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The Kobe Effect

For Kobe —

From Manila to Reggio Emilia —

Los Angeles to Boston —

From Girl Dads to Girl Moms —

Young Mambas to Mambacitas —

From athletes to musicians —

Scholars to storytellers —

To everybody,

Remember in school, at the office, anywhere really, holding that tightly crumbled-up piece of paper between your hands? Taking a step back and methodically shooting it into the trashcan — always shouting out one word: Kobe.

This went for Lakers fans and non-Lakers fans alike, basketball watchers and non-basketball watchers respectively.

This simple, and at the time inconsequential act was believed to be a cultural byproduct of Kobe Bryant’s fearless shooting and unpredictable style of play.