Has anybody read Phil Jackson book," The Last Season", ?

Question

I found this interesting: Bryant, he writes, "could have been the heir apparent to MJ (Michael Jordan) and maybe won as many championships. He may still win a championship or two, but the boyist hero image has been replaced by that of a callous gun for hire."

Another comment by Phil Jackson: The feud between Kobe and Shaq threatened to tear the Lakers apart and Jackson reveals that, at one point, he looked for an L.A. school district psychologist who dealt with narcissistic children to help him counsel Kobe.

And just one more: He was highly critical of Kobe Bryant in the book, saying he wanted to trade the star player for his selfish attitude.

Answer 1

Jackson's a pretty interesting guy. The book is a good cure for anyone who might want to be an NBA coach these days.

Here's a full review of the book you might find interesting:

http://sportsbooks.homestead.com/101006.html

Answer 2

I've read the book. I've read 4 of Phil's books including eleven rings. Phil shows he is a generous, forgiving, and respectfully honest person. In The Last Season book he said nice things about Kobe also. But honestly, I don't blame him for trading Kobe after the facts (not opinions) on Kobe's bheavior when Kobe was in his mid twenties. Kobe's lucky that his (younger) age and health allowed him two more titles when paired with Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol plus Ron Artest and Andrew Bynum. Phil's prediction was right. Yet I don't blame Phil for leaving if they didn't trade Kobe and didn't keep Shaq. Phil proposed trading Kobe to the Suns for (a still very talented) Jason Kidd and all star Shawn Marion. Shaq in the middle, Kidd and Marion at point. Though stars, none of them had issues with chermistry. (It took a lot to upset Shaq, read what Penny did to him in Shaq's books, and Kobe). Kidd, though no saint off the court, and Marion could get along with other stars. As a Laker fan, the late 2000s 2 titles was cool and all, but I wish owners woulda took Phil'ls advice. But who's Phil Jackson. Oh yeah, he's the winningest coach ever! Good job Laker owners.