Book of the month: "Fab Five: Basketball, Trash Talk, the American Dream"

“A mind is a terrible thing to waste” – One of my biggest issues with this new generation is their lack of interest in reading books. So I am going to start a new segment in this blog to encourage our followers to read more. Winston Churchill (wiki it if you don’t know who that is….and don’t tell anyone you did) used to read a book every night, even in the midst of wars because he said that it makes him think better. So I can’t stress the importance of reading books. I guess you can call it my own version of “Read to Achieve” program.

My book recommendation for this month is a must have novel for all basketball fans. It’s an easy to read book in paperback. Not that expensive. Definitely worth the investment.

My generation was lucky enough to witness this special group and what they did for basketball in general. If you don’t believe me, ask yourself next time why you can get away with wearing the baggy ball shorts or the black socks and shoes. Many of us wouldn’t have this option today if the Fab 5 didn’t put up the fight for us much like when Rosa Park wouldn’t give her seat up in the bus. This novel is an incredible novel of a journey of 5 college players who changed the face of college basketball forever. It does an incredible job of recounting the remarkable story of University of Michigan basketball players Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson, and chronicles their success in the NCAA tournaments of 1992 and 1993.

Once you read it, you will have a better appreciation for C-Webb or Jalen the next time you see them on ESPN or NBA TV or TNT commentating. Juwan is still the only player in the league and I hope the Portland players appreciate the legend that they have in their locker room. Both Jimmy and Ray have not surfaced in a very long time – I do miss Jimmy (although he was a Raptor for a very short time). Hope they are finding a decent way to make a living as well.

Let me know how you liked reading the book.

Naveen B
naveenb@rogers.blackberry.net