, and race relations through the lens of professional basketball. Its themes of ambition, loyalty, and organizational change remain relevant to discussions of professional sports and society.

Readers praise the deep reporting and intimate access Halberstam gained with the 1979-80 Portland Trail Blazers team. Many note how the book reveals the business decisions, racial dynamics, and personal struggles behind professional basketball. Readers highlight: - Rich character portraits of Bill Walton, Jack Ramsay, and others - Clear explanations of NBA economics and television deals - Insights into race relations in pro sports - Reporting on player contracts and negotiations Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in some sections - Too much detail about business aspects - Dated references from the late 1970s Ratings: Goodreads: 4.25/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (300+ ratings) Reader quote: "Shows the NBA as it really is - a business first, with real people trying to make their way through it." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers note the book's relevance to current NBA issues despite its age.

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🏀 Author David Halberstam won the Pulitzer Prize in 1964 for his Vietnam War reporting, nearly 15 years before writing this basketball masterpiece. 📚 The book's central figure, Bill Walton, faced career-threatening foot injuries during this period, leading to a controversial lawsuit against the Trail Blazers over medical treatment. 🏆 The 1979-80 season marked a crucial turning point for the NBA, as it was the rookie year of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, whose rivalry would help save the struggling league. 💰 The Portland Trail Blazers were just three years removed from their only NBA championship when this season was chronicled, making their decline especially dramatic. 📺 This season coincided with the NBA's first major television contract with CBS, marking the beginning of basketball's transformation into a major media property.