We talked often about Joseph Campbell and “The Hero’s Journey” that year. Kobe had read it cover to cover. Studied it deeply as both the author of his own legend throughout his 20-year career and the future author of what he hoped would be a second career as a legendary storyteller. I told him I wasn’t buying his lack of nostalgia or nerves as his final game approached. He wouldn’t concede that point either. “I wasn’t at home stewing and thinking and mulling over the game,” he shrugged. “I was already working towards the future. Then it was about doing it one last time, as best as I can.”