Dream Team: How Michael, Magic, Larry, Charles, and the Greatest Team of All Time Conquered the World and Changed the Game of Basketball Forever

I was finally able to pick up Jack McCallum's Dream Team book which was published in 2013. I've looked forward to this for quite a while and snagged a used book through Amazon. The book chronicles the 1992 Dream Team which allowed NBA players to participate in the Olympics for the first time as a reaction to college players not winning gold in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. McCallum doesn't disappoint as he chronicles the forming of the team, the behind the scenes that made that possible, the marketing, international impacts and most importantly the players themselves. From who wanted to be on the team, to who was selected and why, their relationships and stardom in Barcelona that transcended the lives these players already lived. I love the back stories the behind the scenes goodies and this book delivered.About the only thing this book won't provide is detailed analysis of the games themselves but they don't deserver to be front and center. They weren't as important as the players and the stories. The one game that stands out the most when the Dream Team is brought up is a scrimmage the team had which pitted Michael Jordan dueling Magic Johnson. That was more important than the drubbing the team laid upon opponent after opponent. Bottom line is I loved this book. If you are an NBA fan of any sort this is an easy read. The world's greatest players were on this team. All, sans college player Christian Laettner, were future hall of famers and had either led the revival of the NBA (Magic Johnson and Larry Bird) or helped build on the momentum through 1992. But not only were they great players, many were great personalities. Some were exactly as I've known (John Stockton, Chris Mullin) but some surprised me some (Patrick Ewing). It was great getting to know these players on a different level. McCallum spoke to every player, coach, executive, competitor, or other writers who could bring the story more to life. And it came together wonderfully. Every NBA fan needs to read this book.

This book is part history and part personal account of said history, which is actually a good thing, since it makes the story far more interesting. The author covers everything that a Dream Team buff would want to know about how the team came to be, the behind-the-scenes, and the games themselves. The fact that the author includes a play-for-play of the Greatest Game Never Seen (where the team scrimmages their asses off in a game to top all games) is just a cherry on the cake.If you're a fan of Olympic basketball, a fan of the legends on the team, or just a person who is curious as to how the NBA came to dominate USA Basketball, then this book is for you.

I saw this book first mentioned on some website while I was on vacation. So I did what most people usually do when they see a book on vacation... they write the name down and wait until AFTER vacation to read it. Yeah, I've never been good with reading books on vacation and I'm not sure why. This was, however, the first book I read after my visit to the land of milk and honey (Florida) and I had an absolutely enjoyable time reading it. We always hear people say "I would love to be a fly on the wall when...". Well the fly is Jack McCallum (sorry Jack) and the wall is a canvas drawn with the 1992 Olympic Games as the base and the Dream Team as the primer.I'm a basketball fan but not to the point of absurdity, as some are. But because of the impact that Jordan, Bird, Magic, Barkley, Pippen had on (pretty much) everything, this was a book that I needed to read. Completely enjoyable, this book can be enjoyed by an "asylum fan" or a casual fan. It was nice to read about the little things that we mortals miss because we didn't travel with the NBA superstars. Jack does a great job of telling this fairy tale with wit, real anecdotes, and a history that we heard about but never really HEARD about. We knew the team was picked, but HOW was it picked? We knew that it was chock FULL of stars, but how would they get along? What is the REAL story behind Jordan vs. the Reebok jacket? Was Isiah Thomas screwed out of a position by Jordan? (Let me help you with that one... YES!)The author has a good bead on interviewing and it was interesting to see some of the places he (and the interviewee) choose to talk. It's almost impossible to narrate the entire experience of the 1992 Dream Team into a single book, but I like how it is done here. Almost everyone has a chapter or three (Jordan. Forever the competitor) and we get a fun yet informative history on the beginnings of a (pro) US Basketball team.Also, to anyone reading this book you'll notice one other thing: this author enjoys books. Not only writing them, reading them as well. Now I'm some of you just went "duh, he's an author", but trust me on this. Not every author likes to read and you can clearly differentiate the ones that do. Jack do's. Aside from his "nonfiction doesn't have to be dull" way of writing, I enjoyed the literary reference sprinkled throughout this book.But getting back to basketball... you'll like this book. A lot. Jack's BIO says that he was with `Sports Illustrated' for thirty years. It's a shame I missed all those articles. (Shut up I know there's Google). It takes a lot for this fiction ONLY lover to heap praises on a non-fiction book, but that's because it is well deserved. Jack is a well respected reporter and it wouldn't be a stretch to say, a friend, to more than a few of the NBA legends. That also comes across in this book and that only adds to the authenticity of his work. Alongside the crude jokes, practice barbs, and gambling stories, are personal stories that must be read to be felt. There's a lot going on on the cover of this book. The only thing missing are the letters "Volume 1".One reader's wish if I may; while I hope this author lives a long time I can only hope that he's writing a tell all book to be published posthumously. Jack spent a lot of time around the NBA's greatest and this man has some stories to tell. Seriously. I want to know who the NBA Dream Teamer was that ran into the family room demanding "who's got a rubber, I need one quick". Just one of the many quips like that in this book. Just one of the many quips like that that are unwritten.But aside from that... please live a long time Jack. And keep writing books like this.**One other thing: the eBook/Kindle edition DOES NOT have the pictures that the print book does. Why? Not sure, but I hope the publisher reconsiders.

Jack McCallum has wonderfully chronicled perhaps the most significant event to happen to international basketball.The ending made me feel the same way I'd felt after a my beloved basketball camps growing up.... wishing it had never ended, now it's 'back to reality'.

Los libros de Jack McCallum son un imperdible para todo aquel fan del baloncesto americano. Muy muy recomendable.

If you love Basketball and Sports, you should read this.The Dream Team changed the way we go about everything in sports business.

Un excelente libro acerca del mejor equipo de básquetbol, conformado por los mejores jugadores de la mejor liga del mundo en la época.El libro llegó a tiempo, aunque por ser exportado desde estados unidos, llego abierto y un poco lastimado de un borde. Por eso le quito una estrella a la calificación. Fuera de eso, en excelente estado.

Niente potrà mai equiparare quella squadra, non solo per il valore dei singoli componenti ma per il particolare momento in cui è apparso, conquistando milioni di persone all'epoca inconsapevoli perfino di cosa fosse il basket.Il libro racconta molto bene tutte le faticose e convulse fasi che hanno portato alla creazione di quella squadra, illustra episodi quasi sconosciuti, delinea in maniera vivida le personalità e i caratteri dei vari componenti, non mancando di sottolinearne difetti o mancanze.Stupendo il racconto di come si sono sviluppate amicizie e rivalità durante il Torneo di Qualificazione e le Olimpiadi, con improbabili amicizie (Harry e Larry), selvaggia vita sociale (Chuck), un uomo che viveva in un mondo separato (ovviamente...) e tanti altri aneddoti. Unico peccato del libro: dopo poche ore di avida lettura l'ho terminato...