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Got To Give the People What They Want: True Stories and Flagrant Opinions from Center Court
“I want to start conversations, and even better, arguments.” – From the Introduction
One of the most outspoken and original voices in sports sounds off while revealing his incredible life story.
Jalen Rose has never been quiet. Not as a kid growing up in Detroit in the 70’s and 80’s. Not as the brash, trash-talking leader of the legendary “Fab Five” at the University of Michigan. Not as the player under the stewardship of Hall of Famers Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas and others throughout his 13-year NBA career. And certainly not as a commentator and analyst on ABC/ESPN and Grantland.
In Got to Give the People What They Want , no topic is off limits.
Honest, unfiltered, unbiased. Raw, refreshing, real. This colorful collection of stories and opinions about basketball and life gives people the kind of insight and understanding they don’t get anywhere else in the sports world.
One of the most outspoken and original voices in sports sounds off while revealing his incredible life story.
Jalen Rose has never been quiet. Not as a kid growing up in Detroit in the 70’s and 80’s. Not as the brash, trash-talking leader of the legendary “Fab Five” at the University of Michigan. Not as the player under the stewardship of Hall of Famers Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas and others throughout his 13-year NBA career. And certainly not as a commentator and analyst on ABC/ESPN and Grantland.
In Got to Give the People What They Want , no topic is off limits.
Honest, unfiltered, unbiased. Raw, refreshing, real. This colorful collection of stories and opinions about basketball and life gives people the kind of insight and understanding they don’t get anywhere else in the sports world.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2015
32 people are currently reading
606 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
February 4, 2016
This book is pure candy for basketball nerds like me. I cannot recommend the audiobook version enough, which is narrated by Jalen himself, which gives it a similar edge than listening to the Jalen and Jacoby podcast. I don't want to make a bad pun here, but the book was everything I wanted it to be: a complete, exhaustive breakdown of what it is to be an NBA player, from birth to retirement. It's what Jalen provides and Good God, didn't he do it with absolute style or what?
There's an editorial aspect to this book I really liked also, which contains quips about the NCAA and infamous head coach Larry Brown among others, as well as segments on Jalen's relationship to his father Jimmy Walker and the freakin' SCHOOL he created, the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy. How is that for winning the game of life and changing the world? Guy FOUNDED A SCHOOL. IN DETROIT. Seriously, if you love basketball about 10% as much as I do, you'll love this book. It's about as fun and enlightening as celebrity memoirs can get.
There's an editorial aspect to this book I really liked also, which contains quips about the NCAA and infamous head coach Larry Brown among others, as well as segments on Jalen's relationship to his father Jimmy Walker and the freakin' SCHOOL he created, the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy. How is that for winning the game of life and changing the world? Guy FOUNDED A SCHOOL. IN DETROIT. Seriously, if you love basketball about 10% as much as I do, you'll love this book. It's about as fun and enlightening as celebrity memoirs can get.
February 26, 2016
Fun read. Not necessarily a ton of "fresh" takes or opinions, most of them I'd already heard. Most of Jalen's points were sensible and I tended to agree with a lot of what he has to say. The negative with that, is that I don't want a book I'm going to agree with 100%. Still, his presentation is good and he offers decent logic behind his thinking.
Best part of the book is the autobiographical aspects, fun to hear Jalen's story about how he came up and from a tough neighborhood to achieve so much success. Always love these kind of stories! Plus Jalen just seems like a good guy.
Best part of the book is the autobiographical aspects, fun to hear Jalen's story about how he came up and from a tough neighborhood to achieve so much success. Always love these kind of stories! Plus Jalen just seems like a good guy.
December 12, 2015
When this book showed up in my mailbox, the first thing I said to myself was, long ass title. Then, I thought about my crazy crush on Rose when I was a teen; yeah it was crazy because I despised basketball, despite my tomboyish behavior during my preteen years. I can’t remember the first time I saw Jalen on television, but I remember swooning to death when I saw him. To this day, I still swoon when I see him. So, yeah, reading his book was a must for me.
This book isn’t just basketball. In fact, it’s more life lessons, funny stories, family, love, and hardships. You can’t appreciate the good in life, until you have experienced the bad. Jalen didn’t leave anything out. There are parts that will make you cringe, and you will disagree with topics of discussion. If so, the man did his job. What I love about Jalen’s life and everything that he went through, is that he never let it hold him back. He turned lemons into lemonade. Made the doubtful, speechless.
I love the photos that are added to this memoir. From his philanthropy and family, to his friendships with fellow players and his coaches; I love them all. This book couldn’t have come at a perfect time. I’m gifting my brother a copy for Christmas, since he loves all things sports. You don’t have to like basketball to read this. There is more to Jalen than that ball, so if you are having doubts about reading it, go for it. He talks about everything, and some of it is funny. Then, there are life changing moments for him, and you can feel the emotions coming off the pages. I’ll even spoil one for you, so that you will pick up this book. Did you know that he almost drowned as a kid, and that his uncle saved him? See, you want to read it now, don’t you?
You will not agree with everything he says, and there will definitely be a lot of people who can’t relate to the way that he grew up. I love how each story he tells, jumps into another one with ease. Everything connects, and it’s like reading an anthology with lots of little stories that make one big story. Which is true, because this memoir makes up Jalen Rose. Point blank period. I have more respect for him than I did before. And yes, I am still swooning over him. I definitely recommend reading this book. You want some good stories and topics of discussion, this book gives it to you.
Find all of my reviews over at Lekeisha The Booknerd
This book isn’t just basketball. In fact, it’s more life lessons, funny stories, family, love, and hardships. You can’t appreciate the good in life, until you have experienced the bad. Jalen didn’t leave anything out. There are parts that will make you cringe, and you will disagree with topics of discussion. If so, the man did his job. What I love about Jalen’s life and everything that he went through, is that he never let it hold him back. He turned lemons into lemonade. Made the doubtful, speechless.
I love the photos that are added to this memoir. From his philanthropy and family, to his friendships with fellow players and his coaches; I love them all. This book couldn’t have come at a perfect time. I’m gifting my brother a copy for Christmas, since he loves all things sports. You don’t have to like basketball to read this. There is more to Jalen than that ball, so if you are having doubts about reading it, go for it. He talks about everything, and some of it is funny. Then, there are life changing moments for him, and you can feel the emotions coming off the pages. I’ll even spoil one for you, so that you will pick up this book. Did you know that he almost drowned as a kid, and that his uncle saved him? See, you want to read it now, don’t you?
You will not agree with everything he says, and there will definitely be a lot of people who can’t relate to the way that he grew up. I love how each story he tells, jumps into another one with ease. Everything connects, and it’s like reading an anthology with lots of little stories that make one big story. Which is true, because this memoir makes up Jalen Rose. Point blank period. I have more respect for him than I did before. And yes, I am still swooning over him. I definitely recommend reading this book. You want some good stories and topics of discussion, this book gives it to you.
Find all of my reviews over at Lekeisha The Booknerd
October 20, 2015
I am a huge fan of Jalen Rose even after his days at Michigan. I do know a lot of his stories from other sources and from the "Fab Five" documentary. This book didn't give me a ton of new info that I was hoping for. Maybe bits and pieces from his playing days and his current job at ESPN as an analyst and commentary. Being a fan of his I enjoyed the book and glad I read it. If you're not a huge fan you may be a bit disappointed. I think it's a worthwhile read for fans of his or the Fab Five. Go Blue!
April 6, 2020
If you are an avid listener of the podcast, or viewer of his TV show, then you’ve heard a good chunk of the stories in here. The first half of the book which is about his childhood, all the way to Michigan was more descriptive. Second half which contained his NBA career and start in journalism was rushed and a lot of it was glossed over. I thought there would be more “behind the curtain” stories but those type of stories, were already told by him on the podcast or TV show. Still a fan of his and his work, but it seemed that ESPN Jalen wrote this book and played it safe.
November 17, 2015
I really enjoyed this book, but I've been a fan of Jalen Rose for years. This was written in his voice, and very well. If you were a fan of the Fab Five, or of Jalen himself, this is a good read.
February 24, 2019
I have loved Rose's approach in this book, for it is not a typical autobiographical book of a basketball star. It is a complete analysis of what it takes to be an NBA player from birth to retirement and life after that. But he does it honestly and bravely. He means to be «honest, unfiltered and unbiased», and it seems to me that he gets all that.
This book is far from a hagiography. Rose boldly tells us his mistakes, accept them and reflect on them. And he speaks openly of how professional basketball needs to be thought of as a business, not just a game, with all that means.
Here there isn't only a handful of stories involving him in games or around basketball. Rose touches a lot of controvesrial issues around basketball: stardom, money, amateur sports, drugs (both recreational and performing enhancing), the ethical role of athletes... and he offers a logic behind his thinking with which you will have to agree.
For example, he is entirely critical with NCAA system. Rose says that «as great as college basketball will always be, it has long been so great in spite of, not because of, the NCAA». And I agree with him, he has every reason to state that because NCAA is where everybody makes money (real money)... but the players, whom are chased for a few dollars.
Another example: he is very very judgamental with Larry Brown's achievements as a coach. You can think this is a typical statement of a typical egotistical star player. But this is not the case, for Rose speaks wonders of Phil Jackson, Gregg Popovich or Pat Riley, saying even that great players are not the true way to success, but great coaches and organizations are.
This book is far from a hagiography. Rose boldly tells us his mistakes, accept them and reflect on them. And he speaks openly of how professional basketball needs to be thought of as a business, not just a game, with all that means.
Here there isn't only a handful of stories involving him in games or around basketball. Rose touches a lot of controvesrial issues around basketball: stardom, money, amateur sports, drugs (both recreational and performing enhancing), the ethical role of athletes... and he offers a logic behind his thinking with which you will have to agree.
For example, he is entirely critical with NCAA system. Rose says that «as great as college basketball will always be, it has long been so great in spite of, not because of, the NCAA». And I agree with him, he has every reason to state that because NCAA is where everybody makes money (real money)... but the players, whom are chased for a few dollars.
Another example: he is very very judgamental with Larry Brown's achievements as a coach. You can think this is a typical statement of a typical egotistical star player. But this is not the case, for Rose speaks wonders of Phil Jackson, Gregg Popovich or Pat Riley, saying even that great players are not the true way to success, but great coaches and organizations are.
February 10, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed the honesty and bold approach to writing this book. Jalen did an excellent job of building his foundation and connecting it to his psychology and/or approach to basketball and life. He spoke brazenly about the Fab Five and personal demons to enlighten and to educate his audience about the plight of impoverished black youth. He also did a phenomenal job highlighting the issues with amateur sports and athletics, as well as the ethical role of today's athletes. I highly recommend this read.
Dr. James Arthur Williams
www.unmaskytp.com
Dr. James Arthur Williams
www.unmaskytp.com
October 9, 2015
http://www.themaineedge.com/buzz/a-ro...
There are few literary genres that are more hit-or-miss than sports autobiographies. While it’s true that the stories of athletes are often compelling ones, the fact remains that too often, these books are little more than hagiography, churned out to a great extent by a ghostwriter. They are self-celebratory and generally unengaging, offering no real insight into the subject.
However, there are some that rise above the rest, clearing the admittedly low-set bar with ease. One such offering is Jalen Rose’s “Got to Give the People What They Want: True Stories and Flagrant Opinions from Center Court.” Rose, a 13-year NBA veteran and current multi-platform sports media pundit, is one of the more intelligent and engaging personalities to emerge from his era in the NBA.
It’s autobiography in the truest sense of the word. Rose takes us through his childhood growing up with a single mother in Detroit, where he came to love basketball and discovered that his mysterious father was actually a former NBA All-Star. From there, he excelled both athletically and academically in high school before heading off to the University of Michigan as 20 percent of what is still considered to be one of the greatest NCAA recruiting classes of all time.
Rose’s time as one of the fabled “Fab Five” – alongside Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson and Jimmy King – is recounted in detail. The highs and lows (particularly the lows) are presented unflinchingly. This is the stretch that most readers are likely to be most interested in, and Rose does not disappoint.
After college, we follow Rose to the NBA, where he initially struggled to carve out a niche for himself before finding his stride on his way to becoming a respected veteran and, ultimately, one of the better ex-players to make his way into the media realm. His forward-thinking attitude regarding alternative platforms – his work with ESPN’s Grantland in particular – has made him one of the more engaging and interesting pundits out there.
“Got to Give the People What They Want” isn’t anything groundbreaking. Rose doesn’t reinvent the wheel here; it’s the sort of book that you’ve probably read before. However – and this is a big “however” – it is a particularly engaging and well-written version of that book. Rose’s story is compelling and he largely resists the tendency toward self-aggrandizement and myth-making so prevalent in these sorts of autobiographies.
There’s no denying the honesty that Rose puts forth here. The stories that he tells paint a picture of a driven young man who never had any doubt about his own eventual success. However, he also is unafraid to address mistakes and missteps – both those made by him and by those around him. Still, there’s little value judgment taking place; Rose and his family/friends/teammates/what have you are all presented as people first. It’s a small detail, but one that elevates this book beyond the basic.
Jalen Rose is a gifted storyteller who has led an undeniably interesting life. “Got to Give the People What They Want” revels in its rarity; while it isn’t necessarily the kind of book that will engage non-fans, those with fond memories of the Fab Five or love for the NBA will likely find plenty to enjoy.
There are few literary genres that are more hit-or-miss than sports autobiographies. While it’s true that the stories of athletes are often compelling ones, the fact remains that too often, these books are little more than hagiography, churned out to a great extent by a ghostwriter. They are self-celebratory and generally unengaging, offering no real insight into the subject.
However, there are some that rise above the rest, clearing the admittedly low-set bar with ease. One such offering is Jalen Rose’s “Got to Give the People What They Want: True Stories and Flagrant Opinions from Center Court.” Rose, a 13-year NBA veteran and current multi-platform sports media pundit, is one of the more intelligent and engaging personalities to emerge from his era in the NBA.
It’s autobiography in the truest sense of the word. Rose takes us through his childhood growing up with a single mother in Detroit, where he came to love basketball and discovered that his mysterious father was actually a former NBA All-Star. From there, he excelled both athletically and academically in high school before heading off to the University of Michigan as 20 percent of what is still considered to be one of the greatest NCAA recruiting classes of all time.
Rose’s time as one of the fabled “Fab Five” – alongside Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson and Jimmy King – is recounted in detail. The highs and lows (particularly the lows) are presented unflinchingly. This is the stretch that most readers are likely to be most interested in, and Rose does not disappoint.
After college, we follow Rose to the NBA, where he initially struggled to carve out a niche for himself before finding his stride on his way to becoming a respected veteran and, ultimately, one of the better ex-players to make his way into the media realm. His forward-thinking attitude regarding alternative platforms – his work with ESPN’s Grantland in particular – has made him one of the more engaging and interesting pundits out there.
“Got to Give the People What They Want” isn’t anything groundbreaking. Rose doesn’t reinvent the wheel here; it’s the sort of book that you’ve probably read before. However – and this is a big “however” – it is a particularly engaging and well-written version of that book. Rose’s story is compelling and he largely resists the tendency toward self-aggrandizement and myth-making so prevalent in these sorts of autobiographies.
There’s no denying the honesty that Rose puts forth here. The stories that he tells paint a picture of a driven young man who never had any doubt about his own eventual success. However, he also is unafraid to address mistakes and missteps – both those made by him and by those around him. Still, there’s little value judgment taking place; Rose and his family/friends/teammates/what have you are all presented as people first. It’s a small detail, but one that elevates this book beyond the basic.
Jalen Rose is a gifted storyteller who has led an undeniably interesting life. “Got to Give the People What They Want” revels in its rarity; while it isn’t necessarily the kind of book that will engage non-fans, those with fond memories of the Fab Five or love for the NBA will likely find plenty to enjoy.
August 9, 2017
How ironic that this is called Got to Give the People What They Want, given that it doesn't tell me anything I need to know. It seems as if it's been thoroughly bowdlerized to remove anything that might jeopardize his post-NBA career as a media personality.
All of the things you might want to read about in a book like this, including the thots NBA players bang on the road, the corruption at the University of Michigan, the life of crime he was headed toward before his basketball career took off, so on and so forth, are merely hinted at. He does sorta kinda go into his falling out with Chris Webber, which resulted in Webber not appearing in the Fab Five 30 for 30, but you get the sense he's not telling you how he really feels.
Overall, you get the sense that Rose is someone who's been able to ascend to a certain status because he's, shall we say, particularly adept at making people feel comfortable around him. Ironically, he's become something along the lines of Grant Hill, whom he used to criticize for being a cornball brother. Unfortunately, the same characteristics that have aided him in his post-NBA career haven't made him a very interesting writer.
All of the things you might want to read about in a book like this, including the thots NBA players bang on the road, the corruption at the University of Michigan, the life of crime he was headed toward before his basketball career took off, so on and so forth, are merely hinted at. He does sorta kinda go into his falling out with Chris Webber, which resulted in Webber not appearing in the Fab Five 30 for 30, but you get the sense he's not telling you how he really feels.
Overall, you get the sense that Rose is someone who's been able to ascend to a certain status because he's, shall we say, particularly adept at making people feel comfortable around him. Ironically, he's become something along the lines of Grant Hill, whom he used to criticize for being a cornball brother. Unfortunately, the same characteristics that have aided him in his post-NBA career haven't made him a very interesting writer.
December 3, 2016
Really good. Rose loves his family and those who've helped him along the way. I hope he and C Weber patch it up.
I wish he wouldn't espouse a Christian spirituality while also exalting in his sexual misdeeds. He wrote at length about fatherlessness just as I was wondering if he was going to address it, but doesn't tie those things together.
There's also an unnecessary dig at "Republicans" (as though they "don't care" about social issues). Ironically it will be Democrats that seek to limit school choice as manifested in institutions like the JRLA.
But none of that takes away from the book. It insightfully examines celebrity, collegiate and professional athletics, and friendship.
I wish he wouldn't espouse a Christian spirituality while also exalting in his sexual misdeeds. He wrote at length about fatherlessness just as I was wondering if he was going to address it, but doesn't tie those things together.
There's also an unnecessary dig at "Republicans" (as though they "don't care" about social issues). Ironically it will be Democrats that seek to limit school choice as manifested in institutions like the JRLA.
But none of that takes away from the book. It insightfully examines celebrity, collegiate and professional athletics, and friendship.
Read
May 24, 2016Been a Jalen fan since the Fab Five days. Still rocking with him after all these years.
December 28, 2020
Every school kid in America ought to send Jalen Rose a thank-you note. It's not for the fact that Rose played on one of the most famous college basketball teams in history, or that he was a solid NBA player for more than a decade, or that he's now an analyst on ESPN.
We're talkin' about shorts.
When Rose and the rest of the "Fab Five" got to Michigan, coach Steve Fisher ordered the sporting goods company that supplied the team's uniforms to add a few inches to the shorts. As soon as the Wolverines took the court, everyone instantly knew that the look was a huge improvement over the dorky short shorts that were the standard in schools across the country. We moved on, and haven't looked back.
Thanks for that, Jalen and Company.
Rose has gone through a lot at a young age - and he's gotten some of his experiences down on paper. "Got to Give the People What They Want" is an honest look at his life and career.
First, let's explain the title. Rose writes (and there's no sign of a ghostwriter, at least in the proof I received) that the phrase means "Be honest, unfiltered, unbiased. Raw, refreshing, real. Give people the kind of insight and understanding they don't get anywhere else." Rose tries his best here to do that.
The first half of the book is the better portion of it. Rose grew up in Detroit in the 1980s, when the city was clearly headed downhill. He didn't even know who his father was for part of his childhood, and didn't really care. Jalen - the name was made up by his mother, and has caught on a bit - made do as best he could with the help of his family and friends. He gravitated toward basketball, and discovered he was good at it. Stardom in high school ball came rather easily.
And that led him on a path to Michigan. He and four other top recruits, such as Chris Webber and Juwan Howard, all arrived at Ann Arbor at the same time. This wasn't a basketball team, it was a rock and roll band - and a popular one. The games were like concerts, the players were celebrities. The all freshman starting five led Michigan to the NCAA Championship game, which lost to Duke in 1993. The next year was another trip to the final, and a heart-breaking loss to North Carolina. By the way, Rose credits a hip-hop group's lyric for the nickname of "Fab Five"; I always thought it was a take-off by some old sportswriter of the Beatles "Fab Four" nickname. Whatever. It's quite obvious how much Rose enjoyed those days.
Rose had a rather odd NBA career. As he correctly points out, fate/chance can have a greater role in how a player does at that level than many think. He did average more than 18 points per game in five different seasons, and played on some good Indiana teams that were good but not good enough to win a title. It did make one trip to the Finals. Rose started his career in Detroit, thrived in Indiana, and then went through Chicago, Toronto, New York and Phoenix.
One of theme of Rose's personal journey deals with his father, who happened to be Jimmy Walker - the first overall pick in the 1967 NBA draft. Walker apparently left a string of children behind as he traveled through life, not taking responsibility for any of his actions. Rose did talk to him on the phone once, but Walker died before any sort of relationship could develop.
Rose isn't really bitter about that, but he does blast a few targets here. The list starts with the NCAA, not surprisingly. If you saw how much money others were making off the "Fab Five," you'd be a little angry too. Rose also tees off on Larry Brown, who coached him twice in the pros and according to the player wasn't completely honest with him.
Rose also outlines his relationship with Webber, which turned complicated. The NCAA went after the Wolverines of the Fab Five days because of an improper relationship with a booster, if that's the right word, and the wins of that era were erased from the record book. Webber has separated himself from any contact with his college teammates, and Rose seems genuine in writing that he'd like to patch that up. Webber will have to give his side of the story some time. Rose has stayed close with the other three members of the band, er, team. In an odd twist, he actually spent a couple of days in jail with one of them when Rose served a short sentence for a drunk driving conviction.
Rose has grown up quite a bit over the years, starting a school in the city of Detroit to help give kids a better chance to climb out of poverty. It's an ambitious project, and he deserves a lot of credit for it.
"Got to Give the People What They Want" is a quick read, even if you don't get some of the hip-hop references. The obvious climax of the story comes with the Fab Five moments, which is roughly halfway through. The story could have used a few more dramatics after that, but that's not Rose's fault. That's the way life played out.
Even so, Rose comes across as an interesting personality here. Readers probably will pay more attention to him the next time he pops up on television.
We're talkin' about shorts.
When Rose and the rest of the "Fab Five" got to Michigan, coach Steve Fisher ordered the sporting goods company that supplied the team's uniforms to add a few inches to the shorts. As soon as the Wolverines took the court, everyone instantly knew that the look was a huge improvement over the dorky short shorts that were the standard in schools across the country. We moved on, and haven't looked back.
Thanks for that, Jalen and Company.
Rose has gone through a lot at a young age - and he's gotten some of his experiences down on paper. "Got to Give the People What They Want" is an honest look at his life and career.
First, let's explain the title. Rose writes (and there's no sign of a ghostwriter, at least in the proof I received) that the phrase means "Be honest, unfiltered, unbiased. Raw, refreshing, real. Give people the kind of insight and understanding they don't get anywhere else." Rose tries his best here to do that.
The first half of the book is the better portion of it. Rose grew up in Detroit in the 1980s, when the city was clearly headed downhill. He didn't even know who his father was for part of his childhood, and didn't really care. Jalen - the name was made up by his mother, and has caught on a bit - made do as best he could with the help of his family and friends. He gravitated toward basketball, and discovered he was good at it. Stardom in high school ball came rather easily.
And that led him on a path to Michigan. He and four other top recruits, such as Chris Webber and Juwan Howard, all arrived at Ann Arbor at the same time. This wasn't a basketball team, it was a rock and roll band - and a popular one. The games were like concerts, the players were celebrities. The all freshman starting five led Michigan to the NCAA Championship game, which lost to Duke in 1993. The next year was another trip to the final, and a heart-breaking loss to North Carolina. By the way, Rose credits a hip-hop group's lyric for the nickname of "Fab Five"; I always thought it was a take-off by some old sportswriter of the Beatles "Fab Four" nickname. Whatever. It's quite obvious how much Rose enjoyed those days.
Rose had a rather odd NBA career. As he correctly points out, fate/chance can have a greater role in how a player does at that level than many think. He did average more than 18 points per game in five different seasons, and played on some good Indiana teams that were good but not good enough to win a title. It did make one trip to the Finals. Rose started his career in Detroit, thrived in Indiana, and then went through Chicago, Toronto, New York and Phoenix.
One of theme of Rose's personal journey deals with his father, who happened to be Jimmy Walker - the first overall pick in the 1967 NBA draft. Walker apparently left a string of children behind as he traveled through life, not taking responsibility for any of his actions. Rose did talk to him on the phone once, but Walker died before any sort of relationship could develop.
Rose isn't really bitter about that, but he does blast a few targets here. The list starts with the NCAA, not surprisingly. If you saw how much money others were making off the "Fab Five," you'd be a little angry too. Rose also tees off on Larry Brown, who coached him twice in the pros and according to the player wasn't completely honest with him.
Rose also outlines his relationship with Webber, which turned complicated. The NCAA went after the Wolverines of the Fab Five days because of an improper relationship with a booster, if that's the right word, and the wins of that era were erased from the record book. Webber has separated himself from any contact with his college teammates, and Rose seems genuine in writing that he'd like to patch that up. Webber will have to give his side of the story some time. Rose has stayed close with the other three members of the band, er, team. In an odd twist, he actually spent a couple of days in jail with one of them when Rose served a short sentence for a drunk driving conviction.
Rose has grown up quite a bit over the years, starting a school in the city of Detroit to help give kids a better chance to climb out of poverty. It's an ambitious project, and he deserves a lot of credit for it.
"Got to Give the People What They Want" is a quick read, even if you don't get some of the hip-hop references. The obvious climax of the story comes with the Fab Five moments, which is roughly halfway through. The story could have used a few more dramatics after that, but that's not Rose's fault. That's the way life played out.
Even so, Rose comes across as an interesting personality here. Readers probably will pay more attention to him the next time he pops up on television.
September 20, 2020
I really enjoyed the book "Got to Give the People What They Want" by Jalen Rose because it is an athlete's autobiography. As a freshman in high school who has the hopes of making my high school's basketball team, I liked that Jalen told his story from start to finish. I really enjoyed his first person point of view writing style. The way he told his story was easy to understand and follow along, and it was obvious his opinions were based on what he had learned from his own life. I felt like the mood of the entire book was him being honest but he did it in a humorous way which helped to keep me interested. I'm not a big reader, in fact I normally don't enjoy it, but as a fourteen year old boy I could relate to his stories of staying long after everyone else had left a practice. I can't stay at my school after basketball workouts, but I spend a lot of my free time shooting baskets at my house, even after it is dark and I have to turn the lights on just to see the basket. I felt that Jalen came across as honest even when he didn't have to be. He was honest about his opinions of players getting payment for playing in high school and college. I really liked how he hit on that he was annoyed that the school and Nike were making so much money off of him and the rest of the Fab Five and he was a poor kid still trying to find change for a pizza. I really felt like this book motivated me to do better at all I do and to not give up. Jalen was an amazing athlete but he worked hard to prove himself, even after he got the NBA. It was nice to know that even someone as talented as him had to keep pushing himself and that he didn't just get to start on teams when there were other players that were just as good or better than he was. In all, I would give this book four stars. Especially if you are a teen boy trying to push yourself to be the best you can be, even if it isn't just in basketball.
August 24, 2017
If you are a fan of Jalen's you'll love this book and if not it still has some great stories.
This biography covers Jalen's life from childhood up to his current broadcasting career. Want to know about the Fab 5, playing professional basketball, or his transition to broadcasting? It's all here. However, if you are looking for any salacious details from his college or pro years they have been left out (he is a gentleman).
There is also a STRONG dose of Jalen's opinion on events including his opinion on what needs to change in college and the pros. While I don't agree with the author on several of his views I respect him and he does state the reasoning behind his views clearly.
Good read if you are a fan or remember the days of the Fab 5
This biography covers Jalen's life from childhood up to his current broadcasting career. Want to know about the Fab 5, playing professional basketball, or his transition to broadcasting? It's all here. However, if you are looking for any salacious details from his college or pro years they have been left out (he is a gentleman).
There is also a STRONG dose of Jalen's opinion on events including his opinion on what needs to change in college and the pros. While I don't agree with the author on several of his views I respect him and he does state the reasoning behind his views clearly.
Good read if you are a fan or remember the days of the Fab 5
March 28, 2022
3.5 stars - This book was in a list of recommendations because March Madness is upon us. I picked it up because I get into all the madness at this time of year and so I thought it would be an interesting read.
It was. I found myself googling players and games, coaches and stats. The writing was raw and conversational - filled with anecdotes and opinions. It was fun to pick out names I knew and to hear some insider information from Rose's perspective.
I liked the book, didn't love it but that's ok. It was a good read for this time of year.
It was. I found myself googling players and games, coaches and stats. The writing was raw and conversational - filled with anecdotes and opinions. It was fun to pick out names I knew and to hear some insider information from Rose's perspective.
I liked the book, didn't love it but that's ok. It was a good read for this time of year.
January 14, 2017
I found this book, a memoir by the former NBA star and present-day sports media broadcaster, thoroughly enjoyable. We've started a family book club and this was my nephew's choice. I'm grateful, as I never would have picked it up otherwise. Rose supplies stories of growing up in Detroit and playing in college and professional basketball? There were so many things I never knew about the money factor, especially in college basketball.
February 28, 2022
This reader happened to see Jalen Rose (with the Pacers) then, in an exhibition game at Life College, Marietta, GA, and he was talking on the sideline with Coach Larry Bird. That memory then, and this book, is remarkable for Jalen has withstood the test of time in advancing his views (controversial they may be) and with steadfast honesty and commitment. Today, those views are widely accepted, and he continues to make the case for making a difference in this world, which he does admirably.
May 27, 2025
well, this book is going to be much more interesting than you expect. Jalen tells some very iteresting storyes about college and professional basketball, that you're not going to find in other books. everything in this book sounds honest and this is cool!!...i don't agree with him, a real sport (the one that make you falling in love) is not all about the money (even in 2025) but it's all about the fans....they make the difference!
January 14, 2020
Wouldn’t exactly say he is giving the people what we want, he is more giving people what he wants them to think of him. Liked the book overall and enjoy any basketball read but he is basically just pulling for what he wants you to think about him. He could have gone into NBA stories a lot more, skimmed obvious.
April 7, 2024
Good read that provided insight into Jalen the person and his journey. I would love for Jalen & C. Webb come together to reconcile their differences and repair their friendship. We need another book or essay in which Jalen can "give the people what they want" by letting the people know the real reason he was let go by ESPN.
June 13, 2017
Solid three stars but could have gotten more if he had followed up on a few more interesting aspects of his story. Conversational read and candid, even inspirational. That is by intention, he has made a conscious decision to leave a positive legacy.
May 2, 2018
Really good read. An Introspective and insightful look at a very interesting man. I have a ton of respect for Jalen Rose, his contributions to basketball, his community, and his take on collegiate student athletes. Good read for anyone.
June 22, 2017
Listen to the Jalen Rose narrated audiobook. Joy to listen to.
August 16, 2018
Listened to the audiobook and it was awesome. Love me some Jalen. Keep getting those checks!
November 24, 2018
Great life story
July 14, 2019
Write another book. Now. Love me some Jalen. My favorite Fab 5 player. He gave the people what they wanted, and what they wanted was a book written by him!
December 29, 2019
As a Detroit, from the west side who grew up in that era, I truly enjoyed this book.
May 27, 2025
Pretty good look behind the scenes at the fab five and his nba career. Very enjoyable
January 8, 2018
On radio and television, Jalen Rose almost always presents thoughtful and logical opinions. “Got to Give the People What They Want” contains similar thoughtfulness and logic. Mr. Rose has lived a high-profile life and he makes a lot of perceptive observations about what has happened to him and what he has seen happen to other people.
It is hard to argue with any of Mr. Rose’s observations or critiques of the business of basketball, but he does make one point that can be questioned. He points out that “the first step to trading a player is to trade him in the media [reduce his playing time and allow negative rumors to circulate] and let your fans know what might be coming.” So, while that means that the local fans will miss the player less, doesn’t it also reduce his trade value?
Mr. Rose has had several positive male adults in his life who set examples and helped steer him in the right direction. This book praises these men and recognizes their importance. Jimmy Walker, the former NBA All Star who impregnated Jalen Rose’s mother (as well as eleven other women whom he did not marry) was not one of them. Jimmy Walker was clearly not a father figure; but, for undisclosed reasons, this book just refers to him as Rose’s father, not his biological father. Jalen Rose never saw Jimmy Walker until Walker’s funeral in 2007, and the emptiness of that event had a big impact on Rose. He resolved to be a better person and one of the results of that epiphany is the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, a charter high school in Detroit that opened in 2011. The average ninth grader comes into the JRLA reading and doing math at a fifth-grade level, but the school is committed to getting 85% of them to graduate from high school – and college! I do find it somewhat humorous that Mr. Rose claims he does not like golf because “if white people don't want me to join their clubs, then I don't want to play their game,” but the JRLA web site proudly announces the 6th Annual JRLA Celebrity Golf Outing Fund Raiser. Regardless, Mr. Rose deserves a lot of praise for contributing to the community where he grew up in such a positive way.
In many ways, Jalen Rose’s understanding of sports and life is unique, but his experience is representative of many other black athletes and entertainers. He points out that, “blacks and whites approach sports (and entertainment) completely differently. For white kids living in the cul-de-sacs, sports are a hobby. For black kids in the hood, it’s the only way out.” Mr. Rose is to be commended for providing another way out - the JRLA!
Mr. Rose laments that not enough black athletes are socially conscious when he asks, “With the exception of Magic and AIDS, name one black superstar athlete of that generation or later who’s made it a top priority to do something with his platform and bring real attention (and money) to a cause that means something to him.” He concludes that he can’t think of any. His overall point might be well taken, but what about Tiger Woods and David Robinson with their commitments to education? The Tiger Woods Learning Center has been in operation since 2006 and now serves 150,000 middle and high school students in six cities across the country. And David Robinson is helping the San Antonio community with the IDEA Carver Academy that serves students from Kindergarten through high school, 100% of whom are college bound.
This is not a political book, but one of the few political comments that Mr. Rose makes is disappointing. Mr. Rose criticizes Michael Jordan for saying “Republicans buy sneakers, too” and not being "more supportive of the kinds of things that Democrats and liberals tend to support." Mr. Rose's faith in Democrats and liberals is misplaced. He should know that Democrats and liberals support programs such as raising the minimum wage, which leads to increased unemployment, particularly among minorities and they tend to oppose school voucher programs, which are particularly beneficial to low-income, minority students.
Mr. Rose has little to say about his spiritual frame of reference in the body of the book, but it is uplifting to read his recognition of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Acknowledgements.
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It is hard to argue with any of Mr. Rose’s observations or critiques of the business of basketball, but he does make one point that can be questioned. He points out that “the first step to trading a player is to trade him in the media [reduce his playing time and allow negative rumors to circulate] and let your fans know what might be coming.” So, while that means that the local fans will miss the player less, doesn’t it also reduce his trade value?
Mr. Rose has had several positive male adults in his life who set examples and helped steer him in the right direction. This book praises these men and recognizes their importance. Jimmy Walker, the former NBA All Star who impregnated Jalen Rose’s mother (as well as eleven other women whom he did not marry) was not one of them. Jimmy Walker was clearly not a father figure; but, for undisclosed reasons, this book just refers to him as Rose’s father, not his biological father. Jalen Rose never saw Jimmy Walker until Walker’s funeral in 2007, and the emptiness of that event had a big impact on Rose. He resolved to be a better person and one of the results of that epiphany is the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, a charter high school in Detroit that opened in 2011. The average ninth grader comes into the JRLA reading and doing math at a fifth-grade level, but the school is committed to getting 85% of them to graduate from high school – and college! I do find it somewhat humorous that Mr. Rose claims he does not like golf because “if white people don't want me to join their clubs, then I don't want to play their game,” but the JRLA web site proudly announces the 6th Annual JRLA Celebrity Golf Outing Fund Raiser. Regardless, Mr. Rose deserves a lot of praise for contributing to the community where he grew up in such a positive way.
In many ways, Jalen Rose’s understanding of sports and life is unique, but his experience is representative of many other black athletes and entertainers. He points out that, “blacks and whites approach sports (and entertainment) completely differently. For white kids living in the cul-de-sacs, sports are a hobby. For black kids in the hood, it’s the only way out.” Mr. Rose is to be commended for providing another way out - the JRLA!
Mr. Rose laments that not enough black athletes are socially conscious when he asks, “With the exception of Magic and AIDS, name one black superstar athlete of that generation or later who’s made it a top priority to do something with his platform and bring real attention (and money) to a cause that means something to him.” He concludes that he can’t think of any. His overall point might be well taken, but what about Tiger Woods and David Robinson with their commitments to education? The Tiger Woods Learning Center has been in operation since 2006 and now serves 150,000 middle and high school students in six cities across the country. And David Robinson is helping the San Antonio community with the IDEA Carver Academy that serves students from Kindergarten through high school, 100% of whom are college bound.
This is not a political book, but one of the few political comments that Mr. Rose makes is disappointing. Mr. Rose criticizes Michael Jordan for saying “Republicans buy sneakers, too” and not being "more supportive of the kinds of things that Democrats and liberals tend to support." Mr. Rose's faith in Democrats and liberals is misplaced. He should know that Democrats and liberals support programs such as raising the minimum wage, which leads to increased unemployment, particularly among minorities and they tend to oppose school voucher programs, which are particularly beneficial to low-income, minority students.
Mr. Rose has little to say about his spiritual frame of reference in the body of the book, but it is uplifting to read his recognition of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Acknowledgements.
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Delete
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