Our review of : Showtime

Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s

Written by : Jeff Pearlman

Release date : 03-04-14

4.5 out of 5 - Based on 442

Retail price : $29.95

Category:

In Showtime, Jeff Pearlman tells the incredible story of one of the most dominant teams in sports historyā€”the Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s. Led by Hall-of-Famers Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and head coach Pat Riley, the Lakers won five NBA championships in a row from 1980 to 1984, setting records for wins and taking home runner-up honors another two times. But it was more than just their on-court dominance that made them champions; Showtime also tells the wild behind-the scenes stories of these larger-than life personalities: Ā· How Magicā€™s HIV diagnosis led to anger within the teamā€”and an intense rivalry with Larry Bird and his Boston Celtics Ā· The rift between Shaq Diesel and Kobe Bean Bryon that threatened to tear apart L.A.’s dynasty before it even began Ā· What really happened when Kareem beefed with then owner Jerry Buss over girls, money, powerā€¦even magic mushrooms! Based on exhaustive interviews with key figures including Johnson himself, as well as rival coaches like Don Nelson and Phil Jackson , supporting players such as James Worthy Chuck Person , executives like David Stern , plus neverā€“before seen documents from inside Laker headquarters, Showtime is the definitive account of one of basketballā€™s most exhilarating and era.

For who is this book for ?

This book is for Lakers fans, basketball history buffs and people who love a great sports dynasty story.

Pros :

  • The author does a great job of providing extensive detail about the Lakers’ dynasty throughout the 1980s.
  • The book is well written and easy to read.
  • It provides an inside look at what went on behind the scenes with this incredibly talented and controversial team.

Cons :

  • The author could have delved deeper into the personal lives and relationships of the players on the team.
  • The book is a little too long, and some details could have been left out.
  • It focuses mainly on Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, to the exclusion of other key players on the Lakers teams

Learn more about the author

Jeff Pearlman is a sports journalist who has written for The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN the Magazine. He is the author of six books, including Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton and Boys Will Be Boys: The Glory Days and Party Nights of the Dallas Cowboys Dynasty.

Reader Reviews

“This is an excellent book. It reads like a novel and provides in-depth coverage of the Lakers teams Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Pat Riley led to five championships. I highly recommend it.”

“This is the story of Showtime, LA’s Lakers dynasty in the 80s. Jeff Pearlman does an amazing job weaving together Magic Johnson’s HIV diagnosis, Pat Riley’s coaching style, and all the crazy behind-the-scenes stories of these larger-than life personalities. I learned so much about this team that I never knew before!”

“Jeff Pearlman has done it again! The definitive history of Showtime, the fabled Lakers dynasty of the 1980s. This is a must read for any basketball fan.”

“This is one of the most comprehensive, accurate and fascinating books I’ve ever read on basketball. Jeff Pearlman does a superb job in portraying the behind-the-scenes drama that unfolded within the Lakers teams during their ‘Showtime’ years while also providing rich insights into the lives of Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and other key players/figures. If you’re at all interested in basketball or just want to read an amazing story about professional sportsmanship & rivalry, then don’t hesitate picking up a copy of Showtime.”

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