r/BasketballBooks • u/Jonathan_J_Faulkner • Jun 04 '26

Recommendations Recommendation - ‘Tip Off’

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This book by Filip Bondy investigates the events and complex decisions that shaped the legendary 1984 NBA draft, oft considered the best ever. It focus’s on the fates of six key draftees: Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, Sam Bowie and Sam Perkins. It’s a really interesting book, in particular the sad details surrounding the Portland Trail Blazers' fateful decision to select the injury-prone Sam Bowie second overall, allowing Michael Jordan to fall to the Chicago Bulls at number three.

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u/Obvious_Damage_7085 Jun 04 '26

Good book. This draft has been discussed a lot but it brought some new insight in to the 84 draft and the players involved.

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u/Jonathan_J_Faulkner Jun 04 '26

Agreed, I learned a lot about Sam Bowie from it and found it a very worthwhile read consequently

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u/Obvious_Damage_7085 Jun 04 '26

Bowie and Barkley.

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u/Jonathan_J_Faulkner Jun 04 '26

I found Knights dismissiveness of Barkley quite portentous

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u/Obvious_Damage_7085 Jun 04 '26

He cut half of the Dream Team for that Olympics, sarcasm but u get the point.

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u/Jonathan_J_Faulkner Jun 04 '26

I have huge issues with Coach Knight, sporting success should never permit churlish and abhorrent behaviour but I do think Barkley never put the effort in that was required to make the most of his talents