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The Last Season: A Team In Search of Its Soul
One of the most successful coaches in the history of professional basketball offers his own take on his turbulent 2003-2004 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, chronicling the difficulties faced by the team--difficult relationships, public feuds, the Kobe Bryant rape trial, contract disputes, and injuries--and their successful journey to the NBA finals. 250,000 first printing.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published March 17, 2005
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5851 people want to read
About the author
Phil Jackson
48 books270 followersPhilip Douglas Jackson is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive. A power forward, Jackson played 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), winning championships with the New York Knicks in 1970 and 1973. Regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time, Jackson was the head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 to 1998, leading them to six NBA championships. He then coached the Los Angeles Lakers from 1999 to 2004 and again from 2005 to 2011; the team won five league titles under his leadership. Jackson's 11 NBA titles as a coach surpassed the previous record of nine set by Red Auerbach. He holds numerous other records as a coach, such as most postseason wins (229), and most NBA Conference titles (13).
Jackson is known for his use of Tex Winter's triangle offense as well as a holistic approach to coaching that was influenced by Eastern philosophy, garnering him the nickname "Zen Master". Jackson cited Robert Pirsig's book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance as one of the major guiding forces in his life. He also applied Native American spiritual practices as documented in his book Sacred Hoops. He is the author of several candid books about his teams and his basketball strategies. In 2007, Jackson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1996, as part of celebrations for the NBA's 50th anniversary, Jackson was named one of the 10 greatest coaches in league history.
Jackson retired from coaching in 2011 and joined the Knicks as an executive in March 2014. He was dismissed as the Knicks' team president in 2017.
Jackson is known for his use of Tex Winter's triangle offense as well as a holistic approach to coaching that was influenced by Eastern philosophy, garnering him the nickname "Zen Master". Jackson cited Robert Pirsig's book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance as one of the major guiding forces in his life. He also applied Native American spiritual practices as documented in his book Sacred Hoops. He is the author of several candid books about his teams and his basketball strategies. In 2007, Jackson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1996, as part of celebrations for the NBA's 50th anniversary, Jackson was named one of the 10 greatest coaches in league history.
Jackson retired from coaching in 2011 and joined the Knicks as an executive in March 2014. He was dismissed as the Knicks' team president in 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
January 15, 2024
The theme of my reading this year seems to be finding books on my shelves that didn't age well!
It's not exactly Phil Jackson's fault here, as obviously things do change with the passage of time, but in this case, a lot happened, and context matters. But first, we have to deal with the fact that this is, in fact, not Phil's last season, which I didn't really realize when grabbing this book. I figured it was about his last season with the Lakers, but no, it's his last season coaching Kobe and Shaq, which is entirely different.
This means we're reading about Phil coaching a disgruntled, jealous Shaq, who will be traded after the season ends, and a young, angry, Kobe, who has trouble fitting into Phil's famed triangle system. Even worse, the book times itself with the accusations of rape against Kobe in Colorado. At the start, Kobe and Phil seem to truly hate each other, and the book is filled with Phil's criticisms of Kobe. Obviously Phil doesn't know that in twenty years this troubled, talented man will be dead, nor does he realize that they'll reach a friendship (and two more championships) before then, but there's still something slightly gruesome about reading so much hatred against someone beloved who died too young.
THE LAST SEASON is told in a diary-type format, which you need to embrace to truly enjoy it. Each section is short and dated, and Phil mentions how he kept more detailed journals in anticipation of this being his potential final season. My favorite portions covered details about other players in the league, as I'm a huge basketball fan, and this was an era when I truly loved the game. Getting those little tidbits and insights about players I remember so well was fun. Hearing Phil talk about the triangle versus selfish basketball, his coaching philosophies, anything about the Bulls, and how basketball changed since he started playing with the Knicks was all really interesting. Plus, I had forgotten about how Karl Malone and Gary Payton joined the Lakers for this season in search of that elusive ring.
Through these entries, it's clear how brilliant Phil is, how he became such a winning coach, and how much work he put into his coaching. You could pick up little pieces of what others always marveled about--the hours working with Tex on the triangle; meditating with his team; using psychology and counseling to work with the players. He approached basketball and coaching fully and with his whole heart, while still admitting that it was a game and not his entire life--he had his kids and there was a world out there that wasn't his coaching gig. And that explains why he was so hurt when he couldn't reach an agreement with the Lakers (and Kobe) to remain their coach.
I think if I'd read this book in 2004, I would have enjoyed it greatly, even if it would have pulled me between Phil and Kobe, both men that I very much like. Reading it now, with Kobe gone, was hard. Reading a book where Gigi wasn't even born yet--knowing what would happen to Kobe and his daughter--was hard. This isn't a narrative story, per se, but more little entries and snippets over a season. If you're a huge basketball fan, you'll enjoy it, but be prepared for some sadness too. 3.5 stars
It's not exactly Phil Jackson's fault here, as obviously things do change with the passage of time, but in this case, a lot happened, and context matters. But first, we have to deal with the fact that this is, in fact, not Phil's last season, which I didn't really realize when grabbing this book. I figured it was about his last season with the Lakers, but no, it's his last season coaching Kobe and Shaq, which is entirely different.
This means we're reading about Phil coaching a disgruntled, jealous Shaq, who will be traded after the season ends, and a young, angry, Kobe, who has trouble fitting into Phil's famed triangle system. Even worse, the book times itself with the accusations of rape against Kobe in Colorado. At the start, Kobe and Phil seem to truly hate each other, and the book is filled with Phil's criticisms of Kobe. Obviously Phil doesn't know that in twenty years this troubled, talented man will be dead, nor does he realize that they'll reach a friendship (and two more championships) before then, but there's still something slightly gruesome about reading so much hatred against someone beloved who died too young.
THE LAST SEASON is told in a diary-type format, which you need to embrace to truly enjoy it. Each section is short and dated, and Phil mentions how he kept more detailed journals in anticipation of this being his potential final season. My favorite portions covered details about other players in the league, as I'm a huge basketball fan, and this was an era when I truly loved the game. Getting those little tidbits and insights about players I remember so well was fun. Hearing Phil talk about the triangle versus selfish basketball, his coaching philosophies, anything about the Bulls, and how basketball changed since he started playing with the Knicks was all really interesting. Plus, I had forgotten about how Karl Malone and Gary Payton joined the Lakers for this season in search of that elusive ring.
Through these entries, it's clear how brilliant Phil is, how he became such a winning coach, and how much work he put into his coaching. You could pick up little pieces of what others always marveled about--the hours working with Tex on the triangle; meditating with his team; using psychology and counseling to work with the players. He approached basketball and coaching fully and with his whole heart, while still admitting that it was a game and not his entire life--he had his kids and there was a world out there that wasn't his coaching gig. And that explains why he was so hurt when he couldn't reach an agreement with the Lakers (and Kobe) to remain their coach.
I think if I'd read this book in 2004, I would have enjoyed it greatly, even if it would have pulled me between Phil and Kobe, both men that I very much like. Reading it now, with Kobe gone, was hard. Reading a book where Gigi wasn't even born yet--knowing what would happen to Kobe and his daughter--was hard. This isn't a narrative story, per se, but more little entries and snippets over a season. If you're a huge basketball fan, you'll enjoy it, but be prepared for some sadness too. 3.5 stars
March 27, 2020
3.5 Stars - The Zen master himself adds a unique & wise perspective on the journey of that “final” season. The highlight being that rather than being a mere self aggrandisement, this book offers more about the “how” than you would ever think shared to the gen pop. Phil’s words always cut through the tissue and nestle into your uncomfortable space, this is no different, apart from the fact that it is done with plentiful & contagious altruism from go to woe..
In the end, what keeps this form being one of the classics sports reads is simple - the revelation or never before spoken truths never seem to come, which creates the atmosphere in the reader that PJ is holding back.. which is a shame because I believe Phil deserves his masterpiece in print that can at least begin to match the masterful career he himself executed with grace, poise & class.
In the end, what keeps this form being one of the classics sports reads is simple - the revelation or never before spoken truths never seem to come, which creates the atmosphere in the reader that PJ is holding back.. which is a shame because I believe Phil deserves his masterpiece in print that can at least begin to match the masterful career he himself executed with grace, poise & class.
November 4, 2017
Decent account, but I really wanted more insight into the inner workings, not just retelling me what happened.
March 27, 2024
Wonderful book about the best basketball coach ever. My second time through the book as Phil tell the story about his last season coaching the Lakers. The problems between players, how sometimes the players didn't listen to his coaching, and lost. Loved the book.
March 3, 2008
Appealing account of Phil Jackson's last season coaching the Lakers. Lots about Kobe and Shaq, and about Jackson's dating a Lakers VP who is also the owner's daughter--that must have been weird.
I had no idea that Shaquille O'Neal is such a delicate little passion flower. He weighs 340, and apparently it's extremely draining to carry all that muscle around. He gets fouled more than anyone else in the league, he has to wear a three-pound orthotic in each shoe, plus he's really sensitive and his feelings are easily hurt. Gosh!
Oh, and Kobe Bryant is a self-centered j ackass. But you knew that.
Jackson is highly intelligent and, when discouraged, quotes the famous Buddhist saying, "Unceasing change turns the wheel of life and so reality is shown in all its many forms."
I had no idea that Shaquille O'Neal is such a delicate little passion flower. He weighs 340, and apparently it's extremely draining to carry all that muscle around. He gets fouled more than anyone else in the league, he has to wear a three-pound orthotic in each shoe, plus he's really sensitive and his feelings are easily hurt. Gosh!
Oh, and Kobe Bryant is a self-centered j ackass. But you knew that.
Jackson is highly intelligent and, when discouraged, quotes the famous Buddhist saying, "Unceasing change turns the wheel of life and so reality is shown in all its many forms."
June 9, 2023
Phil really popped the lid off for this one. A portrait of what it’s like for a great coach to lose control of a great team. Sometimes raw, occasionally pompous, frequently insightful. A must-read for coaches and leaders.
August 6, 2009
I really enjoyed this book; although I actually did the audio version rather than the paperback. (Phil doesn't read it; normally I prefer the author to read their own book, but given the timber of his voice, it's probably for the best that he didn't.) I would have given it 5 stars, but during the playoff section it turned into an almost play-by-play recap of scores and stats, which just does not make for a great story.
The rest of the book does mention numbers and stats, but they're provided more as a backdrop to the story, rather than being the story itself. My guess is that Phil's personal journal entries may have been a little light during the playoffs, and since the publisher couldn't ignore the playoff period, opted to just ramble on with a bunch of scores and figures from players and games.
Other than that slight bump, the book was quite entertaining. Phil Jackson comes off as an extremely interesting and enlightening character, who obviously has an amazing understanding of the NBA (and its business operations), and the fundamentals of the game of basketball itself.
Most of the problems that he is forced to deal with-both on and off the court-aren't the ones that I would have guessed. From the inconsistency of officiating, to how players selfishly attempt to boost their own figures (for their next contract negotiation, which are heavily based on these numbers), to how most players are essentially immature children (he doesn't say this, but you're lead in this direction)-all of his experience and perspective is bundled up in this book.
Throughout the novel you start to grasp that at least half of his job has nothing to do with the game of basketball, and that instead the lion's share is about managing the egos and pride of his players; at times you feel like he's just a parent to a large set of child stars.
The books ends with him retiring: he's done with the Lakers organization. In real life, he does end up going back, which, after sharing all of the reasons for departing, has me scratching my head. Hopefully he picks up the pen again one day and will share why he choose to go down the road he did; I'll definitely be there to read, or listen, to it.
The rest of the book does mention numbers and stats, but they're provided more as a backdrop to the story, rather than being the story itself. My guess is that Phil's personal journal entries may have been a little light during the playoffs, and since the publisher couldn't ignore the playoff period, opted to just ramble on with a bunch of scores and figures from players and games.
Other than that slight bump, the book was quite entertaining. Phil Jackson comes off as an extremely interesting and enlightening character, who obviously has an amazing understanding of the NBA (and its business operations), and the fundamentals of the game of basketball itself.
Most of the problems that he is forced to deal with-both on and off the court-aren't the ones that I would have guessed. From the inconsistency of officiating, to how players selfishly attempt to boost their own figures (for their next contract negotiation, which are heavily based on these numbers), to how most players are essentially immature children (he doesn't say this, but you're lead in this direction)-all of his experience and perspective is bundled up in this book.
Throughout the novel you start to grasp that at least half of his job has nothing to do with the game of basketball, and that instead the lion's share is about managing the egos and pride of his players; at times you feel like he's just a parent to a large set of child stars.
The books ends with him retiring: he's done with the Lakers organization. In real life, he does end up going back, which, after sharing all of the reasons for departing, has me scratching my head. Hopefully he picks up the pen again one day and will share why he choose to go down the road he did; I'll definitely be there to read, or listen, to it.
April 16, 2017
Rating - 8.7
Journalistic style creates a nice flow that would not have been captured in a regular format - would expect that more athletes adopt this form of storytelling; Surprising the amount of Kobe-bashing
Appreciative that Jackson bares all rather than the holding back approach that celebrities normally produce; Fascinating for the back-office politics/dissension of the Lakers team to be exposed like this
Interesting Thoughts
Phil Jackson wanted to sign Scottie Pippen instead of Payton and Malone
Kobe has been accused of sabotaging games in high school so that he would look like a star in the end
Jackson’s first thought on the Kobe rape allegation was that he was not surprised as Kobe has anger management issues
Kobe does care about what Shaquille thinks and all the accolades afforded his way
It is a ‘me-first NBA’, pressure from the posse causes players to think about their personal statistics over team goals. Only way to max out on the big money contract is points over assists
Even though the Lakers got a personal plane back and forth to Colorado, Kobe wanted a more prestigious plane
Writers ask questions for articles that they have framed in their mind
Kobe was the only player in the NBA to vote against a salary cap
Kobe is over-rated on defense as he survives on his athleticism more than sound principles. He also views a game as more of a personal challenge rather than a team approach
The true purpose of the regular season is to entertain
Always balance a negative with two positives as bruised egos are unreceptive. Be critical of performances not personality
Majority of coaching is done before the game and at half time. Coaching histrionics are a show and distraction to the players
The first rule of learning is a desire to learn
Networks and their commercials are ruining the style of play and overall excitement of the game. Without continuous motion, there is no flow and has resulted in lower scores. It is a business dominated by the almighty dollar
Less talented individuals with intensity defeat more talented individuals all the time
Journalistic style creates a nice flow that would not have been captured in a regular format - would expect that more athletes adopt this form of storytelling; Surprising the amount of Kobe-bashing
Appreciative that Jackson bares all rather than the holding back approach that celebrities normally produce; Fascinating for the back-office politics/dissension of the Lakers team to be exposed like this
Interesting Thoughts
Phil Jackson wanted to sign Scottie Pippen instead of Payton and Malone
Kobe has been accused of sabotaging games in high school so that he would look like a star in the end
Jackson’s first thought on the Kobe rape allegation was that he was not surprised as Kobe has anger management issues
Kobe does care about what Shaquille thinks and all the accolades afforded his way
It is a ‘me-first NBA’, pressure from the posse causes players to think about their personal statistics over team goals. Only way to max out on the big money contract is points over assists
Even though the Lakers got a personal plane back and forth to Colorado, Kobe wanted a more prestigious plane
Writers ask questions for articles that they have framed in their mind
Kobe was the only player in the NBA to vote against a salary cap
Kobe is over-rated on defense as he survives on his athleticism more than sound principles. He also views a game as more of a personal challenge rather than a team approach
The true purpose of the regular season is to entertain
Always balance a negative with two positives as bruised egos are unreceptive. Be critical of performances not personality
Majority of coaching is done before the game and at half time. Coaching histrionics are a show and distraction to the players
The first rule of learning is a desire to learn
Networks and their commercials are ruining the style of play and overall excitement of the game. Without continuous motion, there is no flow and has resulted in lower scores. It is a business dominated by the almighty dollar
Less talented individuals with intensity defeat more talented individuals all the time
August 3, 2023
Found this at good will for 99 cents. Really interesting account about a crazy lakers season. Def made me a fan of the zen master Phil jackson and I gained a lot of respect for shaq too.
Unsurprisingly, Kobe comes off like a complete douche. And that’s without getting into the details of his rape trial. What a scumbag.
Unsurprisingly, Kobe comes off like a complete douche. And that’s without getting into the details of his rape trial. What a scumbag.
December 31, 2024
Nem a világ legjobban megírt könyve, de a személyes kötődés miatt (2004-ben kezdtem fordítani, 2024-ben jelenhetett meg) a négy csillag a minimum. Összességében az volt a benyomásom, hogy 20 évvel a megjelenés után az aktualitása, az izgalmi faktor nyilván csorbult, de még mindig érdekes tud lenni egy-egy név, esemény, illetve magának a ligának, az NBA-nek az akkori jelene, immár fejben automatikusan összevetve a jelen korral. Mindenképpen pozitívum, hogy a rájátszásmeccsekről olvasva számomra kifejezetten kedvet csinált a mérkőzések megnézéséhez - talán más is így van ezzel, ha olvassa, és egy Leauge Pass előfizetéssel talán már el is érhetőek a mai kor emberének ezek a meccsek (nekem nincs ilyen előfizetésem, ezért a feltételes mód).
Érdekes olvasmány olyan szempontból, hogy tényleg "kiteregeti a szennyest", sok öltözői beszélgetést, magánbeszélgetést oszt meg a nyilvánossággal, miközben kimondott célja, hogy ne egy pletykagyűjtemény legyen. Nem az persze, de egy konkrét nézőpontból ismerjük meg a Lakers 2003-2004-es szezonját, és ez a nézőpont nyilván nem objektív - sokszor nem is próbál az lenni. Máskor meg érezhető, hogy igyekszik úgy fogalmazni, hogy azzal ő viszonylag jó színben tűnjön fel, vagy éppen hogy ne legyen támadható. Olyan szempontból is különös, hogy egy "naplóregény", azaz konkrét napok gondolatait olvassuk el, de ezek sokszor kiegészülnek visszaemlékezésekkel, sztorizgatással, ami hol izgalmas, hol kevésbé az.
A könyv kaphatott egy epilógust is, mivel eltelt 20 év a megjelenése óta, és azóta az eredeti formátum kiegészült egy epilógussal. Ez végül is egészen jól követi stílusban az előzményeket, ugyanakkor mókás, hogy annak a könyvnek a marketingkörútjáról, sajtóvisszhangjáról és a Lakersre gyakorolt hatásáról beszél, amit éppen olvasunk.
Szerettem fordítani, és szerintem olvasmányos lett, de sajnos pár apróbb hibát felfedeztem benne most újraolvasva - remélem, lesz újabb kiadás, és akkor ezeket lehet majd javítani.
Érdekes olvasmány olyan szempontból, hogy tényleg "kiteregeti a szennyest", sok öltözői beszélgetést, magánbeszélgetést oszt meg a nyilvánossággal, miközben kimondott célja, hogy ne egy pletykagyűjtemény legyen. Nem az persze, de egy konkrét nézőpontból ismerjük meg a Lakers 2003-2004-es szezonját, és ez a nézőpont nyilván nem objektív - sokszor nem is próbál az lenni. Máskor meg érezhető, hogy igyekszik úgy fogalmazni, hogy azzal ő viszonylag jó színben tűnjön fel, vagy éppen hogy ne legyen támadható. Olyan szempontból is különös, hogy egy "naplóregény", azaz konkrét napok gondolatait olvassuk el, de ezek sokszor kiegészülnek visszaemlékezésekkel, sztorizgatással, ami hol izgalmas, hol kevésbé az.
A könyv kaphatott egy epilógust is, mivel eltelt 20 év a megjelenése óta, és azóta az eredeti formátum kiegészült egy epilógussal. Ez végül is egészen jól követi stílusban az előzményeket, ugyanakkor mókás, hogy annak a könyvnek a marketingkörútjáról, sajtóvisszhangjáról és a Lakersre gyakorolt hatásáról beszél, amit éppen olvasunk.
Szerettem fordítani, és szerintem olvasmányos lett, de sajnos pár apróbb hibát felfedeztem benne most újraolvasva - remélem, lesz újabb kiadás, és akkor ezeket lehet majd javítani.
March 24, 2025
The story of the 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers is one plagued by injuries and chemistry issues. One can only speculate how different this season would have went if the squad had an opportunity to gel in their game plan without the extensive injuries. Could Gary & Malone have adjusted to the triangle? What if Horace Grant was available? How would the Finals matchup had faired if the pistons made the Rasheed Wallace trade earlier; giving the Lakers and Jackson regular season experience to craft a superior game-plan. What if the Pistons had a clear cut superstar to focus their game-plan against?
As for Jackson, his thoughtfulness is brilliant and captivating, his ability to evaluate talent and manage egos is obviously incredible. I found interesting his focus on the psychological aspect of the game, often valuing that higher than the on court talent on each side. After reading and gazing into his thoughts, I only wish we had more of his basketball genius perhaps shared as a TV analyst or colour commentator.
As for Jackson, his thoughtfulness is brilliant and captivating, his ability to evaluate talent and manage egos is obviously incredible. I found interesting his focus on the psychological aspect of the game, often valuing that higher than the on court talent on each side. After reading and gazing into his thoughts, I only wish we had more of his basketball genius perhaps shared as a TV analyst or colour commentator.
September 29, 2017
The book "The Last Season: A Team In Search of Its Soul", by Phil Jackson was a spectacular book. It was about the last season of Phil Jackson coaching the Los Angeles Lakers. This book talked a great deal about the feud between Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. He spoke about how this season was different than the previous seasons when the team was winning championships. He mentioned how many people doubted his way of coaching and how that impacted the team and the organization as a whole. He talked about how difficult it was dating the owner of the Lakers daughter, Jeanie Buss, while he was coaching. He also talked about how exhausting it was to keep work and their personal life separate. The book also spoke about how young the team was in general, and how that impacted the 2003-2004 season. In conclusion, I gave this book a 4/5. It was a very interesting and engaging book and I would suggest it to multiple readers.
August 11, 2019
Ozellikle Kobe-Shaq sorunlarını objektif olarak öğrenmek isteyenlere guzel bir firsat:)
August 20, 2011
Having read Sacred Hoops, I knew a bit about the philosophy about life and basketball of Phil Jackson---it's "Zen plus 1980s American equals winning, baby". I was thus interested to read about his book on the losing season, albeit in the NBA Finals, with the talented Lakers team of the 2003-2004. The Last Season has bits about them all: the passion, the travails, the fratricide, the loss.
Before discussing the book, a bit of (NBA) basketball history is needed. Prior to "the last season", Phil Jackson gained the reputation of an old-school basketball trainer (no-nonsense, obeying the rules of the basketball gods play) with a "no prisoners" philosophy (his winning relationship with the Chicago Bulls ended acrimoniously, with the then-general manager Jerry Krause refusing to re-hire Jackson after Jackson refused to acknowledge Krause's contribution to the victories.) Jackson was also known for his way of interpreting his religion of maturity, Zen Buddhism, as a basketball philosophy; his triangle offense was, in his opinion, a way to follow the Zen path. This basketball strategy offers good opportunities for each player on the court and rewards patient play; thus, it is rare in the NBA, where most teams play exclusively for their superstar player and athleticism (speed of play) are considered the major attraction. Before joining the Lakers, Jackson acquired six titles with a team starring Michael Jordan, whom he was able to convince to submit to the rigors of the triangle offense. With the Lakers, Jackson had the opportunity to coach Kobe Bryant, a young gun considered then Jordan-calibre, and Shaquille O'Neill, the superstar of the league at the peak of his powers. However, the triangle offense was difficult to accept for these two superstars; after three consecutive championships, the team lost in the Conference Semi-Finals to a weaker but better-integrated team (the San Antonio Spurs), in the 2002-2003 season.
The 2003-2004 season was to confirm or destroy Jackson's reputation as a team-maker. Will Kobe become part of the team? Will Shaq agree to play second-fiddle to Kobe? Will the team continue to sacrifice if the two superstars were not contributing their share? The Last Season answers these and many other questions. Jackson does not spare his arrows, and tells us about how Bryant was uncoachable, Shaq was lazy, the team's general manager a schemer, the team owner ungrateful, etc. (All these form the less interesting part of the book.) He also tells us of the atmosphere in the team in the aftermath of Koby's rape scandal, of dealing with the numerous injuries, of the work ethic of the two all-star additions to the team (Karl Malone and Gary Payton), of his decisions on and off the court, of his relationship with the media, of his personal life. Oh, and about the loss in the finals to another underdog...
Overall, it was an interesting, albeit rather gossipy, read from the core of the game. Thumbs up!
Before discussing the book, a bit of (NBA) basketball history is needed. Prior to "the last season", Phil Jackson gained the reputation of an old-school basketball trainer (no-nonsense, obeying the rules of the basketball gods play) with a "no prisoners" philosophy (his winning relationship with the Chicago Bulls ended acrimoniously, with the then-general manager Jerry Krause refusing to re-hire Jackson after Jackson refused to acknowledge Krause's contribution to the victories.) Jackson was also known for his way of interpreting his religion of maturity, Zen Buddhism, as a basketball philosophy; his triangle offense was, in his opinion, a way to follow the Zen path. This basketball strategy offers good opportunities for each player on the court and rewards patient play; thus, it is rare in the NBA, where most teams play exclusively for their superstar player and athleticism (speed of play) are considered the major attraction. Before joining the Lakers, Jackson acquired six titles with a team starring Michael Jordan, whom he was able to convince to submit to the rigors of the triangle offense. With the Lakers, Jackson had the opportunity to coach Kobe Bryant, a young gun considered then Jordan-calibre, and Shaquille O'Neill, the superstar of the league at the peak of his powers. However, the triangle offense was difficult to accept for these two superstars; after three consecutive championships, the team lost in the Conference Semi-Finals to a weaker but better-integrated team (the San Antonio Spurs), in the 2002-2003 season.
The 2003-2004 season was to confirm or destroy Jackson's reputation as a team-maker. Will Kobe become part of the team? Will Shaq agree to play second-fiddle to Kobe? Will the team continue to sacrifice if the two superstars were not contributing their share? The Last Season answers these and many other questions. Jackson does not spare his arrows, and tells us about how Bryant was uncoachable, Shaq was lazy, the team's general manager a schemer, the team owner ungrateful, etc. (All these form the less interesting part of the book.) He also tells us of the atmosphere in the team in the aftermath of Koby's rape scandal, of dealing with the numerous injuries, of the work ethic of the two all-star additions to the team (Karl Malone and Gary Payton), of his decisions on and off the court, of his relationship with the media, of his personal life. Oh, and about the loss in the finals to another underdog...
Overall, it was an interesting, albeit rather gossipy, read from the core of the game. Thumbs up!
August 31, 2025
Got this book from a friend, and being a longtime Laker fan, gave it a read, though knowing the ultimate result (a loss in the NBA Finals) would not be a happy one.
This is a diary of the 2003-04 Lakers season, which ended with a loss to the Pistons in the NBA Finals and Jackson's departure as head coach (which, as it turned out, lasted just one season).
The book recount the high hopes going into the season, with the acquisitions of Karl Malone and Gary Payton, and how they played out. The story is especially focused on Jackson dealing with the difficult situation between stars Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, who were at odds and both wanting to be the focal point of the team. And, oh yes, this was the year Kobe was dealing with the sexual assault charges and looming trial over the incident in Colorado.
The book offers a serviceable run-through of the season, and Jackson has plenty of insight not often seen in a typical coach. It's also effectively shows the difficulty of managing a team of players with their own agendas and egos, attitudes that may not line up with those of the collective squad.
More specifically, the diary shows Kobe Bryant, warts and all. He's gotten a lot of love and adulation with his recent untimely death, but he's seen here as a player with some off-the-court foibles despite his immense talent. The same can be said for O'Neal, who has his feuds with Kobe and some of the coaching staff over the course of the season.
Like I said before, a serviceable retelling of a noteworthy season, though not anything revolutionary from other sports seasonal diaries. Obviously, basketball and Laker fans will find this very interesting. I came away from it, as a Laker fan, still ticked that they had a championship for the taking and blew it, but after finishing this being amazed that they even made it that far with the way things were behind the scenes.
This is a diary of the 2003-04 Lakers season, which ended with a loss to the Pistons in the NBA Finals and Jackson's departure as head coach (which, as it turned out, lasted just one season).
The book recount the high hopes going into the season, with the acquisitions of Karl Malone and Gary Payton, and how they played out. The story is especially focused on Jackson dealing with the difficult situation between stars Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, who were at odds and both wanting to be the focal point of the team. And, oh yes, this was the year Kobe was dealing with the sexual assault charges and looming trial over the incident in Colorado.
The book offers a serviceable run-through of the season, and Jackson has plenty of insight not often seen in a typical coach. It's also effectively shows the difficulty of managing a team of players with their own agendas and egos, attitudes that may not line up with those of the collective squad.
More specifically, the diary shows Kobe Bryant, warts and all. He's gotten a lot of love and adulation with his recent untimely death, but he's seen here as a player with some off-the-court foibles despite his immense talent. The same can be said for O'Neal, who has his feuds with Kobe and some of the coaching staff over the course of the season.
Like I said before, a serviceable retelling of a noteworthy season, though not anything revolutionary from other sports seasonal diaries. Obviously, basketball and Laker fans will find this very interesting. I came away from it, as a Laker fan, still ticked that they had a championship for the taking and blew it, but after finishing this being amazed that they even made it that far with the way things were behind the scenes.
August 3, 2024
This was an entertaining read for an NBA history junkie like myself.
The '03-'04 Lakers were one of the biggest soap operas in league history, and this book was essentially head coach Phil Jackson's diary of that tumultuous season- perhaps the most frustrating of his entire career.
Phil Jackson is known as "The Zen Master" for his holistic approach to coaching, and "The Last Season" pushed him and his players to their limits. He gives a first-hand account of the rigors of an NBA season, and the trials that a high-profile, big-ego team like the Lakers goes through in pursuit of a championship. This was the final year of Shaq and Kobe in L.A. and Phil pulls no punches in criticizing either man- whether it's Shaq for his pettiness or Kobe for his selfishness.
It is kind of funny that this was called "The Last Season" because even though Jackson left the Lakers after getting beat by the Detroit Pistons in the '04 Finals (the end of this book), he returned to the Lakers bench only a year later and won two subsequent championships with the Kobe Bryant-led team. In that sense it makes for a very moment-in-time experience, a personal look into a low point of one of basketball's most successful coaches.
But Jackson keeps a level head and leans on his spirituality, even as he loses sleep over terrible officiating calls or the team's injury-plagued stretch of games. He writes as he coaches- with calm tranquility occasionally punctured by outbursts of frustration. I would only recommend this to fans of NBA history, or someone interested in sports/coaching memoirs, but it is worth it for those interested.
The '03-'04 Lakers were one of the biggest soap operas in league history, and this book was essentially head coach Phil Jackson's diary of that tumultuous season- perhaps the most frustrating of his entire career.
Phil Jackson is known as "The Zen Master" for his holistic approach to coaching, and "The Last Season" pushed him and his players to their limits. He gives a first-hand account of the rigors of an NBA season, and the trials that a high-profile, big-ego team like the Lakers goes through in pursuit of a championship. This was the final year of Shaq and Kobe in L.A. and Phil pulls no punches in criticizing either man- whether it's Shaq for his pettiness or Kobe for his selfishness.
It is kind of funny that this was called "The Last Season" because even though Jackson left the Lakers after getting beat by the Detroit Pistons in the '04 Finals (the end of this book), he returned to the Lakers bench only a year later and won two subsequent championships with the Kobe Bryant-led team. In that sense it makes for a very moment-in-time experience, a personal look into a low point of one of basketball's most successful coaches.
But Jackson keeps a level head and leans on his spirituality, even as he loses sleep over terrible officiating calls or the team's injury-plagued stretch of games. He writes as he coaches- with calm tranquility occasionally punctured by outbursts of frustration. I would only recommend this to fans of NBA history, or someone interested in sports/coaching memoirs, but it is worth it for those interested.
March 4, 2024
"The Last Season" by Phil Jackson is about his last year of coaching the Lakers, exploring team dynamics and leadership challenges. Beyond basketball, he shares parts from his spiritual journey, that some people could use for lessons in mindfulness and personal growth. This thought-provoking book goes beyond sports, delivering wisdom on teamwork, leadership, and personal development. Jackson's introspective narrative delves deep into the dynamics of the Lakers team, candidly discussing the challenges of maintaining cohesion within a group of highly talented individuals. Moreover, the book offers valuable insights into the broader landscape of professional basketball, addressing issues such as media scrutiny and championship contention. Through Jackson's perspective, readers gain an understanding of the complexities inherent in elite-level sports. All in all, "The Last Season" is enticing to read and offers both basketball enthusiasts and those seeking personal growth a thought-provoking exploration of teamwork, leadership, and the human spirit.
October 17, 2012
A must-read for NBA fans. Phil Jackson gives an inside look into the talented Lakers roster that had so much problems with execution, injuries and even team spirit, but still somehow managed to grind it out to the Finals.
Being a coach is never easy, and getting a team of 12-15 men to bond and work towards a goal unselfishly is tougher than it seems, especially in this NBA league where everyone is more about salary, contract and highlight reels over teamwork, passing and defense.
It's such a shame the book was so short, I would have liked to read about the events that transpired after he resumed coaching.
Being a coach is never easy, and getting a team of 12-15 men to bond and work towards a goal unselfishly is tougher than it seems, especially in this NBA league where everyone is more about salary, contract and highlight reels over teamwork, passing and defense.
It's such a shame the book was so short, I would have liked to read about the events that transpired after he resumed coaching.
August 9, 2012
I needed a light read before taking on some Gabor Mate & Dostoyevsky. Phil's author voice is frank yet reflective in this linear chronicle of the tail end of the Kobe/Shaq era. I equate his presence to talking to an older, wiser friend. A true human being that has manage to avoid the traps of stardom and hype, thereby preserving his core. I was refreshed to hear from someone who brings a larger world into what they do. A few very surprising revelations, that I won't spoil here, but it gave a new spin on the game for me.
February 24, 2010
Before reading this book I was in agreement with those who downgrade Phil Jackson's coaching achievements due to the fact that he's had players like Jordan, Pippen, Shaq, and Kobe. However, after reading this book I have a new appreciation for the type of management it took to deal with all those egos (especially during the season that is the subject of this book).
I also really enjoyed Phil's take on the Shaq-Kobe feud and also on Kobe's obsession with Michael Jordan.
I also really enjoyed Phil's take on the Shaq-Kobe feud and also on Kobe's obsession with Michael Jordan.
April 12, 2010
This is a book about professionsl backetball. It is also a book about life. Phil Jackson has written a very interesting, introspective and rewarding book.
Jackson was dealing with huge egoes, players paid somuch more than any coach etc. etc.
It is a book that is useful to almost all of us.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
Jackson was dealing with huge egoes, players paid somuch more than any coach etc. etc.
It is a book that is useful to almost all of us.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
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September 27, 2023This book covers the coaching career of Phil Jackson and his time in the NBA. Phil Jackson is one of the greatest basketball coaches in history and has had the opportunity to coach some of the greatest players ever. Jackson has won 9 NBA championships and covers the stressful times as coaching in professional basketball.
December 2, 2020
Interesting retelling of Phil Jackson's "last season" with the Lakers; but reads like choppy journal entries and lacks depth/insights
April 29, 2023
Pretty good. Not one I’d recommend as a must read. Generic as a basketball season review book goes, but I enjoyed it. Forgettable tho
August 19, 2023
I loved how in depth Phil Jackson was with what was going on in the season. I just don’t know how he got brought back to the lakers to coach Kobe AFTER this came out. Damn
April 19, 2024
A compelling read. Lots of insight on Kobe, Shaq and an unsuccessful quest for a championship. Interesting to read from a leadership standpoint.
May 30, 2024
I’m not a Lakers or PJ fan so this book wasn’t great for me.
February 27, 2026
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. I discovered recently that Spotify has free audiobooks, and only put this on to test out that it was, in fact, truly free. It's a mark of the compelling nature of the narrative Jackson unfolds that I proceeded to inhale the book, listening to it on drives to and from the hospital, walks with my dog, even workouts. What he charts here is a slow-motion trainwreck of a season, one that I recall vividly from my childhood: the Lakers began the season as a championship-favorite juggernaut with four Hall-of-Famers in the starting lineup, started by going 18-3, and then hobbled through the remainder of the season with one setback after another: Karl Malone's injury, Kobe Bryant's rape trial, infighting and media warfare. Without ever, at any point, seeming like they'd found their groove, they made it into the Finals, and although they were widely expected--by everyone, including me--to sweep the no-star Detroit Pistons, they were ground down and humiliated by a superior team. Again, my memories of this time--I lived and breathed the Lakers, as maybe only a teenage boy obsessed with basketball can--are colored by the bitterness of the defeat, the ease with which it went from shocking to inevitable. The reason I tore through this audiobook as I did is because of Jackson engaging in what is essentially gossip--pulling the curtain back on the petty disputes and large fault lines that connected the highlights from that season--Kobe's buzzer-beater to end the season, Derek Fisher's miraculous 0.4 second buzzer-beater to fend off the Spurs. It's addictive to relive one's past like this, to have it enriched with inside information. As for the actual content of the book? It's fine. Phil Jackson writes with crisp lucidity, whether he's holding forth on the day-to-day business of coaching--practice shootarounds, defending the screen-roll, staggering time-outs--as well as the grander art of being a coach, his doomed attempts this season to connect with his players and bring out the best in them. So much of his work is less about Xs and Os than it is about modulating tempo and momentum--of a quarter, of a game, of a season, of a roster. Unlike almost any other person in the world, he's not awestruck by Kobe Bryant's talent, and does excellent work to demythologize him here: the Kobe in these pages is insecure, status-conscious, prone to missing practices and letting opponents get in his head, in ways that both bolster and drain his obvious talent. This refreshing insight into Kobe is tainted somewhat by Phil's clear contempt for working with him, and his overall weariness with coaching in general. There's a clear--and not fully intentional--contrast between his lofty Zen persona and the bitter, muck he has to wade through on and off the court on a day-to-day basis. The most striking episode, for me, comes early in the book, when he has to cut a walk-on player named Jannero Pargo (who I remember!). He writes with feeling about what a team player Pargo was, and yet how that wasn't enough in the end, and how devastating it is for a player to be told that his dream of playing in the NBA has ended. This book was written both by Jackson's experiencing self--hence the ruminations on basketball strategy and tactics--and by the remembering self who's bitter over a disaster of a season. But in some ways he's being too hard on himself: seeing what he sees, I feel as though the miracle isn't that the Lakers lost to the Pistons, but that they made it to the Finals at all. Jackson was given an impossible task, and this book is the record not only of his failure but of his reckoning with that failure. And part of the book's fascination for me lies in how much of it would prove to be mistaken in retrospect: Jackson seems to have sworn off basketball in general, and Kobe in particular, by the end of the book. See how that turned out.
July 30, 2017
With the passage of time, I think a couple of things are now clear:
Phil Jackson's coaching strength is probably his exceptional player management. In retrospect, nobody ever played better in their careers than when they played for him. Much as Kobe chafed under Jackson's leadership, all the non-Jackson Kobe seasons were disappointing Laker seasons. An unchained Kobe derailed his teams season after season under Tomjanovich and Mike D'Antoni. With Phil at the helm, they won championships.
But even in 2003, it's apparent Jackson's stubborn adherence to the triangle shares some of the blame for their failures that season. His reverence for Tex and the system he invented served him well in Chicago, and there is no arguing with his LA championships, but time and time again, Jackson complains about his players not understanding or adhering to the system. Well, there's a saying: if you think the whole world is crazy, maybe you're the crazy one. Perhaps it was the lack of discipline generally that caused their downfall, and not because his players failed to understand the intricacies of this specific system. If anything, the main benefit of the triangle offense seems to be that it kept Kobe from shooting them out of games. While reading the book, I got the sense that Jackson already did not understand that the game was already evolving beyond the style he had coached in Chicago, and that he was winning in part because of the incredible dominance of arguably the two best players in the league on the same team. Certainly, during Jackson's tenure, Shaq was a completely unstoppable offensive threat - triangle or no.
Back to NY for a moment. Jackson has been widely criticized for both his adherence to the now archaic triangle offense - clearly inferior in today's style of basketball - and how he handled Carmelo Anthony. But seeing how calculated and dedicated Phil was to Kobe, I believe now that the failure is probably Carmelo's. When Kobe did it his way, dictating game plans as he wanted them, his teams underachieved. Given how astute Jackson is with recognizing player personalities, needs, desires, and the fierce loyalty he inspired even in Kobe himself, it seems more likely to me that Carmelo is the sort of selfish player who is not interested in the advice of a old man with an old system. It's notable that Carmelo's career itself has been a disappointment, once considered a first-team all NBA level superstar, but, in actuality, has never come close to a conference finals. Yes, Jackson's castigations in the media did not help, but he has never been wrong about how Carmelo is a poor team player.
I was surprised by the lack of info provided about the rape case regarding Kobe. Perhaps Jackson felt that was not his place to provide further commentary than is available. Maybe he felt like that was Kobe's story, and he should not comment on what happened. Still, that was surely the biggest story of that year. Surely, Jackson wrestled with his personal feelings on the matter of the allegations and the police report that came out.
The book is well-written, thoughtful, and interesting. There are many sections when Jackson reminisces about his time with the NY Knicks which are largely irrelevant to the story, sort of in the manner of a rambling Abe Simpson, but it is otherwise a tight synopsis of the inner thoughts and feelings of a very interesting season.
Phil Jackson's coaching strength is probably his exceptional player management. In retrospect, nobody ever played better in their careers than when they played for him. Much as Kobe chafed under Jackson's leadership, all the non-Jackson Kobe seasons were disappointing Laker seasons. An unchained Kobe derailed his teams season after season under Tomjanovich and Mike D'Antoni. With Phil at the helm, they won championships.
But even in 2003, it's apparent Jackson's stubborn adherence to the triangle shares some of the blame for their failures that season. His reverence for Tex and the system he invented served him well in Chicago, and there is no arguing with his LA championships, but time and time again, Jackson complains about his players not understanding or adhering to the system. Well, there's a saying: if you think the whole world is crazy, maybe you're the crazy one. Perhaps it was the lack of discipline generally that caused their downfall, and not because his players failed to understand the intricacies of this specific system. If anything, the main benefit of the triangle offense seems to be that it kept Kobe from shooting them out of games. While reading the book, I got the sense that Jackson already did not understand that the game was already evolving beyond the style he had coached in Chicago, and that he was winning in part because of the incredible dominance of arguably the two best players in the league on the same team. Certainly, during Jackson's tenure, Shaq was a completely unstoppable offensive threat - triangle or no.
Back to NY for a moment. Jackson has been widely criticized for both his adherence to the now archaic triangle offense - clearly inferior in today's style of basketball - and how he handled Carmelo Anthony. But seeing how calculated and dedicated Phil was to Kobe, I believe now that the failure is probably Carmelo's. When Kobe did it his way, dictating game plans as he wanted them, his teams underachieved. Given how astute Jackson is with recognizing player personalities, needs, desires, and the fierce loyalty he inspired even in Kobe himself, it seems more likely to me that Carmelo is the sort of selfish player who is not interested in the advice of a old man with an old system. It's notable that Carmelo's career itself has been a disappointment, once considered a first-team all NBA level superstar, but, in actuality, has never come close to a conference finals. Yes, Jackson's castigations in the media did not help, but he has never been wrong about how Carmelo is a poor team player.
I was surprised by the lack of info provided about the rape case regarding Kobe. Perhaps Jackson felt that was not his place to provide further commentary than is available. Maybe he felt like that was Kobe's story, and he should not comment on what happened. Still, that was surely the biggest story of that year. Surely, Jackson wrestled with his personal feelings on the matter of the allegations and the police report that came out.
The book is well-written, thoughtful, and interesting. There are many sections when Jackson reminisces about his time with the NY Knicks which are largely irrelevant to the story, sort of in the manner of a rambling Abe Simpson, but it is otherwise a tight synopsis of the inner thoughts and feelings of a very interesting season.
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