We already knew that the Oscars were going to have a sociopolitical layer, and host Jimmy Kimmel wasted little time Sunday bringing up gender inequality, the #MeToo movement and disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein. As it turned out, the recent “shut up and dribble” episode between a pair of NBA stars and a Fox News host was also referenced during the Academy Awards — by Kobe Bryant, as the former Lakers great was making his acceptance remarks.
Bryant, along with animator Glen Keane, had just won the Oscar for best animated short film for “Dear Basketball,” the cinematic version of a love letter he wrote to the game.