1. Basketball: A Love Story
We understand the concept of recency bias here at Basketball Pantheon and yet we have a documentary released just last fall at the top of our list. Dan Klores’ sprawling, 14-hour film covers the entire history of the pro game in America and abroad. We wrote about this doc in more detail a few months ago but just know, this is a must watch for basketball fans that has somehow gone under the radar.
We understand the concept of recency bias here at Basketball Pantheon and yet we have a documentary released just last fall at the top of our list. Dan Klores’ sprawling, 14-hour film covers the entire history of the pro game in America and abroad. We wrote about this doc in more detail a few months ago but just know, this is a must watch for basketball fans that has somehow gone under the radar.
2. Hoop Dreams
This nearly 3-hour documentary has gone down in history as one of the all-time greats. It was nominated for an Oscar for Best Film Editing and made over 11 millions dollars worldwide. Released in 1994 and directed by Steve James, “Hoop Dreams” expertly told the story of William Gates and Arthur Agee, two high school basketball stars who were recruited to play at St. Joseph High School in Illinois. The doc explores the two boys’ trials of being in a totally new environment and also touches on huge topics such as race and economic disparity in America.
This nearly 3-hour documentary has gone down in history as one of the all-time greats. It was nominated for an Oscar for Best Film Editing and made over 11 millions dollars worldwide. Released in 1994 and directed by Steve James, “Hoop Dreams” expertly told the story of William Gates and Arthur Agee, two high school basketball stars who were recruited to play at St. Joseph High School in Illinois. The doc explores the two boys’ trials of being in a totally new environment and also touches on huge topics such as race and economic disparity in America.
3. Black Magic
In 2008, before 30 for 30, ESPN Films released “Black Magic”, a two-part masterpiece from Dan Klores. The doc covers basketball during the Civil Rights-era by examining the pioneers and legends that played at historically black colleges and universities. Although nearly four hours in length, this is a fascinating watch that educates, entertains and outrages. This is a must watch for anyone who wants to learn more about a severely underpublicized period in the games history.
In 2008, before 30 for 30, ESPN Films released “Black Magic”, a two-part masterpiece from Dan Klores. The doc covers basketball during the Civil Rights-era by examining the pioneers and legends that played at historically black colleges and universities. Although nearly four hours in length, this is a fascinating watch that educates, entertains and outrages. This is a must watch for anyone who wants to learn more about a severely underpublicized period in the games history.
4. Magic and Bird: A Courtship of Rivals
There was always bound to be a documentary about the great 80’s rivalry between Magic and Bird, but HBO took it to the next level. This doc takes in an in depth look at both players’ careers, how they intersected and changed the game forever. I’m brought to tears by the end every time I watch this wonderfully constructed display of two immortal players.
There was always bound to be a documentary about the great 80’s rivalry between Magic and Bird, but HBO took it to the next level. This doc takes in an in depth look at both players’ careers, how they intersected and changed the game forever. I’m brought to tears by the end every time I watch this wonderfully constructed display of two immortal players.
5. Once Brothers
From 1986 to 1990, Vlade Divac and Drazen Petrovic, both international stars, lead the Yugoslavian national team to pure dominance. War between all of Yugoslavia’s states divided everything, including the basketball team. This is one of the original 30 for 30 docs, released back in 2010, claiming critical status. As a viewer, you learn plenty about the lost treasure, Petrovic, who passed away in 1993 while the war was still going on. There’s also plenty to learn about the devastation that took place in Yugoslavia, something we don’t see enough of in our history books. This is a must see, with Vlade narrating throughout the whole doc, and tons of interviews by folks who knew or played with Drazen before his passing.
From 1986 to 1990, Vlade Divac and Drazen Petrovic, both international stars, lead the Yugoslavian national team to pure dominance. War between all of Yugoslavia’s states divided everything, including the basketball team. This is one of the original 30 for 30 docs, released back in 2010, claiming critical status. As a viewer, you learn plenty about the lost treasure, Petrovic, who passed away in 1993 while the war was still going on. There’s also plenty to learn about the devastation that took place in Yugoslavia, something we don’t see enough of in our history books. This is a must see, with Vlade narrating throughout the whole doc, and tons of interviews by folks who knew or played with Drazen before his passing.
6. Through the Fire
This story, directed by Jonathan Hock and Alistair Christopher, feels like a 30 for 30 before they were even invented. Over the course of 100 minutes, the documentary explores the chaotic life of high school phenom, Sebastian Telfair. The film showcases what it is like to be a famous NYC high school point guard, what it is like to get recruited and then ultimately what it is like to be drafted into the NBA. This documentary has held up extremely well and fully deserves its lofty place on this list.
This story, directed by Jonathan Hock and Alistair Christopher, feels like a 30 for 30 before they were even invented. Over the course of 100 minutes, the documentary explores the chaotic life of high school phenom, Sebastian Telfair. The film showcases what it is like to be a famous NYC high school point guard, what it is like to get recruited and then ultimately what it is like to be drafted into the NBA. This documentary has held up extremely well and fully deserves its lofty place on this list.
7. Dream Team
Around the 20th anniversary of when the legendary “Dream Team” played their first game, NBATV released an excellent documentary chronicling the team’s days in Barcelona and beyond. The footage, especially that of their practices, is amazing and they got everyone to talk. Jack McCallum wrote a book in 2012 by the same title, which acts as a companion piece that only provides more detail to this superstar squad.
Around the 20th anniversary of when the legendary “Dream Team” played their first game, NBATV released an excellent documentary chronicling the team’s days in Barcelona and beyond. The footage, especially that of their practices, is amazing and they got everyone to talk. Jack McCallum wrote a book in 2012 by the same title, which acts as a companion piece that only provides more detail to this superstar squad.
8. Gunnin' for That #1 Spot
The Elite 24 game is an annual game that showcases the best high school basketball talent. The thing that makes this one different is that it is played outside, and this doc follows eight players’ journeys to the big game at Rucker Park. Beastie Boys member, Adam Yauch, shows a different side of basketball with a different kind of tempo. Three years after this documentary, Yauch passed away, but he definitely left his imprint on basketball with this.
The Elite 24 game is an annual game that showcases the best high school basketball talent. The thing that makes this one different is that it is played outside, and this doc follows eight players’ journeys to the big game at Rucker Park. Beastie Boys member, Adam Yauch, shows a different side of basketball with a different kind of tempo. Three years after this documentary, Yauch passed away, but he definitely left his imprint on basketball with this.
9. The Announcement
In 1991, the reigning NBA MVP, Magic Johnson, was forced to retire due to his contraction of HIV. It was a moment that rocked the sports world and essentially ended the career of one of the greatest players of all-time. Directed by Nelson George, this 30 for 30 is equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring.
In 1991, the reigning NBA MVP, Magic Johnson, was forced to retire due to his contraction of HIV. It was a moment that rocked the sports world and essentially ended the career of one of the greatest players of all-time. Directed by Nelson George, this 30 for 30 is equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring.
10. The Other Dream Team
We are all familiar with the United States Dream Team that dominated the ‘92 Olympics in Barcelona, but this documentary focuses on a different team that competed in the same competition. Lithuania was in the middle of being reborn as a nation in the early nineties, still battling to get the recognition that they deserved. In the ‘92 Bronze Medal game, Lithuania went up against the Unified Team, a team comprised of players from the post-Soviet states. Arvydas Sabonis and Sarunas Marciulionis lead their nation to the most meaningful win in its history, consistently rocking Grateful Dead inspired tees along the way.
We are all familiar with the United States Dream Team that dominated the ‘92 Olympics in Barcelona, but this documentary focuses on a different team that competed in the same competition. Lithuania was in the middle of being reborn as a nation in the early nineties, still battling to get the recognition that they deserved. In the ‘92 Bronze Medal game, Lithuania went up against the Unified Team, a team comprised of players from the post-Soviet states. Arvydas Sabonis and Sarunas Marciulionis lead their nation to the most meaningful win in its history, consistently rocking Grateful Dead inspired tees along the way.