By now, the story is well-known. A respected NBA superstar has his seemingly perfect life turned upside down after a woman accuses him of rape.

Kobe Bryant is living it.

Dale Davis could profit from it.

In a remarkable instance of life imitating art, NBA veteran Davis came up with the idea and used his own money to produce the movie "Playas Ball," a fictitious story that mirrors Bryant's sexual assault case.

The independent film wrapped up shooting in Los Angeles in February ? five months before the Laker guard was charged with felony sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman in Colorado.

It wasn't long after Bryant's arrest became national news that the makers of "Playas Ball" realized its uncanny connection to their project.

"I was just amazed," said Jennifer Harper, the film's writer and director. "We were calling each other like, 'Can you believe the timing of this?' "

Even more extraordinary, Harper said Bryant was the model for the lead character, played by actor Allen Payne.

"In rehearsals, Allen Payne asked, 'What athlete is this based on?' " Harper said. "I said, 'Just think of Kobe Bryant. He's loved by everybody. He has all the endorsements. That's who this character is.' "

The similarities between "Playas Ball" and Bryant's case could prove advantageous for the movie, which recently completed post-production work but has yet to find a buyer for distribution.

Davis is said to be entertaining offers and intends to have the film sold before he returns to the Portland Trail Blazers to start his 13th season.