Summary

In “When Fundamentals are No Longer Fundamental,” Kobe references his time working and training with new Lakers player Caron Butler with whom, he says, he clicked immediately. Butler, he says, learned a lot of the fundamentals from him. When Butler was traded, he says, he felt a degree of loss and frustration, adding that many players no longer study or practice basics like footwork, or spacing. He suggests that knowing the basics can give a player an advantage over other players. There are two images, of Kobe in conversation with Butler.

In “Move Your Puppies,” Kobe describe getting advice on how to deal with a particular problem from a competitor. That advice was “move your puppies,” or move your feet. Kobe says as soon as he started doing so, his problem improved. “That was the first year,” he adds, that he “made First...