Summary of Jeff Pearlman's Three-Ring Circus

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

#1 After the disappointing conclusion to the 1995–96 NBA season, Jerry West knew things needed to change. The executive vice president of the Los Angeles Lakers liked his coach, the steady if unspectacular Del Harris, and believed the front office personnel were skilled, wise basketball men capable of rebuilding a dynastic brand. But he saw problems with the roster.

#2 In 1996, the Lakers had the 24th pick in the draft. They didn’t bother to work out Iverson, Marbury, and Allen, who were long gone by the time they picked.

#3 In the 1980s, with the rise of Nike and various top-level sports academies and camps, highly skilled American athletes were discovered at infantile ages and developed. It was no longer sufficient to let kids be kids.

#4 When Joe Bryant went to play in Italy, he was rediscovering his love for the sport. He was free, flamboyant, and jovial. Italian basketball fans came to use a singular word to describe his play: bella.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Apr 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669386131

IRB Media

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Insights on Jeff Pearlman's Three-Ring Circus

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 6

Insights from Chapter 7

Insights from Chapter 8

Insights from Chapter 9

Insights from Chapter 10

Insights from Chapter 11

Insights from Chapter 12

Insights from Chapter 13

Insights from Chapter 14

Insights from Chapter 15

Insights from Chapter 16

Insights from Chapter 17

Insights from Chapter 18

Insights from Chapter 19

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

After the disappointing conclusion to the 1995–96 NBA season, Jerry West knew things needed to change. The executive vice president of the Los Angeles Lakers liked his coach, the steady if unspectacular Del Harris, and believed the front office personnel were skilled, wise basketball men capable of rebuilding a dynastic brand. But he saw problems with the roster.

#2

In 1996, the Lakers had the 24th pick in the draft. They didn’t bother to work out Iverson, Marbury, and Allen, who were long gone by the time they picked.

#3

In the 1980s, with the rise of Nike and various top-level sports academies and camps, highly skilled American athletes were discovered at infantile ages and developed. It was no longer sufficient to let kids be kids.

#4

When Joe Bryant went to play in Italy, he was rediscovering his love for the sport. He was free, flamboyant, and jovial. Italian basketball fans came to use a singular word to describe his play: bella.

#5

Kobe Bryant’s parents, Joe and Pam, signed him up to play in the Sonny Hill Community Involvement League, where Philadelphia’s best young basketball players went at it on courts in Temple’s McGonigle Hall. Kobe had to enter some personal information. When he arrived for his first day of competition, a counselor read over his replies.

#6

While Kobe Bryant stunk in Italy, he didn’t plan on stinking for long. He was back at Sonny Hill in the summer of 1991, playing passably well and scoring a few baskets.

#7

As a freshman at Lower Merion, Bryant made Downer’s varsity squad, starting and averaging 18 points for a team that went 4-20. He didn’t merely dislike losing, he abhorred it. He didn’t merely fret over missed free throws, he burdened himself with their existence.

#8

In 1972, Joe Bryant was named MVP of the Dapper Dan high school all-star tournament in Pittsburgh. He was one of four high school juniors in attendance at the 1994 ABCD camp.

#9

Bryant walked into the camp as if he belonged, and he did not kneel before Marbury or any of the other campers. He was named most valuable player both years. His drive and intensity separated him from everyone else.

#10

Bryant was extremely confident off of his performance at ABCD, but two closer-to-home experiences took it to another level. He spent a lot of time playing pickup games at Temple University’s Pearson Hall gymnasium, and he was always fearless.

#11

In the fall of 1995, Bryant was