Kobe.

This is new territory for me. I'm writing to someone I don't really know. I've never spoken to you. Never even said hello. I grew up watching you rock that purple and gold, hitting jumper after jumper. I saw you once on July 4th, when you pulled up in your cream-colored Bentley. You flashed a smile to that kid sitting in the beat-up accord next to you. I was back then, and still am now, just another fan.

But to me, and to many others, you are a symbol...