Summary

"The Breaks of the Game" by David Halberstam offers a detailed and intimate look into the world of professional basketball, specifically focusing on the Portland Trail Blazers during the 1970s and early 1980s. The book transcends a simple sports narrative, delving into the complex dynamics of team management, player relationships, and the pervasive influence of money and media on the sport. Halberstam meticulously chronicles the Blazers' journey, from their championship season in 1977 to the subsequent challenges and changes that tested the team's cohesion and spirit.

The narrative explores the contrasting personalities and backgrounds of key figures such as coach Jack Ramsay, a driven and disciplined leader, and star player Bill Walton, a supremely talented but often enigmatic center. It examines how their relationship, initially harmonious, gradually fractured due to differing philosophies on medical treatment and team management. The book also introduces a cast of supporting characters, including players like Maurice Lucas, Lionel Hollins and Larry Steele, each grappling with their own ambitions and insecurities within the high-pressure environment of professional basketball.

Halberstam masterfully portrays the economic realities of the NBA, highlighting the growing tension between owners, players, and agents as salaries skyrocketed and the influence of television became more pronounced. The story also examines the changing social dynamics within the league, particularly the racial tensions and the challenges faced by black players navigating a predominantly white-controlled system. This is showcased in the players’ relationships with each other and their white counterparts, and in their interactions with the media.

Through meticulous research and extensive interviews, Halberstam paints a vivid picture of the behind-the-scenes struggles, the clash of egos, and the constant pressure to perform that define the professional basketball world. The book is not just about wins and losses, but about the human element of the sport, revealing the vulnerabilities, dreams, and compromises of the individuals who make up the Portland Trail Blazers. It provides a nuanced understanding of the breaks of the game both on and off the court, highlighting the unpredictable nature of success and the enduring power of character.