Kobe Bryant embedded a documentary film crew with the Los Angeles Lakers for his final season in 15-16, similar to the one that followed the Chicago Bulls in 97-98.

"They had unprecedented and, by far, greater access than anyone else ever," said John Black, who led the Lakers' public relations department for 27 years, last serving as vice president. "We certainly allowed them to do everything we could within what the league would allow, and sometimes, with a wink and look-the-other-way, allowed them even more."

The footage from Bryant's season has been in the editing stages for a potential documentary to be released years from now, according to sources. Bryant had seen the edited material and provided feedback in the months leading up to his death in January.

Bryant had sought control over the footage.

Former Lakers head athletic trainer Gary Vitti compared the situation to a "reality show" and said it was an uncomfortable arrangement at times.

"Everybody just sort of shook their head and, and said, 'Whatever, we got to do, we got to do,'" Vitti recalled. "'Let's just try to do it the best we can.'"

Bryant's crew was granted approval from the NBA to shoot footage.