CW: Death of parent in car accident off page, death of sister in drive by shooting.

I am surprised how engaging this book was. However, I played basketball (not particularly well) throughout school, university and during my working life, right up until about 3 years ago when a peppy, over enthusiastic player crushed me and broke my leg. Thanks number 32. I am also not bitter about being asked to drag myself off the court so the game could continue. Anyhoo, residual issues aside, I understand the game. I would say about half of the book is literally a play by play of the semi-final game so I imagine this would be difficult to read if you didn't have an understanding of basketball or at least an interest in it. That being said it is so much more than a book about basketball. It looks at the potential exploitation of players, how players see the game in different ways in terms of how it can improve their lives, dealing with grief, and what it means to be part of a team. A thought provoking look at young people managing life in the world of high level sport. ( )

I went into this book knowing very little about basketball, and it certainly wouldn't have been something I read outside of a class. That said, I actually really enjoyed it! I wish the ending hadn't been so abrupt, though. All that backstory and now I want to know more! ( )

Wasn't a huge fan at the beginning, but it grew on me. The most exciting game of these four players careers is happening, and as we read what happens on the court, we fill in pieces of their lives through short pieces of their own history told through flashbacks. Definitely gets the feeling of an exciting moment in sports right, though I wasn't all that impressed with one of the characters (Roko) as his story seemed too much of an outside account of how that character might act in the real world. ( )

Really inspirational.. If you love basketball, then you should really read this book :) ( )

An amazing read. As the last moments tick down on the game clock, you'll learn how each player went from being a kid who loved to shoot hoops to a powerful force in one of the most important games of the year. Which team will leave the Superdome victorious? The conclusion is hurried; otherwise, I would have given the book five stars. ( )