Coach Huber | April 7, 2016
Blog – 15
The Best Basketball Documentaries
Last year I did a blog on the best basketball movies. This time around I am going to give some suggestions for the best basketball documentaries. I hope you can watch and enjoy!
- Hoop Dreams – the best basketball documentary. This film follows two high profile high school basketball players from the time they are 8th graders through their high school career. Even though it was filmed in the early 1990’s, it still stands up today because of its honesty and the depth with which it explores the trials and tribulations of the young men it follows.
- The Street Stops Here – a great documentary that follows St. Anthony High School and their legendary coach Bob Hurley through their 2010 season. The film presents a detailed pictures of the challenges St. Anthony faces as well as the importance of basketball and Coach Hurley to the school and community.
- More Than A Game – this documentary looks back on Lebron James prep career and the relationships he shares with his high school teammates. For those who only know Lebron as a pro, this film gives some insight into his upbringing and the cult of celebrity that has surrounded him since the age of 14.
- Once Brothers – This 30 for 30 profiles the relationship between two Yugoslavians, Drazen Petrovic and Vlade Divac. The two, who were once best friends, saw their relationship torn apart by the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s. The story is sad, but tells an important story that should be known.
- Unguarded – the story of Chris Herren, one time NBA player who ended up as a junkie on the street. This story has a happier ending as he has pulled himself back together and now works with children to try and prevent them from following in his footsteps. A really powerful story of the highs and lows that can accompany fame and addiction.
- Magic and Bird – A Courtship of Rivals – an HBO documentary about the two men who saved the NBA and the relationship that they developed. They started a rivals both on and off the floor but over time realized they had much more in common and developed a friendship that has stood the test of time.
- The Fab Five – another 30 for 30 about the team that really changed college basketball. The Fab Five brought a swagger to Michigan and are known for bringing in the baggy shorts that became a staple of basketball. Even though they never won a national championship their impact on college basketball cannot be overstated.
- Black Magic – an ESPN film on college basketball at historically black colleges during the Civil Right Era. This film talks about some lesser known but great players who may be overlooked historically but were incredibly talented. It also talks about the struggles faced by black players during this time period.
- Muse/The Perfect Shot – these documentaries focuses on Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki. They show the work that each man has put into becoming a hall of fame player. Each is fanatical in their attention to detail and this allows the viewer to go behind the scenes and see the specific tricks of the trade they use.
- 1984 Draft – this NBA TV documentary tells the stories of the men drafted in the historic 1984 draft. While some of the story lines are well known (Bowie over Jordan), others are lesser known (the story of Dan Trant) but still captivating.