Tip Off by Filip Bondy
April 4th, 2008Title: Tip-Off
Author: Filip Bondy
Publisher: Da Capo Press (2007)
Tip-Off: How the 1984 NBA Draft Changed Basketball Forever, by Filip Bondy, takes a deep look at the players and general managers involved in what is commonly referred to as the “Sam Bowie Draft.” When I pick up a book like this, I like to check out the jacket and see what other people have said about it. I got very excited to see Bill Walton loves this one – I could just hear him raving on about it. Then again, I could listen to Bill Walton talk all day. Anyway… where was I?
The first few chapters look into the individual players that were drafted in 1984: Michael Jordan, Sam Bowie, Hakeem Olajuwon, Sam Perkins, Charles Barkley and John Stockton. Bondy gives a brief history of each player up to the point where they declared for the draft; focusing on the decision to declare. Most of the stories he told were not new, or particularly interesting for that matter. Jordan is an insane competitor and will cheat anybody in cards; Barkley is fat; Stockton is quiet. Nothing particularly revelatory.
I was surprised, though, at how generally unpleasant Hakeem seems to be. I know that you have to take these anecdotes lightly, but it seemed like every story about Hakeem was negative. I guess he is a jerk… Or maybe he ticked Bondy off during interviews… Or maybe The Dream is known for being tough to get along with, and I just didn’t know.
My first frustration with Bondy’s book was the time he spent discussing Bowie, Perkins and Olajuwon. I know… I know… it’s about the whole draft. But I wanted to read more about Jordan and Barkley. Those are the fun stories. I found myself skimming over the sections on Bowie and Perkins. They just weren’t interesting enough; perhaps this is a sign that I should just read a book about Jordan. None of this is Bondy’s fault because he was doing a good job reporting on everything…I guess I just wanted to read a Michael Jordan book.
The sections about the GM’s involved were very interesting. It was neat to read what these guys had to say more than 20 years after the fact – hindsight provides them with the ability to judge themselves and their peers. Obviously, Rod Thorn was bragging about taking Jordan and not trading away the pick. The other guys spent a lot of time defending themselves by arguing that no one could have known Jordan would be the greatest basketball player ever.
The Blazers’ GM, Stu Inman, goes down in history as the guy who passed on His Airness, but it wasn’t entirely his fault. His entire crew, the whole front office staff, believed Sam Bowie was the pick to make, if only because they needed a big man. That said, Inman to this day contends he made the right pick, which is just dumb.
One story that I found especially interesting was a trade proposal – apparently the Rockets offered Ralph Sampson to the Bulls for the third pick, which they would have used on Jordan. In other words, the Rockets were one trade away from having Hakeem and Jordan. Imagine how dominant that team would have been – although it’s hard to imagine anyone being much more dominant than Jordan’s Bulls.
Another neat piece of trivia – the Bulls drafted Carl Lewis (yes, that Carl Lewis) in the seventh round. No idea why, outside of Thorn thinking it would be funny. I’m just amazed they filled seven rounds of picks! No wonder he picked Carl Lewis – who else could have been left?
The book ended with several chapters charting the careers of the players drafted in 1984. Olajuwon won two Championships – the rest didn’t win any… thanks to Jordan.
Outside of boring sections about players I wasn’t interested in, the book was enjoyable. A good read, and a recommended read for anyone who loves basketball – it does provide some insight into the way the 1984 draft helped shape today’s NBA. You might just learn something.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
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April 4th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Adam, I really like your reviews, but I think it would be really cool to have a little box before each review that had your rating and also a short summary of the book. That way people who are not as patient as I am
can see what the book is about in just a glimps. You can even call the “box” “quick glimps” or something. Just an idea….
April 4th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Obviously you’re unfamiliar with the story of Hakeem Olajuwon. In short,…he was a jerk when he was a young man,…partly because he felt out of place as an immigrant in this country, he wasn’t white but he wasn’t an African American either. But he had a religious transformation in the early 90s that changed his outlook. Consequently, Olajuwon actually has a reputation of being the most humble and congenial NBA stars in recent history. Also, if you only want to read about Jordan and Barkley how will you ever learn? Everyone i know is intimately familiar with those 2 guys,…they’ve been retired for years and we still can’t escape their presence.
April 4th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
heenfinin – I agree with you about Olajuwan. But because this book was only based on the very early years of these guys…The Dream came off looking like a jerk only. That was my point, which I obviously did not make clear enough.
Regarding Jordan & Barkley – you are correct again. I just found the other parts boring to read. Part of that is my fault and part of that is bondy’s fault.
I appreciate the comments!
April 6th, 2008 at 7:08 am
Hi Adam (Waving)
I just wanted to stop by and see your blog! It’s really great! I’m new to blogging as well and J.Kaye(she’s such a good person, isn’t she?) let me know that you were knew as well. So, I’m inviting you to stop by my blog as well. : ) I hope to see you there and this definitely won’t be my last hello : )
Sorry I can’t comment on the review (other than that it’s very good and quite thorough)…I just don’t know very much about sports.
It was very nice too meet you and I loved stopping by your blog.
Talk with you soon, your new friend.
Amy