In the premiere episode of The Sports Literati, Dave and Dave break down Three-Ring Circus by Jeff Pearlman, a scintillating look at the Shaq-Kobe Lakers dynasty of the early 2000s, from the dark days following Magic Johnson's retirement through to the story of one of the first failed super teams, with Karl Malone and Gary Payton in 2003-2004. This book is an in depth portrait of a madcap basketball dynasty, and especially its two famous superstars, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.

The Sports Literati talk about the Lakers, their own memories of watching Kobe the gunslinger, and then try to make sense of Kobe's complicated life.

Intro and Outro Music: Sergei Rachmanioff Prelude in G-Sharp Minor, Op. 32 performed by Justina Sam.