The 20-year story of Kobe Bryant has been so carefully manicured that it can be difficult at times to separate the legit from legend, the reality from the revised. Time has a way of shape-shifting history; of sanding edges.
As a Laker, Bryant developed in the public eye, on the court, hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy five times, winning four All-Star Game MVPs and possessing an uncanny knack for scoring a game’s last basket.
As a legend, Bryant sprouted in the shadows. For each title, there were hundreds of closed-door practices. Bryant took on a superhero persona.