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

Presented as a chronological narrative this volume wins the reader over with its enthralling anecdotes. It is notable that the better part of these stories collected by Pearlman (Sweetness) are told by or revolve around players little known to most NBA fans, many of them backups or journeymen making a brief stop with the Los Angeles Lakers. Assistant coaches, trainers, media-relations men, and other "behind-the-scenes" employees are given ample coverage as well. No original interviews appear to have been conducted with Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabar, or Pat Riley, and longtime owner Jerry Buss died before he could be questioned. As a result, Pearlman gives the impression that the 1980s Lakers succeeded because of the commitment of all members of the organization. This is refreshing, especially given how often sports journalism substitutes hero worship for genuine insight into why certain teams are more successful than others. The sections on Jack McKinney, Pat Riley's predecessor as head coach and the inventor of the Lakers's run-and-gun "showtime" style are revelatory, as is the short, final chapter on Magic's announcement that he was HIV-positive.