While poor play and bad statistics in the face of modest expectations are jarring developments, it's Kobe's humility that's been truly surprising
Kobe Bryant has rarely looked this mortal.
Even as an 18-year-old, No. 8 didn't flinch when asked to throw down in a dunk contest with just two career starts under his belt.
Even as a slightly-older 18-year-old, the soon-to-be Black Mamba kept shooting despite air ball after air ball versus the Utah Jazz in the playoffs.
Even as a precocious 20-something, Kobe didn't fear the backlash of criticizing his superstar teammate Shaquille O'Neal, nor the demands to share the ball more from his six-time champion coach Phil Jackson.