For the countless basketball fans who were spellbound by the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2003–2004 high-wire act, this book is a rare and phenomenal treat. In The Last Season, Lakers coach Phil Jackson draws on his trademark honesty and insight to tell the whole story of the season that proved to be the final ride of a truly great dynasty. From the signing of future Hall-of-Famers Karl Malone and Gary Payton to the Kobe Bryant rape case/media circus, this is a riveting tale of clashing egos, public feuds, contract disputes, and team meltdowns that only a coach, and a writer, of Jackson’s candor, experience, and ability could tell. Full of tremendous human drama and offering lessons on coaching and on life, this is a book that no sports fan can possibly pass up.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Jackson’s chronicle of his final season as the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers moves as crisply as a well-executed fast break. Under his direction, the Lakers won three NBA titles, but failed to reach the championship round in 2003. Determined to make another run at the finals in the 2003–2004 season, the Lakers added Hall of Fame players Karl Malone and Gary Payton to a team that already featured superstars Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. But instead of producing another ring, the Lakers were crushed in the finals by the Detroit Pistons. That the Lakers even reached the last round of the playoffs was a feat given the turmoil that surrounded the team (involving the animosity between Shaq and Bryant, and Bryant’s rape charge). Jackson briefly critiques the Lakers’ biggest games of the regular season and analyzes each playoff performance, providing fresh insight without boring readers with play-by-play accounts. He peppers the narrative with pungent observations of his stars—and it’s no surprise that he saves his sharpest criticisms for Bryant. While Shaq could be difficult to deal with, Jackson contends, he was ultimately a team player. And although Shaq and Bryant reached a truce in the season’s final months, Jackson sees Bryant as the epitome of today’s selfish player, a "callous gun for hire."
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
While the book is a hoot for basketball fans, Jackson’s experiences also offer lessons for anyone dealing with chaos. -- Time
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 69 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
If you were one of the many who believed that when the Lakers put 4 future Hall of Fame players on the court they would certainly win a championship, then this book goes a long to describing why a team of basketball players with less talent beat them decisively.
Phil opens up on the behind the scenes squabbles, pettiness and egos so large they simply defy explanation. In one example, Kobe Bryant is offered the use of a plane by the Lakers to make his trips back to a Colorado courtroom for his alleged rape trial, and instead of being grateful for the support his team is giving him financially, is mad because he thought he deserved a bigger plane.
The book is full of the insights into the battles between Kobe and Shaq. Imagine two first graders with 100 million dollars each and you start to get close to the level of professionalism and emotional maturity. It is often funny, often sad, and usually just shocking.
The book is written very well, a breeze to read through, and a fascinating tale of psychological narcissism gone wild. I recommend highly for fans of the NBA, or just anyone who is interested in team dynamics. It will also explain why the Lakers got beat so easily by a team with far less talent. A lesson to leaders in organizations everywhere.
Phil opens up on the behind the scenes squabbles, pettiness and egos so large they simply defy explanation. In one example, Kobe Bryant is offered the use of a plane by the Lakers to make his trips back to a Colorado courtroom for his alleged rape trial, and instead of being grateful for the support his team is giving him financially, is mad because he thought he deserved a bigger plane.
The book is full of the insights into the battles between Kobe and Shaq. Imagine two first graders with 100 million dollars each and you start to get close to the level of professionalism and emotional maturity. It is often funny, often sad, and usually just shocking.
The book is written very well, a breeze to read through, and a fascinating tale of psychological narcissism gone wild. I recommend highly for fans of the NBA, or just anyone who is interested in team dynamics. It will also explain why the Lakers got beat so easily by a team with far less talent. A lesson to leaders in organizations everywhere.
26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I agree with previous reviewers in that truly insightful books on the NBA (or other sports) tend to be few and far between. The reason, one can suspect, is that everyone wants to cover their behinds, protect their endorsement dollars and preserve any chance of being hired again. This is what makes Phil's book so interesting and entertaining to read. His account of what transpired behind the scenes of the Lakers' fabled season is at times shocking (the immaturity of certain players/coaches/agents is staggering), at times funny, and always honest. Phil has a disarmingly serene style, and his words feel measured yet honest and never manipulative. He is mature enough to put the blame on himself at times, and his candor is in contrast with the 'he said/she said' going on with the Lakers. I know that for many people the Lakers were the Evil Empire, the Yankees of basketball, but I would recommend this work to anyone with a love for basketball, and also anybody who thinks they know how things are behind the scenes. Good stuff.
20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Phil Jackson's book isn't packed with gossip and revelations like I thought it would be. Truth be told, all the gossipy stuff about Kobe Bryant came out in the excerpts in the press before the book was released on Oct. 21.
For such a fascinating train-wreck of a team that the 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers were, Jackson's book comes across as a little dull. I'm a die-hard Laker fan and most of the information here I had already gathered from reading the newspapers or watching ESPN.
This book is a very fast read. In its pages you get insight into Jackson's unorthodox coaching techniques (meditation, Eastern philosophy, etc.), how he copes with the intrusive sports press, how he massages the Lakers' gargantuan egos, and how he manages a relationship with his boss's daughter (who also happens to be a Laker executive).
The part of the book detailing the regular season has some juicy behind-the-scenes details, but if you've read the excerpts, then you know them already. By the time you get to the 2004 playoffs, it's nothing but basketball jargon.
The sudden implosion of the Lakers following their NBA Finals defeat was jarring and Jackson covers it well. Overall, Jackson's relationship with Kobe Bryant is more complex than the newspapers will have you believe. Kobe is portrayed as a supremely talented but tragically narcissistic character whose search for happiness through basketball will ultimately prove unfulfilling. He's not the next Michael Jordan, folks. As a matter of fact, he's not even CLOSE.
Shaq is portrayed as a big baby and has his flaws, but overall is a good person with a terrific sense of humor. It's telling that Phil Jackson writes how he turned down an executive position with the Lakers, partly in protest of L.A. trading O'Neal to Miami.
Jackson is a little more humane with Gary Payton than I would have been, but that's just me. Karl Malone comes across as a true pro as do Derek Fisher and Rick Fox--the ultimate team guys. Jackson also believes that Devean George wastes his talents on the hardwood, but anyone who regularly follows the Lakers already knows that.
Perhaps the saddest section of the book comes when the Lakers cut role player Jannero Pargo for salary cap reasons. His tearful goodbye to the team is the most moving part of the book. It also illustrates a common, but frequently ignored facet of professional sports: the cold realities of a talented athlete who has to face the fact that he is unable to compete at the professional level.
Overall, I still like the NBA, but Jackson's so-so book only hints upon the broader problem with a league that focuses too much on individual talent and not enough on team skills. The implosion of the Lakers should be a warning to the league to change its act and its marketing skills or professional basketball might end up like (*GULP!*) hockey.
For such a fascinating train-wreck of a team that the 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers were, Jackson's book comes across as a little dull. I'm a die-hard Laker fan and most of the information here I had already gathered from reading the newspapers or watching ESPN.
This book is a very fast read. In its pages you get insight into Jackson's unorthodox coaching techniques (meditation, Eastern philosophy, etc.), how he copes with the intrusive sports press, how he massages the Lakers' gargantuan egos, and how he manages a relationship with his boss's daughter (who also happens to be a Laker executive).
The part of the book detailing the regular season has some juicy behind-the-scenes details, but if you've read the excerpts, then you know them already. By the time you get to the 2004 playoffs, it's nothing but basketball jargon.
The sudden implosion of the Lakers following their NBA Finals defeat was jarring and Jackson covers it well. Overall, Jackson's relationship with Kobe Bryant is more complex than the newspapers will have you believe. Kobe is portrayed as a supremely talented but tragically narcissistic character whose search for happiness through basketball will ultimately prove unfulfilling. He's not the next Michael Jordan, folks. As a matter of fact, he's not even CLOSE.
Shaq is portrayed as a big baby and has his flaws, but overall is a good person with a terrific sense of humor. It's telling that Phil Jackson writes how he turned down an executive position with the Lakers, partly in protest of L.A. trading O'Neal to Miami.
Jackson is a little more humane with Gary Payton than I would have been, but that's just me. Karl Malone comes across as a true pro as do Derek Fisher and Rick Fox--the ultimate team guys. Jackson also believes that Devean George wastes his talents on the hardwood, but anyone who regularly follows the Lakers already knows that.
Perhaps the saddest section of the book comes when the Lakers cut role player Jannero Pargo for salary cap reasons. His tearful goodbye to the team is the most moving part of the book. It also illustrates a common, but frequently ignored facet of professional sports: the cold realities of a talented athlete who has to face the fact that he is unable to compete at the professional level.
Overall, I still like the NBA, but Jackson's so-so book only hints upon the broader problem with a league that focuses too much on individual talent and not enough on team skills. The implosion of the Lakers should be a warning to the league to change its act and its marketing skills or professional basketball might end up like (*GULP!*) hockey.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
New point of view
I really appreciate the point of view of the coach. It is no so usual for you to have access to the reading of the different situations from the boss mind and eyes. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Vicente Llamas Roldan
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Amazing Book
This book was truly amazing. It is the story of the demise of the LA Lakers in one season, ending their run of three straight titles. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Brooklyn Joe
4.0 out of 5 stars
Because you need to know, as a Laker fan...
Although its old word now, if you are a die hard Phil Jackson and/or Lakers fan, its a captivating read to know, from his perspective, what went on that season.
Published 5 months ago by Mase
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Book
This book provides a very insightful look into a pro sports team and the world of the NBA, as well as a peek into the pysches of Phil, Shaq and Kobe. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Lucie
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Book in Search of a Reader...
... and that reader was me! I used to watch basketball while growing up in the mid 90s when the Bulls were dominating the league. Then I quit watching. Read more
Published 19 months ago by BraMaster
3.0 out of 5 stars
Similar, not not an equal to, Jordan Rules
Phil Jackson recollects on the 2004 Lakers' title pursuit. A team teeming with all-star talent, accompanied by controversy from start to end, shocked the world by overcoming... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Ray
5.0 out of 5 stars
Greaaaat!
This was a really good book from the Zen Master himself, Phil Jackson. And after reading how really disturbed he was with Kobe I can't believe he came back a year later.
Published on April 10, 2011 by Dwill
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book about a avg team with big names.
I am a big Lakers fan and have been for years. This 2003-4 Season is one of the worst in my memory as a Lakers fan. Read more
Published on December 26, 2010 by Sigurãur Einar Einarsson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book on the inner circle of the Lakers and the last season.
This book covers in detail the troubled last season of the Lakers given Shaq and Kobe but also their demise in the finals. Strongly recommended if you are a Kobe fan!
Published on December 7, 2009 by Nader Balata
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lakers
This is a great book about the Lakers by Phil Jackson, their coach. It was sritten when he thought this would be the last year for that Laker team and the last year for him too. Read more
Published on October 1, 2009 by Dena Leasure
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 7
books:
See all 7 books this book cites
5
books
cite this book:
- Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior by Phil Jackson in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- More than a Game by Phil Jackson in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Kobe Bryant (Sports Heroes) by A. R. Schaefer on page 110
- The Last Dance by Adam Grant on page 98
- Willis Reed by Fox on page 29
See all 7 books this book cites
- Reality Check: What Your Mind Knows, But Isn't Telling You by David L Weiner on page 206, and Back Matter
- Between the Sheets: Creating Curling Champions by Guy H. Scholz on page 44, and Back Matter
- Coach Tex Winter: Triangle Basketball by Ann Parr in Back Matter
- Basketball and Philosophy: Thinking Outside the Paint (The Philosophy of Popular Culture) by Jerry L. Walls on page 115
- Frommer's Los Angeles 2006 (Frommer's Complete Guides) by Matthew Poole on page 39
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