{"product_id":"keepin-it-real-the-nba-at-a-crossroads","title":"Keepin It Real The NBA At A Crossroads","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePhiladelphia journalist Larry Platt spent the 1997-98 National Basketball Association season hanging out with five players at various stages of their careers: aging superstar Charles Barkley, on a quest for a championship; reserve Matt Maloney, simply happy to be in the league; potential superstars Jerry Stackhouse and Chris Webber; and troubled veteran Vernon \"Mad Max\" Maxwell, the original \"gangsta\" hoopster. The dominant image throughout is of immensely wealthy young men on the prowl late at night, slamming shots of Remy Martin with beautiful young female \"acquaintances\" at their side. Their conversations are a jarring mix of high finance, league gossip, smug posturing, and ghetto slang. Despite their often excessive behavior, the players themselves are portrayed sympathetically, as men whose attempts to deal with the typical fears and doubts of the young are complicated, sometimes tragically, by fame and money. An insightful look inside the real NBA.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e320 pages, hardcover\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFREE SHIPPING\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WILLIAM MORROW","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":63533985497228,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0386\/8665\/4604\/files\/realplatt.jpg?v=1793308824","url":"https:\/\/retrosportco.com\/products\/keepin-it-real-the-nba-at-a-crossroads","provider":"RetroSportCo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}