Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s

I was not a Lakers fan in the 80's, but I did root for them against the Celtics. Growing up as a teenager during their dynasty I appreciated their greatness. Magic was in a world of his own and was simply amazing to watch. This book does an awesome job of providing an in depth history of their dynasty. I learned so many things while reading this book. I knew sex and cocaine were rampant during that era, but had no idea to what degree. I was surprised that the Lakers wives were that passive about the way in which their husbands had sex with so many different women. Very interesting to say the least.I didn't know the depths of jealously that Norm Nixon had for Johnson. I really enjoyed reading those stories and just how much the team grew tired of Kareem. I've never been a fan of Kareem and reading this book confirms how much of an arrogant and self-centered dude he was during his playing days. The reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because I thought the author could have gone into more detail about Johnson's retirement. I know the book was focused on the Showtime era and how the stories about Johnson having HIV is discussed in many other books, but I felt as though that chapter was very rushed as if the author had to meet a deadline. That chapter didn't flow as eloquently as the other chapters in the book. If there was an option for 4.5 stars that's really what I would have given the book. Regardless, I thought it was one of the best books that I've read. The book definitely provided a nice getaway from the Covid-19 hysteria.

I was too young to know about Showtime of the late 70's -early 80's, so a lot of what I read was news to me. This was an awesome tell all about one of the greatest teams (both on and off the court). Any sports fan will enjoy this book.

I’m a diehard Knicks fan—I even wrote a book about that—but I still very much enjoyed this. I have been watching basketball since the 1960s and I feel the Showtime Lakers were the best NBA team for a period of time that I have ever seen. (Plus, I must confess I took great pleasure in seeing them beat the Celtics twice in the NBA Finals and only wish it had been three times.)Jeff Pearlman did a wonderful job capturing the totality of the behind-the-scenes events that helped define that team and that era.Even if you were not alive during the 1980s, if you have any interest in NBA history I’m confident you will enjoy this book.

I bought it for my grandfather. He said he liked the stories in it. He just wished that the chapters where longer, and they did not jump around so much from story to story. It is hard to keep up with the book since it jumps around so much.

Jeff Pearlman’s Showtime, chronicling the great Los Angeles Lakers team of the 1980’s is a fun and entertaining read about one of the most compelling sports teams ever assembled. Of course Magic Johnson takes center stage with his effervescent personality and larger than life persona who really defined the Showtime era. And he, coupled with the mercurial, sometimes inscrutable, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar formed the nucleolus of one of the most compelling and greatest dynasties NBA history.The strength of this book is the way Pearlman is able to bring the inner personalities of the players and coaches to life – personalities that the public persona may hide. Seeing the tension and jealousy between the established Norm Nixon and the new kid on the block Magic Johnson is something that has been alluded to in the past but here the real story comes out. Ultimately the two alpha dogs could not coexist. Behind the scenes looks at the owner Jerry Buss, and executive Jerry West, and players like AC Green, James Worthy, Jamaal Wilkes, Michael Cooper, Byron Scott, and the underdog and fan favorite Kurt Rambis were also compelling and interesting.The other key player in this era of course is the coach Pat Riley. He was giving the head coaching duties after an unfortunate injury ended the Lakers’ career of coach Jack McKinney, and Paul Westhead rather quickly wore out his welcome. Starting out less sure of himself than one would imagine, Riley, a great a coach, eventually become the egotist and control freak that the media has painted him out to be. He, as much as any player, also defined the Showtime era.I have to admit that while the sexual promiscuity of many pro athletes is no secret, the stories told about the Showtime Lakers in this book were shocking to me. It was wild, wild, wild and over the top times for Magic and the boys in Los Angeles. And while a few players were using drugs it was really the partying in general and women that were center stage for these fellows off the court.Of course the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird appears in these pages but is downplayed a bit because this is about the Lakers and their dynasty.And finally we see the transition from the Lakers to the Bad Boy Pistons late in the decade (who were overtaken by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls).Overall this was a fun read about a fascinating team.

A basketball history lesson from the 80's into the 90's.Fascinating to read what actually happened to Jack McKinney, why Paul Westhead lost his job, Kareem's moody behavior, and Pat Riley, an extremely hard worker who ended with a runaway ego. So many great names, enjoyed reading about them as people, as well as players. If you like the NBA and the Showtime period it's a must read.

Great book on the Showtime Lakers of the 80's.

great read - i can see why HBO is in production to make this into a mini-series

Great detail and behind the scene anecdotes. Well written and an entertaining read. I recommend this book for all Laker fans who remember "Showtime"

From 1979 when Dr. Jerry Buss ( he held a PhD in Chemistry) bought the Los Angeles Lakers and drafted Earvin "Magic" Johnson, until 1991, the Lakers were the preeminent team in basketball, playing in nine championship series, winning five. This is the inside story of that team, nicknamed "Showtime" and the central characters involved.The owner, Jerry Buss, who loved the ladies and built the Forum Club, which became the hot spot for players, celebrities and invited guests, featuring food, drinks, women and drugs.The GM, Jerry West, keen spotter of talent and a "win at all cost" attitude.The coach, Pat Riley, a coaching genius whose ego overtook him.The players, featuring Kareem Abdul-Jabber, the game`s best center and all time scoring leader, but a thoroughly unlikeable person off the floor, Magic Johnson, who ran the team, James Worthy, All Star forward, who wasn`t the family man he appeared to be and the surrounding cast which included genuine talent, kooks, misfits and short lived stars.Described are the key games over the decade, the relationship and rivalry between Magic and Bird; Magic and Isiah Thomas, and what goes into building and maintaining a championship team.This is a championship book.

I've been an NBA fan since i was a kid. Jordan was at his peak and helped me fall in love with the game. Since then I've tried to catch up on the history of the game and some of the best teams/players. I'm not a Lakers fan at all (blame Kobe) but this book is great!I already knew some history of the showtime Lakers, but this was a really fun read filled with great anecdotes and a nice prospective of the ups and downs of a legendary team.Highly recommend if you are a basketball fan.

Amazing inside look at the team of the 80's, thoroughly enjoyed it! Many player interviews done recently some 25 years or longer later made it quite interesting reading.

A must read for fans of the 1980's Lakers dynasty, or basketball fans in general. Very entertaining from cover to cover.