Jackie MacMullan - Basketball: A Love Story

FROM DAN: This book would not have been possible without the help of some exceptional young men who on an alternating basis traveled around the country with me while I interviewed about 110 players, coaches, executives, analysts, and thinkers who lived and loved the game: Lloyd Lochridge, Noah Malale, and Judson Wells. They were assisted by Eric Krugley and my longtime right arm, Joan Baird, in transcribing all these interviews, some as long as 150 pages.

Charlie Rosenzweig, Mr. NBA, was my Magic Johnson in selflessly working overtime to open so many of these doors. Donnie Walsh, my go-to guy for anything and everyone that had to do with Indiana or UNC. Adam Silver, Russ Granik, Rod Thorn, and Michael Goldberg, who went too young and too fast, never hesitated if I requested a good word. David Sterns wisdom was steadfast, Paul Hirschheimers energy unlimited. Carol Stiffwho to this day Ive never met, but who loves and reveres the womens gamegot her on speed dial.

My pals Wes, Bill Simmons, Rick Welts, Earl Monroe, Barry Watkins, Ernie Brown, Ira Berkow, Ken Sunshine, Liz Robbins, Frank Isola, Howard Beck, Garry Howard, C. J. Paul, Sal Petruzzi, Mike Bass, and my longtime friend and producer, Charlie Stuart never once blinked and always went the extra mile, no questions asked. No surprise that Bob Ryan handled most of the Celtics, Doris Burke zeroed in on UConn, the extraordinarily gifted Jackie MacMullan turned on her rolodex, and Danny Schayes and Chris Ramsay called their dads. Dr. Jack was my first interview at his home in Naples, Florida, his body riddled with the cancer he fought so zealously to defeat, and sat there for four hours teaching me about his 2/2/1 zone press, his offensive systems, and showing me the first criteria of being a great teacher of the game is clarity. Six weeks later, he left us. John Walsh, his neighbor and the editor of our time was helpful, and John Skipper, my friend and supporter at ESPN, who I miss greatly, were nothing but encouraging, 100 percent of the way. Connor Schell has been there.

Rob Pelinka, Molly Carter, David Falk, Rich Kleinman, Leon Rose, Andy Miller, Connie Unseld, Maverick Carter, Dan Schoenberg, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, Michael OBrien, Jill Leone, Gary Moore, Andy Borman, Bill Sanders, all pros to me. Never asking for one thing and only there to assist.

Many of these interviews were made possible due to the generosity and flexibility of public relations professionals such as Ray Ridder, Matt Tumbleson, Jon Steinberg, Kenneth Klein, John Hayden, Sarah Melton, Arsalan Jamil, Mex Carey, Jon Jackson, Tom James, Matt Ryan, Steve Kirschner, Sarah Darras, Chris Clark, Tim Donovan, and Steve Kirkland.

Some of the number of interviews were conducted by a stellar group of dedicated and skilled journalists: Aaron Cohen, Brian Windhorst, J. A. Adande, Henry Abbott, Howard Beck, Jackie MacMullan, Frank Isola, Doris Burke, Garry Howard, Liz Robbins, Kirk Goldsberry, Ira Berkow, Bob Ryan, Pablo Torre, Sally Jenkins, and Leslie Visser.

Jay Mandel, my agent at WME, Nathan Roberson at Crown, and Rafe, whom along with Jackie MacMullan, spent God knows how many hundreds of hours pouring over my transcripts to make these voices coherent and heard for now and forever.

Everyone who did take the time, some such as Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson, each who educated and shared with me for more than five hours showed the spirit of champions. Everyone was gracious. Many, many home doors were opened. And all know their stuff. They didnt get to this level without having the brainpower and understanding of the intricacies of their love. Dolph Schayes, who was caring for his wife who wasnt doing well, passed. Moses Malone, a young and gifted man; Mel Daniels, a laugh, a storyteller, a handshake to remember; Howard Garfinkel, whose life was the game; Connie Hawkins, sweet and gentle; his savior, Roz Litman, with the heart and spirit of the Boxer; I am grateful to all of you, and wish you were here.

My friend, mentor, teacher, and father figure, the great Ben Jobe, who sat in at the lunch counters of Nashville, graduated from his beloved Fisk, coached at Tuskegee and seven other universities, winning more than 530 games, deserved of the Hall of Fame, for he helped to mold the lives and minds of countless boys and menI miss you terribly: this project, this book and film is in your memory Ben, for honor and decency is who you are.

FROM JACKIE AND RAFE: This book is the result of the brilliance, innovation, and passion of Dan Klores. Thanks so much, Dan, for allowing us to become part of this truly inspiring project.

To Michael, Alyson, and Douglas Boyle, because as John Wooden once said, the most important thing is family and love; to Todd Balf, a superb writer, trusted confidant, and valued sounding board; to Ian Thomsen, who exemplifies everything that is right about the business of journalism and friendship; to Henry Abbott, who happily deals in relationships, not transactions.

To Mollie Glick, who was one of the only literary agents on the planet willing to take a chance on a 24-year-old whod barely been published and was still living in Manila back in 2006; to coach Tim Cone, who gave that kid something close to a real basketball education; and to Caroline De Vera, whose companionship means more to that kid than anything in the world.

Thanks to Nate Roberson, our editor at Crown; to Jay Mandel of William Morris, who expertly brought this deal to fruition; and to Crowns team of Molly Stern, Tricia Boczkowski, Annsley Rosner, Tammy Blake, Julie Cepler, Melissa Esner, and Terry Deal.

Thank you, also, to the men and women who shared their stories, their insights, and their devotion to the game. Basketball is our love story, too.