The Last Enforcer: Outrageous Stories From the Life and Times of One of the NBA’s Fiercest Competitors

Former NBA All-Star Oakley debuts with a memorable if dewy-eyed account of his run in what he calls “the golden era of physical play” in the league. Anchored with a foreword by Michael Jordan—who refers to the author as his “bodyguard” during their time as teammates on the Chicago Bulls—Oakley’s book skims over his youth and early love of the game to instead regale readers with tales from his playing days in the 1980s and ’90s and his decade-long tenure with the Knicks, replete with cameos by the likes of Donald Trump. He also weighs in on a considerable amount of gossip, opening the book with the claim “I did not punch Charles Barkley”; providing his own commentary on the infamous feud between Michael Jordan and the Pistons’ Isiah Thomas (“Thomas was jealous of Michael”); and with an almost laser-focused memory, recounting outrageous moments such as when Dennis Rodman (who he was “never friends” with) walked around a steakhouse he co-owned “eating food off customers’ plates.” Entertaining as it is, it can sometimes feels like a romanticized account of a bygone era full of grievances (“Jonathan Supranowitz is a straight bitch”) that, nearly two decades on, clearly continue to incense him. Still, this remains an entertaining stroll down memory lane. (Feb.)