Play Audiobook Sample
The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.01) - 1,695 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
For the countless basketball fans who were spellbound by the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2003–2004 high-wire act, this book is a rare and phenomenal treat. In The Last Season, Lakers coach Phil Jackson draws on his trademark honesty and insight to tell the whole story of the season that proved to be the final ride of a truly great dynasty. From the signing of future Hall-of-Famers Karl Malone and Gary Payton to the Kobe Bryant rape case/media circus, this is a riveting tale of clashing egos, public feuds, contract disputes, and team meltdowns that only a coach, and a writer, of Jackson’s candor, experience, and ability could tell. Full of tremendous human drama and offering lessons on coaching and on life, this is a book that no sports fan can possibly pass up.
Download and start listening now!
"Very insightful read of what makes and breaks a professional sports team - especially one with such a high profile. Very interesting in the context of Jackson returning to coach the Lakers."
— Amanda (4 out of 5 stars)
The Last Season Listener Reviews
-
" The perspective Phil Jackson brought to a season was interesting. I've spent a lot of seasons watching basketball and rooting against Phil Jackson teams, so it was fun to read his thoughts on a season where he made it to the Finals and lost to my Pistons. I don't think anyone thought Jackson would make it back to the Lakers bench after the way he dogged Kobe in this book. Jackson has won enough games to finally make most people think as highly of Jackson as Jackson has always thought of himself. His healthy self-esteem comes across in the book, but it's still a good read. "
— Arthur, 2/16/2014 -
" Confirms that Kobe is a douche. Not breaking news, but a relief to know that my suspicions were correct. "
— Dave, 2/6/2014 -
" I'm not a huge basketball fan so.. "
— Symon, 1/29/2014 -
" Wow, Kobe Bryant is an ass. "
— Matthew, 1/20/2014 -
" Great book. Taught me a lot about Kobe Bryant. Too bad Phil forgot what kind of person he is... "
— Kristin, 1/19/2014 -
" This was interesting if you are into Phil Jackson or the Lakers but it was a bit superficial -- basically a series of journal essays of the Karl Malone/Gary Payton year before Jackson retired the first time. "
— Jeff, 1/4/2014 -
" I thought this was a very intriguing book. Regardless of what you think about Kobe, the Lakers and/or Phil Jackson, "The Last Season" is a must-read for NBA fans. "
— Curtis, 1/4/2014 -
" Surprisingly good read and I hate the Lakers. Phil gives enough, "
— Mick, 1/4/2014 -
" It is an enjoyable read for someone who wants to get into the head of arguably the best coach in sports history. You'll learn a few lessons in basketball and life. "
— Deker, 1/1/2014 -
" Phil Jackson's mind is amazing, and the way he views life is so simple and clean. How could his team have gotten so off track? "
— Avisha, 12/31/2013 -
" Big fan of the Zen Master! Have to give him 5 stars "
— Christopher, 12/15/2013 -
" Kobe is such a baby. "
— Mandy, 12/11/2013 -
" Phil Jackson's story of the Lakers and, specifically, the Shaq/Kobe tension. "
— Sarah, 12/1/2013 -
" Good book tells you about his life and coaching career "
— Tre, 9/5/2013 -
" Good to hear confirmation on Kobe and some interesting insights re Shaq. Probably most enjoyable for a blow by blow on how the Lakers blew it so badly. Absurd that they could not win that year. "
— Aaron, 7/29/2013 -
" It took me less than a week to read this. It's just not worth reading -- way too basketball-technical, and few interesting details about the people involved. Guess he didn't want to put in anything that would be too offensive. Hard for me to see how someone could like this book a lot. "
— Jeremy, 6/27/2013 -
" Phil is brutally honest in this book. The highlight, for me, is when he recounts hearing that Kobe had been charged with rape and admits that he wasn't surprised. "
— Mike, 4/24/2013 -
" This book was phenomenal. It was basically 300 pages or so of Phil Jackson being mad his season was getting constantly interrupted with his star player having to tend to his rape trials and thus ripping into him. "
— Cody, 4/15/2012 -
" The team lost. Jackson retired/was forced out. He has no problem saying he liked the Chicago teams of the 90's better (how is that even debatable?) And Kobe Bryant is selfish. Was this book necessary in any way? I think not. "
— Wes, 2/12/2012 -
" Very interesting look inside a very controversial season. Interesting insight from the man in charge of it all. "
— Erik, 1/23/2012 -
" low rating comes from my disgust with Phil, who swore he wouldn't work with Kobe again, and then proceeded to do just that. I'm just over him. "
— Jena, 10/6/2011 -
" Best book i have ever read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also has 350 pages so counts as 2 books "
— Jayden, 9/2/2011 -
" Surprisingly good read and I hate the Lakers. Phil gives enough, "
— Mick, 5/17/2011 -
" interesting insight to the NBA "
— Nsalmon, 5/10/2011 -
" This was interesting if you are into Phil Jackson or the Lakers but it was a bit superficial -- basically a series of journal essays of the Karl Malone/Gary Payton year before Jackson retired the first time. "
— Jeff, 4/6/2011 -
" Because...I'm a Laker fan like that! :) "
— Jessica, 1/30/2011 -
" I really liked this book since the author is the coach of my favorite basketball team. It really went into the struggles of the team and the difficulties of each player. "
— Jeremiah, 9/8/2010 -
" It took me less than a week to read this. It's just not worth reading -- way too basketball-technical, and few interesting details about the people involved. Guess he didn't want to put in anything that would be too offensive. Hard for me to see how someone could like this book a lot. "
— Jeremy, 7/17/2010 -
" It was not the last season "
— Scott, 3/3/2010 -
" Very interesting look inside a very controversial season. Interesting insight from the man in charge of it all. "
— Erik, 1/13/2010 -
" Okay read if you're stuffed with Xmas dinner and just want a distraction that would let your brain melt painlessly out of your ears. "
— Julie, 12/26/2009 -
" Lakers. I'm from LA. Enough said. "
— Brittany, 12/7/2009
About Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson is the NBA’s career leader in playoff victories and playoff winning percentage; he has won nine NBA titles, tying Red Auerbach for the most in a lifetime. He currently resides in Los Angeles, where he is the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
About Stephen Hoye
Stephen Hoye has worked as a professional actor in London and Los Angeles for more than thirty years. Trained at Boston University and the Guildhall in London, he has acted in television series and six feature films and has appeared in London’s West End. His audiobook narration has won him fifteen AudioFile Earphones Awards.