Breaks of the Game

A New York Times bestseller, David Halberstam's The Breaks of the Game focuses on one grim season (1979-80) in the life of the Bill Walton-led Portland Trail Blazers, a team that only three years before had been NBA champions. The Breaks of the Game offers an unparalleled glimpse into the gritty, high-stakes world of professional basketball during the late 1970s, including fascinating profiles of legendary superstars Bill Walton and Kermit Washington. 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. Readers gain a deep understanding of the psychological, emotional, and physical challenges that define the lives of professional athletes. Halberstam also delves into broader societal issues such as race, class, and the evolution of basketball from a sport to a commercial spectacle, backed by rigorous research and insightful analysis. For those fascinated by the inner workings of sports, the triumphs and tribulations of athletes, and the business behind the game, The Breaks of the Game is an essential read. Experience the raw, unfiltered truth of the NBA's most transformative era and understand the game beyond the court.