Edward’s Reviews > Ain't No Tomorrow : Kobe, Shaq, and the Making of a Lakers Dynasty > Status Update

Kobe and Shaq are working hard and winning games. On Christmas, Shaq gives out 500 gifts, and Kobe rests and home. That night against Portland, they lose. Shaq was very mentally fatigued, Jackson believed.

They were losing, and coach told them not to practice, but to envision what they could do to help. They didn't practice, and they thought. They went on to lose to Portland, a big team, that they wanted to beat.

Phil was great. Kobe was unpredictable, and that made it hard to make a play if he passed it. A guy with only three missed out of 15575 free throws comes in to help Shaq shoot free throws.

Phil Jackson's family was weird and had a abnormal religion. he grew up that way, but got lost in sports, and decided that he needed basketball. Basketball made him money, and made him happy.

Phil Jackson was a very talented coach and player. He was kind of a hippie.

Lots of trading. Magic got HIV. Lakers wanted Shaq.

Kobe and Shaq fought over being the key leader of the team. They both looked up to Jerry West. Jerry west was from Cabin Creek West Virginia and was a dominant force through college and the NBA in his time.

Shaq had dominated the season before when they had won the championship, and it had a noticeable effect on his body. Shaq was tired, and lacked the energy, defensive edge that he had the previous season. His free throws were a very bad point in the game. He only made 41% of the free throws he took.

Kobe was at the top of his game, but nobody appreciated him for what he has done. He leads the team is assists and scoring, but nobody mentions assists. Everyone calls him a ball hog.