Muggsy Bogues Offers Conversation in “Muggsy”; Grant Hill offers contemplation in ‘Game’

Muggsy Bogues offers a glimpse into his inner workings in Muggsy, while Grant Hill reflects on how his NBA life could have gone in Game.

Muggsy Bogues is best known for being the shortest player in NBA history at just 5ft 3in. But that fact has too often overshadowed everything else in his fascinating life. From his childhood in Baltimore to his time on what might be the greatest high school team of all time; Bogues has lived a fascinating life of triumphs, from playing in Wake Forest to working with Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning in Charlotte. And now he tells his life story in his new autobiography: “Muggsy‘, co-written with Jacob Uitti.

Muggsy Bogues welcomes fans into his fascinating NBA life in “Muggsy.”

Muggsy’s voice is clear throughout, and co-writer Jacob Uitti does a wonderful job of conveying Bogues’ thoughts and memories clearly. In fact, that voice is the book’s biggest selling point, as the chatty, laid-back tone can make readers feel like they’re just sitting in a room with Bogues while he recounts stories from his life. Few autobiographies are so inviting.

And while Bogues was certainly a very successful point guard who built a 14-year career, he wasn’t a star player. This allows him to provide a relative everyone’s perspective as we see him navigate the NBA.

Towards the end of the book, Bogues writes that at times he “felt like the Forrest Gump of NBA players because I was connected to so many important parts of gaming history, from Malone to Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Carter, Chris Paul, and Seth and.” Steph Curry.” And that’s part of what makes Bogue’s book entertaining — looking at these other players he’s crossed paths with throughout his career. He’s witnessed and participated in so much NBA history that his book is a veritable treasure trove of clashes with greatness. In addition, every page shows his sense of joy and gratitude for having lived the life he has lived through.

The main problem with Muggsy is that, as enjoyable as spending 200+ pages on Bogues is, it often feels a little insignificant. Hoops fans looking for an enjoyable and digestible memoir of a ’90s icon will be delighted with Muggsy. However, anyone hoping for a more thoughtful or insightful work on life as an NBA player should look elsewhere.

Grant Hill ponders what could have been in ‘Game’

Despite being a Naismith Hall of Famer, Grant Hill’s career still carries a slight whiff of “what if?” In 2000, after five straight seasons as a member of the All-NBA team, Hill signed as a piston with the Orlando Magic. However, due to a series of ankle and foot injuries, Hill only played 47 games over the next four seasons and the hoped-for dynamic duo of Hill and Tracy McGrady never managed to reach the heights they could have.

It is these struggles, so eloquently and thoughtfully captured, that lie at the heart of Hill’s new autobiography.Game.” In these passages one can see the anguish and confusion that follows an athlete when they find they are unable to accomplish the tasks to which they have dedicated their lives. It’s also an interesting look at how medical treatment in the NBA has evolved since Hill’s initial injuries, from a model more focused on treating specific issues as they arise to one that’s more holistic and preventive .

Not the whole book is that interesting, however. For example, about a third of the book is dedicated to Hill’s time at Duke University, where he won two titles and appeared in another championship game. However, this section can’t help but feel excessively long given how well covered these teams were and how little Hill is able – or more likely – willing to contribute to the team’s story. That gives away too much about the book as a whole.

Grant Hill has always appeared as a very thoughtful person. In his memoirs, however, this thoughtfulness almost seems like an obligation, since too often it equates to a sense of reticence. It feels like Hill is holding back, and his insights and thoughts are often not insightful enough to make up for it. The result of this is that there is a consistent tone that makes readers feel privy to the reflections of an NBA legend. Still, it’s that reluctance that keeps Hill from writing the great autobiography I think he’s capable of.

Neither “Game” nor “Muggsy” stand out from the many athlete autobiographies on the market. While fans of any athlete will enjoy reading their life stories and spending time with them, those who aren’t very devoted fans of those individuals or the NBA might be better off skipping these two books. They’re both entertaining enough on their own, but still don’t rise above the conventional tropes that so many similar books inhabit.