It's been a while since my last book review, Cane Mutiny, which followed the first review of the most excellent Boys Will Be Boys.
Recently, LA Lakers head coach Phil Jackson has publicly stated that he is unsure of coming back next season to coach the Lakers. Jackson, 63, cites concerns of his own health as well as the team's success this year as major factors regarding his future with the team.
Such a decision mirrors what Jackson wrote about in his 2004 book The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul. This book chronicled the often turbulent 2003-2004 season of the Lakers, of which much was expected of a team featuring four future Hall of Famers including Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, Shaquille O'Neal, Slava Medvedenko, and Gary Payton.
The Last Season chronicles forces both on and off the court that can affect a team. Jackson discusses his often tumultuous relationships with players and members of the Lakers' front office, which also includes his girlfriend Jeannie, daughter of Lakers' owner Dr. Jerry Buss.
One of the most compelling aspects of this book is Jackson's relationship with Kobe Bryant--himself going through court proceedings regarding rape allegations during the 03-04 season. Jackson does not hold back in his criticisms of Bryant, detailing his sometimes uncontrollable immaturity and anger.
Almost every chapter, I found myself saying "damn Kobe is a bitch"...like how he didn't wouldn't allow Shaq's favorite trainer taping him up because he wouldn't do as good of a job on him. Or how Kobe wouldn't give the time of day to reporters who spent much time around O'Neal after games. Shaq and others weren't completely out of the bitch catagory, but by far, Kobe seems like a huge ass after reading these memoirs.
After the '04 season in which LA lost to the Pistons 4-1 in the NBA Finals, Jackson went on to retire as head coach of the Lakers and was replaced by Rudy Tomjonavich, but Jackson eventually returned in 2005 to become head coach once again. This book is a great read just because its hard to imagine how Jackson came back to coach one of the players he totally dogged in his book. It's also funny to read how Jackson would have the team meditate and spread scents of sage and rosemary around the room. I could imagine Malone and Shaq being like what is this bs?
Original Story:
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March 30, 2009
