George Matthew Karl

I am not a big fan of George Karl, but I am a big fan of this book. I've never really thought of him as a great coach, and nothing in this has changed my mind. I do like, however, how he appears to speak his mind without caring who's feelings it may hurt. One of the things I cannot stand about coaches on TV or writing books or really in any public forum, is that they're still dying to get back into an NBA coaching job, and therefor will not say anything to draw any sort of negative attention show more to themselves, even if its the truth. Karl doesn't do that at all.

In fact, the only people he really talks bad about without also explaining how he's become close with them over time, are the people that, as a fan, you pretty much felt the same way about anyway.

I really enjoyed when he talked about his days in Seattle coaching Gary Payton (one of my favorite players), and how Shawn Kemp was (in his opinion) the best player on that team and the dynamic between the two and George himself.

If you like basketball and have any interest in it's history, I would pick this up. However, I didn't seem to feel the same way as a lot of other reviewers about the level of bashing, and actually thought the title and the media attention made it a bit overblown and I was even a bit disappointed in the lack of behind the scenes tomfoolery, if you will. show less

Karl is very candid in this book about his coaching, his personal life and the abilities of his players, particularly Carmelo Anthony and Gary Payton. Based on the book, I don't sense that he is an easy coach to play for and I think he acknowledges that. He has gotten to the Conference finals but has not been in the NBA championship finals.

He is a gutty guy. He has survived various illnesses including cancer. He has bounced around coaching in developmental leagues and overseas.

Not the best show more basketball book that I have read but it is a decent read and some of his comments and criticisms of various NBA stars are spot on. show less

A book filled with crosses, circles and little pictures of basketball courts can only be so exciting.