Q&A with Spike Lee on new Kobe documentary

On April 25, 2008 ESPN Films teamed up with legendary director Spike Lee to create an intimate portrait of one of the NBA's greatest players, Kobe Bryant in the film Kobe Doin' Work. Lee and ESPN Films take us on a journey behind the scenes and on the court of Kobe's professional life. The film gives the fan unprecedented access to every move of this phenomenal athlete. Kobe Doin' Work also gives an unfiltered real-time look at the game, with a no-holds-barred running commentary by KB24 himself.

Kobe Doin' Work will be televised commercial free on Saturday, May 16, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN HD

NBA.com got to do some work and sat down with Lee to talk about his experience making the film.

NBA.com: You filmed the movie April 25, 2008 in L.A. against the Spurs, but you got the commentary from Kobe on Feb. 2, 2009. The same night Kobe dropped 61 points at Madison Square Garden. Was the plan always for Kobe to do commentary coming off of a big win?

Spike Lee: We always had the idea for the running narration from the beginning. But the problem was working on Kobe's schedule. I was in L.A. several times doing other stuff but he was too busy. And as you know West Coast teams only come to New York once a year and the Lakers were coming to The Garden the night after the Super Bowl. So Kobe said let's do it after the game.

And I was skeptical because I knew he would be tired. But then it all worked out. That's the spirit of this film. We were trying to get him for months and when he finally does it, it's right after he drops 61.

NBA.com: Were you secretly rooting for the Knicks to win the night Kobe dropped 61?
Lee: Of course I wanted the Knicks to win. But like any true basketball fan I want to see the great stars. Like we loved MJ doing what he did at the Garden, but we also wanted the Knicks to win. So it was the same thing.

I know that if he had a terrible game the commentary would not have been the same. Guaranteed. But Kobe said he made a point to make sure not to lose the game or he would hear it from me.

In the commentary he actually told the assistant coach in the shootaround that morning he felt like he was going to score 50.

NBA.com: Why did you pick Kobe for this movie?
Lee: 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.

NBA.com: What surprised you the most about him during the filming?
Lee: What surprised me was, a lot of people have high basketball IQs but aren't really articulate about that knowledge. He was articulate.

I think in years to come high school coaches, college coaches, maybe some pro coaches will use this thing for their players. I really believe that.

NBA.com: Stories have surfaced that Kobe wasn't happy about the movie and wanted more creative input. Can you set the record straight on this?
Lee: That is so far from truth. Kobe loved it. If he didn't like it he wouldn't have sat during the commentary. He said several times how much fun it was just doing it.

NBA.com: Then why do you think these stories surfaced?
Lee: Who knows where that stuff comes from. It's not my concern. People for whatever reason are trying to poison the well. There's no story there.

NBA.com: Because of your passion for basketball, is this a film that only Spike Lee could have done?
Lee: The only reason why Phil Jackson, Kobe and Dr. [Jerry] Buss gave me access is because I love the game, I have a great knowledge and I know what I'm talking about. If Joe Blow off the corner came to them and he's never been a well-known filmmaker it would have been hard. Because they are not going to trust someone who doesn't know anything about the game. You have to have some credibility.

NBA.com: What did you have the most fun with while filming?
Lee: The whole thing was fun. What was really interesting is that these guys are professionals, so even though we had cameras in the locker room before, during and after the game the players didn't care. We might as well have been flies on the wall. Coach Phil Jackson and the players were doing what they do for every game. And that's what we were worried they wouldn't do. They were not self aware of the camera at all.

NBA.com: The movie is really about the X's and O's of the game and appeals to many hardcore fans. Any concerns about it being inaccessible to casual fans?
Lee: I'm a professor at NYU and I showed the film to my students and only a few know anything about basketball. I don't think you have to be a basketball head to enjoy this film.

Like Kobe's explanation of the triangle, that was the first time I understood what it was. And I know the game. But I never understood it until he broke it down.

NBA.com: Who do you think will win the NBA championship?
Lee: As long as it's not the Celtics I'm happy. I'd like to see a Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers Finals. I want to see LeBron against Kobe.

But I think that's everybody's hope, if you don't live in those other cities like Houston Boston, Orlando ... I know I'm leaving out a team, oh yeah, Atlanta.

This Artest-Kobe thing is going to escalate. Artest is from Queens, New York and he's crazy. I love my brother but the brother's off and it's going to get more escalated.

I saw the clip on SportsCenter when he got all in Kobe's mug. Kobe just put his hands up and said get away from me. It's going to be hard to get up under Kobe's skin. That's not going to work.

And Kobe still gave them 40.