Kristian Ferrell
Kobe Bryant's 'Dear Basketball' is a love letter to the sport that made him a legend. The 2017 Oscar-winning short film is based on a poem and letter Bryant wrote for The Players' Tribune in 2015, announcing his retirement from basketball. The film, which Bryant wrote, directed and narrated, reflects on his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA, his childhood dreams, and his passion for the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Dear Basketball |
| Author | Kobe Bryant |
| Format | Poem |
| Date | 29 November 2015 |
| Publication | The Players' Tribune |
| Film Adaptation | Yes |
| Film Release Date | 2017 |
| Film Duration | Not found |
| Film Director | Glen Keane |
| Film Animator | Glen Keane |
| Film Music | John Williams |
| Film Narrator | Kobe Bryant |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, Annie Award for Best Animated Short Subject, Sports Emmy Award |
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What You'll Learn
'Dear Basketball' is a short film
Dear Basketball is a short film written, directed, and narrated by Kobe Bryant, with music by John Williams and animation by Glen Keane. The film is based on a letter Bryant wrote for The Players' Tribune in 2015, announcing his retirement from basketball.
The film depicts Bryant's love for the game, which began in his childhood when he would roll up his father's tube socks and shoot imaginary game-winning shots. He describes how this love inspired him to give his all to the game, playing with heart, mind, body, spirit, and soul. The film also touches on Bryant's iconic buzzer-beater shots and his achievement of winning games for the Los Angeles Lakers.
As Bryant's final farewell to the sport, Dear Basketball also acknowledges the physical toll of his career, including his Achilles heel injury in 2013, which signalled the end of his time in the NBA was approaching. The film ends with Bryant reflecting on his childhood dreams and accepting that it is time to move on from basketball, stating that no matter what he does next, he will always be that kid with the rolled-up socks and a ball in his hands.
The short film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards, marking the first Oscar win for a professional athlete and veteran animator Glen Keane. Bryant's production company, Granity Studios, also produced the film, showcasing his involvement in bringing his story to life on screen.
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Kobe Bryant wrote, directed, and narrated the film
The film starts with Bryant making a dunk as the game clock is running out, winning the game for the Los Angeles Lakers. He then says, "Dear Basketball", and reminisces about his childhood, rolling his father's tube socks and shooting imaginary game-winning shots. Bryant describes how his love for basketball inspired him to give his all, including his "mind, body, spirit, and soul".
As a six-year-old boy, Bryant writes, "I never saw the end of the tunnel / I only saw myself running out of one", capturing his dedication to the sport. He explains that due to his Achilles heel injury in 2013, he only has one more NBA season left in him. With a heavy heart, he comes to terms with his retirement, accepting that it's time to say goodbye to basketball.
Bryant's film "Dear Basketball" is a powerful tribute to the sport that gave him so much. It showcases his eloquent writing and storytelling abilities, as well as his passion for basketball. Through this film, Bryant broke stereotypes and expanded the notion of what athletes could achieve beyond their sport.
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The film is based on a letter announcing his retirement
The animated short film "Dear Basketball" is based on a letter written by Kobe Bryant announcing his retirement from the sport. The letter, addressed to the game of basketball itself, was first published on The Players' Tribune website on November 29, 2015. In the letter, Bryant reflects on his lifelong love for the game and announces that the 2015-2016 NBA season would be his last. He expresses his gratitude for the sport, stating that it has given him the most beautiful gift: the ability and opportunity to bring joy and inspiration to others.
The film, directed by Glen Keane and with music by John Williams, brings this letter to life. Through animation, it captures the essence of Bryant's words and pays tribute to his illustrious 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. The film showcases Bryant's journey, from a young boy dreaming of basketball glory to becoming one of the greatest players of all time. It highlights his dedication, passion, and the sheer amount of hard work he put into the game.
The letter and subsequent film were both deeply personal expressions of Kobe Bryant's relationship with the sport that defined much of his life. By announcing his retirement in such a heartfelt and poetic manner, Bryant offered fans a glimpse into his mindset and emotions as he prepared to leave the game he loved. The film "Dear Basketball" serves as a lasting tribute to Bryant's career and a reminder of the impact he had on the sport and its fans worldwide.
"Dear Basketball" runs for a total duration of 5 minutes and 20 seconds. While it may be short in length, the film packs an emotional punch and showcases the depth of Bryant's passion for the game. It is a testament to the impact that a well-crafted letter or animated film can have, even in a short time frame. The film's impact extends beyond its runtime, as it captures the culmination of Kobe Bryant's legendary career and the emotions of fans worldwide who grew up watching him play.
The film's narrative structure is built upon the foundation of the retirement letter, with each scene illustrating the key themes and moments mentioned in the letter. From the young Kobe practicing day and night to the adulation of fans and the weight of his legacy, every aspect of the film expands upon the words Kobe penned in his letter. This symbiotic relationship between the letter and the film elevates the impact of both, creating a powerful synergy that resonates with viewers and readers alike.
By bringing "Dear Basketball" to life through animation, Kobe Bryant not only shared his farewell to the game but also created a lasting legacy that continues to inspire athletes and fans even after his tragic passing in 2020. The film stands as a timeless tribute to one of basketball's greatest icons and a reminder that sometimes, the most profound messages can be conveyed in the simplest and most sincere forms.
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It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film
Kobe Bryant's 'Dear Basketball' is a 2017 short animated film that won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. The film is based on a letter Bryant wrote for The Players' Tribune in 2015, announcing his retirement from basketball.
In the film, Bryant narrates his love for the game, which began when he was a child, rolling his father's tube socks and shooting imaginary game-winning shots. He describes how his love for basketball inspired him to give his all – from his "mind, body, spirit and soul". Bryant's passion for the sport is evident as he reminisces about his iconic buzzer-beater shots and his dedication to the game.
The film also serves as a farewell to basketball as Bryant comes to terms with his retirement due to an Achilles heel injury. He accepts that his body can no longer handle the physical demands of the game, but he does so with a heavy heart, cherishing the precious time he has left with the sport.
'Dear Basketball' is a powerful and emotional tribute to Bryant's illustrious career in the NBA. It showcases his journey from a young boy with big dreams to becoming one of the greatest and most influential basketball players of all time. The film's Academy Award win further cements Bryant's legacy not only as an exceptional athlete but also as a storyteller and artist.
The Oscar win for 'Dear Basketball' was a significant milestone for Bryant and the sports community. It highlighted the impact that athletes can have beyond their respective fields and served as a testament to Bryant's versatility and creativity. This award also opened doors for athletes to be recognized and celebrated in the realm of filmmaking and storytelling, inspiring and encouraging others to explore their passions beyond sports.
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The film is a love letter to basketball
The Oscar-winning short film Dear Basketball is indeed a love letter to the sport that gave Kobe Bryant so much. The film is based on a letter Bryant wrote for The Players' Tribune on November 29, 2015, announcing his retirement from basketball.
The film starts with Bryant making a dunk as the game clock is running out, winning the game for the Los Angeles Lakers. He then says, "Dear Basketball", and reminisces about his childhood, rolling his father's tube socks and shooting imaginary game-winning shots in the Great Western Forum. He describes how his love for basketball inspired him to give everything from his "mind, body, spirit and soul".
Bryant explains that as a six-year-old boy, he never saw the end of the tunnel, only himself running out of one. Because of this, he always chose to play the game as well as he could. He ran up and down every court, after every loose ball, giving his all to the sport. He played through the sweat and hurt, not because the challenge called him, but because basketball called him.
He then explains that due to his Achilles heel injury from 2013, he has only one more NBA season left in him to dedicate to basketball. With a heavy heart, he comes to terms with this and accepts that he is ready to let go of basketball. He ends the film by claiming that no matter what he does next, he will always be that kid with the rolled-up socks, a garbage can in the corner, five seconds on the clock, and the ball in his hands.
Dear Basketball is a bittersweet piece of work, a deeply sad farewell to the sport that Bryant loved. It is a potent love letter to the titular sport that is even more poignant in the wake of Bryant's tragic death in 2020.
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Frequently asked questions
Dear Basketball is a 5-minute short film.
It is based on a letter Kobe Bryant wrote for The Players' Tribune on November 29, 2015, announcing his retirement from basketball. In the film, Bryant describes his love for the game, which began when he was a child, and accepts that it is time to retire due to his age and injuries.
Yes, Kobe Bryant won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards, becoming the first professional athlete and African-American to win in this category.
Dear Basketball was distributed online through go90.
Dear Basketball conveys the message of acceptance, sacrifice, and passion. It highlights the importance of dedication and making the most of the time we have.
