1 / 2Masters of the Game: NBA History in 75 Players
Masters of the Game is Sam Smith and Phil Jackson’s conversational history of the NBA through 75 legendary players. The listing describes analysis and discussion of basketball’s greats, team-building, the sport’s history and the GOAT debate across 400 pages.
At a glance
- Sam Smith and Phil Jackson discuss 75 legendary NBA players and the history of the game.
- The subject matter includes player legacies, race and basketball, team character, and the debate over the greatest of all time.
- The listing describes a conversational approach combining analysis with personal perspectives.
Often bought together
Pros and cons
Pros
- Covers players from different eras, from Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
- The two contributors bring sportswriting and coaching perspectives to discussion of players and teams.
Technical specifications
7 specifications| Publisher | The Penguin Press |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 4 November 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 400 pages |
| ISBN-13 | 979-8217060702 |
| Weight listed | 692 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.48 x 1.27 x 9.53 inches |
What to know before buying
- The listing presents the book as a history spanning 75 legendary players and describes Sam Smith’s work on the NBA’s 75th-anniversary list. The supplied details do not specify an edition or format, so check the selected listing if those matter.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers interested in NBA history, player legacies and debates about basketball’s greatest players.
- Basketball fans who enjoy discussion of team-building alongside individual-player stories.
Less suited to
- Readers looking for a statistics reference, play-by-play account or a book focused on one player, as the supplied description centres on conversational discussion across many greats.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
75% 75% - 4 stars
15% 15% - 3 stars
2% 2% - 2 stars
0% 0% - 1 star
8% 8%
Aggregate customer ratings lean positive, with most ratings in the five-star category, while a smaller share are one-star. This suggests broadly favourable but not uniform reception. The supplied feedback contains no comments, so it does not establish what readers liked or disliked, or whether responses concern the book’s conversational approach, player coverage or another aspect.
Frequently asked questions
What is Masters of the Game about?
The listing describes conversations between Sam Smith and Phil Jackson about the NBA and 75 legendary players, including their legacies, the sport’s history, team character and the GOAT debate.
How long is the book?
The listed print length is 400 pages.
Who published the book and in what language?
The listing names The Penguin Press as publisher and English as the language.
