NBA fans could get Kobe Bryant doc similar to Michael Jordan doc

Due to an all-access film crew in Kobe Bryant’s final season with the Los Angeles Lakers, we could get a documentary similar to the MJ doc for Bean.

According to a recent report from ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, we have learned that Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant commissioned a film crew to follow him and the Lakers for the duration of his farewell season just four years ago.

The crew had unprecedented access to Bryant and the rest of the Lakers team, catching home and away footage of the lowly Lakers that season.

Former Lakers public relations head John Black said to Holmes:

"“We certainly allowed them to do everything we could within what the league would allow, and sometimes, with a wink and look-the-other-way, allowed them even more.”"

Notably, the Lakers had more access than the Lakers TV partner, Spectrum SportsNet.

Fans don’t need to be told just how exciting unprecedented film access can be when tied to a legendary athlete. The Last Dance has lived up to the hype and given us some epic quotes and moments just two episodes in because of the unfiltered access the film crew had to Jordan and the Bulls in that season.

This final year of Kobe’s career was a farewell tour, with gifts given to him at each arena he visited for the final time. He, of course, capped his career off with a legendary final game, scoring 60 points in a win over Utah and giving a speech at the end of the game imprinted on our hearts forever.

It’s interesting because months ago this information would have certainly been interesting, but not earth-shattering. With all that has happened since 2020 begun, it makes the news of this footage much more special.

Bryant tragically passed away in a helicopter accident in late January that killed eight others, including his daughter, Gianna.

Coronavirus has pushed us all indoors and away from others for the time being, resulting in the shifting of The Last Dance, now releasing in April and May instead of in June as originally planned.

Knowing how The Last Dance has been such a saving grace two episodes in for those in isolation, the existence of this footage is extremely exciting, though it’s unclear exactly how the footage may trickle out into the real world.

According to Holmes, the footage was being edited with the intention of releasing a documentary in a few years time, and Bryant had a heavy hand in reviewing the edited footage.

Jordan wasn’t as involved in the creative process as Bryant seemed to be in his final days, but did have control over green-lighting The Last Dance, and could have simply kept the project from coming out. The show’s producers did not start putting it together until Jordan gave the OK.

It’s so Kobe to continue giving us content to obsess over. It’s extremely unfortunate that Bryant’s life ended far too soon, but knowing that we may get a glimpse into his farewell tour may give some fans the necessary closure to finally conclude the grieving process that started in late January.