Talk of Champions. The stories of the People Who Made Me. Kenny Smith. A Memoir.
Sometimes judging a book by its cover or by the author alone is enough to make an informed decision. In this case, though, for me, that would have been a mistake. Kenny Smith, the author of Talk of Champions, is fairly well-known analyst seen on TNT throughout the basketball season. Much like what Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul did in their books, Smith wrote about his upbringing and life before reaching the pinnacle of his professional career.
Smith was a starter at the prep, college and even the pros and now has become a formidable pundit in the business these days. The book reveals what an interesting and often unique life he has led. That in itself was a propitious hook augmenting this memoir. However, Smith also compiled some pretty interesting ways to look at life from a business, athletic, academic and life in general perspective. These inklings were the pleasant surprise of this manuscript.
The reader reaps the experiences of the author who not only rubbed elbows with some of the most famous and noteworthy basketball players in recent history but also the very close personal connections to many of them. Through these relationships, Smith unfolds the growth and manifestation experienced throughout his life to date. The impact of the interactions with these mentors and the impact of their advice are pretty evident from one chapter to the next. If it takes a village to raise a person, Smith was fortunate to have gone through life with the support from those of many dynamic talents, abilities and experiences.
The story starts with Smith recounting his high school experiences. While he was developing his craft at Archbishop Malloy in Queens, he was molded by legendary coach Jack Curran. Through hard work, growth and natural ability, Smith ascended to a nationally recognized prep performer. Soon that would lead to suitors among the major universities trying to land his basketball services. Since the author matriculated to University of North Carolina in the early 1980’s, he naturally befriended Michael Jordan during his time spent in Chapel Hill. They have been fortunate to keep a life long bond. In addition to being graced with competing along side Jordan, Smith was coached by the legendary Dean Smith (no relation). Through the tutelage among the UNC coaching staff, Kenny Smith rose to be an all-American in his last year. Along the way, his head coach taught many invaluable lessons. The author even tells how his coach would use one of his mother’s sayings before given permission to purchase a vehicle: "No B’s, No keys."
Entering his professional life, Smith was fortunate to be coached and mentored by the late Bill Russell, the legendary player with the Boston Celtics, early in his career. Throughout his playing career Smith played along side many NBA greats including Hakeem “the dream” Olajuwon with the Houston Rockets where they accomplished two league championships together. The author also had notable encounters and relationships with players such as Michael Jackson and Isiah Thomas. Both were important enough to merit their own chapters.
Furthermore, Smith devotes chapters, explaining his relationships and how they impacted his life, to NBA luminaries such as Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and the late Kobe Bryant. Each brought their own unique blend and zest for life that has proven sagacious to the author. Enough so, where each of those chapters highlighted worthy tenants and principles to report in the book. Smith was very taken with Johnson’s and O’Neal’s vast business acumen and Bryant’s dedication to parenting (especially for daughters) wore heavily throughout their relationship. Thomas proved to be an influential mentor to Kenny Smith but also his own sons as well imploring that they could only choose two out of three paths when considering academics, athletics, and socialization.
Smith also discussed and delved into issues of race including police handlings of young black people around the nation such as Trayvon Martin. Smith actually started the book describing how and why he walked off his show due to another murder of a black male caused by police in 2020. He also discussed his parent’s upbringing in the rural south and the segregation he witnessed and experienced when visiting relatives in South Carolina. He makes astute comparisons between the separateness of the south where many in his family never interacted with other cultures including whites to the very eclectic mix of people where he would gain exposure and often befriend in New York City.
The book was a fairly easy read and mostly enjoyable. It is likely that not all readers will agree with some of the principles of life that the author discussed and abides. But it does get one to think of their own personal philosophy when comes to approaching family, friends and even self-promotion. Looking at the cover of the book or considering the author one might think Talk of Champions is all about the NBA stories and experiences. While the content is linked more to the pro game and his professional relationships, the book is more than that, though. This is also about a man that used his surroundings and influences early in life and his many helpful business and personal relationships to build skills augmenting a pretty unique career and character.
· You might like to read this book if you are a Kenny “the jet” Smith fan.
· You might like to read this book if you are a fan of New York City prep sports and culture.
· You might like to read this book if you are a fan of the North Carolina Tar-heels or college basketball.
· You might like to read this book you are an NBA fan.
· You might like to read this book if you like reading more about other NBA luminaries such as Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley.
Read more about the author on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheJetOnTNT
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