Roland Lazenby

The definitive biography of a legendary athlete.The Shrug. The Shot. The Flu Game. Michael Jordan is responsible for sublime moments so ingrained in sports history that they have their own names. When most people think of him, they think of his beautiful shots with the game on the line, his body totally in sync with the ball -- hitting nothing but net.But for all his greatness, this scion of a complex family from North Carolina's Coastal Plain has a darker side: he's a ruthless competitor and a lover of high stakes. There's never been a biography that encompassed the dual nature of his character and looked so deeply at Jordan on and off the court -- until now.Basketball journalist Roland Lazenby spent almost thirty years covering Michael Jordan's career in college and the pros. He witnessed Jordan's growth from a skinny rookie to the instantly recognizable global ambassador for basketball whose business savvy and success have millions of kids still wanting to be just like Mike. Yet Lazenby also witnessed the Michael Jordan whose drive and appetite are more fearsome and more insatiable than any of his fans could begin to know.Michael Jordan: The Life explores both sides of his personality to reveal the fullest, most compelling story of the man who is Michael Jordan. Lazenby draws on his personal relationships with Jordan's coaches; countless interviews with Jordan's friends, teammates, and family members; and interviews with Jordan himself to provide the first truly definitive study of Michael Jordan: the player, the icon, and the man.

Finalist for the Cross British Sports Biography of the Year Award in the UK "With surgical precision, Roland Lazenby expertly dissects the life of this generation's most fascinating basketball player. What made Kobe Bryant tick so loud for so long? Lazenby shows you with a tour de force in reporting and an intimate inspection at Bryant's trials, accomplishments and tribulations." -- Jonathan Abrams, author of Boys Among Men "With the publication of Showboat: The Life of Kobe Bryant, it is high time we recognized author Roland Lazenby for what he has become: the finest sports biographer of our time. First with the astonishing Michael Jordan: The Life and now his having written an incredibly researched, beautifully written biography of this enigmatic Laker superstar, Lazenby has entered rarified air: one is wowed by what one learns and at the same time you can't wait to read what comes next." -- Peter Golenbock, author of ten New York Times bestsellers Eighteen-time all-star; scorer of 81 points in a game; MVP and a shooting guard second only to Jordan in league history: Kobe Bryant is one of basketball's absolute greatest players, a fascinating and complicated character who knew when he was a mere boy that he would be better than Jordan on the court. The debate about whether he achieved that is a furious one--but Kobe has surpassed Jordan on the all-time scoring list and has only one less championship than Jordan (5 to Jordan's 6). He is set to retire after the 2015/16 season, just in time for Roland Lazenby's definitive biography of the player and the man.The Lakers are the flashiest team in all of sports, and the context in which Bryant played is salacious and exciting. Provocative stories mixed with good old fashioned basketball reporting make for a riveting and essential read for any hoops fan.

Describes the friction between players, coaches, and management of the Chicago Bulls during their 1997-98 season

The definitive biography of the basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, from the highly respected, career sportswriter and author of Michael The Life .Magic Johnson is one of the most beloved, and at times controversial, athletes in history. His iconic smile lifted the dowdy sport of American professional basketball from a second-tier sport with low ratings into the global spotlight—a transformation driven by Magic’s ability to eviscerate opponents with a playing style that featured his grand sense of fun. He was a master entertainer who directed the Los Angeles “Showtime” Lakers to the heights of both glory and epic excess, all of it driven by his mind-blowing no-look passes and personal charm.Then, in 1991, at the height of his charismatic power, Johnson shocked the world with a startling cautionary tale about sexually transmitted disease that pushed public awareness of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Then out came his confession of unprotected sex with hundreds of women each year, followed by his retirement, an attempted return, and a proper farewell on the iconic 1992 Olympic Dream Team.Longtime biographer Roland Lazenby spent years tracking the unlikely ascension of Johnson—an immensely popular public figure who was instantly scandalized but who then turned to his legendary will to rise again as a successful entrepreneur with another level of hard-won success. In Lazenby’s portrayal, Johnson’s tale becomes bigger than that of one man. It is a generational saga spanning parts of three centuries that reveals a great deal, not just about his unique basketball journey but about America itself.Through hundreds of interviews with Johnson’s coaches, representatives past and present, teammates, opponents, friends, and loved ones, as well as key conversations with Johnson himself over the years, Lazenby has produced the first truly definitive study, both dark and light, of Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jr.—the revolutionary player, the icon, the man.

Mindgames follows the journey of Phil Jackson to the top of basketball’s coaching hierarchy, a rise that took him from obscurity in the Continental Basketball Association to nine championship rings in the NBA. Along the way he turned multimillionaire players on to meditation, transformed the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls from a one-man show to a five-man team of domination, and after battling with Bulls management, ended one dynasty to start another on the West Coast. Sportswriter Roland Lazenby, author of the bestselling Blood on the Horns , reveals the fascinating story of Jackson's life, from his years with the New York Knicks under the legendary Red Holzman to his remarkable nine championships coaching first the Chicago Bulls and then the Los Angeles Lakers. In Mindgames Lazenby compellingly portrays a man with a unique determination to control the competitive environment he inhabits. A clear picture of the Jackson mystique philosopher, teacher, manipulator, counselor, psychologist, shaman, champion, master of mind games.

When in 1969 the NBA sought an emblem for the league, one man was chosen above all as the icon of his Jerry West. Silhouetted in white against a red-and-blue backdrop, West’s signature gait and left-handed dribble are still the NBA logo, seen on merchandise around the world. In this marvelous book—the first biography of the basketball legend—award-winning reporter and author Roland Lazenby traces Jerry West’s brilliant career from the coalfields near Cabin Creek, West Virginia, to the bare-knuckled pre-expansion era of the NBA, from the Lakers’ Riley-Magic-Kareem Showtime era to Jackson–Kobe–Shaq teams of the early twenty-first century, and beyond.But fame was not all glory.Called “Mr. Clutch,” West was an incomparable talent—flawless on defense, possessing unmatched court vision, and the perfect jumper, unstoppable when the game was on the line. Beloved and respected by fans and fellow players alike, West was the centerpiece of Lakers teams that starred such players as Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain, and he went on to nine NBA Finals. Yet in losing eight of those series, including six in a row to the detested Boston Celtics, West became as famous for his failures as for his triumphs. And that notoriety cast long shadows over West’s life on and off the court. Yet as the author discovered through scores of exclusive interviews with West’s teammates, colleagues, and family members, West channeled the frustration of his darkest moments into a driving force that propelled his years as an executive. And in this capacity, the success that often eluded West on the court has enabled him to reach out to successive generations of players to enrich and shape the sport in immeasurable ways.Though sometimes overshadowed by flashier peers on the court, Jerry West nevertheless stands out as the heart and soul of a league that, in fifty years, has metamorphosed from a regional sideshow into a global phenomenon. And in Jerry West, Roland Lazenby provides the ultimate story of a man who has done more to shape basketball than anyone on the planet.

When Kobe Bryant joined the glitzy Los Angeles Lakers in 1996 right out of high school, he faced a wave of media hype that declared him the next Michael Jordan. Now a veteran of five NBA seasons at the age of 23, Bryant has earned a place among pro basketball’s elite. Mad Game documents his hard lessons on the road to stardom, his rapid rise through the NBA, and his conflicts with—and, at times, alienation from—his teammates, including his on-and-off-again relationship with Shaquille O’Neal. This is a story of triumph, of an unusually gifted young athlete trying to remain true to himself and his game.

The first definitive oral history of the ever popular L.A. Lakers The L.A. Lakers have long been one of the NBA's most exciting teams. In The Show , critically acclaimed sportswriter Roland Lazenby brings the story of this charismatic team to life in an unprecedented oral history, featuring such legendary players as Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul- Jabbar, and Magic Johnson, along with current stars like Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. Through in-depth interviews with players, coaches, and many other key figures, Lazenby follows the Lakers from their birthplace in 1946 Minneapolis to their eventual successes and failures in Los Angeles, using his flair for storytelling and eye for detail to show you exactly why the 14-time NBA champion Lakers are a celebrated favorite for sports fans all over America.

With their path lighted by Michael Jordan's passion to compete and win, Dennis Rodman's high-voltage hairdo, Phil Jackson's counterculture coaching style and Scottie Pippen's all around floor game, the Chicago Bulls rolled over the opposition during the 1995-96 NBA season. In a stampede, they ran up a 72-10 regular season record, the most wins ever by an NBA team. From there the Bulls rumbled to an astounding record in the playoffs, and finally their fourth world championship in six seasons. This was the year of the Great Bull Run, when Chicago's team rolled across the landscape, drawing crowds and converts in every city, stirring up a storm of interest like the NBA had never seen before.

This is the hardest working team in the NBA ― the Utah Jazz. Led by iron men Karl Malone, John Stockton and coach Jerry Sloan. Go behind the scenes to reveal the unparalleled competitiveness of a collection of over-achieving players and their demanding coach, whose never-say-die efforts have captured the hearts of the entire state of Utah and basketball fans throughout North America.

Colorful, immediate, and written with a flair and a deep understanding of the game, The Lakers is much more than a dusty recounting of games lost and won; it is charged with the dreams and disappointments that have driven the Lakers for nearly five decades. "The best, most in-depth book ever written on the Lakers."--Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Photos.

There are several distinct eras in the history of the Chicago Bulls, and author Ronald Lazenby takes you behind the scenes and into the locker room for each one of them. From Jerry Sloan and Norm Van Lier to Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to Derrick Rose and his teammates, Lazenby provides in-depth analysis and interviews. You will read about how Sloan and Van Lier formed the most intimidating backcourt in the NBA in the 1970's, how Bob Love had to overcome many obstacles in life to achieve success, how Jordan changed the way the game of basketball was played, how head coach Phil Jackson provided a calming influence on a run to six NBA titles, and how homegrown Rose warms Chicago's hearts. With a foreword by Bob Love and an afterword by Ron Harper, this book is a must buy for ever fan of the Chicago Bulls!

Provides coverage of the NBA finals from the first event in 1947 when the Philadelphia Warriors defeated the Chicago Stags, through the 1996 season, when the Chicago Bulls defeated the Seattle Sonics

Chronicles the story of New England Patriots' quarterback, Tom Brady, and how he was named to the Pro Bowl, won the Super Bowl, and named most valuable player, all in one season at the age of twenty-four.

A chronicle of the team's fifth championship season--one that tested the ability of coach Phil Jackson to keep his team together--includes interviews with players and management

A history of one of the NBA's most celebrated teams. This title covers the laker history from 1946 - 2010 and includes all 17 NBA Championships and 31 Conference Championships. It covers all the stars that have played with the team including Jerry West, Kareem, Magic Johnson, Shaq, and Kobe. The book is packed with memorabilia and replicas of famous pictures, news stories, and much more.

This is the colorful story of the popular sport from its hazy beginnings in 12th century England, through the birth of college football, to the teams, leagues and events of the professional game as it is today. The sport's most compelling moments, players and coaches come to life with copious photographs and fascinating text.

As “the Golden Arm” of the National Football League, Johnny Unitas became ensconced in history as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. With his record of 47 consecutive games throwing a touchdown pass, his performance in the “Greatest Game Ever Played,” ten Pro Bowl appearances, and his steadfast devotion to Baltimore, Unitas earned himself the hushed reverence with which his name is still spoken. Despite his long legacy, there is much to discover about the man himself, such as the NFL’s near miss in discovering his talent after a draft flop and Unitas turning to construction work and a semi-pro team. With photos to elaborate on the exciting background given about the football legend, this biography is an entertaining profile that will delight any fan of the sport.

Provides highlights from over forty years worth of NBA Finals

Yo, Baby, It's ATTITUDE!!! is a behind-the-scenes look at the teen-age invasion of pro basketball and how today's bright young players match up against Michael Jordan. It gives young readers the information they crave on the hottest young NBA players, including Shawn Kemp, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury and many others. This is the first book to catch the crest of this trend. Author Roland Lazenby has spent his career immersed in the subculture of hoop. This is a book researched from the playground right on up to the NBA, and it's splashed with the flashy language, photos and graphics that today's young readers demand.

A collection of photographs and a biographical essay pays tribute to the Boston Celtics' legendary player

The only official 3-decade history of Chicago's renowned team, And Now, Your Chicago Bulls explores the inside track of Bulls history, profiling both current and former coaches and players. Through words and over 100 photos, Lazenby captures the reality of a "Dream Team" come true, chronicling the team's story from its beginning in 1966 to its three consecutive NBA championships.

VERY GOOD-BOOK/DUST JACKET is missing, SIGNED 1ST EDITION, SIGNED BY AUTHOR, and 1ST stated 1ST PRINTING. Hardcover nonfiction, NBA , basketball,. Book is Signed by author, Roland Lazenby, without personalized inscription, on FFEP. Clothe covers have minor shelf, rubbing and light edge wear. In very good, unread or lightly read condition, not price clipped, not library edition, not remainder marked. Signatures or writings have not been certified or authenticated. Seller is a lifelong book collector and each edition comes directly from his 35,000+ volume collection! All orders are shipped every business day using USPS Media Mail, WITH FREE TRACKING, for all U S. orders. Orders shipped from California Thank You! DGS 2107 G

This title covers the History of one of the NBA's most famous franchises. It captures the history of the Celtics from 1946 to 2010 including all 17 NBA Championships and 28 Conference Championships. Some of the NBA legends covered in the book include Red Auerbach, Bill Russell, Larry Bird, and Paul Pierce. It's packed with memorabilia from Celtics history including newspaper articles, famous pictures and more.

hc with dj, 1995, lots of pictures, 10 chapters, 192 pages, 10.75"tall x 8" wide, 100 years of rivalry between Virginia and Virginia Tech Football

Fiction

A behind-the-scenes look at the NBA and some of its most popular players--including Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, David Robinson, and Grant Hill--reveals them at their best and worst

After leading his team to three championships, Ichiro Suzuki left the Orix Blue Waves in Japan to try his luck in America with the Seattle Mariners. Many skeptics thought that Ichiro would be overpowered by American high-speed pitchers, or that he would not measure up as a hitter alongside his new and larger teammates in the major leagues. All naysayers were quickly proven wrong as Ichiro captured the hearts and imagination of Mariners fans, thanks to his unorthodox and highly effective style. This biography of one of baseball’s most interesting and unique stars, which features dozens of color photographs, is complete look at a legend in the making, from his beginnings in Kasugai to his current relationship with the media in America.