Kobe: The Making of a Legend, a new three-part documentary from CNN Originals, is no hagiography.
This is the story of Kobe Bryant, a basketball player driven by dreams of championships and the pursuit of greatness, his broken relationship with his parents, his arrest for sexual assault, his rebirth as a “girl dad,” and his story in storytelling. This is a clear-eyed look at his second career. .
The series debuts with the first episode on Saturday (9 p.m. ET, CNN), the day before the five-year anniversary of his death in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on January 26, 2020. Eight people died in the accident, including Bryant’s daughter Gianna.
Each episode (the remaining two will air on CNN on February 1st and February 8th at 9pm ET) is approximately 45 minutes long, and the documentary features friends, teammates, teachers, classmates, former Bryant’s story will be told from a wide cast of players and current players. , a video clip of prosecutors, journalists, Bryant and his parents, Joe and Pam.
Most knowledgeable Bryant aficionados will never know, even if it’s just an anonymous video of a young Bryant playing youth basketball in Italy while his father played professionally there, or in the Philadelphia suburb of Lower Merion. You’ll probably glean something from this series, even if it’s a video from when you were playing in high school. .
The first episode focuses on those early days, portraying a young man who knew what he wanted: to be an NBA player.
In a video of Bryant speaking in front of his classmates in high school, he recalls coming back to Philadelphia from Italy, feeling lonely and deeply absorbed in his goal of playing professional basketball. . “I discovered the hunger, motivation and desire to be the best basketball player I can be,” Bryant said.
This documentary series explores Bryant’s greatness on the court, specifically his formative years and how his ultra-competitive nature was formed. “Winning means everything to Kobe Bryant,” former Lakers trainer Gary Vitti told an interviewer. “There was nothing else.”
The series doesn’t shy away from the difficult and frightening aspects of Bryant’s life. Bryant once had a strong relationship with his parents, and as a teenager Bryant said they were the two people he most respected. However, their relationship began to fall apart after he married Vanessa. Joe passed away in July. His mother, Pam and Vanessa, declined CNN’s request for an interview.
The second episode explores Bryant’s 2004 criminal sexual assault case in Eagle, Colorado, which stemmed from a 2003 incident at a resort where the then-24-year-old was staying before undergoing surgery nearby. A considerable amount of time is spent on. Doesn’t shy away from testifying or exposing the antics of Bryant’s powerful legal team.
The district attorney said he believes he has enough evidence to prove Bryant guilty of the third-degree felony sexual assault charge beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the case was dismissed after the alleged victim refused to testify.
The documentary shows Bryant’s full statement, in which he says: After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even hearing her testimony in person, I now understand how she felt that she did not consent to this encounter. ”
This event stuck with Bryant, but he reshaped his image in many different ways. Black Mamba, two more NBA championships, NBA MVP, two Olympic gold medals, recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, father, women’s basketball coach, Academy Award winner, and more.
At approximately 130 minutes, the documentary series follows a long arc that focuses on the topics that defined Kobe Bryant.
When will the new Kobe Bryant documentary be released?
The three-part series will air on Saturday, February 1st and Saturday, February 8th.
How to watch the new Kobe Bryant documentary
The three-part documentary “Kobe: The Making of a Legend” will air on CNN. The first part is Saturday at 9pm ET. Part 2 will air on February 1st at 9pm ET and Part 3 will air on February 8th at 9pm ET.
How to stream Kobe Bryant’s new documentary
The series can be streamed on cnn.com and via the network’s mobile app.
How long is Kobe Bryant’s new documentary?
It is divided into three parts, each part approximately 45 minutes long.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt