I just finished watching Spike Lee’s joint “Kobe Doin’ Work.” (I guess when Spike Lee does a movie it is called a “joint?”) It is a documentary about Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant. 

There is little question that Kobe Bryant is one of the most talented and intelligent players in NBA history. He is a no brainer, sure fire, first ballot Hall of Fame player. Spike Lee does a great job of showing Kobe’s athleticism and knowledge of the game while throwing in that Kobe speaks Italian fluently.

None of that was a surprise to me, but what was a surprise was the length that Spike Lee went to show Kobe Bryant as a leader. Lee showed Kobe encouraging players. He showed Kobe coaching players. 

It was interesting watching this, because for those that have followed Kobe Bryant’s career, even at a distance, know that his leadership ability has been questioned on several occasions.

Spike Lee did an honorable job of painting the picture of Kobe, the leader, but even with over thirty camera angles and out of this world cinematography, Spike Lee couldn’t hide Kobe’s teammates.

I once heard John Maxwell say, “If you want to know how strong a leader is, just look at the team around him.”

During the  movie I focused much of my attention on Kobe’s teammates. They apparently respect him, but their body language told me that Kobe Bryant isn’t a very strong leader. 

I consider Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson to be the best basketball players I have ever seen. Kobe Bryant shares much of the same skill sets that these men possessed, but they all had one thing that Kobe is missing, an uncanny leadership ability. When they spoke their teams hung on every word. At times watching MJ, Bird and Magic, even just as a fan, you could tell that they didn’t even have to speak, they could just give a look and their team knew exactly what was needed to be done. Mj, Bird and magic are elite. Kobe is great.

A world class documentary directed and produced by Spike Lee, that is aired Saturday night in primetime on ESPN, coupled with great marketing, will not make Kobe Bryant elite.

If Kobe Bryant can elevate his leadership skills to the level of his basketball skills, then Kobe will be elite.