We recently got to chat with Roland Lazenby who dished on Lakers’ legend, Kobe Bryant, the subject of his latest book. Here’s what he had to say about The Black Mamba
Roland Lazenby is one of the preeminent voices when it comes professional hoops. He’s covered the NBA since 1988, and has written several books on many of the games’ most revered figures, including Jerry West, Michael Jordan, and Phil Jackson.
His latest book, “Showboat: The Life of Kobe Bryant,” is a dynamic biography of the loved and loathed Los Angeles’ swingman. In more than 600 pages, Lazenby covers the Mamba from his distinct childhood in Italy to his championship glory (and agonies) in LA.
The book does a masterful job of going beyond what the public already knows about Kobe — that he was a maniacal competitor — and gives the reader a comprehensive look at what propelled him to reach the apex of his sport. Of course, with insight from many influential people in Kobe’s past, there are still plenty of great anecdotes where his remarkable ambition is obvious (my favorite: Kobe being absolutely livid when his high school coach gave the team a day off from practice, while the rest of his teammates celebrated).
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Needless to say, if you’re looking for a new book or a top notch gift for the holidays for a basketball fan, I highly recommend “Showboat.”
Lazenby was kind enough to recently call and discuss Kobe’s life and career from his home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. He touched on a myriad of topics, including Kobe’s fallout with Shaquille O’Neal, his close relationship with Tex Winter, and why Phil Jackson didn’t want to trade him for Grant Hill. I hope you enjoy this exclusive interview as much as I did.