Let’s get something straight off-the-bat: Kobe is the greatest of his era. He transcended the game long before social media could have elevated him to god status. You know this because probably half of your friends in middle school and high school were Lakers fans, and STILL are to this day. You know this because girls would have cut-out magazine pictures of Kobe in their locker and their binders. You know this because #8 was the number always taken in gym class. You know this because you saw purple and gold EVERYWHERE during those years. Even your mom knows who Kobe is.