Three possible subplots of a Kobe Bryant documentary

A Kobe Bryant documentary would have several subplots.

With this path blazed from “The Last Dance” documentary, combined with the untimely death of Kobe Bryant, many in the basketball universe are clamoring for a Kobe docuseries. The buzz for a possible Kobe Edition heightened, even more, when Laker legend Magic Johnson, during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, confirmed the existence of a Kobe Bryant docuseries project.

“That’s definitely going to happen,” Johnson said in the interview when asked if the project was a possibility. He went on to say “I think he was smart enough to have a camera follow him, document every movement. We’re going to see a lot of behind-the-scenes things on Kobe. He’ll probably let us into his world with his family.”

Although “The Last Dance” docuseries focused mainly on Michael Jordan, and his rise to unprecedented fame and fortune, it also offered many side storylines. From Scottie Pippen’s multiple tribulations to Dennis Rodman’s eccentric lifestyle and the origin story of one Steve Kerr.

It leaves many wondering, what could be some of the side stories explored when revisiting the journey of Kobe Bryant?

Kobe Bryant documentary subplot: Shaq

The first obvious pit stops the documentary could make would be to delve into the relationship between Shaq and Kobe, thus poking around into the story of Laker legend Shaquille O’Neal.  Possibly exploring exactly how Shaq became a Laker, and touching on his lightning rod departure from Orlando.

Which at the time was the biggest basketball news story out. It would also be appropriate to go into the infamous story told by Jerry West about when the then Lakers GM  used the prospect of drafting the young kid out of Philadelphia as apart of the negotiations that lured the big man out of Orlando to Los Angeles.

Kobe Bryant documentary subplot: Gary Vitti

Another possible subplot in a Kobe “The Last Dance”-like documentary would be an exploration into longtime Lakers’ head trainer Gary Vitti. The relationship between Vitti and Kob is well documented, but not much is widely known about the man by the side of Kobe Bryant during the entirety of his career.

Gary Vitti was there for every airball, every game-winning shot, in the locker room for every game, win or lose. Gary Vitti can speak to the moment Bryant tore his Achilles against Golden State back in 2013, signaling the beginning of the end for Kobe Bryant’s legendary career. Gary Vitti wasn’t necessarily a teammate but he has seen Kobe’s career play out in front of his eyes from start to finish.

Kobe Bryant documentary subplot: Pau Gasol

Along with Shaq, if there was another teammate that Kobe had during his career that deserved some dedicated doc-time it has to be the Spaniard Pau Gasol. There is no question that without the arrival of Pau Gasol on February 1st, 2008 Kobe Bryant would not have won his fourth and fifth championships.

Pau Gasol brought so much to those Lakers championship teams, but arguably most important is that he provided Kobe with a friend, and on and off the court. Pau and Kobe could be caught many times joking around with each other off-the-court in Spanish, and devising ways to pick apart the defense in Spanish on the court.

At times it even seemed that Pau could match Kobe’s famed intensity during the game action. Despite Pau’s notoriety among diehard hoop fans, I believe learning more about the man who acted as Kobe’s suped-up sidekick would be crucial to any Kobe film.

Honorable mentions:

There, of course, are many characters weaved into the fabric that is Kobe’s life and career as one of the greatest hoopers of all-time. This means there are many who also could be deserving of some film time. Those being the infamous candy-loving forward Lamar Odom, or loyal friend and staple point guard Derek Fisher.

Phil Jackson is also a worthy candidate and will have to be interviewed, but because of his large feature in the Jordan Documentary, I think he would take a backseat in the Kobe story. Rob Pelinka, the longtime agent turned best friend and Godfather to his daughters more than likely deserves some origin story love. But his role now as General Manager of the Lakers most likely means he’ll want to stick to the shadows.

If and when this documentary does find its way to our screens, best believe I will be front and center waiting to see how *insert filmmaker here* documents the life and playing career of Kobe Bean Bryant. All I hope is that whoever he or she chooses to feature, adds context, and brings new stories to the journey of the late Kobe Bryant.