Books written by current or ex-players can be hit and miss affairs. That’s because athletes themselves usually have to rely on the quality of an editor or ghostwriter who may not fully understand them as a person or as a professional basketball player.
Fortunately for Los Angeles Lakers fans, there are have been plenty of good tomes published about the franchise and its stars over the years. Here are some of the best books written about or by Lakers players.
The Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant’s final book entitled The Mamba Mentality is a must-read for any and all Lakers fans.
As the title suggests, its pages delve deeply into the mindset this legend of the game developed in order to reign supreme. If this year’s Lakers can infuse even a fraction of Kobe’s desire to win into their psyches they should make a mockery of the Bucks being betting favorites to win the NBA Championship.
Besides writing about his life on and off the court, Kobe even got to pen a New York Times bestselling YA novel, just in case you have a young adult in your life who needs an attitude check.
Becoming Kareem by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Abdul-Jabbar is a rarity. Not only was he an exceptional athlete, but he also uses his amplified voice and significant writing ability to tell his own story all the while highlighting prejudice in society.
Becoming Kareem is an easy and no-nonsense read that offers a perfect way to get insight into his incredible character. For further reading Abdul-Jabbar has also released a series of comic books, a history of his relationship with coach John Wooden, as well as a slew of works of fiction based around black acquaintances of Sherlock Holmes.
A View from Above by Wilt Chamberlain
If the previous two books are designed to make you think, then A View from Above by Wilt Chamberlain is more of a romp, which delves into the life of a player renowned for having a larger than life persona off the court.
Some of Chamberlain’s views are certain to rub some readers up the wrong way, but as long as you don’t offend easily this should be a book that you absorb in just a few sittings.