New Kobe Bryant Docuseries on CNN Offers an Unvarnished Look at the NBA Star’s Life and Career
“Kobe: The Making of a Legend” presents an honest portrayal of the basketball icon, including his troubled relationship with his parents, a sexual assault accusation, and his journey as a devoted father.
“Kobe: The Making of a Legend,” a fresh three-part docuseries from CNN Originals, is far from a glorified biography.
This series provides a candid exploration of Kobe Bryant as an athlete driven by the desire to win championships and achieve greatness, the complexities of his relationship with his parents, his sexual assault arrest, and his transformation into a “girl dad” in his later life.
The premiere episode is set to air Saturday (9 p.m. ET, CNN), coinciding with the upcoming five-year anniversary of his tragic death in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, in Calabasas, California. Tragically, eight others, including Bryant’s daughter Gianna, also lost their lives in that incident.
Each of the three episodes (with the next two airing on February 1 and February 8 at 9 p.m. ET on CNN) is around 45 minutes long. The documentary offers a multifaceted view of Bryant’s story through insights from friends, teammates, educators, former players, current players, prosecutors, journalists, and archival footage featuring Bryant and his parents, Joe and Pam.
Even seasoned Bryant fans will find new content in this series, which includes rare footage of a young Kobe playing youth basketball in Italy and highlights from his time at Lower Merion High School in the suburbs of Philadelphia.
The opening episode zeroes in on his formative years, capturing the essence of a young boy determined to become an NBA star.
In one segment, a teenage Bryant shares with classmates his feelings of loneliness upon returning to Philadelphia from Italy, which deepened his commitment to pursuing a professional basketball career. “I discovered the hunger, the motivation and desire to be the best possible basketball player that I could be,” he reflected.
The docuseries delves into Bryant’s on-court brilliance and how his early experiences cultivated his fiercely competitive spirit. “Winning means everything to Kobe Bryant,” remarked former Lakers trainer Gary Vitti in an interview. “There wasn’t anything else.”
The series does not shy away from discussing the challenging and distressing moments in Bryant’s life. Once close to his parents — who he considered his greatest inspirations — their relationship faced strain following his marriage to Vanessa. Joe passed away in July, and both Pam and Vanessa declined to speak with CNN for the series.
The second episode significantly addresses Bryant’s 2004 sexual assault case in Eagle, Colorado, which originated from an incident in 2003 at a local resort while he was recovering from surgery. It reveals the testimonies and actions of Bryant’s prominent legal team without holding back.
According to the district attorney, there was enough evidence to support a guilty verdict for a class three felony sexual assault. However, the case was dismissed when the alleged victim chose not to testify.
The documentary shares the complete text of Bryant’s statement, in which he acknowledges, “Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did. After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter.”
This event left a lasting impact on Bryant, yet he managed to redefine his identity in various ways: the Black Mamba persona, winning two more NBA championships, becoming NBA MVP, earning two Olympic gold medals, recovering from an Achilles injury, being a father, coaching girls’ basketball, and winning an Academy Award.
Spanning nearly 130 minutes, the docuseries takes a comprehensive look at the key themes that defined Kobe Bryant’s life.
When Does the New Kobe Bryant Documentary Air?
The three-part series will be broadcast on Saturday, February 1, and February 8.
How to Watch the New Kobe Bryant Documentary
The docuseries “Kobe: The Making of a Legend” will be available on CNN. The first part airs Saturday at 9 p.m. ET. The second part follows on February 1 at 9 p.m. ET and the finale will be shown on February 8 at 9 p.m. ET.
How to Stream the New Kobe Bryant Documentary
Viewers can stream the series on cnn.com and through the network’s mobile app.
What is the Duration of the New Kobe Bryant Documentary?
The documentary is presented in three segments, each lasting about 45 minutes.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt
