Sports

Upcoming: EVERYBODY LOSES by Danny Funt (Gallery)

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The explosion of sports betting is relentless. If you follow any sport at all, you will be inundated by ads (often celebrity-fronted) boosting betting apps and platforms, urging fans to make more of their fandom. The relentless tsunami of advertising around sports betting has generated a fair amount of comedy (especially from Canada’s The Beaverton — “Sportsnet apologises for interrupting gambling commercial with hockey”), but few people could argue that it hasn’t also corrupted sports in general — just consider the recent scandals especially with the NBA, for example.

Luckily, there are plenty of people investigating the world and impact of this explosion in sports betting; I’d highly recommend Michael Lewis’s podcast season on the subject. Understanding the industry and how it operates seems to be ever-more important. In January 2026, Gallery Books will publish Everybody Loses by Danny Funt, which “pulls back the curtain on the alluring yet perilous world of American sports gambling.”

Everybody Loses is the first major investigation into America’s sports gambling industry. Journalist Danny Funt has obtained wild stories and stunning admissions from the people trying to transform our nation of sports fans into a nation of sports gamblers, including:

• Former sportsbook executives who cop to misleading customers, with one admitting they’re “selling that you can win, but you can’t.”
• VIP “hosts” at the gambling companies who divulge the extravagant perks they offer their biggest losers to keep them hooked.
• Insiders who recall secret meetings where NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB executives learned how much money their leagues stood to make if they abandoned their opposition to gambling.
• Lobbyists who detail how they converted skeptical politicians into gambling industry cheerleaders.

This riveting narrative will captivate sports fans, concerned parents, and anyone intrigued by the intersection of money and morals. Everybody Loses is the crucial book for understanding why sports gambling is suddenly everywhere — and why the odds are so great that the problems it’s creating will soon spiral out of control.

Danny Funt’s Everybody Loses is due to be published by Gallery Books in North America and in the UK, on January 20th, 2026.

Follow the Author: Website, Goodreads, BlueSky

Quick Review: A HOLLYWOOD ENDING by Yaron Weitzman (Doubleday)

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The dreams and drama of the LeBron Lakers

When LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, it looked like a match made in heaven. Here was the preeminent athlete of his generation, fresh off ending Cleveland’s 50-year title drought and in need of a new challenge to help further burnish his legacy, joining forces with one of the most iconic teams in all of sports. And here were the Lakers, in the midst of their worst stretch in franchise history and reeling from the death of the legendary owner Dr. Jerry Buss, in need of a savior. The script wrote itself.

A little over two years later, LeBron and Dr. Buss’ daughter, Jeanie, were standing shoulder to shoulder, hoisting the NBA finals trophy into the air. Having won their record-tying 17th NBA title, the Lakers had reclaimed their accustomed perch on top of the basketball world. It looked to be the birth of a new dynasty.  

But this was a new Lakers’ franchise, one beset by infighting and years removed from Kobe’s prime. And this was LeBron James, the catalyst of the “player empowerment” era, an athlete chasing things greater than Michael Jordan’s ghost. The two parties were too big to peacefully coexist under one roof. The 2020 title would represent the pinnacle of their pairing, and the beginning of a precipitous decline.

Drawing from over 250 interviews, Yaron Weitzman takes readers on a riveting, behind the scenes journey of this fraught partnership. From the Succession-like power struggle between the Buss children, to the rise of LeBron’s landscape-altering talent agency and its attempts to assert its own power within the Lakers’ walls, to the evolution of LeBron’s priorities and political voice, “A Hollywood Ending” is the definitive story of an American icon’s final years on stage, one portraying him, a fabled NBA franchise, and the world of modern professional sports in a light never seen before.

The latest book by long-time NBA journalist, and author of the excellent Tanking to the Top, is an account of “the high stakes drama” inside the Los Angeles Lakers organization as they adjust to their LeBron era. Weitzman covers everything from the initial attempts to lure the superstar to LA, to their Bubble Championship, up to last season’s blockbuster (and still incredible) trade for Luka Dončić. Engaging, often amusing, and well-written, this is a must for all NBA fans. Continue reading →

Quick Review: WE THE RAPTORS by Eric Smith & Andrew Bricker (Simon & Schuster)

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30 Players, 30 Stories, 30 Years

We the Raptors: Thirty Players, Thirty Stories, Thirty Years is about the grinders, glue guys, bench heroes, and more. Alvin Williams, José Calderón, T. J. Ford, Jonas Valanciunas, Danny Green — whether regular or part-time starters, role players, key cogs, or even short-term stars — all of them felt blessed to call Canada home.

Amir Johnson immediately fell in love with the diversity of the country. From special events with fans to Zombie Walks down Yonge Street, few players connected with Toronto — on and off the floor—more than Amir. At the age of thirty, Anthony Parker — known as the “Michael Jordan of EuroLeague”—finally found his place in the NBA with the Raptors, a role that had eluded him as a young draftee and during his six seasons overseas. NBA vet and Toronto native Jamaal Magloire mentored younger players in the shadow of his brother’s murder in Regent Park. Bismack Biyombo, a fan favourite for his big, burly play and endless energy, couldn’t decide which team to sign with as a free agent, until a phone call from Masai Ujiri made the choice easy. The Junkyard Dog, Jerome Williams, drove himself to Toronto in a snowstorm, becoming in the process one of the most recognizable players in franchise history. Matt Bonner, dubbed the Red Mamba by none other than Kobe Bryant, emerged as a national hero after going toe to toe in the post with Kevin Garnett. Jorge Garbajosa, a superstar in Italy and his native Spain, gambled on a second career at the age of twenty-eight, becoming the hustle and heart of a playoff-bound Raptors squad only to see his NBA dreams crumble in a career-ending on-court injury.

Every team has unheralded but dogged players but none more so than the expansion-era Raptors, a team that many NBA players and free agents often ignored — until the Raptors became one of the most interesting and winningest teams in the league.

This rich tapestry comes alive in We the Raptors, as told by Raptors radio voice Eric Smith and Andrew Bricker through thirty exclusive interviews with former and current Raptors. Every bounce, every rebound, every elbow to the face — this is a rare view of the NBA through the eyes of those who made it to the pinnacle of their profession.

As the Toronto Raptors turn 30 this year, long-time Toronto sports journalist Eric Smith has teamed up with Andrew Bricker to present 30 profiles of 30 players — former and current — to present a picture of a beloved, franchise. Obviously, this was of considerable interest to me. And, I’m happy to report, it’s a very good read.
Continue reading →

Quick Review: ANT by Chris Hine (Harper)

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An early biography of a rising star of the NBA

The first in-depth look at the Minnesota Timberwolves rising star, from his backstory to his mindset, and the relationships that fueled his drive to greatness.

From his jaw-dropping dunks to his charismatic personality, Anthony Edwards draws comparisons to the greatest shooting guards of all time like Kobe and Jordan. A portrait in the education of a budding NBA superstar, Ant chronicles Edward’s meteoric rise. The number-one pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, a two-time All-Star, Edwards has, in just a few seasons, become a household name and the face of the Minnesota Timberwolves. And he’s only twenty-three years old.

With locker room access, original interviews, and fresh reporting by Chris Hine, the Minnesota Star Tribune’s beat writer covering the Wolves, Ant delves into Edwards’ early life in Atlanta, the challenges and family tragedy he overcame, and the relentless determination that has propelled him to stardom.

Anthony Edwards, the charismatic and personable star of the Minnesota Timberwolves, made a splash in last year’s NBA playoffs, making the jump to potential-future-face-of-the-league. This year, the ‘Wolves are blazing a path through the Western Conference playoffs once again, and will appear in the conference finals against OKC. This all makes Chris Hine’s book rather timely. It’s a well-written and engaging biography of the rising superstar; but perhaps too soon? Continue reading →

Quick Review: THE WONDER BOY by Tim MacMahon (Grand Central Publishing)

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ESPN’s Tim MacMahon chronicles the career of the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic and examines the pressure of building an NBA team around a prodigy.

In 2018, the Dallas Mavericks landed the most hyped European teen prospect in basketball history—Luka Doncic, who has proven to be a generational NBA talent with a flair for sensational playmaking. But that’s only half the story. With The Wonder Boy, MacMahon takes us beyond the highlights to the madness that ensues as the Mavericks try to avoid blowing their golden opportunity.

From the internal power struggles in owner Mark Cuban’s front office during the early years of Doncic’s career, to the new regime’s effort to earn Doncic’s loyalty and put the ruthless competitor in position to win, readers will learn never-before-reported details about the saga’s biggest moments, including:

    • the blockbuster deal for Kristaps Porzingis that blew up in the Mavs’ faces
    • the divorces with coach Rick Carlisle and GM Donnie Nelson
    • Jalen Brunson’s exit after a run to the Western Conference finals
    • the new pairing with the mercurial Kyrie Irving
    • the improbable journey to the 2024 Finals

As the clock ticks on the Mavs’ quest to win it all with their irreplaceable young star, The Wonder Boy pulls back the curtain on a dilemma every NBA team would love to have.

Anyone who has watched the Mavericks play since they acquired Luka Dončić in 2018 will recognize the player’s electric talent. Blistering stat-lines define most of his NBA career so far. He is not, however, otherwise particularly well-known. Like many non-American stars, he remains quite private and not the most forthcoming when it comes to the media/press. In The Wonder Boy, Tim MacMahon attempts to explain this young phenom, and how he fits into the modern NBA. Continue reading →

Quick Review: WHY SO SERIOUS? by Mike Singer (Harper)

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The first biography of the 3x NBA MVP

A revealing, intimate biography of basketball savant and enigmatic NBA superstar Nikola Jokić, filled with news-breaking interviews and deep reporting from Mike Singer, the Nuggets’ former beat writer for the Denver Post.

Why So Serious? takes readers on Nikola Jokić’s long, strange, and incredibly unlikely journey to becoming the heartbeat of the champion Denver Nuggets and the best basketball player on the planet. As he traces Jokić’s transformation from his humble beginnings in Sombor, Serbia, sports journalist Mike Singer captures the witty irreverence, unparalleled competitiveness, and slight mischievousness of the MVP fondly known as “The Joker.”

Behind his veiled public persona, who really is Nikola Jokić? Filled with exclusive, sure-to-be-headline-making interviews, including unique insights from Jokić himself, Why So Serious? delves deep into the soul of the mysterious center and reveals how the big man developed his relentless work ethic, exceptional court vision, and magical playing style that has redefined dominance in the NBA.

Like many NBA fans, Nikola Jokić’s rise to dominance has been fascinating to watch. Famously (and amusingly) drafted 41st during a Taco Bell commercial, he has risen from curiosity to champion in a relatively short time. He is also incredibly private, which means much of his story is not widely known. So, when I got the chance to read and review Mike Singer’s Why So Serious?, I jumped at the chance. While the synopsis oversells it a bit, this is nevertheless the biography Jokić fans have been waiting for. Continue reading →

Upcoming: WHY SO SERIOUS? by Mike Singer (Harper)

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SingerM-WhySoSeriousUSHCNikola Jokic is one of the most fascinating NBA superstars, and certainly one of the best players (maybe ever). He was an unexpected phenomenon (much has been made of the fact that the now three-time League MVP was drafted during a Taco Bell commercial, as the 41st pick), and watching him play is quite awe-inspiring. After last year’s overall win, many — myself included, albeit more hopefully than based on special knowledge or information — confidently proclaimed that they were going to repeat this year. (The Minnesota Timberwolves had different ideas.) Later this year, Harper is due to publish Why So Serious? by Mike Singer, and this is very much one of my most-anticipated books of the year. Here’s the synopsis:

A revealing, intimate biography of basketball savant and enigmatic NBA superstar Nikola Jokic, filled with news-breaking interviews and deep reporting from Mike Singer, the Nuggets’ former beat writer for the Denver Post.

Why So Serious? takes readers on Nikola Jokic’s long, strange, and incredibly unlikely journey to becoming the heartbeat of the champion Denver Nuggets and the best basketball player on the planet. As he traces Jokic’s transformation from his humble beginnings in Sombor, Serbia, sports journalist Mike Singer captures the witty irreverence, unparalleled competitiveness, and slight mischievousness of the MVP fondly known as “The Joker.”

Behind his veiled public persona, who really is Nikola Jokic? Filled with exclusive, sure-to-be-headline-making interviews, including unique insights from Jokic himself, Why So Serious? delves deep into the soul of the mysterious center and reveals how the big man developed his relentless work ethic, exceptional court vision, and magical playing style that has redefined dominance in the NBA.

Mike Singer’s Why So Serious? is due to be published by Harper in North America and in the UK, on December 3rd.

Follow the Author: Twitter

Upcoming: DREAM by Mirin Fader (Hachette)

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FaderM-DreamUSHCMirin Fader‘s Giannis was probably the best-timed book of 2021, published as it was just a couple of months after the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Milwaukee Bucks won their first NBA championship since 1971 (that team led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar/Lew Alcindor). I was lucky enough to get a review of that book before the championship run, and it is a superb biography. Later this year, Hachette is due to published Fader’s next book, Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwan. This is great news for two reasons: First, because I’ve been looking forward to Fader’s next book ever since finishing Giannis; and second, because I don’t know very much about Olajuwon and that era of the NBA. Here’s the synopsis:

The life and legacy of pioneering international basketball superstar Hakeem Olajuwon, a two‑time NBA champion whose Hall of Fame career forever changed the game, both in the United States and around the globe…

It’s now the norm for NBA and collegiate teams to have international players dotting their rosters. The Olympics are no longer a gimme for Team USA. Both via fans streaming from all over the globe and leagues starting in countries throughout the world, the international presence of the game of basketball is a force to be reckoned with.

That all started with Hakeem “the Dream” Olajuwon. He was the first international player to win the MVP, which is hard to believe now considering the last time an American‑born player won it was four years ago. Award-winning hoops journalist Mirin Fader explores this phenomenal shift through the lens of what Olajuwon accomplished throughout the 1980s and ‘90s. Dream ignites nostalgia for Phi Slama Jama and “the Dream Shake,” while also exploring the profound influence of Olajuwon’s Muslim faith on his approach to life and basketball, and how his devotion to his faith inspired generations of Muslim people around the world.

Olajuwon’s ongoing work with NBA Africa, his status as an international ambassador for the game, and his consultations with today’s brightest stars, from LeBron James to Giannis Antetokounmpo, brings the story right up to the present moment, and beyond. Synthesizing hundreds of interviews and in-depth research, Fader provides the definitive biography of Olajuwon as well as a crucial understanding of his pivotal impact on the ever-shifting game.

I’m really looking forward to this.

Mirin Fader’s Dream is due to be published by Hachette Books in North America and in the UK, on October 14th.

Also on CR: Review of Giannis

Follow the Author: Website, Goodreads, Twitter

Excerpt: ALL IN STRIDE by Johanna Garton (Rowman & Littlefield)

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GartonJ-AllInStrideUSHCSomething a little bit different today: All In Stride by Johanna Garton is the story of two Kenyan-born distance runners who emigrated to the United States, and how they built a life in their new home country. Here’s the synopsis:

The inspiring stories of Kenyan-born distance runners Shadrack Kipchirchir and Elvin Kibet and their determination to build meaningful lives as American citizens.

Professional distance runners Shadrack Kipchirchir and Elvin Kibet grew up in rural Kenyan villages. Though their lives began in poverty, both were driven to reach their full potential, to gain an education and make a difference. And they would find their way to do just that through the high-pressure world of distance running.

In All in Stride, Johanna Garton tells the gripping and inspiring stories of Shadrack and Elvin. Beginning with their upbringing in Kenya, Garton follows the runners through their journeys to the United States, running for Division 1 colleges, their fated reunion during a track meet and blossoming romance, and ultimately their service as U.S. soldiers and professional runners.

More than just a running story, All in Stride takes readers behind the scenes to explore the difficulties Elvin and Shadrack faced, including adjusting to an entirely new culture in the U.S., bigotry and intolerance, the stresses and joys of global competitions like the Olympics, joining the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program, and discovering the ever-changing landscape of what it means to be an American.

Continue reading →

Quick Review: THE BOOK OF JAMES by Valerie Babb (PublicAffairs)

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BabbV-BookOfJamesUSHCAn interesting examination of LeBron James in the context of wider American society, business and politics

The unique social, cultural, and political life of the incomparable LeBron James

LeBron James is the hero in two very American tales: one, a success story the nation loves; the other, the latest installment in an ongoing chronicle of American antiblackness. He’s the poor boy from a “broken” home who makes good. He’s also the poor Black boy from a “broken” home who makes good, then at the apex of his career finds “n*****” spray-painted across the gate to his home.

James has lived in the public eye ever since high school when his extraordinary athletic skills subjected his every action, every statement, every fashion choice to intense public scrutiny that tells us less about James himself and more about a nation still wrestling with many social inequities. He uses his celebrity not to transcend Blackness, but to give it a place of cultural prominence, and the backlash he receives exposes the frictions between Blackness and a country not fully comfortable with its presence. As a result, James’s story is a revelatory narrative of how much Blackness is loved, hated, misunderstood, and just plain cool in an America that has changed and yet not changed at all.

I thought Valerie Babb’s new book would offer an interesting and different take on LeBron James’s career and impact — on sports, culture, business, and politics. Babb certainly delivered this, and the book contains plenty of interesting and thought-provoking content. However, James himself seemed strangely secondary for much of it. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting read. Continue reading →