Spike Lee sets the stage with almost 30 different cameras on April 13, 2008 in this unique 86-minute documentary featuring Los Angeles Laker star Kobe Bryant. Bryant provides the commentary, which gives audiences some insight into the game of pro basketball. Lee directs with style and asks Bryant occasional questions in the standard audio commentary track.
This key game represents a home field advantage for the Lakers at the end of the 2007-08 season against the defending champion Spurs. Manu Ginobili is out for the Spurs while Lee covers before, during, and after the game from the Lakers’ point of view.
The game represents a great snapshot of NBA seasons – competitive sections along with time-managed lead retentions. The Lakers benefit from a team full of players with “high basketball IQs,” which takes the pressure off Bryant. Their skill levels continually increase as Bryant shares his knowledge with teammates; mentioning them much more than himself. Comments like “he made that play” come naturally while the multilingual team aspects provide surprising humor.
The analytical input from coaches and players can be hard to follow at times for lay viewers, but family life, physical preparation, and pre-game prayers show the relatable routines and challenges. The dialogue between Bryant and his teammates on the bench scenes are the best plus viewers get other bonuses like Kareem Abdul-Jabber sitting behind the Laker bench, looking as if he might lean over and say something to the team at any moment.
Even amid his own high profile MVP race, which involves some touching family support in the stands at the game, Bryant concentrates on the audience by explaining important aspects of the game. At the beginning of the second half, Bryant gives a great exposition on the triangle defense. This “sequence of options” intimidates players and coaches alike because it’s “tough to teach.” After the risk, the rewards are evident with the Lakers' success. “It’s impossible to defend because teams don’t know what you’re going to do,” says Bryant.
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