The book is in great shape and got to my house sooner than expected... Positive stuff all around...

The book is in great shape and got to my house sooner than expected... Positive stuff all around...

This book is fairly well-scribed but definitely lacks the insight/depth that I would have preferred from a coach like Jackson. The most absurd and hypocritical part of it all is that Phil the Moneygrubbing Hippie who only wins when he has starpower, returned to the Lakers a year later---making this book basically null and void. Typical of a person of his pathetic ilk. Not a role model for anyone. And he's a mediocre coach. Phil Jackson is the Joe Torre of hoops.

I have always perceived Phil Jackson to be a an introspective and intellectually curious individual. This book has further bolstered that opinion. A fairly easy read, the depth of Phi's candor is perhaps what is most striking. He unabashedly relays his thoughts on how Shaq could be a better overall basketball if he focused on playing defense, his admiration of Karl Malone and Gary Payton for taking on diminished roles yet working hard, and then there's kobe. When this book was publicised back in 2005 in it the media (shocker) gave the impression that Kobe was villified throughout the book. Needless to say that perception is inaccurate. Although this book is about the tumultous 2003-04 season,Kobe hover's heavily over much of Phil's rumination. Phil's thoughts of Kobe are conflicted. On one hand there is the criticism of Kobe ( the aspect o of the book which the media dwelt on)his headstrong, occassional combustible personality, his refulsal to adhere to the triangle, seeming indifference, even ingratitude to the Laker's organization for their support during his rape trial, and feuds with Shaq. Phil's criticism of Kobe is tempered by him deeply analyzing the context in which the various incidents play out, and his (phil) role in agitating or diffusing the situaition. Overall, Phil seems to have a reluctant reverence of Kobe Bryant. This is mostly conveyed by how much he compares Kobe to Michael Jordan. The interpretation of this book should be subject to understading the context in which it is written. Phil's thoughts seem jarringly raw until one realizes that they were entries made into his personal journal. At that point he may be forgiven a little.

I was curious to see just what exactly this book would be like. I mean, the "last season" was not really the kind of season that Phil Jackson was looking for when he decided to write this book. Although the Lakers did have some brewing turmoil going on inside the organization, with the additions of Gary Payton and Karl Malone, it was assumed that they were the ordained NBA Champions. Well, did not turn out that way. But the growing Shaq vs. Kobe feud provides some ammunition. I like Phil Jackson and think he is a good coach and all and I guess this book is pretty good. If you are an NBA junkie and if you are a Laker junkie, it is essential. But if you just consider yourself a casual fan, it might be a tad dry. One thing is clear, Kobe is the creep that you always thought he was and I find it so enjoyable that he is stuck on a Laker team going nowhere, while Shaq has moved on and won another championship.

The book is written in a disorderly manner. At times he jumps around so much that it's hard to follow. Entertaining and informative as far as showing life as a coach of Lakers, especially Kobe and Shaq, the two dominant players, and biggest "problem children" on the team. Two players who were just down-right childish at times (especially Kobe). Phil had an especially tough time with Kobe, the ever so narcisitic MJ wannabe.

As a casual NBA fan and admirer of all Phil Jackson has done, I bought this book hoping to find something which would provide insight into the happenings behind the scenes, how Jackson handled all the chaos, and insight into an interesting season. Unfortunately Jackson's book does not weave a single cohesive theme. It is presented as a series of disjointed diary entries which spend far too much time focusing on recapping the most recent basketball game. Although there are some interesting noted in the book, some of which are highlighted in other reviews (and some of which made the news), they are few and far between, and usually buried in piles of game analysis and box score review. I hope Phil Jackson keeps his day job.

This book describes coach Phil Jackson's experiences with the team during the 2003-2004 season. Not only the Shaq-Kobe conflict, but also the Shaq-Phil and Kobe-Phil interactions, as well as Kobe's sexual assault trial, took energy and concentration away from playing basketball.

The result: The Lakers lost, Shaq went off to Miami, and Phil found himself on the wrong end of his "it's either Kobe or me" ultimatum. And the Lakers haven't been the same since.

This book does a good job of presenting Phil's side of the story; I'd like to look for other materials to help balance it out.

I find Phil Jackson to be a enterating and thoughtful writer. He told of his (supposed) last season as Lakers coach only to come back 2 years later. He gives insight to the players and the inner workings of the Laker organization. I recommend this book to any basketball fan

I'm a sports fan, not a Laker fan. This book seems to be a collection of journal entries by Phil Jackson, one of the best NBA coaches of all time. 9 NBA championships gives him a certain level of credibility.

I enjoyed the insights into the players, especially the 4 hall of famers, 4 proud men who have accomplished much individually, striving to do what no other team has--win 4 rings in 5 years. Much of the emphasis is on PJ's relationships with Shaq and Kobe. He makes several comparisons to the Chicago Bulls team that won 6 rings in 8 years. It's interesting what PJ had to adjust in his coaching for a Laker team that was quite different than Da Bulls. He proves that in Leadership, effective people must read and adjust to the culture they enter. Results: 3 rings with the Lakers. I liked his previous books more such as Sacred Hoops as there were inspirational and leadership lessons more explicit in his message. This book is literally journal entries.

Great read if you are a sports fan, or are intrigued with the Lakers. Especially with PJ coming back.

a good diary of the lakers 2003-04 season as seen through the eyes of phil jackson. however, no deep secrets are revealed and jackson's criticsm's of kobe bryant are way over-hyped.

This is a good read if you are a Laker fan and an ok read if you are interested in the off the court workings of the NBA. It gives good insight into Shaq, Kobe, and the Buss family (who own the Lakers). Of course everything is from Phil so you get the impression he thinks he's the only adult surrounded by a franchise of kids. There is little information on why he returned to the Lakers which would have been interesting to read after his dramatic departure.

The best thing I'll offer about Phil Jackson's book "The Last Season" is that it really is an interesting and quick read. Don't let the 200+ pages fool you ... this really is a page turner you'll breeze through.

As far as Jackson's commentary on the Los Angeles Lakers 2003-04 season, all I can say is if you're even a casual sports fan you'll easily relate to this great coach's task of team-building relationship sagas and admirable attempts of motivating super-rich and egotistical NBA players to work together and find a way to win the championship.

If you'll recall, this book chronicles the season Kobe Bryant spent in and out of the (legal) court room during his rape trial. You've got Shaquille O'Neal struggling to fight off father time, regain his fitness and questioning his future with the franchise given his indifferent relationship with Kobe.

You've got future Hall of Famer and championship-hungry Karl Malone who'll willingly do any and everything to help the team win. His contrast is future Hall of Famer and attention-obsessed Gary Payton who wants to win, but still wants to be a go-to player getting go-to scoring opportunities.

How Jackson massages each player's ego while trying to get the best out of them reminds me of a parent quelling sibling rivalry among kids, a babysitter trying to keep the peace or of some hyped up Pop Warner coach trying to get the best kids on the field while also satisfying the whims and heckles of all the parents who want "their" kid to be the star.

Truly taxing and somewhat unenviable tasks like these color the book.

I'll spare you the ending, but suffice to say, the Lakers lost the 2004 NBA Finals to the Detroit Pistons 4-1.

Jackson, for the most part, is pretty gentle in his praises and criticisms of the players on this team. For a team expected to be one of the Greatest Ever -- at least as anointed by your ESPN analysts (for what that's REALLY worth, LOL) -- this team grossly underachieved.

In that light, perhaps this book doesn't indict the Lakers players so much as it's perhaps an indictment of the franchise as a whole or even, (gulp), Jackson himself.

It's really hard to read this book now given you'll go into it knowing what became of the players and how each is doing seasons removed.

If nothing else, you'll question how pro coaches can stand to be around pro athletes and why Phil Jackson is still around coaching (and with Kobe, of all players)?

Not the best sports book I'd read, but not bad at all.

This book will leave you with lots to ponder as the sports world turns.