LOS ANGELES, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- In his new book, former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson blames many of the team's problems on Kobe Bryant.
In "The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul," set to be published later this month, Jackson described Bryant's "consuming anger" as a detriment to the ball club, particularly in his dealings with teammate Shaquille O'Neal, the New York Times reported Thursday.
Bryant and O'Neal, who now plays for the Miami Heat, reportedly had an ongoing feud over everything from salaries to not allowing one's trainer to tape the other's feet.
Much of the book covers Jackson's struggle to deal with Bryant in light of the basketball star's rape allegations, a case dropped in September although the accuser filed a civil suit.
The book also discusses the Lakers' losses to the Detroit Pistons during last season's National Basketball Association playoff finals.
The Lakers did not renew Jackson's contract after the playoffs.
