Los Angeles Lakers release official 70-year history book

Luxury publisher Taschen has released ‘Lakers: An Official History of the Purple & Gold’, a 528-page large-format book chronicling seven decades of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise. Created in partnership with the team, the book features archival photography, rare memorabilia, and previously unpublished images from team archives and league vaults.

The publication includes written contributions from various Lakers legends and cultural figures, such as LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Pat Riley, as well as celebrities like Jack Nicholson and Paula Abdul. The book traces the franchise's history from the George Mikan era through the championship runs of the 1970s and 80s, highlighting the transformative influence of former owner Dr. Jerry Buss in merging basketball with Hollywood glamour.

In a related reflection on the franchise's legacy, former player Norm Nixon discussed the ‘Reach for the Stars: The Art of Basketball’s Golden Era’ event, noting how the era under Dr. Buss integrated basketball with entertainment and pop culture.