The Cockroach Basketball League - Hardcover

Rosen, Charles

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1556113293 ISBN 13: 9781556113291

Publisher: Dutton, 1992

Synopsis

Basketball coach Bob Lassner struggles to prime his Savannah Stars, members of the less-than-prestigious Commercial Basketball Federation, for the playoffs while distracting them from women and alcohol and keeping the team's meddling owner out of the way

About this title

About the Author:

A native of the Bronx and longtime pal of basketball guru Phil Jackson, CHARLEY ROSEN led the league in technical fouls during each of his six years as a coach in the now-defunct Continental Basketball Association. Since then he has become the world’s foremost writer of fiction and nonfiction on the subject of basketball, chronicling the drama that takes place both on and off the court. His many novels include The House of Moses All-Stars, a New York Times Notable Book, and Sammy Wong: All-American. His non-fiction works include The Scandals of ’51: How the Gamblers Almost Killed College Basketball and More than a Game, with Phil Jackson. Rosen is an analyst for hoopshype.com and a devotee of the Triangle Offense. He lives in Accord, NY.

PHIL JACKSON is a seven-time world champion NBA coach (six times with Chicago, once with Los Angeles). He currently serves as the President of Basketball Operations for the New York Knicks.
From the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly:

Hard-driving coach Bob Lassner of the Savannah Stars believes that life is a metaphor for basketball, and his obsession with the game animates this kinetic, raunchy ramble through the sport's minor leagues. Lassner, a lapsed hippie and divered raised in a Bronx tenement, swings between rage and compassion for his wayward players. His top scorer is selfish and arrogant; another player faces a grandjury investigation for a point-shaving scheme; other Stars take drugs or drink too much. Among Lassner's problems are a meddlesome team owner, racial friction and a rumor that he will be fired if he fails to rack up victories. Minor-league coach Rosen (Have Jumpshot Will 7?avel) uses his fictional Commercial Basketball League to probe the aspirations, pressures and frustrations of players and coaches who may never make the NBA. Illustrated with diagrams of plays and game plans, this action-packed novel is peppered with trenchant observations on college and pro basketball, media hype and life in the minors. Lassner's epiphany in a jail cell after taking a swing at a sleazy rival coach adds a poignant touch.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Dutton
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 1556113293
• ISBN 13: 9781556113291
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1