We all remember where we were when Kobe Bryant died in 2020. It was the kind of shocking news that stays in your memory forever. Since then, we’ve heard numerous stories about him on and off the basketball court. If you’re a Kobe fan interested in all aspects of his life, director Jerry Bembry has a documentary for you.
Eight on Eight features eight regular people talking about Bryant’s impact on their lives. These accounts are personal interactions with the NBA Hall of Famer and how he inspired them. This film is from Andscape, the Black content studio from Disney and ESPN, and is based on Bembry’s 2021 long-form piece Eight on Eight: A collection of stories of Kobe Bryant’s impact on everyday people.
Kobe Bryant connected with many people who never met him because of his greatness, his playing style, and his frequent appearances in the NBA Finals. He was the closest thing to Michael Jordan. In Eight on Eight, these stories come from people who met Bryant and witnessed acts of generosity and kindness. Many pro athletes attach themselves to charities and do other good work. Bembry highlights instances where Bryant went above and beyond and often did it without television cameras.
With celebrities, especially in sports, the challenge is to find something different when making a documentary. Bryant has been famous since he was a teen. Every move he made was documented after jumping from high school to the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers acquired him in a 1996 draft-night swap by Jerry West, one of the most influential deals in league history. Bembry has unearthed examples of Bryant actively being receptive to bonding with people outside his sphere of fame. That’s what makes this feature different and insightful.
Cabral “Cabbie” Richards is one of the most interesting individuals in Eight on Eight. The Toronto sports broadcasting personality is known for his irreverent, funny interviews. One of his favorite people to talk to was Kobe. In the documentary, Richards credits him for helping establish his career. The clips are fun, and his appreciation of Bryant comes across. Eight on Eight does take an eerie, sad turn when Richards talks about flying in Bryant’s helicopter. Considering that Bryant was one of nine people who died in that fatal crash, that scene is difficult to watch.
Another story that stands out is Bryant’s secret visit to see a terminally ill 5-year-old boy named Kobe. That story is told from the perspective of a Phoenix hospital staff member. Kristen O’Connor Hecht hoped she could get an autograph to give the boy. Bryant did more than that. He met with the child and spent an hour with him and the family. The only thing Kobe Bryant asked for in return was no media. A week later, the boy, who had a heart defect, passed away. This story didn’t come to light until after Bryant’s death.
“I think what Kobe Bryant did for young Kobe in that moment, being able to play basketball with your hero, with your mom’s hero, if only for an hour of his life, he could be a normal kid,” Hecht said.
Bembry succeeds in Eight on Eight by showing us a different side of Bryant. As a player, he was known for his competitiveness. As a retired player, he displayed a warmer image and was known for supporting many things, including women’s basketball. There are so many stories about Bryant. Bembry has collected some that reveal a little about Kobe Bryant, the person.
Eight on Eight is available to stream on ESPN+.