Publishers Weekly
★ 05/03/2021
In this thrilling biography, journalist Howard-Cooper (Tim Duncan) looks back at the trophy-laden career of player-turned-coach Steve Kerr. Written with an emphasis on Kerr’s charismatic personality, the narrative follows him from his days as a UCLA ball boy to becoming one of the most successful basketball coaches in history, having led the Golden State Warriors to three titles (in addition to the five he won as a player). Along the way, Kerr overcame severe challenges, most notably the assassination of his father, a high-profile academic, in Beirut in 1984, when Kerr was in college. While the tragedy rocked Kerr’s life, it didn’t stifle his fun-loving spirit, or his passion for basketball. Howard-Cooper documents how Kerr went from a lowly reserve to team leader for the University of Arizona Wildcats and helped them reach the NCAA Final Four, and later joined the Phoenix Suns before beginning a successful stint with the Chicago Bulls in 1993. Though his work as a TV commentator are touched on, his time with the Bulls makes for the most exciting passages, from his first season as a champion (during which he partying with Dennis Rodman) to an evocative detailing of his “slightly flawed” game-winning shot in the 1998 finals. Casual fans and hoops nuts alike will love this illuminating work. Agent: Tim Hays, Tim Hays Media. (June)
From the Publisher
"Thrilling. ... Casual fans and hoops nuts alike will love this illuminating work." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Riveting. ... Deftly recounted. ... Kerr's time with the Bulls comes alive in the author's telling. ... This engaging biography is a must-read for basketball fans." — Library Journal (starred review)
"If Lou Gehrig were here, he might agree Steve Kerr is the luckiest man alive, as Steve often says. Because Steve's is a heck of a story and you could write a book about it. Oh, right. Scott Howard-Cooper did. And it's well told through Steve's personal triumphs and tragedy and triumph and triumph and triumph, all achieved and experienced with endearing humor and humility. You can't believe how he got there until you know how he did. And then you appreciate Steve even more and Scott for bringing the story to us." — SAM SMITH, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Jordan Rules
“The Kerr story is an amazing one, and Scott Howard-Cooper has given us a fascinating look at a fascinating life. Kerr takes such a mirthful, ironic approach, filled with self deprecation, to so much of the business of competing, yet make no mistake. Underneath all of that is a hard-edged, driven competitor, burnished in many cases by disappointment and sorrow, yet possessed of immense wisdom and insight into the emotional lives of NBA players and coaches. Scott Howard-Cooper has captured brilliantly the mystery of all that. I must say I'm quite envious.” — ROLAND LAZENBY, author of Michael Jordan: The Life
"Steve Kerr has lived an amazing life, with moments of great elation and immense pain. Scott Howard-Cooper has put together an important, well-researched book that reflects all the ups and downs of Kerr's journey through basketball and beyond, with keen insights as to what makes him a successful coach and a deeply admirable human being. You don't have to be a Warriors fan, or even a basketball fan, to enjoy this book." — SETH DAVIS, basketball reporter and author, CBS Sports and The Athletic
"A compelling account that demands a place in any sports collection." — Booklist
"[A] highly entertaining look at one of basketball’s most interesting people." — Plainview Herald
"One of the few writers with the combination of juice and talent to make a project like this work. ... A comprehensive look at one of the most interesting men in professional sports today. ... A breezy, fast-moving read that—much like its titular namesake—makes the majority of its shots." — The Maine Edge
ROLAND LAZENBY
The Kerr story is an amazing one, and Scott Howard-Cooper has given us a fascinating look at a fascinating life. Kerr takes such a mirthful, ironic approach, filled with self deprecation, to so much of the business of competing, yet make no mistake. Underneath all of that is a hard-edged, driven competitor, burnished in many cases by disappointment and sorrow, yet possessed of immense wisdom and insight into the emotional lives of NBA players and coaches. Scott Howard-Cooper has captured brilliantly the mystery of all that. I must say I'm quite envious.”
Plainview Herald
"[A] highly entertaining look at one of basketball’s most interesting people."
SETH DAVIS
"Steve Kerr has lived an amazing life, with moments of great elation and immense pain. Scott Howard-Cooper has put together an important, well-researched book that reflects all the ups and downs of Kerr's journey through basketball and beyond, with keen insights as to what makes him a successful coach and a deeply admirable human being. You don't have to be a Warriors fan, or even a basketball fan, to enjoy this book."
The Maine Edge
"One of the few writers with the combination of juice and talent to make a project like this work. ... A comprehensive look at one of the most interesting men in professional sports today. ... A breezy, fast-moving read that—much like its titular namesake—makes the majority of its shots."
Booklist
"A compelling account that demands a place in any sports collection."
SAM SMITH
"If Lou Gehrig were here, he might agree Steve Kerr is the luckiest man alive, as Steve often says. Because Steve's is a heck of a story and you could write a book about it. Oh, right. Scott Howard-Cooper did. And it's well told through Steve's personal triumphs and tragedy and triumph and triumph and triumph, all achieved and experienced with endearing humor and humility. You can't believe how he got there until you know how he did. And then you appreciate Steve even more and Scott for bringing the story to us."
Booklist
"A compelling account that demands a place in any sports collection."
Library Journal
★ 06/01/2021
In this riveting biography, veteran basketball writer Howard-Cooper recounts the life of Steve Kerr, head coach of NBA's Golden State Warriors. Fans of Kerr and the Warriors may already be familiar with key moments in the coach's life: his father's political assassination in Lebanon; scorching the nets as a lightly recruited Arizona Wildcats player; and drifting in the NBA for five seasons before finding success with the Chicago Bulls during its era as the Michael Jordan-led juggernaut. Kerr's time with the Bulls comes alive in the author's telling, especially the moment Kerr hit the shot that won the 1997 NBA championship. Kerr's time as popular commentator and coach is also deftly recounted here; he won three NBA titles as head coach for the Warriors after returning to the sport in 2014, and has had to navigate the challenges of leading a team decimated by injuries and free agency during the past two abbreviated seasons. VERDICT Despite a rather abrupt conclusion, this engaging biography is a must-read for basketball fans. Howard-Cooper tells the story of a player who, with luck, pluck, and smarts, has evolved into a top-tier coach and political activist.—Jim Burns, formerly with Jacksonville P.L., FL
