The Lakers: A Basketball Journey

Lazenby ( The NBA Finals ) opens with Magic Johnson's HIV diagnosis, and leapfrogs to profile general manager Jerry West, who joined the Lakers as a rookie player in 1960. Then Lazenby settles down to a history of this glamour basketball team of the '80s, a story he tells in some chronological order, interrupting for chapters about Magic's decisions to retire, to play again and to retire again. Lazenby offers insights into such stars as George Mikan, Elgin Baylor and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,coach Pat Riley and owners like the controversial Jack Kent Cooke, who owned the Lakers from '65 to '79, and their stormy relations with the players. The author is clearly well informed and Laker fans will probably love his book, but for those less in the know, the lack of continuity will be confusing. Photos not seen by PW. (Nov.)