1998: The 6'6", 190 pound rookie flashed that ‘just happy to be here’ smile, but the observant eye could see the ‘you ain’t seen nothin’ yet’ swagger bubbling under the surface. A few showstealing dunks later, topped by a gravity defying in-between-the-legs-and-i-could-probably-eat-a-McChicken-up-here slam met by thunderous applause and hoots of approval…

Well, let’s just say it went from a polite “hi, it’s nice to meet you” intro at 9:00pm to the brunette in jeans and a midriff showing just enough potential for you to throw a few drinks at, to… breakfast the next morning and another few dates. Minimum. 0 to 100. Real quick.

To the Chicago born-and-raised 9 year old Raj (me) that had known nothing but MJ THE GAWD and the 90's Bulls, it was the first time my eye had strayed. Forgive me Father.

But more importantly… Welcome to the world, Kobe Bean Bryant. The heir apparent. As MJ retired and the Kobe-Shaq Lakers rose to dominance, there was a seismic shift in my NBA world. 2000–2002 happened and the rest was history.

“She was only supposed to be a rebound, I swear.”

I was in for the long haul. The ‘you ain’t seen nothing yet’ simmering in 98 had rose to a full boil. The swagger after a crispy J, the relentless attacks to the rim, the unwavering crunch time confidence… And he fucking delivered (buzz off stat nerds). I was hooked and there was no looking back. #purpleandgold #mamba

So here we are. Season 20. Kobe’s last 3 seasons have ended anticlimactically with less than timely injuries. The Lakers start the 2015–16 season with one of their most youthful squads in recent memory.

“They are so young, some of them could probably be my kids” -Kobe Bryant on 2015–16 Lakers roster

Question marks about what that youthfulness would bring permeated the air at day 1 of training camp. As did the imminence of Mamba’s last bow. Kobe, in standard Kobe fashion, has kept a tight lid on the matter. However, he did reiterate, “I bleed purple and gold” just to shut the door on any Phil Jackson-type conspiracy theorists.

I won’t delve into D’Angelo Russell’s lack luster summer league showing, what Metta World Peace’s return to Tinseltown could mean, how absolutely excited/curious I am to see Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson’s evolution, and the many other ongoing subplots… Yet. There’ll be plenty of time for that as the season rolls on.

For now, if it truly is Kobe’s last stand, there’s little doubt he’s going to want to blaze a hell hath no fury road on his way out. What exactly that will mean is to be seen.

Unfortunately, the tried and tested story of Kobe’s career is truer now more than ever — if he is to find any success, it won’t be by doing it himself.

Welcome to season 20.