LIFE & TIMES-An Interview With Roland Lazenby, Author Of 'Michael Jordan-The Life'

The Book Of Mike.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

 #TheJordanSeries

 Like Mike? Then you're going to love this! Reams and shelves have been wrote about the greatest basketball player of all-time Michael Jordan. From articles by friend, Chicago native and THE basketball journalist Scoop Jackson to our own humble catalogue 'The Jordan Series'. Still, there's nothing quite like this. After creating a Laker legacy for himself from writing about everyone from Kobe Bryant to former Bulls coach Phil Jackson, when it comes to M.J., the word on court Roland Lazenby has literally wrote the book on him. No longer most famous for his Jerry West book (and after that book the logo followed with his own wonderful 'West By West' autobiography, so lets hope the greatest follows suit), Roland's been getting rave reviews for his biography that's as big as Mike's trophy cabinet. This is a writer and readers hardware hoop dream. Not only does Lazenby reminisce about the golden era of the NBA in the 90's that Jordan and his Chicago Bulls owned with their two three-peats and six titles, he also looks at the early family times of a man that grew to be not only the best player of all time but the most competitive too. Now there's no competition when it comes to this book.It truly is the life of Mike. So we just had to catch up with the man himself (no, not Mike...we wish right) before we read all about it. Here's what the man has to say when we talked about 'Life'.

 24/48/82: Roland! Thank you for your time. Congratulations on all the success for your book 'Michael Jordan-The Life'. How does it feel?

 Roland Lazenby: It doesn’t feel all that different, really. It is nice to have critics recognize your work. But I still have to do the dishes.

 What made you start writing this book and could you describe to us the process?

 I had spent a major portion of my career covering and writing about the Bulls and Jordan. It was fun as I moved into my sixties to begin to review not only his life but my own. So many of the major events in his life had an impact on mine. Lots of great memories of those Bulls games and Tex Winter too.

 You capture how family was an important factor in Michael Jordan's competitiveness and we all know the greatest player of all time is also the most competitive. Can you tell our readers who are looking forward to reading your book more about these family influences?

 Sure. I love writing about the great competitors I’ve gotten to know a bit and spent so much time covering. Looking at the cultural and family influences on their lives is a big part of that study. What makes guys like MJ and Kobe and Jerry West so competitive? What makes them so different from everybody around them? How can Jordan be in such close competition with his brother Larry and then just eclipse him?

 Could you say family and how it influences the story of our own lives is a reason why you write?

 Sure. Jordan’s story got me to thinking about my relationship with my own old man, how his disapproval has driven me all these years, how the disapproval Jordan felt from his father drove him. There are often these family forces pulling strings in our lives, often without our realizing it or understanding it.

 As a fan what would you say is your earliest memory of Michael Jordan?

 The first play I ever saw him make is still probably the greatest. He was a sophomore at Carolina and I was covering a game at the University of Virginia with Ralph Sampson. The Wahoos had a long home winning streak, but Carolina had a big lead. Then Virginia started coming back. They cut the lead to six with two minutes to got and had the ball on the break. Sampson was shooting from the left elbow and Jordan came across the lane from the right block to slam the ball down with great ferocity. He came all the way across the lane and swatted the jumper from the 7-4 Sampson with such force that the block made people on press row jump in surprise. Fifteen years later I was sitting with MJ in Charlotte before a game. He was sipping a cup of coffee when I asked him about that play. It surprised him too, he said, that he could do that. I’ve never seen a defensive play to match it. Jordan
 told me that was the beauty of his career. He surprised himself in the things that he did.

 How much of a joy was it to write about the golden era of Jordan's championship Bulls in the 90's that in your book fans can read back into with fond nostalgia?

 It was lots of fun, just as it was fun to write about the legendary days of yore in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Jordan’s college career as well as his high school career were great fun to write about.

 A deep and diverse book how important is it to present all sides of the story as a writer and journalist all whilst being respectful to the subjects public and private world?

 Well, it’s both important and difficult. You have so many people who love Jordan and quite a few who dislike him intensely. The Chicago Tribune said I was maybe harsh on him and the New York Times said I used the requisite awe. So I guess I was somewhere in the middle. I always tried to treat Mike as just another guy when I talked to him. I was trying to do the same thing in the book. He is a famous and brilliant athlete, but he’s also human. Humans have lots of flaws, make lots of mistakes. People get angry if their heroes aren’t super. They often have gotten angry when Jordan shows just how human he is. I really just tried to portray him as human while being honest about it.

 Which was your favourite and also most difficult part of the book to write?

 The part about the sexual abuse allegations his sister made against their father was very tough. But if you’re doing a biography you have to include all major issues. I just tried not to hype it. I think I succeeded at that.

 Michael Jordan has had a hand in writing a few short books, but with a lot of people wanting a horse of mouth autobiography that may never come, your book may be the closest thing. Kind of like the 'Bruce' Springsteen biography recentely with the revelation that the Boss himself may not write his story. How does it feel to have this type of influential word on an American and global icon? Sports Elvis!

 Well, writing the book almost killed me physically, drained me mentally and about broke me financially. So I was glad it was met with approval.

 From your hugely popular Jerry West book to your Kobe Bryant one which of your other books are your personal favourites?

 I like both the West book and The Show, the oral history of the Lakers. I like Mad Game, my book about Kobe, but he was just 19, 20 years old at the time. So it was a look at his complicated life adjusting to the NBA.

 What advice would you give aspiring young writers looking to follow in your bookmark steps?

 Interview lots of old timers. They tend to offer a lot more truth, a lot less PR and BS. But interview as many people as you can. Get to know them. It’s the fun part of this grinding work.

 Roland we thank you so much for your time. We truly appreciate it and wish you all the success for your book.

BOOK REPORT: GONE GIRL

Lost and found. You'd be so lucky to find this 'Gone Girl' between shelves of charity shops and the libraries of coffee tables right now. This is because the brilliant bestseller that has been sought after sold out ever since its 2012 release is having a new lease of life, especially with it's Ben Affleck rebranded cover. No wonder this book has already got a movie adaptation out now. The anti '50 Shades Of Grey' has even hit the screens faster than the 'other' book everyone seems to be talking more about in hushed tones. Now after amazing author Gillian Flynn has wrote the screenplay of her bold book for 'Seven', 'Fight Club' and 'The Social Network' director David Fincher's formidable film everyone is screaming Oscar like its this years 'Gravity'. Grounding and psychologically gruesome novel readers can take solace in the fact that this book was the chicken before the Hollywood smashing egg. Whilst film fans can read into comparing and contrasting what Fincher left in, out, added and shook all about. Film and book clubs rejoice you can unite again. Still Flynn's force of modern day social media and worldwide neighbourhood nature is a hard hitting thud drop on your doorstep. Wrote in page turning accounts and diary entries from one crazy couple this is quite the read and look into the marriage of a modern day relationship that either hides or reveals who we really are. Even the positive and negative naming comparisons of Nick Dunne (think 'The Nick' and 'Done') and 'Amazing Amy' (apart from the obvious, think 'amicable') are worked to perfection. Like this book. Like its story making word of mouth and world news rounds whilst from bookshelves still remaining missing at large. What an appeal! TIM DAVID HARVEY

BOOK REPORT

SLAM: KICKS-BASKETBALL SNEAKERS THAT CHANGED THE GAME:
Sneakers are as an ingrained part of the culture of basketball as the soles of shoes are to the blacktops of playground, hoop purists heaven sent dreams. Like tar on the heels of baby blue North Carolina to the Windy City Air of baby Bulls Chicago. From Jordan's to Kobe's. Nike to Adidas. Those weapon colourways and commercials to the and1 mixtape age. Hey, basketball fan or not those Converse you wear on your feet are a Basketball shoe created by Chuck Taylor and worn by Wilt Chamberlain when he scored a centuries worth of points. 100 years later and they STILL wont need to be changed. Through all this history the basketball bible SLAM has been there. You only need to library reference their 'Kicks' supplement Hall Of Fame but now with their first book they enter a whole new corridor. To join their latest Kicks magazine and Jordan special (in a 2014 that has also seen a throwback magazine, Iverson special and 'ChiHoops' insert to add to their sensational, revolutionary , magazine game spin-offs) this year comes their highest spin move on the hardwood yet. Always known as a hip magazine full of hops worthy ripping out the magazine like a steal and hanging off your wall like a backboard, this beautiful book is laced with glossy dome shots as pretty as their perfect picture. This is THE collectible for the purist court connoisseur. Thanks to their wonderful writers and a collaboration contribution from their classic scribe Scoop Jackson the history to the future of these trainers fit through these chapters and verse like the sock sneaks of the future. With 'Kicks' once again SLAM changes the game as the basketball bible has a new testament. Amen to the air God Jordan with a tongue in sneak pun intended. This is fresh out the box.

ALONG CAME A SPIDER: Incy, wincy spider! Ask basketball legend John Salley it was only right I read this book now. 'Along Came A Spider' introduced both bestselling thriller writer James Patterson and his hugely popular Alex Cross character to the world and millions of books sold and seemingly wrote since 1993. Patterson's James Bond and Sherlock Holmes has been portrayed in a film of the same name by the voice himself Morgan Freeman (just read this book in his pleasing baritone) and its 'Kiss The Girls' book adaptation sequel before Tyler Perry replaced him in a recent hit movie. This book however is the bookshelf chicken before the Hollywood egg and you'll breeze through these almost 500 pages of thrilling suspense like I did on a Saturday afternoon. From Disneyworld to McDonalds and deception to madness this brilliant book takes you everywhere. A classic 90's thriller of 'Fugitive' proportions, just try and cross this runaway hit. Check your water spout, this spider is amazing. Time to catch it. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

BOOK REPORT

STAR WARS: VOLUME 3-THE LAST COMMAND: Luke Skywalker is going to die! Sold on this? For all the 'Star Wars' incarnations from stories to products that have come since the original films to now. From all the comics and video games that have come before all these new sequels set to rule cinema once again from a galaxy far, far away. This is it. These are the books you are looking for. A set of stories following the original trilogy and before Ja Ja Binx got in the way these books continued the story of Luke, Han and Leia. The original three. This book focuses on a threat to Luke Skywalker's life and the life and lessons that go into toeing the lightsabre line of the dark side. This is captivating, exciting, fond and funny. There's even some romance from Han and Leia. You're going to tell me you love this. I know.

WORLD WAR Z: Last year Brad Pitt took a bite out of Max Brooks' cult classic novel and took these flesh eating pages into the walking dead. His film was dead on, albeit a different taste on the zombie genre and story. Brooks' book is the legend though. Fleshing out the story via journalistic stories and interviews. This perfectly adds to the realism of an idea that has been done to death. So much so that people have researched the real life possibilities and implications of us all trapsing the earth like teenagers. This is so good it's scary. Scary prophetic. Add this to some real cultural and political satirical observations and you have one hell of a book that takes modern day social plagues to reading task. In zombieland Brooks' battalion wins the war.

NEIL YOUNG: WAGING HEAVY PEACE: Dylan's told part of his chronicles and we're still waiting on Springsteen's story but between that we have the legendary singer/songwriter Neil Young's autobiographical legacy. From CSNY to Buffalo Springfield its quite the career 'Harvest' too for the Canadian, making quite the story from Ontario to California. It's not just the musical and literal landscape that make for quite the artistic portrait over these pages of prose. There's also a deep dedication to love and the friendship of family and vice versa that make this so much more than money and fame and famous or fond of celebrity this is what it all should be about. Funny and forthright this sweet and sincere stream of consciousness is like one of the best songs he's ever wrote. From tangled tangents to words of wisdom this is the highest note Young has hit. Even if some of these chapters feel like an advert for his purist mp3 product there's still passion between the verses and he talks just as much about his beloved attic train set. Which believe me he isn't selling to anyone. This mans life has been heavy but as he writes and we reads together we feel peace and isn't that the connection fans want to feel with their idols? Especially one like the previously perceived aloof Neil. Still this is for everyone, old and Young.

SPIKE LEE'S AMERICA: A Spike Lee joint? Well, not exactly. This book is an aspiring movie makers tour through the force of this dynamic directors filmography. From 'Do The Right Thing' to 'Inside Man' and 'Malcolm X' to 'He Got Game'. Exploring the greatest hits and cult classics of one of this generation and all-times greatest directors you'll learn more about greats from 'Mo Better Blues' and 'The 25th Hour'. Not only will this book help you learn about Lee's rich history it will also have you yearning for Spike's future plans. As a matter of fact this non-fiction is a magnificent manual that should be used as a teaching tool in film studies education. It's that analytical in its expressive reflection. Praise-worthy but also profound some of these passages are as inspiring as its subject matter itself. Sure when it comes to our favourite Knicks fan Mars Blackmon himself, nothing comes close to this legend, not even this 'Inside Man' but in knowing this, this terrific text book does ultimately and (forgive me) the right thing. You gotta have it. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

BOOK REPORT

It seems the prime directive this week was to read Star Trek books. So let's boldly go where no one but the main cast has survived through before. Hold on to your red shirts!

STAR TREK-NEW FRONTIER: TREASON: Readers log, stardate twenty fourteen. Geeeeeeeeeek! I know right? But to think I got two Star Trek books for under two pounds. That's one trade across civilisations that could bring any worlds together. Still in the first of two New York Times Bestselling writer stories this book has assassination and political upheaval on the cards as this new Trekkie universe saved for the pages only is as tense and taught as the alliteration of this books title. A great read to a series of successful books, this new frontier may not have any Kirk or Picard, but its got enough space opera to show you why this Star franchise in a war with J. J. Abrams other rebooted one is among the leaders of science fiction. Yesterday, today and tomorrow...energized.

STAR TREK-THE NEXT GENERATION: NIGHTSHADE: Make this one so. If you thought the politics and assassination of 'Treason' was enough to scare the kids that love this franchise then just you wait until you read this one. Captain Picard is facing execution under charges of murder on an alien planet and only Troi and a newly appointed ambassador of peace Lieutenant Word can save him. Worf!? The Klingon an ambassador of peace!? I know right?! But in a page tense turning, scintillating story there is more at matter here than muscle as our mind reader and warrior team up in a brilliant book that serves as a life lesson methaphor in how to control ones emotions between war and peace. Riker and Data may make only brief cameos but there's a nice side story subplot of biological machinery with Gordi and Dr. Crusher to keep you at this ones bedside. In one of the best Trek reads out there Laurell K. Hamilton teaches us more about our favourite characters and ourselves. Two to beam up. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

BOOK REPORT

From Sugar Ray to Elmore we've been knocking around with more Leonard's then 'A Big Bang Theory' of Shelden's. Penny....Penny...

ELMORE LEONARD-THE LAST STAND AT SABER RIVER: How the West was wrote! Here you go aspiring writers, the above picture is the late, legendary authors ten commandments when it comes to writing...and when it comes to writing it doesn't get much better than this. After rifling through the works of modern day great Cormac McCarthy and also the lifes work of another Leonard in boxing legend Sugar Ray it was only right we paid just, due respect to another Western great that shares the same last name as one of the greatest boxers of all time. Like 'No Country For Old Mens' Cormac, Elmore Leonards wonderful work has been turned into mainstream movies from 'Out Of Sight' and 'Get Shorty' to the 'Be Cool' sequel and the 'Rum Punch' that would become Tarantino's 'Jackie Brown'. Who knows Q.T. may have got some 'Unchained' 'Django' inspiration from the crossed T's and dotted I's of this wonderful wild west writer. This 'Last Stand At Saber River' was even turned into a movie itself thanks to the 'Magnum' moustache of Tom Selleck. This story even rivals the before magnum spaghetti work of the great Clint Eastwood. Add this to the 'True Grit' Portis prose stories from the libaries of old America. Tense, thrilling and turning this book hits you quick and dead. It's the best draw you'll never want to holster.

HIROSHI SAKURAZAKA-EDGE OF TOMORROW (ALL YOU NEED IS KILL): 'All You Need Is Kill'...or apparantly a name change according to the forthcoming new Tom Cruise summer season blockbuster 'Edge Of Tomorrow' that continues his 'Oblivion' and the mainstream movie markets sci-fi age. From 'Minority Report' to the 'War Of The Worlds' the scientologist has kept it science fiction and alongside Emily Blunt of 'The Adjustment Bureau' futuristic fame he takes the novel idea of Japanese writer Hiroshi Sakurazaka to the IMAX of the biggest screen and stage. Thinking of 'The Adjustment Bureau' and contemporary writers from Japan, Sakurazaka is like a modern day hybrid of sci-fi forefather Phillip K. Dick and leading novel man Haruki Murakami. With his trademark quick reads and a futursistic fable that mirrors ideals of today in a cautionary tale of a war of worlds and technological ones this arms up as something more than just a huge metal suit, video game like exciting escapade. This young writer lights up his idea of the future with something more neon glowing than his hometown of Tokyo. This first person novel takes cues from everything from 'Groundhog Day' to 'Starship Troopers', as our young Japanese soldier (played by 'The Last Samurai' Tom Cruise...yep we know) keeps waking up after dying to the same day and battle. This makes for some excellent writing and the prose of the cons of everything from artillery to immortality. What makes as an inspired idea and intriguing read could translate to scripting one of this years most influential movies...and clocking under 200 pages all you need is an afternoon before you edge this out before tomorrow. Read, finish, repeat. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

BOOK REPORT

Long time no read! It's been awhile, but we're back between the pages. Read all about it...

SUGAR RAY LEONARD-THE BIG FIGHT: "Tim I hope you gain something from my mistakes and accomplishments in my life and career!" That's amazingly what the great Sugar Ray Leonard said to me on Twitter in reply when I tweeted that I was reading his autobiography. What a legend indeed and what a read. Inspiring, insightful, heartfelt and honest I certainly did learn something from the ropes to the belt and just like Ali's 'Soul Of A Butterfly' was moved to inspiration by this prose that floated like a butterfly and stung in lessons learned like a son of a bee. A basketball fan by nature, boxing isn't my first love when it comes to sport but it makes for an oddly nurturing read in the knock down and get back up themes and elements of these life stories that play out better than 'Rocky'. I could use all the 'pull no punches', 'knockout' cliches I'd desire but this champs book is exactly the motivator you need in your corner when the lights go out.

SHANIA TWAIN-FROM THIS MOMENT ON: Man I'm feeling this woman! It's not just me and my best friend who without shame admit to being fans of this singer...albeit to my girfriends amazement and amusement. There's also legions of men attending the country diamond singers Las Vegas residency for their wedding anniversary...actually dragging their wives along! I may not be singing 'Man I Feel Like A Woman' every Friday, but I do love her beautiful ballads from 'You've Got A Way', 'You're Still The One, 'Forever, Always' and the title of this amazing autobiography 'From This Moment On'. From the darkness of depression, divorce, atrocious abuse and disheartened disregard this woman has been through a lot of black eyes and blue tears, but she's come out of it all smiling and singing feel-good songs of fun that fuse together pop and country until they fix platinum plaques on the walls of her house she built. With a deeply poignant and powerful read-just like those who read the lyrics of the album tracks-there's so much more to this woman than the looks and the big budget videos. When you read all about who she really is THAT will impress you much.

CORMAC McCARTHY-NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN: From 'All The Pretty Horses' to 'The Counsellor' todays legendary author Cormac McCarthy has laid the script work for some of Hollywood's best pictures today. Just call him a country and western Phillip K. Dick, showing the real America in the heart of all it's chapter and verse. His standout and our first tour with him has to be 'No Country For Old Men'. The film that gave the Coen Brothers their best classic and introduced the world to the acting spurs of Josh Brolin and the perfectly psychotic mad world of villain Javier Bardem stuns you to the core like a cattle gun. A film that the weathered and worn cop work of amazing actor Tommy Lee Jones was born to play this story leaps off the pages to your senses before it makes the screens. There's not a lot wrote today that could best this story. Tense, powerful, gripping and entertaining you don't need motion pictures to catch your wonder. Just these well wrote words. Cormac really is the man. There will always be room for him in this country. TIM DAVID HARVEY.