The Mamba Mentality: How I Play

Hugh Delehanty, Phil Jackson

Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior

With a new introduction, Phil Jackson's modern classic of motivation, teamwork, and Zen insight is updated for a whole new readership "Not only is there more to life than basketball, there's a lot more to basketball than basketball." --Phil Jackson Eleven years ago, when Phil Jackson first wrote these words in Sacred Hoops, he was the triumphant head coach of the Chicago Bulls, known for his Zen approach to the game. He hadnt yet moved to the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he would bring his total to an astounding nine NBA titles. In his thought-provoking memoir, he revealed how he directs his players to act with a clear mind--not thinking, just doing; to respect the enemy and be aggressive without anger or violence; to live in the moment and stay calmly focused in the midst of chaos; to put the "me" in service of the "we"--all lessons applicable to any person's life, not just a professional basketball player's. This inspiring book went on to sell more than 400,000 copies. In his new introduction, Jackson explains how the concepts in Sacred Hoops are relevant to the issues facing his current team--and today's reader.

Tim Baker, Mark Occhilupo

Occy: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Mark Occhilupo

Child star at 16, ranked third in the world at 17, Mark Occhilupo looked set to sweep all before him with a radical, spontaneous, irresistible brand of surfing. Yet a spiraling descent into drug abuse and depression snuffed his flame out prematurely when he quit the pro tour at just 22. Faltered comebacks, spectacular bursts of free-surfing, and manic breakdowns followed as the surfing world watched a freakish talent self-combust. After years spent immobile and overweight on the couch, Occy eventually emerged from his cocoon, reborn and ready to tackle a whole new generation of surf stars. His celebrated comeback to win the world title in 1999 is a sporting fairytale without equal. In this no-holds barred account, Occy tells the complete, remarkable story of his spectacular rise, terrifying fall, and miraculous rebirth.

Jim Bouton

Ball Four

A book deep in the American vein, so deep in fact it is by no means a sports book" --David Halberstam ""Ball Four" is a people book, not just a baseball book." --Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, "The New York Times" When "Ball Four" was first published in 1970, it hit the sports world like a lightning bolt. Commissioners, executives, players and sportswriters were thrown into a state of shock. Stunned. Scandalized. The controversy was front-page news. Sportswriters called Bouton a Judas, a Benedict Arnold and a "social leper." Commissioner Bowie Kuhn tried to force the author to sign a statement saying that the book wasn't true. One team actually burned a copy of "Ball Four" in protest.And Bouton is still not invited to Oldtimers' Day at Yankee Stadium. Fans, however, loved "Ball Four" and serious critics called it an important document. It was also very popular among people who didn't ordinarily follow baseball, because "Ball Four" is not strictly a book about baseball, but one about people who happen to be baseball players. And it's hilariously funny. For the twentieth-anniversary edition of this historic book, Bouton has written a new epilogue, detailing his career as an inventor, ...