Kobe Doin’ Work

Kobe Doin’ Work is an 84-minute exploration of Kobe Bryant’s work ethic, his in-game mentality, and the bluntness that made him a formidable competitor. Spike Lee harnesses a blend of multiple camera angles, audio from the in-game broadcast, ambient sounds from the Staples Center, a microphone worn by Bryant himself, and a running narration that accompanies the footage to illuminate every facet of Bryant’s performance, strategy, and inner thoughts.

During the featured game, Bryant goes 6 of 14 from the field, scores 20 points, and logs 32 minutes. The Los Angeles Lakers are pushing to maintain first place in the Western Conference with a 55–25 record as the regular season heads toward its close. The film frames this moment as a crucial slice of a larger portrait of Bryant, revealing how he approaches pressure, preparation, and performance in the heat of the moment.

I’m a big basketball fan. It was obvious. He was having an MVP-type year, in which he did win the MVP. Also the Lakers looked like they were going to take it to the Finals. And I wanted them to beat the Celtics. I hate the Celtics. But the Celtics won. But I don’t think I was taking a gamble by choosing Kobe.

He (Kobe) said several times how much fun it was just doing it.

The narrative also makes clear why Lee chose Bryant as the subject, situating the documentary within a broader context of careers and seasons that built Bryant’s reputation as a relentless competitor. The 84-minute film aired on ESPN without commercials, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the pace and rhythm of Bryant’s day-to-day preparation and competitive mindset.

Beyond the on-court sequences, the documentary delves into Bryant and the team in huddles and during time-outs, offering a sense of the script of a game as it unfolds. The cameras capture intimate locker-room moments with coach Phil Jackson during half-time, showing how strategy and motivation collide in real time. Bryant also provides the voice-over for the documentary, recorded on February 2, 2009, hours after he scored 61 points against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden—a performance that stood as a single-game MSG record at the time (a record later surpassed).

Spike Lee is candid about his anticipation for Bryant’s commentary after a game at Madison Square Garden, even as the possibility of an extraordinary performance loomed. The response from Bryant earned its own place in the narrative: a showcase of skill, focus, and a drive to outperform expectations when the moment mattered most.

On a lighter note, I’m going to review this documentary I’m doing with Spike Lee tonight after the game and I didn’t feel like sitting next to him and hearing him talking trash about the Knicks, so that was added incentive as well. Seriously. He’s going to get an earful tonight.

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:02