Netflix’s The Heart of Black Mamba Premieres in 2025 — A Must-See for Lakers and Kobe Bryant Fans!
Netflix has announced the upcoming release of The Heart of Black Mamba: A Journey Through The NBA, set to premiere in 2025. This highly anticipated documentary takes an in-depth look at the Los Angeles Lakers’ unforgettable 2016 season, spotlighting the leadership and lasting legacy of the late Kobe Bryant.
Though 2016 marked Kobe’s farewell year in the NBA, his impact on the Lakers and the game of basketball was undeniable. The film promises rare, never-before-seen footage, emotional behind-the-scenes moments, and exclusive interviews with Kobe’s teammates, coaches, and close friends. Fans will get a raw, intimate look at the mindset and work ethic that solidified Bryant as one of the game’s greatest.
What to Expect:
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Exclusive Footage: Unseen clips from Kobe’s final season, including locker room moments and intense training sessions.
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Lakers’ 2016 Season: A deep dive into the team’s emotional journey through a challenging and historic year.
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Interviews: Candid reflections from former players, coaches, and NBA legends about Kobe’s influence and leadership.
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Mamba Mentality: A powerful showcase of Bryant’s relentless drive, inspiring future generations of athletes.
More than just a documentary, The Heart of Black Mamba serves as a heartfelt tribute to Kobe Bryant’s remarkable career and enduring legacy. For Lakers fans and basketball lovers alike, this is a must-watch.
Save the date for 2025 and prepare to relive a historic chapter of NBA history with Netflix’s latest feature!
The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Brooklyn Nets on the road Monday night, losing 111-108. Without LeBron James in the lineup, the Lakers couldn’t do enough to secure the win. The loss dropped their record to 40-23, and while they remain one of the league’s hottest teams, this was a disappointing defeat against a team they were expected to beat. Meanwhile, the Nets improved to 22-42 with the victory.
The Lakers struggled across the board, though Gabe Vincent stood out with 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting. However, Luka Dončić had an inefficient night, finishing with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists but shooting just 8-of-26 from the field and 3-of-10 from beyond the arc.
Los Angeles typically looks to Austin Reaves to step up in James’ absence, but he also had a rough night. While he contributed 17 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds, he struggled with his shot, going just 3-of-14 from the floor and 1-of-5 from three. After the game, Reaves acknowledged his poor performance, stating, When Bron’s out, I gotta be better, and I wasn’t.”
Every player and team has off nights, but Reaves understands his role. Expect him to play with extra motivation when the Lakers face the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
San Antonio Spurs De’Aaron Fox Makes Los Angeles Lakers Announcement
Before the 2025 NBA trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers spent the entire offseason, preseason, and regular season searching for an upgrade at center. It was their most glaring weakness, with former franchise star Anthony Davis openly and privately requesting reinforcements.
However, the player LeBron James personally wanted the Lakers to sign in free agency—Jonas Valanciunas—slipped through
their grasp both in the offseason and at the trade deadline. At 32, Valanciunas is one of the most productive non-All-Star centers in the league, known for his double-double consistency, polished post moves, and underrated playmaking. For 13 seasons, he has been a reliable offensive weapon.
After failing to land him, the Lakers had to watch as the rival Sacramento Kings took advantage of the opportunity and secured Valanciunas.
Los Angeles momentarily seemed to address its center concerns by negotiating a trade for Mark Williams, but the deal fell apart at the last minute. While that may shield the front office from criticism, it remains clear that they were aware of their need for frontcourt depth for months.
The Lakers have managed to succeed without him, but seeing Valanciunas excel in Sacramento raises the question of what could have been.
Jonas Valanciunas Making an Impact with the Kings
Since joining Sacramento, Valanciunas has played in 13 games, averaging 10.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 offensive boards, 2.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks in just 20.6 minutes per game. Per 36 minutes, his production jumps to 17.9 points, 14.2 rebounds, 4.6 offensive boards, 4.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks.
For context, those per-36 numbers would place him fourth on the Lakers in points, assists, and steals, first in rebounds and offensive boards, and second in blocks.
Adding to the frustration, Valanciunas has continued to improve since arriving in Sacramento. Since February 24, he has averaged 13.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.0 offensive boards, 3.7 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. During that span, the Kings have gone 5-2, and Valanciunas has recorded at least 12 rebounds and six assists in each of the last three games.
While it’s possible he wouldn’t have meshed perfectly in Los Angeles, it’s hard not to think his rebounding, passing, and scoring could have complemented defensive-minded big man Jaxson Hayes well.
Despite their strong record since January 15, the Lakers still struggle in key areas. They rank last in the NBA in bench points per game, 20th in second-chance points allowed, and 26th in second-chance points scored—areas where Valanciunas could have made a difference.
Instead, Los Angeles must push forward for the final stretch of the season while a key division rival benefits from the very player they once pursued.
Austin Reaves gives a harsh message following the Lakers’ third consecutive loss.
Austin Reaves and the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 126-106 defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night at Fiserv Forum.
The Lakers were led by Luka Dončić, who matched his season-high with 45 points on 51.9% shooting, including seven three-pointers. The five-time All-Star also became just the third player in Lakers history to record 45 points, 10 rebounds, and five threes in a single game, joining Kobe Bryant and LeBron James (via NBA).
Reaves, who recently returned from a strained calf that sidelined him for two games, has struggled since his comeback but found his rhythm against Milwaukee. The former undrafted guard from Oklahoma put up 28 points on 58.8% shooting, marking the first time he surpassed his season average of 18.8 points per game since Feb. 27.
After the loss, Reaves addressed the team’s struggles and what they need to focus on moving forward:
“Nobody feels sorry for us. Everybody’s gonna want to beat us by 30, so we gotta figure out a way to not let that happen and go compete and win games,” Reaves said. “We don’t really have room for error. We just gotta go play really good basketball games, and we just haven’t done that the last two or so games.”
Austin Reaves and the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 126-106 defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night at Fiserv Forum.
The Lakers were led by Luka Dončić, who matched his season-high with 45 points on 51.9% shooting, including seven three-pointers. The five-time All-Star also became just the third player in Lakers history to record 45 points, 10 rebounds, and five threes in a single game, joining Kobe Bryant and LeBron James (via NBA).
Reaves, who recently returned from a strained calf that sidelined him for two games, has struggled since his comeback but found his rhythm against Milwaukee. The former undrafted guard from Oklahoma put up 28 points on 58.8% shooting, marking the first time he surpassed his season average of 18.8 points per game since Feb. 27.
After the loss, Reaves addressed the team’s struggles and what they need to focus on moving forward:
“Nobody feels sorry for us. Everybody’s gonna want to beat us by 30, so we gotta figure out a way to not let that happen and go compete and win games,” Reaves said. “We don’t really have room for error. We just gotta go play really good basketball games, gand we just haven’t done that the last two or so games.”
Reaves has been having a breakout season, setting career highs in points (18.8), assists (5.9), and rebounds (4.3). The Arkansas native has taken on an increased role in scoring and playmaking, especially when Dončić and James are off the floor.
This loss marks the third consecutive defeat for the Lakers following an eight-game winning streak. LA continues to deal with injury setbacks, with three starters—LeBron James (left groin strain), Jaxson Hayes (right knee contusion), and Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy)—missing this matchup.
As injuries pile up, the Lakers have slipped in the Western Conference standings. Once holding the second seed, they are now tied for fourth with the Houston Rockets but remain just one game behind the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies for the second spot.
has been having a breakout season, setting career highs in points (18.8), assists (5.9), and rebounds (4.3). The Arkansas native has taken on an increased role in scoring and playmaking, especially when Dončić and James are off the floor.
Austin Reaves speaks about the spot the Lakers find themselves in, losers of three in a row, down three starters, and beginning a stretch of six games in eight days 0-1 after a blowout to the Bucks: “JJ [Redick] said when he walked in, ‘Everything was good a week ago’” pic.twitter.com/OTAf8A23l1
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 14, 2025
This loss marks the third consecutive defeat for the Lakers following an eight-game winning streak. LA continues to deal with injury setbacks, with three starters—LeBron James (left groin strain), Jaxson Hayes (right knee contusion), and Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy)—missing this matchup.
As injuries pile up, the Lakers have slipped in the Western Conference standings. Once holding the second seed, they are now tied for fourth with the Houston Rockets but remain just one game behind the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies for the second spot.
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