Kobe Bryant to Be Featured in Showtime Documentary Released This Fall

Believe it or not, there will be a time when Kobe Bryant is forced to do something else besides play basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers. Fans may soon get a peak at what that life without hoops would look like for the superstar.

Kobe Team provides a trailer for the documentary:

A report by The Associated Press, via ESPN.com, provided some of the details:

"Bryant gives a peek into his life in a Showtime documentary airing in November. 'Kobe Bryant's Muse' covers much of last season, when Bryant was sidelined and the Lakers finished 27-55, the most losses in club history."

Richard Shotwell/Associated Press

The first thing that jumps out about this news is the timing of the documentary. Bryant has always been known as a hyper-competitive player, and the past season had to be particularly difficult on him. Not only did the Lakers struggle, but there was nothing he could do about it on the sidelines with injury.

An inside perspective at Bryant’s thoughts during the time of adversity would certainly be interesting to basketball fans everywhere.

The fact that Bryant took the time to be featured in this documentary also raises questions about his future. He will be 36 years old this season and is under contract for two more years. Perhaps something like this will kick-start a career in the media one day?

The star discussed his future after basketball at the summer TV critics’ meeting, according to The Associated Press, via ESPN.com: “I'm afraid, too. You really have to lean on muses and mentors going forward, just as I did as a kid. It's about having that next wave of things, which is scary as hell, but it's fun at the same time.”

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

This won’t be the first time Bryant was featured in a documentary. He was the focal point of a 2009 ESPN documentary that was directed by Spike Lee and titled Kobe Doin’ Work.

However, this new film, in which Bryant receives a vanity credit as an executive producer, will reportedly include appearances by Magic Johnson and Phil Jackson.

As interesting of a subject as Bryant is for documentaries, basketball fans would probably rather see him healthy and on the court during the upcoming 2014-15 season. This Showtime feature will have to hold them over until then.