Bull Session: An Up-Close Look at Michael Jordan and Courtside Stories About the Chicago Bulls

A former Chicago Bulls coach and present broadcaster for the team reveals the story behind the team's drive for success and examines Michael Jordan's extraordinary talents and his contributions to the team

The authors occupy themselves in the first seven chapters with fawning over National Basketball Association phenomenon Michael Jordan. Kerr, color man for the Chicago Bulls broadcast team during Jordan's spectacular career, and Pluto, sportswriter for the Akron (Ohio) Beacon , possess the authority for the discourse, but such fulsome hero worship grows wearisome. Once finished with Jordan, the authors turn to Kerr's memoirs. A former NBA All-Star, Kerr was famous for his hook shot and consecutive-game streak (855) during his 12 years with the Syracuse Nationals and the Baltimore Bullets. He served also as the Bulls' first head coach in 1966-1967, leading the team to 33 wins and the playoffs--the Bulls set a record by becoming the only expansion team in any sport to reach the playoffs in its first year. After two seasons with the Bulls, Kerr traveled to Phoenix, where, as head coach of the Suns, he brought that franchise into the NBA fold. While the authors offer no new wisdom or insight into the game of basketball or into life in the NBA, their style is so pleasant and humorous that the book makes for a quick, enjoyable, undemanding read.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Kerr, NBA all-star, coach, and broadcaster, and Pluto, author of Tark ( LJ 12/89) and 48 Minutes ( LJ 12/87), open with an overly glowing report of Bulls' star Jordan but go on to convincing comments on the team, Kerr's career, NBA centers and officials, and the 1988-1989 season as the Bulls got to the final playoff, only to limp to defeat by the champion Detroit Pistons. This warm look supplies a needed biography of Jordan, but otherwise is best suited for Chicago-area fans and extensive basketball collections.
- Morey Berger, Monmouth Cty. Lib., Manalapan, N.J.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.