The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul
Audio CD – Audiobook, October 21, 2004
Description
From Publishers Weekly Hoye, an established actor, is an unfortunate choice of narrator for this massive, detailed sports diary; prim, polished and melodramatic, his vocal stylings hardly match the audiobookx92s sweat-soaked subject. The audio chronicles Jacksonx92s final season coaching the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2003x962004 season, which turned out to be heartbreaking for fans and players alike. Jacksonx92s replay begins when Gary Payton and Karl Malone join the team; shortly thereafter, news emerges of the rape allegation against star player Kobe Bryant. This story, coupled with the ongoing tension between the tough Jackson and the egocentric Bryant, tinctures the entire season, even though the team makes it to the playoffs. Jackson dismisses most of his players as prima donnas, and few of them come across as very respectablex97bickering, in-fighting and bruised egos are meticulously chronicled. The episodic structure of the book makes it ill-suited for audio; after a while, one heated locker-room argument starts to sound like another, and the decision to not abridge this audiobook begins to seem like a mistake. Jacksonx92s recollections will no doubt delight basketball lovers, but those fans might be better off seeking out the hardcover, which they can skim at their leisure.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From AudioFile Basketball fans, especially those with a predilection for Zen Buddhism, will find this account of the Los Angeles Lakers' 2003-04 season, the author's last as head coach, fascinating reading. Here all is laid bare: the egos, tirades, childish behavior, and sacrifice characteristic of play at the highest professional level. Narrator Stephen Hoye is an inspired, and inspiring, choice for this book. At his best, it's difficult to separate his voice from Jackson's, so completely does he reflect the author's persona and inflections. At his worst, he magnifies Jackson's condescension and dogmatic nature, which pervades the book. Overall, though, Hoye is interesting, appropriately dramatic, and easy on the ears. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Features & Highlights
- 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.
