{"title":"Roland Lazenby","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the Roland Lazenby collection, where you will find an impressive array of in-depth biographies penned by one of the most respected sportswriters of our time. Roland Lazenby has a unique talent for exploring the lives of iconic athletes, revealing their stories with remarkable clarity and insight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmongst his fascinating works, you'll discover \u003cem\u003eMAGIC\u003c\/em\u003e, a deep dive into the life and legacy of basketball legend Magic Johnson. This book captures not only the triumphs and challenges of Johnson's career but also the vibrant era of basketball he dominated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLazenby is also renowned for his book \u003cem\u003eMichael Jordan: The Life\u003c\/em\u003e, an extensive portrayal of an athlete who redefined greatness on the courts. This absorbing biography unwraps the layers of Michael Jordan's life, unveiling personal and professional aspects that contributed to his status as a global icon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnother highlight in this collection is \u003cem\u003eShowboat\u003c\/em\u003e, a compelling narrative on Kobe Bryant. From his early years to achieving a legendary status, Lazenby traces Bryant's journey with a meticulous eye, offering readers a detailed picture of the man behind the superstar persona.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're a sports enthusiast or a casual reader, the Roland Lazenby collection promises an engaging and illuminating exploration of basketball's most celebrated figures, sure to captivate and inform.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"michael-jordan","title":"Michael Jordan","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMichael Jordan is synonymous with basketball excellence, his name evoking images of pristine jump shots, his body seamlessly blending with the ball to score in seemingly impossible situations. Moments like The Shrug, The Shot, and The Flu Game are etched in the annals of basketball history, celebrated by fans across the globe. Yet, behind these iconic highlights, Jordan's life is marked by intense competitiveness and personal struggles. \u003cem\u003eMichael Jordan\u003c\/em\u003e by Roland Lazenby delves into the duality of this sports legend, revealing the man behind the myth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLazenby's biography is the first to offer a balanced portrayal of Jordan, capturing both his athletic triumphs and his lesser-known complexities. Through meticulous research and unrivalled access, Lazenby paints a comprehensive picture of a man driven by an unrelenting desire to win, often crossing the lines of sportsmanship, and facing personal demons in the form of gambling controversies and fierce rivalries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe author leverages personal relationships with Jordan's coaches and conducts countless interviews with friends, teammates, family members, and Jordan himself. With a career embedded deeply in covering Jordan from his college days to his pro career, Lazenby crafts a compelling narrative that brings to life the human behind the hero. The biography isn't just an account of Jordan's championships and accolades, but a profound study of his character, his motivations, and his impact on the sport of basketball.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMichael Jordan\u003c\/em\u003e is an unfiltered glimpse into the life of a man who redefined basketball. It explores his journey from a young athlete in North Carolina to becoming an international icon, detailing the sacrifices, the failures, and the incredible victories that shaped his legendary career. This definitive biography goes beyond the public persona to reveal the complexities of the man, offering readers an intimate look at why Michael Jordan is revered as the greatest basketball player of all time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45712443998444,"sku":"9780316194761","price":27.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/d3a14867845688f2ddb652750eecdd90.jpg?v=1794526943"},{"product_id":"showboat","title":"Showboat","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eShortlisted for the 2017 Cross Sports Book Awards Best Biography of the Year\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eShowboat\u003c\/i\u003e by Roland Lazenby intricately explores the life and career of one of basketball's most complex and fascinating figures, Kobe Bryant. Lazenby delves deep into the mind of Bryant, an athlete who captivated millions with his extraordinary skill, relentless drive, and enigmatic personality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom his early days, Bryant displayed an uncanny confidence, proclaiming even as a boy that he would surpass Michael Jordan. His journey to becoming one of basketball's greatest-ever players is chronicled with meticulous detail, from his childhood in Italy to his ascension in the NBA as the Los Angeles Lakers' key player. The book offers a riveting account of how Bryant's determination and work ethic propelled him to the pinnacle of the sport, where he became known as the absolute master of study and preparation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYet, Bryant's career was far from a smooth ride. Lazenby does not shy away from the myriad conflicts that surrounded Bryant's professional and personal life. The narrative examines his tumultuous relationship with teammate Shaquille O'Neal, the intense dynamic with coach Phil Jackson, and the high-profile legal controversies that beset his career. Beyond the court, Bryant's complicated marriage to Vanessa and his interactions with other contemporaries, opponents, and teammates are portrayed with unflinching candour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eComprehensive and unflinching, \u003ci\u003eShowboat\u003c\/i\u003e unravels the conundrum that is Kobe Bryant. Lazenby's biography offers an honest, multi-faceted portrayal of a man whose legacy in the world of basketball is both revered and contested. It is a must-read for fans of the sport and those intrigued by the inner workings of a legendary athlete's mind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45713152639212,"sku":"9781474603249","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/4ecaf005c7f9e0e31b80172d56abd877.jpg?v=1794527325"},{"product_id":"magic-by-roland-lazenby-9781474613316","title":"MAGIC","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe definitive biography of the basketball legend Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, from the author of \u003ci\u003eMichael Jordan: the Life\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMagic\u003c\/i\u003e Johnson is one of the most beloved, and also controversial, athletes in history. He lifted the dowdy sport of American pro basketball into the global spotlight, a transformation driven by his ability to eviscerate opponents with a grand sense of fun. He was a master entertainer who directed basketball to the heights of both glory and epic excess, all of it driven by his mind-blowing no-look passes and personal charm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt the charismatic height of his power, Johnson shocked the world with his personal story which pushed public awareness of the HIV and AIDs crisis. Through hundreds of interviews with Johnson's coaches, representatives past and present, teammates, opponents, friends and loved ones, including key conversations with Johnson himself, this is the first truly definitive study of the revolutionary player: \u003cb\u003ethe man, the icon, Magic Johnson.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46833272160492,"sku":"9781474613316","price":39.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/184893482713.jpg?v=1758450053"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/roland-lazenby.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}