Lakers Author Jeff Pearlman recounts Kobe Bryant's awkward teenage years as a highly touted NBA recruit making the then-rare jump from high school to the Lakers. Kobe grew up partially in Italy and had to get accustomed to hip-hop culture, aggressiveness and physicality that marked the 1990s basketball scene, particularly in the US. His NBA Draft class marked a new wave of cool superstars like Allen Iverson, which Kobe was not, an initial point of insecurity. Pearlman's lasting impression of Kobe's death, one year ago this week, was that he seemed to be a much more secure human being in his retirement years. br br Pearlman's Three Ring Circus book about the Kobe & Shaq Lakers years is out now wherever books are sold. br br - #Kobe #NBA #Lakersbr The CLNS Media Network is the leading provider for videoaudio content. CLNS is a fully credentialed member of the media with access to all NFLNBANHLMLB teams & venues.