Dear Basketball

Dear Basketball

Year: 2017

Runtime: 6 mins

Language: English

Director: Glen Keane

HistoryAnimation

An animated telling of Kobe Bryant’s titular poem, signaling his retirement from the sport that made his name.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Dear Basketball yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Dear Basketball (2017)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dear Basketball (2017). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Childhood to mid-2010s

The narrative spans Kobe's childhood, then moves toward the later stage of his career ending in the mid-2010s. It acknowledges a 2013 Achilles injury and frames the approach of retirement as a final, cherished chapter rather than a sudden loss.

Location

Los Angeles, Great Western Forum

The film is set in Los Angeles and centers on the Great Western Forum, a backdrop for Kobe's early basketball fantasies as a child. It uses the venue as a touchstone for his imagination—rolling socks and imagining buzzer-beaters in the same space that would later host his Lakers memories. The setting anchors the story in the local basketball culture that helped shape his future love for the game.

🏟️ Great Western Forum 🌆 Los Angeles

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:41

Main Characters – Dear Basketball (2017)

Meet the key characters of Dear Basketball (2017), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kobe Bryant (Himself / Narrator)

The film's central voice, Kobe Bryant narrates his own story, recounting childhood memories, the relentless pursuit of excellence, and the deep bond he feels with basketball.

🏀 Athlete 🎙️ Narrator

Mike Breen (Commentator)

The voice of the film's external perspective, Mike Breen provides commentary and adds context to Kobe's reflections as the game weaves in and out of memory.

🎤 Commentator 🗣️ Voiceover

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:41

Major Themes – Dear Basketball (2017)

Explore the central themes of Dear Basketball (2017), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🏀 Passion

Kobe's devotion to basketball drives every memory in the film. It traces how the sport shaped his daily discipline, from childhood play to a lifelong commitment. The message centers on pursuing a craft with heart, mind, body, and soul.

⏳ Farewell

The movie confronts the end of a career with dignity and gratitude. It portrays retirement as a transition learned through struggle and sacrifice, culminating in a promise to the game that 'no matter what I do next' he will stay connected to basketball.

🌟 Legacy

Beyond the court, the film contemplates how Kobe's love for the game defines his identity and influence. It highlights the impact of persistent effort and the idea that true greatness endures in memories and inspiration for future generations.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:41

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about Bittersweet Farewells like Dear Basketball

Stories centered on a poignant and grateful goodbye to a defining life chapter.If you liked the poignant goodbye in Dear Basketball, you'll find similar stories here. This list features movies and shorts about retirement, endings, and moving on from a defining passion, capturing that mix of nostalgia and acceptance. Discover films with a melancholic yet grateful tone, similar to Kobe Bryant's love letter to his sport.

bittersweetnostalgicpoignantreflectivewistfulreverentgrateful

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often follow a linear, reflective structure, looking back on a journey from its hopeful beginnings to its inevitable, mature conclusion. The central conflict is internal, revolving around acceptance and the act of letting go. The emotional arc moves from deep love and nostalgia towards a peaceful, if sorrowful, acknowledgment of an ending.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a specific emotional core: a melancholic yet grateful tone, a slow, contemplative pacing that allows for reflection, and a bittersweet ending feel. They prioritize emotional meaning over complex plot, creating a cohesive experience of saying goodbye.

Contemplative Movies about Legacy like Dear Basketball

Contemplative stories exploring the personal meaning of dedication and what we leave behind.Find movies similar to Dear Basketball that explore themes of dedication, legacy, and childhood dreams. This collection highlights thoughtful, slower-paced stories about the meaning of a life's work, perfect if you appreciated the reflective and reverent mood of Kobe's animated poem. Discover films that make you think about passion and what endures.

reflectivepoignantreverentcontemplativeintrospectivegratefuldedicated

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is often straightforward and introspective, functioning as a character study or a thematic exploration. There is little external conflict; instead, the journey is one of internal realization and appreciation. The story unfolds through memory and reflection, building a deep sense of connection between the character and their passion.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their shared mood—a reflective, poignant, and reverent atmosphere—and their thematic focus on dedication and legacy. The slow pacing and medium intensity create a consistently contemplative viewing experience, making them feel spiritually and tonally aligned.

Unlock the Full Story of Dear Basketball

Don't stop at just watching — explore Dear Basketball in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Dear Basketball is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Dear Basketball Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Dear Basketball, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Dear Basketball Summary

Dear Basketball Timeline

Track the full timeline of Dear Basketball with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Dear Basketball Timeline

Dear Basketball Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Dear Basketball that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Dear Basketball Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Dear Basketball

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Dear Basketball: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Dear Basketball