KOBE DOIN' WORK

Kobe Doin' Work is obviously a labor of love... or even obsession for director Spike Lee. Only someone with a deep love for the game of basketball would be interested in a project like this. And only someone with an equally deep love for the game would be interested in watching a film like this.

Kobe Doin' Work is literally a play by play of one single game in basketball superstar Kobe Bryant's illustrious career.  Using 30 cameras as well as a microphone on Kobe himself, Lee watches the man at work from just about all possible angles, and we are treated to listening in on Bryant as well. Did you ever wonder what they talk about in the huddle? Or what is discussed in the Lakers' locker room at the half? Well, it is all here. Sure, there are some bits that are edited out to keep the film moving (for instance, Kobe is on the bench for much of the fourth quarter), but for the most part, we are watching his every move.

The particular game featured is a season-ending (though not fate-deciding) game for the Los Angeles Lakers. They are playing their rivals the San Antonio Spurs, and there is obviously a fun competition between the players. The mike is on as Kobe trash-talks the opposing players, and for the most part they are smiling and throwing it right back at him. This is the friendly, non-bratty version of the NBA, and Kobe Bryant comes across as a good guy who supports his teammates, is critical on himself, but also completely loves what he does.

Bryant also narrates the film in voice-over. On any other DVD, this would be considered the commentary track, but it is (from what I could tell) actually part of the film. Spike Lee occasionally inserts a question to provoke a topic while they watch the footage, but for the most part, it is just Kobe doing the talking. For instance, he points out one thing (that I had actually noticed) that while playing, he often wipes his hands on the front of his shirt. No, he is not wiping sweat from his hands... quite the contrary. He complains in the commentary that his hands are actually quite dry, and he is moistening them on his shirt for better grappling of the ball.

Fans of Kobe Bryant will probably love this intimate look at the player working his magic (though from what I could tell, it doesn't appear to be a particularly outstanding game for him). Those viewers who are also players may also appreciate the tidbits of knowledge that he passes along during the course of the game. For the rest of us, though, it is an occasionally interesting experiment in obsession.