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Unfinished Business: On and Off the Court with the 1990-91 Boston Celtics
NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Jack McCallum (DREAM TEAM) gives an inside look at the legendary Boston Celtics during a season of change.“One of the five best NBA books ever written.”—Bill Simmons, ESPNIn the 1990-91 basketball season, the Boston Celtics were a team in transition, both on and off the court. Jack McCallum, also the author of the critically-acclaimed SEVEN SECONDS OR LESS, chronicled this crucial year from the back-room planning on draft day to Larry Bird’s unforgettable effort in the postseason.With aging superstar Bird nearing the end of his career, the season was filled with glorious highs and devastating lows. McCallum gets up close and personal with the players and management from this storied franchise, showing the larger-than-life characters in a rarely-seen light. The day-to-day drama of Bird's aching back plays in concert with the drumbeat of banter from his frontcourt partner, Kevin McHale. The book reveals the deep bonds—and sometimes deeper rivalries—of the locker room, and also provides an inside look at a league that was entering its Golden Age.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 13, 2015
As a Celtics fan, I wanted this to end differently. Lie, Jack, lie! Tell me Larry's back healed, Kevin's ankle held up, and the season that started with so much promise didn't whimper out against the hated Pistons! I guess the good in this season was that it produced MJ's first ring, but reading about this season still hurt, and it reminded me that Bird's career ended far too soon, cut down by a creaky back.
Still, it was fun to relive the gradual end of LarryKevinRobert, and remember how great they really were. Also, to learn more about Kleine, Pinckney, Smith, Brown, Shaw, et al. These were the final bright days before some dreary times for the Celtics. McCallum's transcriptions of Bird's accent were kinda fun, too.
Still, Jack, you shoulda lied.
Still, it was fun to relive the gradual end of LarryKevinRobert, and remember how great they really were. Also, to learn more about Kleine, Pinckney, Smith, Brown, Shaw, et al. These were the final bright days before some dreary times for the Celtics. McCallum's transcriptions of Bird's accent were kinda fun, too.
Still, Jack, you shoulda lied.
December 23, 2012
Standard year-in-the-life account. These are all pretty much the same, and McCallum (who would later write about the D'Antoni-era Phoenix Suns) is an old hand at the genre. Here's something you can take to the bank: never again will so many pages be devoted to the "promising careers" of Dee Brown and Brian Shaw.
May 7, 2020
Fali mi sport na televiziji pa čitam sportske knjige. Priča o Boston Celticsima u sezoni 90/91 naizgled je beznačajna no ispričana je sjajno i temeljito. Posebno mi je prijalo uz čitanje gledati te stare utakmice na youtube kanalima. Stojko Vranković je te sezone igrao za Boston, ali bez velikog učinka. Imao je problem sa engleskim: dok je na treningu sve više manje savladavao, na utakmicama uz buku navijača nije razumio većinu komunikacije sa suigračima što ga je vodilo u pogreške i nesigurnost. Zezali su ga da nema kondicije jer sigurno puši što je bila slika europskih igrača u američkim očima. Autor je sportski novinar koji je pratio tim tokom cijele sezone i donosi dnevnički pregled događaja.
February 20, 2024
Good and solid reporting; a fun read
March 7, 2010
If you like basketball, you will enjoy this book. If you don't, you won't.
In this book, the author follows the Boston Celtics around everywhere during the 1990-1991 season. This was the last good season for the Bird-era Celtics. The book ends with a dud because the season ended with a dud. Hence, the title: the team felt they had unfinished business after a disappointing loss in the second round of the playoffs.
This author also wrote 7 Seconds or Less. I think I may have liked 7 Seconds or Less a little bit more than this book. This book is about the last surge of a dying dynasty. 7 Seconds is about a team that everyone wrote off but still nearly made the NBA Finals.
In this book, the author follows the Boston Celtics around everywhere during the 1990-1991 season. This was the last good season for the Bird-era Celtics. The book ends with a dud because the season ended with a dud. Hence, the title: the team felt they had unfinished business after a disappointing loss in the second round of the playoffs.
This author also wrote 7 Seconds or Less. I think I may have liked 7 Seconds or Less a little bit more than this book. This book is about the last surge of a dying dynasty. 7 Seconds is about a team that everyone wrote off but still nearly made the NBA Finals.
May 5, 2020
Recounts a year over which the tectonic plates of C’s culture creaked and shifted, enlivened by an expansive cast of colorful characters (but mostly Kevin McHale).
March 15, 2017
If you ever wondered what it was like to play with Larry Bird or Kevin McHale this book will answer your questions. McCallum covers an "aging" Celtics team. Larry Bird is hampered with a chronic bad back. Kevin McHale suffers a number of injuries. This book also provides an insight into the coaching of Chris Ford and how he was able to motivate this team and earn their respect. What is even more interesting than the actual games on the court is the locker room and off court dialogue among the players. This book is enjoyable if you like basketball, particularly if you like the Boston Celtics. But it's also valuable for those who are interested in becoming coaches – – some great insights into building and managing a team – – particularly those with diverse personalities.
July 28, 2025
Two of my favorite things -- the Boston Celtics and a book that follows a team for an entire season.
This is a fascinating behind the scenes look at what really could have been the last great Celtics team of that era before injuries cut it short. There are great insights into the dynamic between Larry Bird and Kevin McHale and off the court issues experienced by Dee Brown and Robert Parish. If you like the Celtics, basketball history or finding what a team goes thru over the course of a long season you will enjoy this book.
This is a fascinating behind the scenes look at what really could have been the last great Celtics team of that era before injuries cut it short. There are great insights into the dynamic between Larry Bird and Kevin McHale and off the court issues experienced by Dee Brown and Robert Parish. If you like the Celtics, basketball history or finding what a team goes thru over the course of a long season you will enjoy this book.
August 2, 2021
A behind the scenes look at the 1990-91 Boston Celtics as the season unfolds. Including all the twists and turns of injuries, rookies, and personnel changes.
I typically love behind the scenes books like this about the 80s-90s NBA. I've even read McCallum's books before and liked them. For some reason, I just wasn't as engaged with this one. I'm not sure why. It does exactly what it needs to, I just wasn't super involved in the drama.
I typically love behind the scenes books like this about the 80s-90s NBA. I've even read McCallum's books before and liked them. For some reason, I just wasn't as engaged with this one. I'm not sure why. It does exactly what it needs to, I just wasn't super involved in the drama.
January 21, 2023
Great
It is a heck of a thing to realize this book covers events from 30+ years ago. Even though I have seen the players age along with me, I still see them in my mind as they were. Mr. McCollum is a very fine writer and does an excellent job of bringing that season to vivid life. I am grateful for the opportunity to relive it so clearly.
It is a heck of a thing to realize this book covers events from 30+ years ago. Even though I have seen the players age along with me, I still see them in my mind as they were. Mr. McCollum is a very fine writer and does an excellent job of bringing that season to vivid life. I am grateful for the opportunity to relive it so clearly.
April 1, 2019
Simply stated, if you folllowed the Bird Era Celtics with any kind of engagement , you will love this book.
September 23, 2020
A year in the lives of an NBA team that does nothing extraordinary at the end of it is one of the best book genres.
May 12, 2024
Really enjoyed this one. The endings never seem to be as storybook-esq as in the movies. The Celtics dynasty of the 1980s was no different.
December 5, 2024
One of my favourite basketball books ever
January 19, 2025
But I am a Celtic fan, my whole life, so OF COURSE I am going to like it…
August 28, 2013
"Who's gonna f#*& up a wedding cake?" ---Larry Bird (I read this line on a blog and sought out this book. It was worth it)
"Unfinished Business" is a great hoops insider book that details a key transitional point in the National Basketball Association, and for its' franchise with the most championships to the day. The aging of the famed Boston Celtics Big 3 tandem (Larry Bird/Kevin McHale/Robert "Chief" Parish) with the occasional sparks of clutch greatness that won Boston 3 championships in the 1980's is given proper attention, and is a perfect counterpoint to the profile on the then up-and-comers in the league at time (Brian Shaw and his contractual battles with his previous time in the international leagues, the Dunk Contest winner Dee Brown, center Dana Barros). McCallum has a fine and intimate perspective on which his writing about the team is built, and he goes into the events of the day outside of the hardwood, such as Brown's racially-motivated incident with the Boston police and the uproar that resulted amongst the minority demographic. Within the game, a dynasty is approaching a nadir that will last for approximately 16 years, in which a similar trade scenario (the acquisition of Minnesota Timberwolves PF Kevin Garnett, and the Seattle Supersonics' Ray Allen in combo with Celtics' superstar Paul Pierce form a new Big 3) would result in a championship. A sad point is to read about the promise and hope embedded in future Celts captain Reggie Lewis, who would sadly succumb to a heart ailment during a playoff series in the following season. A number of these players didn't live up to the expectations heaped upon them as the next wave of superstars, but some (Shaw) would go on to become marvelous role players on other teams. Coach Bill Fitch and his adjustment period to the new coaching gig and the prototypical battles with the Celts head office are mentioned also.
A smart writer and one basketball saavy fellow up on the history behind the greatest rivalry in the NBA, Jack gives note to the transitional period of both the Celtics and their archenemies in the Los Angeles Lakers. Keep in mind that this is close to the period when Earvin "Magic" Johnson is about to annouce his retirement due to his contracting the HIV virus. Larry and Magic capture a cross-cultural competitive wonder that riddles their minds even when they can't face off in the case of injury or the like. They made each other (and their teams as a result) better, and propelled the NBA to new heights of fandom with their white knuckle battles that were built on quicksilver playmaking, cutthroat accuracy, willingness of the spirit for taking clutch moments, and above all else, team ball.
True to the great team sports books, the psychology of morale building, confidence fluctuation, communion (or lack of it), relations with the coach and support staff have their piece in McCallum's work. More often than not, you learn about the humanity of these players, and the endearing quirks which can endear them to you beyond the amazing things that even the most basically skilled of them can do on the court. The Bird-McHale relationship is shed some light beyond the storied simpatico of their championship glory. You'll see how they contend with aging in a sport where the torch of glory is seemingly taken in the new decade by one Chicago Bulls team powered by a yet-to-peak Michael Jordan and zen master coach Phil Jackson. Larry's feats in spite of his back problems have their luster in print that could have rivaled seeing him live. His maverick attitude, while justified by his killer instinct and production, seems to make sense in co-existence.
There's so much detail covered which will provide for many sweet nuggets of information for any Celtics/b-ball fan. By its' end, you'll see a "Changing of the Guard" within the team, the coaching staff, and the organization under which they play. The season is a story setting, and your emotions may run high if you at any time in your life have "bled Green" as some Boston fans will say.
If nothing, Larry Bird's wedding cake line and the story behind made it worth the 20 bucks.
"Unfinished Business" is a great hoops insider book that details a key transitional point in the National Basketball Association, and for its' franchise with the most championships to the day. The aging of the famed Boston Celtics Big 3 tandem (Larry Bird/Kevin McHale/Robert "Chief" Parish) with the occasional sparks of clutch greatness that won Boston 3 championships in the 1980's is given proper attention, and is a perfect counterpoint to the profile on the then up-and-comers in the league at time (Brian Shaw and his contractual battles with his previous time in the international leagues, the Dunk Contest winner Dee Brown, center Dana Barros). McCallum has a fine and intimate perspective on which his writing about the team is built, and he goes into the events of the day outside of the hardwood, such as Brown's racially-motivated incident with the Boston police and the uproar that resulted amongst the minority demographic. Within the game, a dynasty is approaching a nadir that will last for approximately 16 years, in which a similar trade scenario (the acquisition of Minnesota Timberwolves PF Kevin Garnett, and the Seattle Supersonics' Ray Allen in combo with Celtics' superstar Paul Pierce form a new Big 3) would result in a championship. A sad point is to read about the promise and hope embedded in future Celts captain Reggie Lewis, who would sadly succumb to a heart ailment during a playoff series in the following season. A number of these players didn't live up to the expectations heaped upon them as the next wave of superstars, but some (Shaw) would go on to become marvelous role players on other teams. Coach Bill Fitch and his adjustment period to the new coaching gig and the prototypical battles with the Celts head office are mentioned also.
A smart writer and one basketball saavy fellow up on the history behind the greatest rivalry in the NBA, Jack gives note to the transitional period of both the Celtics and their archenemies in the Los Angeles Lakers. Keep in mind that this is close to the period when Earvin "Magic" Johnson is about to annouce his retirement due to his contracting the HIV virus. Larry and Magic capture a cross-cultural competitive wonder that riddles their minds even when they can't face off in the case of injury or the like. They made each other (and their teams as a result) better, and propelled the NBA to new heights of fandom with their white knuckle battles that were built on quicksilver playmaking, cutthroat accuracy, willingness of the spirit for taking clutch moments, and above all else, team ball.
True to the great team sports books, the psychology of morale building, confidence fluctuation, communion (or lack of it), relations with the coach and support staff have their piece in McCallum's work. More often than not, you learn about the humanity of these players, and the endearing quirks which can endear them to you beyond the amazing things that even the most basically skilled of them can do on the court. The Bird-McHale relationship is shed some light beyond the storied simpatico of their championship glory. You'll see how they contend with aging in a sport where the torch of glory is seemingly taken in the new decade by one Chicago Bulls team powered by a yet-to-peak Michael Jordan and zen master coach Phil Jackson. Larry's feats in spite of his back problems have their luster in print that could have rivaled seeing him live. His maverick attitude, while justified by his killer instinct and production, seems to make sense in co-existence.
There's so much detail covered which will provide for many sweet nuggets of information for any Celtics/b-ball fan. By its' end, you'll see a "Changing of the Guard" within the team, the coaching staff, and the organization under which they play. The season is a story setting, and your emotions may run high if you at any time in your life have "bled Green" as some Boston fans will say.
If nothing, Larry Bird's wedding cake line and the story behind made it worth the 20 bucks.
February 13, 2014
This is a book about the 1990 – 1991 Boston Celtics basket team. A look at how that season started out with so much promise but ended up with star players being hurt. During the second half of the season McHale, Parrish, and Bird were absent for multiple games and they could not overcome the loss of those players especially during the playoffs when they were looking for experience to help guide the younger players. Plus missing Birds clutch shooting because of a bad back added to the down fall as well. The author takes you behind the scenes of that season with a look at all the players and where they came from. He takes you through Chris Ford being hired as the coach for that year and a look at his life and his playing career. This is a good book sports book and you don’t have to be a Celtic fan to enjoy this story. I enjoyed reading about some of the lesser known players and how they made it to the pros. I also enjoyed the story on Chris Ford and his family, things that I did not know about it. I got this book from net galley.
July 21, 2016
Waaaaay better than the two other McCallum's books I've read ("Less than 7 seconds" and the one on the Dream Team), and it was quite a surprise. A funny reading, filled with irony and quirky remarks, showing McCallum was more objective than in the Dream Team book (in which he sounded like a fan). In this "Unfinished Business", the author tells the story of the 90-91 Celtics, a team that seemed to have a shot at the NBA title, but fell short due to a lot of injures, specially for Larry Bird. I believe they wouldn't stand a chance against the Bulls anyway, but even so the way they were defeated in game 6 by the Pistons must have hurt a lot...
July 26, 2014
One of the better journalist follows a team for an entire year books. Though I can only remember bits and pieces of that season it was fun to read about how the Celtics got off to such a promising start with the Big Three and some young additions to the team and how it all played out in the end.
June 11, 2015
Another McCallum masterpiece
Great commentary on an aging team transitioning to a young core of players. It showed the struggle of a team with current times in a league as dynamic as the NBA. McCallum does it again with an entertaining chronicling of a season.
Great commentary on an aging team transitioning to a young core of players. It showed the struggle of a team with current times in a league as dynamic as the NBA. McCallum does it again with an entertaining chronicling of a season.
October 25, 2009
Interesting but nowhere near as good as The Breaks of the Game.
March 22, 2010
Fun for a Celts fan.
October 13, 2013
Full review to come. McCallum shows us once again why he is the premier writer of NBA books.
August 24, 2015
Wonderful book about the 1990-91 Boston Celtics.
March 5, 2007
Larry Legend is a god and Dee Brown knows his celtics history.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews