Shea Serrano Explores Michael Jordan’s Legacy in New Book

Author Shea Serrano delves into the complexities of NBA greats in his latest book, Expensive Basketball, available in hardcover from Grand Central Publishing. The work tackles the legacy of Michael Jordan and the brilliance of Dennis Rodman, exploring basketball beyond mere statistics.

Serrano acknowledges the challenge of writing about Jordan, stating, “Everything has been covered with this guy. You can’t just show up and be like, ‘Oh, what a maniacal competitor he was.’ That’s not additive.” With over three decades since Jordan’s dominance on the court, finding fresh perspectives can be daunting. Yet, Serrano recognized that discussing Jordan was inevitable when writing about basketball’s elite moments.

The author sets out to describe a unique form of basketball, one that transcends scores and statistics. This basketball is memorable and resonates with fans long after the final whistle. Jordan, known for delivering some of the most spectacular performances in the sport’s history, naturally features prominently in this narrative.

To uncover new insights, Serrano collaborated with Mike Lynch, executive director of data at Sports Reference. His fascination with the number six led to an intriguing exploration: Jordan’s remarkable 66% success rate in both regular-season and playoff games. Serrano collected anecdotes related to the number six, including Jordan’s six Finals MVP trophies and iconic shots involving players wearing the number three. This culminated in a chapter dedicated to the significance of the number six in Jordan’s career, which Serrano describes as both his favorite and the most labor-intensive part of the book.

“This chapter took the most time and effort to research and write and perfect,” Serrano explained. He anticipates that readers will either love it or find it peculiar, a testament to the engaging nature of his work.

In Expensive Basketball, Serrano shifts the focus from numbers to emotions. He emphasizes that while statistics play a vital role in understanding the game, they should not overshadow the feelings and experiences that define basketball fandom. “No story that I heard ever started with a number,” he remarked, reflecting on conversations with fellow enthusiasts.

Serrano believes that today’s basketball fans possess a deeper understanding of the game, often referencing advanced analytics in casual discussions. Nevertheless, he aims to affirm the emotional connections fans have with the sport. “The book is not a refutation of stats,” he stated. “It’s an affirmation of feelings.”

When it comes to players like Rodman, Serrano sees a parallel between past and present. He argues that Rodman, whose unique skills at rebounding and defense made him a standout in the 1990s, would thrive in today’s game. By utilizing modern analytics, Rodman could refine his instincts even further, becoming an even more formidable player. Serrano compared Rodman to current defensive specialists like Draymond Green, suggesting that Rodman’s talents would be more appreciated in a contemporary context.

The journey to publishing Expensive Basketball was a departure for Serrano, who is known for his previous successes, including three New York Times bestsellers. When he sold the book in 2021, he envisioned a fresh approach, opting for a distinctive design and format that set it apart from his earlier works. “I wanted the book to look important. I wanted it to feel important,” he noted, highlighting his desire for the book’s presentation to match its content.

Serrano’s efforts have paid off; Expensive Basketball has already reached the New York Times bestseller list and claimed the top spot in independent bookstores. The author hopes that both the visual and textual elements of the book reflect the essence of the basketball he loves—expensive in quality but invaluable in impact.

As fans dive into Serrano’s exploration of basketball, they can expect a blend of nostalgia, analysis, and emotional resonance, making Expensive Basketball a compelling read for sports enthusiasts.