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Three-Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty

Three-Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty

by Jeff Pearlman

Mariner Books ·2020 ·426 pages ·Sports
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70/99
Near the Top

61/99

Critics

Top of the Pile

80/99

Readers

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Scholars

88/99

Rating

34/99

Volume

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Rating

75/99

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About This Book

The story of the Lakers dynasty from 1996 through 2004, when Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal combined—and collided—to help bring the Lakers three straight championships and restore the franchise as a powerhouse In the history of modern sport, there have never been two high-level teammates who loathed each other the way Shaquille O'Neal loathed Kobe Bryant, and Kobe Bryant loathed Shaquille O'Neal. From public sniping and sparring, to physical altercations and the repeated threats of trade, it was warfare. And yet, despite eight years of infighting and hostility, by turns mediated and encouraged by coach Phil Jackson, the Shaq-Kobe duo resulted in one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history. Together, the two led the Lakers to three straight championships and returned glory and excitement to Los Angeles. In the tradition of Jeff Pearlman's bestsellers Showtime, Boys Will Be Boys, and The Bad Guys Won, Three-Ring Circus is a rollicking deep dive into one of sports' most fraught yet successful pairings.


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Reviews

"Pearlman takes readers inside a successful but ultimately dysfunctional organization that came apart because, well, some folks are just never going to get along."

Wes Lukowsky· Booklist Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Beyond the Hall of Fame players and coach, Pearlman provides insight into the role of players such as Eddie Jones, Robert Horry, and Rick Fox ..."

Chris Wilke· Library Journal Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Pearlman's ability to uncover juicy anecdotes illuminates how egos and immaturity were the Lakers' fatal opponents."

Publishers Weekly Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"In the process, the author wades into the collective psyche of modern professional sports, showing the manifestation of monetized idolatry."

Kirkus Read review ↗ Near the Top

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