The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul

I bought this book because I am one of those Laker haters for the same reason I am also one of those Yankee haters; I root against teams that win all the time and that are favorites to win a world championship year after year. Before the 2003/04 NBA season, I grimaced when I first heard the Lakers were getting Karl Malone and Gary Payton. I thought it was the rich getting richer and a lot of sports analysts thought so too as they were almost giving the NBA title to LA before the season started and some believed this Lakers squad could challenge Phil Jackson's Chicago Bulls' regular season win record. I was disappointed that Malone joined the Lakers. After spending one of the longest and most successful careers in Utah (a place in which a lot of players wouldn't want to stay), he jumps on the wagon that appears to be on the fastest, easiest route to a championship (again, the rich get richer). That seemed like an almost traitorous way to win one's only title, so I'm glad it did not happen. I bought Jackson's The Last Season to savor in the Lakers' "demise" (well, they did get to the finals which, after game 2 of the San Antonio series, a lot of people, including myself, did not think was possible, so spoiled Laker fans shouldn't be too bummed).Right on the first page, Jackson writes that he "didn't want this book to be about the small petty gossip that makes up a lot of the NBA world" (p. 1). Don't worry, there is plenty of gossip in this book. He does not bore the reader with X's and O's, although there is some strategy explained when discussing different match-ups. A lot of this book is about Jackson's relationship with owner Jerry Buss, general manager Mitch Kupchak, opinions on such NBA spokesmen as Dallas Maverick's coach Mark Cuban, Rick Fox and Karl Malone's frustration over injuries, Gary Payton's tantrums about the triangle offense, and, of course, the on-going feud between Kobe and Shaq. The book is written like a journal but is very comprehensive and flows very well. I was fascinated by the behind-the-scenes look at the Lakers organization. Their preparation for games I found to be very interesting. At one point in the season, Jackson exposed his players to an aspect of his Buddhist beliefs with a meditation session (Jackson admits he does not think it affected most of the players). He also had clips from the movies Shrek or Miracle on Ice inserted in their film sessions (p. 191). Jackson is candid about Kobe's ball-hogging tendencies and Shaq's abysmal free throw shooting. During the Houston series in the playoffs, Shaq practiced shooting free throws from a foot back which Jackson thought was less than constructive (p. 162). Often, Jackson compares his Laker teams unfavorably to his Bulls teams in terms of preparation and attitude towards the game. Jackson's complaints throughout the book on everything from game start times (p. 95), fines (p. 96), and foul calls (many pages) made me think the coach of the Sacramento Kings wrote the book.Of course, Shaq and Kobe is the draw to this book, and Jackson does not disappoint the readers. A lot of the petty squabbles are described here. Some of the high lights include Kobe and Shaq only wanting certain photographers (the opposite for each) filming them during practice (p. 110). The Lakers helped pay for Kobe's flights to Colorado for his hearings and Kobe complained the plane was not luxurious enough (p. 32). One of the bad omens in the Detroit series was Shaq blowing up at 82-year-old assistant coach Tex Winter (pp. 232-33). Then, in the end, Kobe tells Jackson he no longer wants to be Shaq's "sidekick" thus completing the stage for Shaq's exit (p. 258). Jackson visited a therapist to help him deal with the Shaq/Kobe factor. Of course, Jackson probably only covers the tip of the iceberg, but it still makes for fascinating reading. Check out this eyebrow-raising line: "This was another example of the basic difference between him [Shaq] and Kobe. Ask Shaq to do something and he'll say: "No, I don't want to do that." But after a little pouting, he will do it. Ask Kobe, and he'll say, "okay," and then he will do whatever he wants" (p. 38). After reading this book, I cannot believe the rumors that Jasckson will return as coach of the Lakers. No way. But, then again, after reading Terrell Owens' book, I never would've guessed he would fire his beloved agent and seek a new contract with Philly, so one never knows. Whether you are a Laker hater, a Laker fan, or are just fascinated with the personalities of the NBA, I definitely recommend this book.

I just read this book recently, although I had been meaning to for years, as I very much enjoyed reading Phil’s “Sacred Hoops,” in which he provided backstory for his Zen Master approach to coaching, and also chronicled his years coaching the Chicago Bulls through their first 3-peat. I had often wondered why things fell apart with the Lakers in 2004, as that team was loaded with talent and had already had so much success in 2001-03. In my reading of this book, Kobe Bryant definitely seems to be the main character, and the main source of all the drama. Though Phil doesn’t directly blame Kobe for the Lakers’ demise, it is quite evident when reading between the lines that Kobe’s ego was out of control and that he was having serious trust issues with basically everybody after the rape allegation. Having just watched “The Last Dance” documentary a couple months ago, I found myself making connections between Phil’s relationship with MJ and Phil’s relationship with Kobe. MJ had already earned all the individual accolades there were to earn before Phil became the head coach, so Mike was desperate to win a championship and not just be known as a great scorer, which made him open to change. Kobe, meanwhile, never had a chance to establish his individual greatness first, as Phil was there from the outset of his career, as was Shaq. And Shaq was the man on those 2001-03 championship teams; Shaq was the one winning all the finals MVP’s. The way I read it is, Kobe’s insane desire to emulate Mike was largely Phil-based. He wanted to prove to Phil that he was every bit as good as Mike, and every bit as worthy of Phil’s respect. And the reason Kobe was so unwilling to be Shaq’s “sidekick,” despite the fact that they were winning rings together, was because, unlike Mike, he had never had the space to be the alpha before winning a championship. He could never be “like Mike” as long as Shaq was there. As for my five-star rating of the book, I just feel that Phil is a very good storyteller. This book was a fun read, a fast read, and a very interesting read. If nothing else, it shows us that people who seem to have it all in life can be the most petty and insecure people in the world.

This books came out in 2004, and I remember was plenty controversial. The book is also a really interesting good read, meaning I picked up plenty of interesting information on those Laker championship runs as a fan, but all insight into leadership and thinking which were also valuable.Phil Jackson is not the typical coach, being a thinker of the game, clearly and having written multiple books. He was also famous for having each player read a book that Jackson thought would be helpful for that individual player each season. Interesting, and unique.This book grew out of a frustrating season fir the Lakers, who picked up multiple all-star players and greats like Gary Payton and Karl Malone and kind of failed for a variety of reasons. Jackson, clearly was distressed and it also makes for a great read years later as he describes the trials of the year and also the impact off Kobe Bryant's trial in Colorado during the season.Well worth a read for basketball fans, even years later. Plenty to pick up here behind the basketball.

it is sooooooo interesting!!

Es un libro adecuado para las personas que gustan del Basketball.

Before I give my thoughts on the book I just want to address the moron who gave this book one star & said that "Phil Jackson has no class", he was not the one who approached LA after the disastrous season of 2004/05 they approached HIM! After Rudy Tomjanovich resigned due to health issues, add to that he took the time off due to hip problems.Anyway, this book is the best sports book I have read & I have read a few that have turned out to be nothing more than an exercise in making the sport or club in which said individual competes or work look good, this is not so as it pertains to Phil Jackson's The Journey.He pulls no punches when speaking of the difficulties he encounters when trying to deal with superstars in their own minds in Kobe & Shaq or the problems he dealt with in Chicago whilst trying to get Rodman, Jordan & Pippen to work together in his early career.There is no question that he is one of the greatest managers in world sport & should be celebrated as such, I would recommend this book to basketball & sports fans, hell even non sports fans alike.

It is a very interesting book, and you read it so fast, thank to the fluency of the text and the honesty with which the facts are told.

Absolutely fantastic book! A great look into the 2003-2004 Los Angeles Lakers, highly recommended for all basketball/NBA fans!By the way, I'm a big Kobe fan and the negative things said about him are overblown in reviews/excerpts of the book.