As one of the most popular professional sports leagues in the world, the NBA has captivated fans for decades. With a long and storied history filled with iconic players and incredible moments, there are an abundance of opportunities to explore the league’s past. From biographies to documentaries and everything in between, we’ve put together a list of the top 50 NBA documentaries that must be seen by any true NBA fan.
Featuring deep-dive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, these documentaries offer an up-close look at some of the biggest names, games, and stories in basketball history. From the Hall of Famers to the little-known moments that shaped the game, this article is sure to provide a unique and entertaining insight into the world of NBA basketball.
The Best of the Decade
The 2010s saw the release of some of the best NBA documentaries of all time. From the classic “Hoop Dreams” to the modern “The Last Dance,” basketball fans have been treated to some of the most memorable films about the game we love. The Last Dance, directed by Jason Hehiri, followed Michael Jordan and the Bulls through the 1997-1998 season, with never before seen footage and interviews from former teammates and rivals.
The movie was a hit and the demand for it was further boosted by the Coronavirus pandemic. Other documentaries of the decade include the biographical “Iverson” directed by Zatella Beatty, “The Other Dream Team” directed by Marius A. Markevicius, and “Shut Up and Dribble” which explored the social and political role NBA players have in larger society.
The decade also saw the release of documentaries about some of the greatest college basketball teams of all time. “More Than a Game” captures the highs and lows of Lebron James and his four teammates on their journey to stardom. Meanwhile, “Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks” follows the classic rivalry between Miller and the Knicks. The Redeem Team dives into the 2008 USA Olympic Team and their remarkable comeback from a disappointing 2004 campaign.
Finally, some of the best basketball documentaries of the decade are those that cover the lesser-known stories of the game. “Soul in the Hole” follows Booger Smith and his team “Kenny’s Kings” as they prepare for the “Soul in the Hole” tournament during the summer of 1994, with additional perspective from the players’ family and friends.
It was followed by the IMAX film “Michael Jordan – To the Max” which documented the former Chicago Bulls superstar’s 1998 final season. “Quantum Hoops” is a must-watch for basketball fans too young to remember the Bulls glory days, while “Doin’ It In The Park” captured the energy and creativity of pick-up basketball in New York City.
From the iconic “The Last Dance” to the lesser-known “Soul in the Hole,” these documentaries capture the spirit of the game and the stories of the people behind it. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a casual observer, these films are sure to leave you feeling inspired and connected to the game of basketball.
Classic Documentaries
Classic documentaries have stood the test of time and have become the gold standard for basketball documentaries.One of the most iconic films of all time is “Hoop Dreams”, a documentary about two high school basketball players and their dreams of making it to the NBA. The documentary covers race, class, and education in a captivating manner and follows William Gates and Arthur Agee from middle school to their senior year. The film also features never before seen footage of the 1979 NCAA National Championship game between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
“The Last Dance” is an ESPN 30 For 30 documentary that focuses on the Chicago Bulls and their drive to win a sixth championship in their final season. The documentary highlights the legendary rivalry between Michael Jordan and the Pistons and explores the NBA before Jordan. The film also looks at Magic Johnson and Larry Bird’s rivalry and how it propelled waning popularity and created a storied tradition in the game of basketball.
“The Fab Five” is another ESPN 30 For 30 documentary that tells the story of the five players (Jalen Rose, Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson, and Jimmy King) at Michigan that forever changed the NCAA. It was the first time that five starting freshmen made it to the national championship. The documentary also covers the life of Ben Wilson, the best high school basketball prospect of 1984 who tragically died before his senior year.
Lastly, “Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals”, is a documentary directed by Sports Emmy Award-winning directors Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine. The documentary explores the two of the most famous players to ever play the game and their feud, as well as how they helped bring the NBA back from the brink.
Documentaries About Teams
From the championship teams of the 1980s to the modern dynasties of today, documentaries about NBA teams provide an in-depth look at the history and culture of the sport. The Last Dance follows the journey of the 1997-1998 Chicago Bulls championship team, and “Magic and Bird: A Courtship of Rivals” focuses on the two rivals as they battle it out for the title. Documentaries about NBA teams also focus on the rise and fall of certain teams.
“Hoop Dreams” is a classic basketball documentary that follows the stories of two high school basketball players. It highlights the struggles they face while trying to make it in the world of college basketball. On the other side of the spectrum, “The Dream Team” takes a look at the 1992 Olympic Dream Team and their journey to becoming one of the most iconic teams of all time.
The documentaries also focus on the off-court issues of some of the NBA’s star players. For example, Reggie Miller vs. “The New York Knicks” follows the feud between Miller and Spike Lee, and Kenny’s Kings focuses on the off-court issues of Ed ‘Booger’ Smith, the star player of a Brooklyn team.
Documentaries About Players
This section looks at the documentaries about individual players and the unique stories they have to tell. From Michael Jordan and his career with the Chicago Bulls to Allen Iverson’s life story, these documentaries explore the paths taken by some of the greatest basketball players of all time. They cover the successes and failures of these athletes, as well as their personal struggles, and the relationships they have with their coaches, teammates, and family.
The documentaries of the players are not just about basketball. “Kobe Doin’ Work” gives an inside look at Kobe Bryant, mic’d up and followed by cameras during a game. Shut Up and Dribble looks at the double standards faced by prominent players, such as Larry Bird, during their heydays.
The documentaries about players also provide insight into the lives of lesser-known players. “Hoop Dreams” follows the story of two basketball players from the inner city of Chicago who commute over an hour each day to play basketball at a predominantly white school in the suburbs.
These documentaries about players provide a unique insight into the lives of some of the greatest basketball players of all time, and the coaches who helped them reach their goals. They demonstrate how hard work and dedication can lead to greatness both on and off the court, and offer inspiration to aspiring basketball players everywhere.
Documentaries About Coaches
Coaches have a huge impact on the game of basketball and their stories are just as important as the stories of the players.The best NBA coach documentaries demonstrate the importance of these individuals, while also exploring the journey of their teams. One of the most popular documentaries of all time is “The Last Dance”, which focuses on the story of Michael Jordan and the 1997-1998 Chicago Bulls. The documentary highlights the intense rivalry between the Bulls and the Detroit Pistons, as well as the conflicts between Jordan and head coach Phil Jackson. It also shows how the team achieved success despite the numerous obstacles they faced.
Another popular documentary is “The Playbook: A Coach’s Rules for Life”. This documentary follows Bob Hurley Jr., a legendary high school basketball coach from New Jersey. Through the monologue, the film warns high school kids at the Nike All-American Camp that the only reason they are there is to make the team win. The film also follows Hurley Jr.’s commitment to improving the lives of players at St Anthony’s and to giving them hope for the future.
The documentary “Kenny’s Kings” follows the journey of a high school basketball team who, with the leadership of their coach, Kenny Jones, are able to play at a higher level than expected. The film looks at the relationships between the players, their coach, and the community, and how they all come together to create a winning team. Additionally, the film also looks at the impact of the death of one of the players, Hank Gathers, and how it affects the team and their community.
Finally, the documentary “Gold Medal Journey” looks at the journey of the United States men’s national basketball team from an embarrassing loss in the 2004 Olympics to a gold medal in 2008. It explores how the players become athletes, form friendships, and face adversity together. It also examines the emotions of coach Kevin O’Connor, with his initial apprehension upon accepting the job, to his eventual joy as the team achieved success.
These documentaries about coaches provide a great insight into the game and the people who have shaped it. From Phil Jackson to Bob Hurley Jr. to Kenny Jones, these films offer a look into the minds and personalities of some of the most influential basketball coaches of all time.
Documentaries About Controversies
Controversy has been a part of the NBA since its inception and there have been many documentaries that have explored the various controversies that have surrounded the league.One of the most iconic documentaries is “Shut Up and Dribble,” a three-part series that highlights the struggles of black athletes in the NBA. The phrase, “Shut Up and Dribble”, was directed at Kevin Durant and LeBron James by a Fox News host, and the documentary series covers the risk black athletes faced when playing basketball at the time, as well as the progressive league led by the duo and other professional athletes.
“Doin’ It In The Park” is a documentary about the game of basketball and the culture surrounding it. The documentary highlights various pick up basketball courts and players, from NYC blacktop legends such as Pee Wee Kirkland, Fly Williams, and Corey “Homicide” Williams to middle school, high school, and college players. It also covers the best basketball prospect of the year, the National Championship, and the best basketball players of all time.
Documentaries About International Basketball
International basketball documentaries explore the impact of the game on a global scale, from the Dream Team’s introduction of the game to an international audience to the Lithuanian Basketball Team’s symbolization of Lithuania’s independence movement from the USSR. The Dream Team, the first USA team to feature professional players, won the gold medal at the 1992 Olympics, introducing the game of basketball to an international audience and solidifying the United States’ place as a superpower in the sport.
The power of basketball to bring people together has been documented in several films. Bobbito Garcia and Kevin Couliau’s movie “Doin’ It in the Park: Pick-Up Basketball” is a documentary that explores New York City’s summer pick-up basketball scene, covering the history, culture, and social impact of the game in the area.
The documentary “Shut Up and Dribble” follows the NBA’s evolution and highlights the influential NBA players and coaches that have shaped the game today. The documentary covers the Chicago Bulls, the New York Knicks, the Boston Celtics, the Indiana Pacers, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Detroit Pistons and features interviews from NBA legends such as Bill Russell, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Steve James, and Magic Johnson.
These documentaries provide an inspiring look at the power of basketball to bring people together and create a lasting legacy of success. Through these stories, viewers are able to gain insight into the lives of basketball players, coaches, and fans around the world and how their experiences have shaped the game of basketball.
Documentaries About Underdogs
Underdogs are a common theme in sports and basketball is no exception.This is reflected in the many documentaries about underdogs in the NBA. Hoop Dreams is one of the most famous of these documentaries and follows the story of two inner-city kids from Chicago who have dreams of becoming NBA stars.
“Iverson” is a biography of Allen Iverson and documents his rise to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time. “A Courtship of Rivals” provides an insightful look at two of the NBA’s biggest rivals, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
These documentaries about underdogs provide a unique perspective on the game of basketball and are sure to inspire viewers. They offer a glimpse into the personal lives of the players and coaches, as well as behind the scenes footage of iconic NBA moments. “Bad Boys”, an exploration of the Detroit Pistons’ Bad Boys era, is an entertaining look at the players and teams that shaped the NBA of the 1980s and 1990s. These documentaries are some of the best NBA documentaries of all time and provide a unique insight into the game and its people.
Summary
The last decade has seen the release of some of the greatest NBA and college basketball documentary films, from major titles like “The Last Dance” all the way to lesser-known indies like “Soul in the Hole.” These feature films have provided an insight into the lives of some of the most legendary players, teams, coaches, and controversies connected to the game. Whereas classic documentaries highlight moments that have gone down in history, those focusing on teams and players uncover the hard work and dedication needed to succeed both on and off the court.
Similarly, documentaries centered around famous coaches and controversies offer a unique look at how teams and people interact behind closed doors. What’s more, international and underdog-based films serve to inspire tales of ambition and passion within countries unfamiliar to most American viewers.
In summary, this article’s list of the 50 best basketball documentaries encompasses a broad range of titles covering many angles of the amazing world of professional basketball. From legendary stories to motivational accounts of underdogs and up-and-coming talent, sports fans are sure to find something new to explore with these thought-provoking titles.
