I lieu of the magnificent front page of espn.com today, I thought I'd jump in with my review of the book, "Red Hot and Rollin" and the film "Fast Break."

I received this little slice of Blazer glory about 2 weeks ago for my birthday. It so happens that I have a bit of a connection with the editor of the book, Matt Love. My brother played a small part in helping him with ideas and research, and he has a close relationship with Love, being his former high school English teacher.

This book is grassroots literature in its purest form. There is nothing corporate or mainstream about it; and I can't see it being any other way. It is completely organic.

The most fascinating piece of the book is Love's interview with The Enforcer, Maurice Lucas. He reveals a bounty of information that will put you right in the center of the '77 team. He drops great stories about socking David Thompson in the kisser, the "what could have been" regarding Moses Malone, and plenty of other candid info that you won't find in the mainstream media.

It is beautiful to read the many perspectives from Blazer fans and those connected with the franchise at the time. Just when you think you've heard everything there is to know about the team, another story pops out and completely captivates your spirit. I was born in 1980, and was not a conscious Blazer fan until i was about 7 years old. Reading this book, I feel like I was alive and kickin' in 1977 with all of Blazermania.

The film "Fast Break" is worth the price of the book itself. I can not believe that Love was able to include this film with the book and keep the price at a mere 20 bucks. I would have paid 50. This film is by all means a diamond in the rough. Over the past 30 years it has sat virtually unknown and almost completely forgotten. In the TrueHoop blog today, Henry Abott did a nice job reviewing the film. For clips of the film, check out his blog on espn.com.

It should be made a law that all Blazer fans must read this book and watch the film. For me, it has increased my love for the Blazers even more... which I never thought was possible.

Tip of the cap to Matt Love... I strongly believe that your book is going to infuse new life into Blazermania. Not because it is nostalgic and causes us all to long for the "good ol' days", but because it reminds us all what this city can do for its only pro sports franchise if a unique product is put on the floor... it will embrace it like no other city in the United States can.  

I hope that Kevin Pritchard, Paul Allen, and the rest of the Blazers' management team take time to read this book and get a glimpse of what Blazermania is all about.