This book is is an easy read and is very entertaining. This is because the author has filled the book with interesting anecdotes as well as sensationalist stories worthy of a popular tabloid headline. You can easily breeze through this book without feeling overwhelmed (personally i would read this book when i am already exhausted from reading history books and my brain would feel like its already about to explode from all the historical dates and names that i have been reading). The only downside to this book is that it seemed to have been rushed at the end. The discussion about the end of showtime is not as thorough as the discussion at the start, on how it was created. Nevertheless, that is not a major flaw and I would still give this book five stars! ( )

The time was magic, no pun intended, and Showtime; that is the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1980s and their celebrated battles against the despicable Boston Celtics. Most of this book reads like a backdrop to my sports interest of the time since I was a part of enjoying the Lakers run; in particular, they had celebrated battles against in the Celtics but also the tough Pistons as well. Most of us did not know the extent of the sexual revelry and cocaine use and in such detail as depicted here. The author presents Riley as less of the intelligent coach and more of the martinet and it is interesting to know details of who actually on the Lakers was a druggie. A word should be said about the style since it does have an engaging style of writing in this breezy book about a powerful sports dynasty.

It was fun reliving the excitement of the Lakers. The author also provides some insight to the behind the scenes behavior of the coaches, players and owner. ( )

A very interesting and broad review of the Lakers Showtime era, with particular insights into the early years and the life and era surrounding the team and the city in the 1980s.

As a big fan of Showtime what a great book. It makes my love for Cooper, Jamal, Rambis, and Magic grow even stronger. It also made me sad to find out that Kareem was a bigger a-hole than I even thought. It has some great stories. You need to read this if you are a Laker/NBA fan. ( )