Rare Kobe Bryant Commercial From 90s That Modern NBA Fans Might Find Cheesy

In 1998, Nintendo published “Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside”. It was a simulation game meant for the Nintendo 64, and five-on-five gameplay, and three modes. The game was even followed by a sequel called “NBA Courtside 2: Featuring Kobe Bryant”. While the game followed the rosters for that particular 1997-98 season, a recently shared YouTube commercial about the game is what sets it apart.

Today, games are as advanced as they can come, something new launching every day. Their advertisements are excessive, the game being unveiled and released in fancy events. Back then, though, the advertisements were simple, and in today’s world – maybe a little cheesy.

Was Kobe Bryant’s 1998 advertisement cheesy?

While Bryant’s rookie year with the Lakers was not what he expected, he picked himself up during the second season. The late NBA legend was a part of the above-mentioned game, and also its sequel.

Of course, the then-young Bryant (also with a mop of hair on his head), was a part of an advertisement. It is in a form of a talk show, where the show’s hosts points at Bryant on the screen, comparing him to the real Bryant. “Unbelievable game against the Knicks last night,” said the host.

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While the Lakers star tries to say that they did not play the Knicks at all, the host continues to compliment fake Bryant’s dunk as if it was the real Bryant. “That’s a nice move. That’s not me, though,” Bryant added, trying to be calm as the host hyped himself.

“Let’s have a moment of silence for the defence,” the host says as the commercial ends. The actual “Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside” is introduced within the segment, the game’s specification. “All the moves, all the action, all the NBA you can jam in a game,” they said.

Even if those videos could be considered cheesy and old-fashioned, the games and memories are worth a lot more.

Bryant averaged 15.4 points per game in the 1997-98 season. The game itself has rosters from the season, trying to make players as happy as they can.

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