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Rebound!: Basketball, Busing, Larry Bird, and the Rebirth of Boston
In the mid-1970s, the city of Boston entered a period of upheaval on both its historic cobblestone streets and its legendary parquet basketball court. The Boston Celtics’ long dominance of the NBA came to an abrupt end, and the city's image as a hub of social justice was shaken to its core. When the federal courts declared, in 1974, that the city was in violation of school desegregation rulings and would need to institute a busing program, Boston became deeply polarized.
Then, just as the city was struggling to pull itself out of economic and social turmoil, the Boston Celtics drafted a forward from Indiana State named Larry Bird. Upon the arrival of the “Hick from French Lick” to Boston in 1979, the fates of team and city were reborn. Pride, championships, reduced crime, and an economic boom re-emerged in Boston.
In Rebound!, author Michael Connelly chronicles these parallel but intertwining worlds. It is an account of a city in financial, moral, and social decline brought back to life by the re-emergence of the Boston Celtics dynasty and the return of hope, purpose, and pride to “Hub of the Universe.” Interviews with city officials, former players, and others on the frontlines provide a fascinating exploration into this tumultuous time.
Then, just as the city was struggling to pull itself out of economic and social turmoil, the Boston Celtics drafted a forward from Indiana State named Larry Bird. Upon the arrival of the “Hick from French Lick” to Boston in 1979, the fates of team and city were reborn. Pride, championships, reduced crime, and an economic boom re-emerged in Boston.
In Rebound!, author Michael Connelly chronicles these parallel but intertwining worlds. It is an account of a city in financial, moral, and social decline brought back to life by the re-emergence of the Boston Celtics dynasty and the return of hope, purpose, and pride to “Hub of the Universe.” Interviews with city officials, former players, and others on the frontlines provide a fascinating exploration into this tumultuous time.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2008
50 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Michael Connelly
13 books4 followersMichael Connelly was a popular sportswriter in the New England area for over a decade. He is also an author, coach, and business executive. Connelly has appeared on television and radio including ESPN, NPR, Fox News and was featured in the CBS documentary “Marching On.”
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 28, 2023
RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “CRUCIAL TIME IN BOSTON: FORCED BUSING & LARRY BIRD…”SCHOOL USED TO BE FUN… NOW IT’S A RIOT!”
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From 1974 to 1987 the citizens in the city of Boston, had forced school busing legally imposed on them to desegregate schools. The upheaval locally and in the eyes of the world that this poorly thought out and ill planned debacle incurred on Boston’s entire citizenry is exquisitely detailed by the author. Intertwined with this turbulent tale is the history of the cities beloved professional basketball team the Boston Celtics. The Celtics have won more World Championships than any team in basketball history, including ELEVEN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THIRTEEN YEARS BETWEEN 1956 AND 1969 a record unmatched by any professional team in any sport. In 1978 and 1979 the Celtics had two of their worst years in memory, including finishing last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 29 wins and 53 losses, a won/lost percentage of .354 in 1979. So as the city of Boston was disintegrating in a sea of black versus white... and a ravaging legal battle… attacking the basic rights and freedoms of individuals in the towns that they had lived in for generations… the vaunted Celtics… who normally had the power to give their citizenry something to cheer for… and to forget… even temporarily… their daily woes… had become a disorganized… dispirited… team… that was tarnishing the true meaning of *CELTIC-PRIDE*.
The original premise of forced busing was to provide equal opportunities for a good education to all people, but the whole plan was flawed from day one. “SOMEWHERE DOWN THE PATH TOWARD DESEGREGATION, THE ESSENCE OF EDUCATION HAD BEEN SACRIFICED. MORE THAN *ONE-HUNDRED-MILLION-DOLLARS* HAD BEEN SPENT TO BUS CHILDREN FROM ONE NEIGHBORHOOD TO ANOTHER WHILE SCHOOLS WERE LEFT IN DISREPAIR, CLASSROOMS WERE LOCKED DOWN, AND HALL MONITORS WORE RIOT GEAR.” Buses delivering black students to white schools and white students to black schools were pelted with rocks and turned over. As many students stayed home from school as attended school. Perhaps the most disheartening thumb-nail-sketch that crystallized the totality of the abyss that this mismanaged-misapplied-government-legal-blunder… was the picture of a white man “spearing” a black man with a FLAG POLE WITH THE AMERICAN FLAG STILL ATTACHED TO THE POLE in front of city hall. It could easily have been confused as the devils version of the raising of the American Flag at Iwo Jima.
The *FORCED-BUSING* situation caused such chaos that SOUTH BOSTON HIGH SCHOOL AND CHARLESTOWN neighborhoods “were transformed into a virtual police state; Boston police, U.S. Marshalls, and the National Guard were summoned with the task of “peace keeping”. Helicopters hovered above the streets while the National Guard marched below, and the police flexed their muscles and snapped their batons on street corners and in school hallways.” President Ford was quoted as saying: “THE COURT DECISION IN THAT CASE WASN’T THE BEST SOLUTION TO QUALITY EDUCATION IN THAT CITY. I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THE JUDGE’S ORDER.”
Throughout this sad expose on a city’s judicial decisions going drastically wrong… the reader is intermittently peppered with details from different years of the Celtics history. One shortcoming of the book is that at times the author jumps from busing… to basketball… and back… and changes the year of focus that he starts with… and ends with… making it confusing at times if you are a person who enjoys statistical and year reference. The prevailing-overriding-poetic “dream/hope” of the story is based on the civil disorder vein, co-mingling with the drafting of… and signing of… All-American basketball player Larry Bird… whom they hope will help heal the city’s wounds through their love of a victorious Boston Celtic team.
Two very interesting things to note are: 1) The 1981 Larry Bird led Boston Celtics who did win the NBA Championship… had a roster of six black players and six white players. 2) On the author’s list of twenty Celtics and NBA figures that were interviewed for this book… none of them are Larry Bird.
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From 1974 to 1987 the citizens in the city of Boston, had forced school busing legally imposed on them to desegregate schools. The upheaval locally and in the eyes of the world that this poorly thought out and ill planned debacle incurred on Boston’s entire citizenry is exquisitely detailed by the author. Intertwined with this turbulent tale is the history of the cities beloved professional basketball team the Boston Celtics. The Celtics have won more World Championships than any team in basketball history, including ELEVEN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THIRTEEN YEARS BETWEEN 1956 AND 1969 a record unmatched by any professional team in any sport. In 1978 and 1979 the Celtics had two of their worst years in memory, including finishing last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 29 wins and 53 losses, a won/lost percentage of .354 in 1979. So as the city of Boston was disintegrating in a sea of black versus white... and a ravaging legal battle… attacking the basic rights and freedoms of individuals in the towns that they had lived in for generations… the vaunted Celtics… who normally had the power to give their citizenry something to cheer for… and to forget… even temporarily… their daily woes… had become a disorganized… dispirited… team… that was tarnishing the true meaning of *CELTIC-PRIDE*.
The original premise of forced busing was to provide equal opportunities for a good education to all people, but the whole plan was flawed from day one. “SOMEWHERE DOWN THE PATH TOWARD DESEGREGATION, THE ESSENCE OF EDUCATION HAD BEEN SACRIFICED. MORE THAN *ONE-HUNDRED-MILLION-DOLLARS* HAD BEEN SPENT TO BUS CHILDREN FROM ONE NEIGHBORHOOD TO ANOTHER WHILE SCHOOLS WERE LEFT IN DISREPAIR, CLASSROOMS WERE LOCKED DOWN, AND HALL MONITORS WORE RIOT GEAR.” Buses delivering black students to white schools and white students to black schools were pelted with rocks and turned over. As many students stayed home from school as attended school. Perhaps the most disheartening thumb-nail-sketch that crystallized the totality of the abyss that this mismanaged-misapplied-government-legal-blunder… was the picture of a white man “spearing” a black man with a FLAG POLE WITH THE AMERICAN FLAG STILL ATTACHED TO THE POLE in front of city hall. It could easily have been confused as the devils version of the raising of the American Flag at Iwo Jima.
The *FORCED-BUSING* situation caused such chaos that SOUTH BOSTON HIGH SCHOOL AND CHARLESTOWN neighborhoods “were transformed into a virtual police state; Boston police, U.S. Marshalls, and the National Guard were summoned with the task of “peace keeping”. Helicopters hovered above the streets while the National Guard marched below, and the police flexed their muscles and snapped their batons on street corners and in school hallways.” President Ford was quoted as saying: “THE COURT DECISION IN THAT CASE WASN’T THE BEST SOLUTION TO QUALITY EDUCATION IN THAT CITY. I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THE JUDGE’S ORDER.”
Throughout this sad expose on a city’s judicial decisions going drastically wrong… the reader is intermittently peppered with details from different years of the Celtics history. One shortcoming of the book is that at times the author jumps from busing… to basketball… and back… and changes the year of focus that he starts with… and ends with… making it confusing at times if you are a person who enjoys statistical and year reference. The prevailing-overriding-poetic “dream/hope” of the story is based on the civil disorder vein, co-mingling with the drafting of… and signing of… All-American basketball player Larry Bird… whom they hope will help heal the city’s wounds through their love of a victorious Boston Celtic team.
Two very interesting things to note are: 1) The 1981 Larry Bird led Boston Celtics who did win the NBA Championship… had a roster of six black players and six white players. 2) On the author’s list of twenty Celtics and NBA figures that were interviewed for this book… none of them are Larry Bird.
March 22, 2024
I thought I was getting a book about Larry Bird and his relationship with Boston. What I got was a history of racial strife in Boston and an analogy between busing and Larry Bird. Bird doesn't even show up until the last third of the book. It was interesting to know that the Celtics were the first NBA team to sign black players and, good on them for doing so. I am sure Boston residents and Celtics fans will enjoy this book.
October 17, 2021
One of my favorite things about sports is their ability to minimize differences in a community and bring people of all backgrounds together as one. This book took that theme to look at the racial history of the city of Boston alongside the ups and downs of the Celtics. While a bit contrived at times, I loved the idea and really enjoyed learning more about the city I call home.
March 7, 2022
Excellent read
Excellent read,as I grew up during the time of busing .it was a turbulent time for our city and the emergence of the Celtics of the 80's was just what we needed to unite the city
Excellent read,as I grew up during the time of busing .it was a turbulent time for our city and the emergence of the Celtics of the 80's was just what we needed to unite the city
August 29, 2022
Great account of the fortunes of the city of Boston and its professional basketball team during the chaotic 70's and how they meshed together. A must-read for any Celtics fan or anyone interested in the city of Boston.
Read
February 28, 2021Thank you, Coach.
November 28, 2024
I liked this a lot. Learned a little about Boston’s history and the Celtics and Bird.
October 2, 2016
Five stars for a sports book -- that means it was pretty amazing because I am not a sports fan at all. I picked this book out for my sports-loving husband and just a few chapters in, he said "I think you should read this book. It's about integration in the Boston schools and the Boston Celtics." It sounded intriguing and I could tell my husband could not put the book down and was enjoying every page. Here's why. Author Michael Connelly, longtime Celtics fan, grew up in Boston and attended high school in the turbulent '70s. His love for his city and knowledge of its history combine with his brilliant analysis of the people and politics which shaped the disastrous attempt to integrate the Boston schools through court-mandated busing in the mid-1970s. The role of the Boston Celtics, in particular Larry Bird, giving the city something to cheer about during this bitterly divided time is told in alternate chapters with the school busing situation. Connelly weaves wide ranging sources, books, historical records, interviews and personal research to tell a story of a city's rebirth with you-are-there intensity and remarkable details. Sports fans with especially appreciate the play-by-play recaps of the Celtics seasons, but my highlight was learning about the families and neighborhoods directly affected by a busing plan and how they over many years worked through some of their differences.
October 3, 2016
Sports can be a wonderful thing full of competition, teamwork, and all around fun, and for Boston, basketball helped rebuild the city. In Micheal Connelly's, "Rebound!:Basketball, Busing, Larry Bird and the Rebirth of Boston", the story is of the Boston Celtics bringing together a community through sport.
Overall, Micheal Connelly did a mighty fine job of illustrating the tone and mood of Boston as a whole. His word choice when Boston was divided perfectly demonstrated the mood and feeling of an average Boston inhabitant. He knew how to make the reader feel like thy were a part of the story. One thing he could work on, his speed. The story did seem to drag on at parts. He would spend too much time on a topic that wasn't essential to the story. Maybe he should re-evaluate the focal points in a story. I did enjoy the book a lot because it catered to my interests, but for a non-sports lover this would be tough to stick with.
The conflict in the book is also very obvious and captivating. The city is extremely divided by its black citizens and racist white citizens. A young black boy is killed by the cops for no apparent reason and the city uproars. Its very easy to see what is wrong in Boston and how it is solved.
Looking back, I'm glad I read this book and I would recommend it to anyone who loves sports and who enjoys the social pandemic.
Overall, Micheal Connelly did a mighty fine job of illustrating the tone and mood of Boston as a whole. His word choice when Boston was divided perfectly demonstrated the mood and feeling of an average Boston inhabitant. He knew how to make the reader feel like thy were a part of the story. One thing he could work on, his speed. The story did seem to drag on at parts. He would spend too much time on a topic that wasn't essential to the story. Maybe he should re-evaluate the focal points in a story. I did enjoy the book a lot because it catered to my interests, but for a non-sports lover this would be tough to stick with.
The conflict in the book is also very obvious and captivating. The city is extremely divided by its black citizens and racist white citizens. A young black boy is killed by the cops for no apparent reason and the city uproars. Its very easy to see what is wrong in Boston and how it is solved.
Looking back, I'm glad I read this book and I would recommend it to anyone who loves sports and who enjoys the social pandemic.
June 11, 2009
An interesting attempt to mix sports and social commentary. Falls a bit short and it makes a lot of excuses for the white residents of Charlestown and South Boston, when they behaved in an inexcusable way. Good basketball stories though.
June 28, 2014
The book was almost casual in its recollection of racial strife in the streets of Boston, and the resurrection of the Celtic franchise in the early 80s. It did, however, leave me wanting to read more about both.
June 27, 2014
A good story that seemed more like a journal article than a book. That said, the author does a commendable job of weaving basketball and political cultural history together.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews