The Fumble - The Black Mamba didn't begin starting for the Los Angeles Lakers until his third year, the strike-shortened 1998-99 season. On the year, Bryant averaged 19.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1 block. But it was the team's 38th game, on May 2, that gave hoops heads a glimpse into the future, a peek at what would one day become one of the most terrifying beasts the league has ever seen: Hot Kobe.