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Talk of Champions: Stories of the People Who Made Me: A Memoir

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A revealing, humorous, behind-the-scenes memoir from Kenny "The Jet" Smith—superstar basketball commentator, host of the top-rated show, Inside the NBA , and two-time NBA champion. Smith reveals memorable inside stories of his playing and broadcasting careers, focusing on the star players, coaches, and mentors who inspired him along the way.
 
Kenny Smith was a star at the University of North Carolina before his storied NBA run, in which he won two championships with the Houston Rockets. His popularity skyrocketed when he joined TNT’s new show, Inside the NBA , which has thrived for twenty-four years and won multiple Emmys, receiving enormous acclaim for the insight, humor, social commentary, and unrivaled basketball coverage from Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Ernie Johnson, Jr. Kenny is known to fans for his laser-sharp analysis and eloquent observations of the basketball scene and culture. 
 
In this honest and profound memoir, Kenny writes chapters about each of the extraordinary people who taught him invaluable life lessons. He illuminates the personalities, affections, and quirks of friends such as Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kobe Bryant, among others, and what he learned from each of them. He writes about his legendary UNC coach, Dean Smith, and other indelible role models through his career. And he interweaves poignant material about his upbringing in Queens, New York, his parents, his children, and his marriage, explaining the rich knowledge he obtained from the important figures around him. Kenny is also a strong, intelligent voice on race, as his fans and TV viewers will know. Ultimately this is a revealing, humorous, and powerful memoir, offering a candid glimpse inside the rarified world of elite sports and broadcasting, with inspiring takeaways.

272 pages, Hardcover

Published May 9, 2023

About the author

Kenny Smith

35 books4 followers

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5 stars
137 (37%)
4 stars
148 (40%)
3 stars
65 (18%)
2 stars
7 (1%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 3, 2023
The subtitle, Stories of the People Who Made Me: A Memoir, provides the reader with an accurate perspective on what Smith is presenting. This isn’t a straight chronological progression of the influences on his career. Instead, we are like a Pachinko ball, not quite sure where we are eventually going to land. Please don’t take that as a put-down or a criticism. Smith wants us to understand what he learned from his intimate contacts with a number of “champions” and how they influenced the life-choices he has made.

If we believe Smith, and I do, he was intent on becoming a professional basketball player. For me, how he achieved that was interesting, but even more interesting was how he was able to expand his focus from his own achievement to a commitment to be among those who could influence the way race has been considered in the USA and one can accomplish with a life lived in the spotlight.

Each chapter takes up a different person in his life, from Coaches such as Dean Smith, to opponents and comrades such as Michael Jordan, and sports television personalities such as Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal.

But, in the end it all comes down to family for Smith, and he says that it is the reason that he wrote this book. "I asked myself, What needs to be repaired? And, even more to the point, Who am I? We asked one another in the family, Who are you? The answers to those essential questions are the keys to becoming a champion at whatever we do. We have to know ourselves. In sports, every championship team has an identity, a style of play."

This is a very thoughtful book by a man who could have taken celebrity and privilege for granted……but didn’t.

60 reviews
June 18, 2023
Great book for any NBA fan in the 90’s and especially fans of Kenny’s show Inside the NBA on TNT. Extremely talented guy on and off the court who seems to be self aware and have humility.
Profile Image for Nicki Escudero.
158 reviews7 followers
June 30, 2023
Thank you, Kenny Smith, for writing this book.

I love Smith as an analyst for TNT's "Inside the NBA" and was interested to read his memoir. Upon first glance of the table of contents, I was a little disappointed that each chapter was dedicated to how a single person motivated and shaped Smith, an NBA champion and TV personality. I thought maybe a chronological narrative of his entire life would be richer and pack more of a punch.

But the book's format ended up being perfect. Each chapter vividly illustrates how Smith has grown up and evolved, with the stories touching on his upbringing, his high school and college years, his time as an NBA player, his career as an analyst and his ventures into business and acting. It definitely left me wanting to read more, which is a testament to Smith's great storytelling.

He talks about his high school and college coaches, NBA greats like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, his former opponents (and now coworkers) Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal, and his kids. The stories he chooses might not be what you expect. With Bryant, for example, the most touching portion is about Bryant's immediate willingness to participate in a benefit for Hurricane Katrina victims, no questions asked. When he talks about his former Houston Rockets championship-winning teammate Hakeem Olajuwon, he explains how Olajuwon's Muslim faith and African culture shaped him as both a player and a man.

Smith is funny, honest and a powerful writer. He makes sure every word makes an impact, resulting in a quick and compelling read I gobbled up in just a day.

The stories help you learn what it means to be extraordinary, whether you want to be a professional athlete or stand out at work. His empathy and kindness are evident. I learned so much not just from the tales he told of others who influenced him, but from Smith's humility and drive, as well.

You'll love this book if you're a fan of Smith in any way. If you want to learn more insights into NBA locker rooms, or what it's like to be on the set of "Inside the NBA", or what growing up in Queens, NY, as part of a diverse neighborhood in the 1970s/1980s was like, you'll enjoy every page of this book like I did.
Profile Image for Diane Wilkes.
542 reviews12 followers
May 19, 2023
I've been a fan of Kenny "The Jet" Smith for a while, recognizing a person of great intelligence and wisdom (not to mention an avid Tar Heel who was recruited by and played under my personal god, Dean Smith). After reading a sample, I knew I had to read Talk of Champions: Stories of the People Who Made Me, but I didn't know that I'd read it in one day. I just couldn't put it down!

It's not so much a memoir as it is what the subtitle says: stories of people who had a major influence on Smith. Some are extremely famous (Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley) and some are less so--Kenny's high school coach, his parents, and his children, to whom the book is dedicated. You learn as much about Kenny and the kind of person he is, as you do these famous people. He focuses on certain qualities each of these people had and how it influenced him for good. And, of course, my favorite chapter was the one that focused on the great Coach Smith, with a story I was unfamiliar with about a call Coach Smith made to Kenny regarding the choice of the the coach who replaced him. Just when I think I couldn't admire Coach Smith more . . .

You're right, Kenny--a Bentley is a Bentley. It doesn't have to self-promote.

It also turns out that Kenny is a big Gil Scott-Heron fan, and he mentioned The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. I had the opportunity to see GSH ten times and interview the great visionary, so that was a nice synchronicity.

If you're a basketball fan looking for some inspiration, look no further than the wisdom of Talk of Champions. It holds some valuable information on how to become a champion of life.
Profile Image for Mark Lieberman.
Author 3 books10 followers
May 25, 2023
I know who Kenny Smith is, not only from the Houston Rockets where he won two championship rings, but also Inside the NBA on TNT. When I saw he had written a book, I knew I had to read it.

It was more of a book of who helped him along the way in high school, college, the NBA, and his partners at TNT, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson. I had no idea that when he was a rookie with the Sacramento Kings, that Bill Russell was his head coach and Willis Reed was his assistant coach – that is some history right there! It was a fairly quick and easy read, and I enjoyed reading it.
Profile Image for Kaleb.
271 reviews1 follower
August 27, 2023
Basketball fans will eat this right up! Cool stories from Kenny featuring NBA stars from the past and present that helped him become the man he is today. Similar to the Chris Paul book that just came out. Good read!
Profile Image for Amanda.
39 reviews4 followers
June 2, 2023
I've been watching Inside the NBA for years, so this felt like catching up with an old friend and hearing familiar stories. Loved seeing what he learned from his mentors and peers, and how he applied those lessons to his own life.
Profile Image for Nathan Snowden.
71 reviews3 followers
May 18, 2023
Great memoir, great personal stories. Learned a lot of behind the scenes stuff about folks I didn’t know before. Love how Kenny honors those who came before him and appreciates his kids. Great read.
February 15, 2024
Very close to 5 stars, but I disagree with a decent amount of what he said.

First of all, I think it’s wild that the page numbers are at the top of the book. I’ve never seen that done before and hope I never do again.

Overall, I really liked the book but I think it’s wild Ernie only got a paragraph. I understand it’s not my life, but from the outside looking in it seems a bit odd to have a chapter on Kobe, who he stated he only met a few times, and have only a paragraph about Ern. Especially since the Kobe paragraph was about being a good parent. Idk.

I also found Kenny to be contradictory at times. He talked about how John Thompson should be seen as the first Georgetown coach to win the natty, not the first black coach. But later he talks about how Obama becoming the first black president was a huge deal for his family and the culture. Idk just seemed odd.

Also came across at times that he kept saying he wouldn’t apologize for being wealthy. I think I just have a different understanding of the Bible quote “our cup runneth over”, so that may be a part of it.

Really liked this book, read it all in under 24 hours, but walking away I don’t know if I like Kenny any more than I previously did. I know that’s not the point of the book, but just my thoughts. Loved the way he talked about his coaches with the utmost respect, and made me think about my coaches, even though I never played anything super competitively lol
Profile Image for Joe Lawrence.
239 reviews13 followers
December 25, 2023
Look, I wouldn't advocate AGAINST this book because Kenny "the Jet" Smith is an unassuming, charismatic, smoothroller who deserves more credit than he gets... but c'mon. You gotta give me a bit more than "I love my kids", "Michael Jordan was good" and "Charles Barkley's my friend." There's only so much nitty gritty enjoyment I can get outta "I was good in college and still they didn't start me in the pros."

I guess I admire his ability to blows past difficult topics with ease and professionalism. Not a guarantee in this era, and certainly a reason he shines on screen. For instance, he has this big, public racial disagreement with Charles Barkley and then writes an open letter which he inculudes in full. And somehow at the end Barkley agrees that calling theives and looters "scumbags" may have been rude but he stands by his statement. Felt a bit Dickensian. Reminds me of the part when Kenny started a charity game with a $15k minimum donation and got Kobe, KD and 30 other NBA players to partake. No small gesture, and Kenny's out there demanding guys tuck in their jewlery since it's impolite to those watching that can't afford those.

Maybe heroes don't wear capes. They wear jerseys.
Profile Image for Michael.
221 reviews5 followers
June 26, 2024
As a native Houstonian, I was excited to see Kenny Smith had written a memoir, and was quick to snatch it up. Overall, this is a wonderful collection of profiles about the people who have helped Kenny Smith to succeed on and off the court.

However, there were two issues I had reading the book:
1. Kenny mentions in the chapter on Kobe Bryant about calling his friend at the Toyota Center, "where I won two championships with the Houston Rockets." The Rockets won their championship in the Summit, and I don't even think Kenny every played a game in Toyota Center. It's just a very GLARING editorial error that takes away from the overall book.

2. It was disappointing Ernie Johnson did not garner a chapter. Instead, he tacks on a very heartwarming story about EJ as an afterthought in a particular chapter. The chapters about Charles Barkely and Shaq were very insightful. It's hard to believe EJ, the leader of the NBA on TNT team, didn't get his own chapter.

Both were fairly big distractions from what is truly an enjoyable and insightful read.
Profile Image for Ken Heard.
685 reviews13 followers
July 10, 2023
If you can get past the part of Kenny Smith saying how he's all understanding of everyone when others doesn't get them -- case in point Isaiah Thomas and Charles Barkley -- this is a somewhat fun book that looks back at the NBA of the 1990s.

Smith seemed to be overshadowed by players. Michael Jordan at North Carolina, Olajuwon and Drexler at Houston, but his attitude and his dealings with others let him be a team leader. He writes that Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich often went to Smith to deal with the temperament of teammate Vernon Maxwell.

It's an easy read; it took me a day and a half to zip through the book. It was fun ride remembering some of the players and games. I realize it is a memoir, and it should be about the author's life and observations. I was just a bit burned out by the end because of his all-understanding ways when no one else was like him.
Profile Image for Keon Holland.
3 reviews
October 14, 2024
As a huge fan of Inside the NBA and a fan of Kenny Smith, I had high hopes for this book. My expectations were met. This book provided a perspective and storytelling style that I have not encountered in other memoirs. Throughout, Kenny shares his experiences and life lessons through his interactions and relationships with an array of influential people in his life, ranging from Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’neal to his parents and children. In my opinion, this style of story telling kept the book feeling fresh because every chapter you heard stories centered around a new person/new people. Rather than just hearing about his life in plain terms, he provided insight on how various people influenced him at numerous points in his upbringing and adulthood that molded him into the player he was and the man he is today.
51 reviews2 followers
August 14, 2023
Kenny Smith writes a memoir to compile the best advice from all the different people who have powerfully influenced him so he can share with his kids. He talks about growing up in NYC, college at UNC, his life as a pro, and now his job at TNT and being a dad. It was cool to hear his stories of Jordan, Chuck, Shaq, and even the influence that his high school coach had on him. If you don’t care about sports or any of those people, probably not for you but basketball fans will for sure enjoy the stories.
5 reviews
May 21, 2023
Good autobiography

Although I never heard the word mentioned in the book leads me to believe there’s more to the story but I can’t imagine what would that be. He covered his upbringing his career maybe the best is yet to come. Your parents did a good job instilling the power of reading at a earlier age and it’s good to see it pay dividends for you and congratulations and wish one day we could meet and shake hands and take care.
Profile Image for Antione.
21 reviews8 followers
January 6, 2024
Kenny Smith was my favorite player growing up and he not only inspired me on the basketball court as a kid, now he is aspiring me in another facet of life. Because of him I decided to write my own book about people who molded me as a person growing up. Of course I mention certain family members and my favorite basketball coach. It was therapeutic and made me reflect on and reconnect from people from my past.
Profile Image for Jeff Alexy.
106 reviews
October 26, 2024
Very clear and concise in its organization. Very quick read. Kenny keeps it moving along very quickly. Love the behind-the-scenes stories. With books like these, they often spend too much time on people I’ve never heard of, but this book only really covers the famous people Kenny came across.

Kenny is a little off base with how important he thinks he was to the Rockets, but that’s very on brand for him.

Overall, I loved it. Read it in no time.
Profile Image for Sue DeWalt.
331 reviews4 followers
June 15, 2023
Such a fun read! As a lifelong Tarheel, I have enjoyed following Kenny's career for decades. By sharing the lessons he has learned along the way from so many other people that I am also familiar with, it was enjoyable to gain from their wisdom and insight. After all, world-class athletes are also human with real-world feelings, problems, and joys. TAR! HEELS!
Profile Image for Gary Brisco.
61 reviews4 followers
June 28, 2023
Great book of stories and lessons Kenny Smith learned from being around awesome people in the basketball community. The game is really more than a game when you apply the things you've learned as life lessons. I hope more people can apply the same skills and knowledge learned from playing sports into their personal and professional lives.
Profile Image for Keeko.
353 reviews
August 4, 2023
What an enjoyable book! I was excited to read it because of the idea of hearing the stories of those champions. Every story was interesting and well told, but very quickly, I became more interested in Kenny Smith's story and perspective. Full of heart, chuckles, smiles, and inspiration, it was a treat to read. Thanks Mr. Smith, and thanks to everyone who worked on this!
August 7, 2023
I liked the concept of this book: each chapter is dedicated to life lessons Kenny Smith learned throughout life from different people, while simultaneously going through his own life story. Also appreciated Kenny Smith did his own audiobook. Would definitely recommend if you like watching Inside the NBA on TNT and you’re a fan of the jet
91 reviews
December 9, 2023
Alternative title: Kenny Smith Loves Kenny Smith and So Should You!

This was recommended to me and it had some fun stories even if you're not a big basketball fan. I think I would have preferred to read it instead of listen- it often had an irritatingly awkward/clunky cadence, like he was reading the words aloud for the first time.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Joyce.
276 reviews
December 25, 2023
I have been a fan of Kenny Smith’s since his UNC days. He is a great athlete and a kind soul. I enjoyed reading the book and learning who shaped him as a man and basketball player. I am going to have my students think of the people who have helped shaped them. It will be an interesting discussion/project.
Profile Image for Corey Craig.
34 reviews1 follower
March 3, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! As a long time NBA fan sometimes I’ll pick up a book like this and worry that I’m not going to walk away with much. I worry that I’m going to know all the stories. While there were a few stories I knew, the book still offered up a lot in terms of new stories and insights. A great book!
Profile Image for Vernon Campbell.
52 reviews2 followers
June 10, 2023
Great book
Not surprisingly after seeing an interview with Big Boy the radio DJ and personality had Kenny Smith on and that's what made me get the book. Full of great stories not just personals rants. Really informative in a not so preachy way. 😎
721 reviews
August 2, 2023
A lot of good and familiar stories from Kenny's life including his career in the NBA as both a player and a broadcaster. Kenny also does a good job of talking about his philosophy on life without being overly preachy.
Profile Image for Danny B.
55 reviews
August 14, 2023
A very fun, lesson-filled, and insightful read into Kenny Smith’s life and mentors who helped shape his life. I appreciate the structure of this book and felt that Kenny’s insight was very well thought out and his advice was super important, athlete or no. Definitely recommend.
171 reviews
February 1, 2024
Easy read. Entertaining. Showcases the best of every person mentioned to the point where it becomes a bit too "sweet". Small criticism - it's not necessary to mention at least once in every chapter that his insight/empathy came from growing up in New York.
Profile Image for Brian.
151 reviews
May 24, 2023
Kenny Smith focuses on those influential in his life ; interesting
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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