The Breaks of the Game

Why did I just read 450 pages about the 1979 Portland Trailblazers? Because David Halberstam is one of the most magnificent writers of the 20th century and he beautifully tells the tale of a young team and a tumultuous season that transcends American sport. This is the story of a Trailblazers organization that is just two years removed from a magical championship season, and is now being torn apart due to trades, injuries, contractual strife and racial acrimony.

My favorite contemporary sports writer, Bill Simmons, often raves about The Breaks of the Game as being the finest sports book ever written. I agree. We'll probably never again see such a comprehensive study of a professional American sports team. Players can't be bothered with extended interviews and organizations are far too guarded to grant even a legendary journalist the kind of access that Halberstam had - the stakes are just too high now.

Anyway, if a 450 book by Halberstam seems like a bit too much, I'd recommend reading one of the last articles he wrote before he passed away in 2007. It's a Vanity Fair piece called The History Boys, and it's one of my all time favorites. Enjoy.