The breaks of the game

The Breaks of the Game offers an unparalleled glimpse into the gritty, high-stakes world of professional basketball during the late 1970s.

Through the lens of the Portland Trail Blazers' 1979-1980 season, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Halberstam explores the intense pressures faced by players, coaches, and team owners as they navigate the emerging complexities of the NBA. The book includes fascinating profiles of legendary superstars Bill Walton and Kermit Washington and delves into broader societal issues such as race, class, and the evolution of basketball from a sport to a commercial spectacle.

It provides a deep understanding of the psychological, emotional, and physical challenges that define the lives of professional athletes, backed by rigorous research and insightful analysis.