Shea Serrano Explores Michael Jordan’s Legacy in New Book

Author Shea Serrano dives into the complexities of NBA history in his latest book, Expensive Basketball, which examines the lasting impact of basketball legends, particularly Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman. Now available in hardcover from Grand Central Publishing, the book seeks to capture the essence of what makes basketball memorable beyond mere statistics.

Serrano acknowledges the challenge of presenting new insights about Jordan, whose legacy has been extensively documented over the past three decades. He states, “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. It’s not interesting.” Despite this, Serrano felt compelled to include Jordan’s story in his exploration of “expensive basketball,” a term he uses to describe the kind of play that resonates deeply with fans and transcends basic metrics.

To offer a fresh perspective on Jordan, Serrano collaborated with Mike Lynch, executive director of data at Sports Reference. Their research revealed a curious coincidence: Jordan won 66% of his regular-season games and 66% of his playoff games. Serrano became fascinated with the significance of the number six, leading to a unique chapter in the book that documents various instances of this number throughout Jordan’s career.

This chapter has become a highlight for Serrano, who believes it exemplifies his writing ethos—focusing on the emotions and experiences surrounding basketball rather than just the statistical aspects. “The book is not a refutation of stats,” he clarifies. “It’s an affirmation of feelings.”

Shifting Perspectives on Dennis Rodman

Serrano extends his exploration to Dennis Rodman, whose contributions to the game he believes are often underestimated. Rodman, known for his exceptional rebounding and defensive skills, represents a unique case in basketball history. Serrano argues that if Rodman were playing today, he would harness advanced analytics to further refine his game. “I think Dennis Rodman would not only be able to play in today’s game, I think he would be an incredible weapon that people would appreciate certainly more than they did when he was actually doing it,” he asserts.

Serrano draws parallels between Rodman and contemporary players like Draymond Green, highlighting how modern analytics can enhance the understanding of a player’s strengths and contributions. His portrayal of Rodman challenges the perception of the player as an outlier, suggesting instead that his instincts would have been even more effective in today’s data-driven environment.

A Bold New Presentation

The release of Expensive Basketball marks a significant shift in Serrano’s approach to writing. Although he has authored three New York Times bestsellers and launched his own digital publishing company, this project represents a departure from his previous styles. Serrano envisioned a book that not only looked different but also felt important. He successfully persuaded his publisher to adopt a sleek design and a vertical format, setting it apart from his earlier works.

Serrano’s risk has paid off, as Expensive Basketball quickly ascended the New York Times bestseller list and became the number one book in independent bookstores, a first in his career. He expresses satisfaction with the outcome, noting that he hopes the writing reflects the same luxurious quality associated with “expensive” basketball.

Through his exploration of Jordan, Rodman, and the emotional connections fans have to the game, Serrano aims to redefine how basketball stories are told. His work emphasizes that the true value of basketball lies not only in its statistics but also in the feelings and memories it evokes—an approach that resonates deeply with fans around the world.