Synopsis
"Trial by Basketball: The Life and Times of Tex Winter" is a biography written by journalist and author Roland Lazenby about the life of legendary basketball coach, Tex Winter. Winter was an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls during their dynasty of the 1990s and was known for his innovative "Triangle Offense" that helped guide Michael Jordan and the Bulls to six NBA championships.
The book begins with Winter's childhood in Kansas, where he grew up on a farm and developed a love for basketball. It then follows his basketball career as a player at USC and later as a coach at Kansas State and the University of Washington. Winter's coaching career took him to several college programs, including Long Beach State, Marquette, and Northwestern, before he landed in the NBA as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets.
Winter's work with the Rockets caught the attention of Bulls head coach Phil Jackson, who brought him on as an assistant in 1985. Winter's knowledge of the game and his expertise in the Triangle Offense were instrumental in the Bulls' success, and he went on to win nine NBA championships as an assistant coach with the Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The book also delves into Winter's personal life, including his struggle with alcoholism and his devotion to his family. Lazenby paints a vivid picture of Winter's life, from his childhood on the farm to his time coaching in the NBA, and shows how his basketball philosophies and principles impacted the game of basketball. Overall, "Trial by Basketball" provides an in-depth look at the life and legacy of one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time.