2000—with the Fox/Wolf internal struggle symbolizing everything. He spent the past five years systematically rehabbing his image as a player and public figure, starting with a number change (from 8 to 24), then a self-provided nickname (“Black Mamba”)P58, then an identity change (he’s evolved into a devoted family man and marvelous teammate with a wonderful sense of humor, or so we’re expected to believe), then a “coolness” change (Nike fake-leaked a video of Kobe apparently jumping a speeding car), then a stylistic change (smartly shifting to an efficient offensive game centered around an
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