Masters of the Game

The legendary sportswriter and the Hall of Fame, eleven-time NBA champion coach separate the music from the noise in the stories of the greatest who ever played and their impact on the game

Sam Smith and Phil Jackson grew to know and respect each otherin the late 1980s, when Smith was a Chicago Tribune sportswriterand Jackson was an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls. Fortyyears later, the two remain close friends. In 2021, Smith helped theNBA arrive at a list of the seventy-five greatest players of all timein celebration of its seventy-fifth anniversary. Phil Jackson wasasked to participate too, but he’s not a big fan of ranking greatness.They’ve been enjoying the argument ever since.

In Masters of the Game, Smith and Jackson chop it up about thebasketball life, the sport, and both the genius and shadow side ofthe all-time greats: Jordan, Kobe, Shaq, Magic, Bill Russell, Wilt,Jerry West, Bird, LeBron, KD, Steph Curry, Bill Walton, and more. Ina conversation full of high-grade analysis and high-grade gossip, wemeet the stars of long-ago eras of basketball and see the mark raceleft on players and the business of the game—and we get a masterclass on character and the alchemy of a good team. And of course,inevitably, these two old heads get into the GOAT debate.

There are so many huge characters here, and Smith and Jacksoncan hold their own with any of them. Their spirit—sharp, wise,irreverent, honest, respectful of the lore and legacy of the game butnever pious—and the clash of their different perspectives combineto make this book a joyous ride, a short course in greatness opento all students.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs