Basketball Dominance on Netflix
As the NBA playoffs heat up, basketball-themed documentaries are surging in popularity on Netflix. Leading the pack are the Untold series installments, which dive into some of the most compelling narratives in league history.
Untold: Jail Blazers offers an inside look at the infamous Portland Trail Blazers of the early 2000s. Known for off-court legal troubles, the documentary features candid interviews with players like Rasheed Wallace and Damon Stoudamire, as they navigate the transition from fan favorites to public scrutiny. Another must-watch is Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom, which chronicles the rapid ascent and difficult struggles of the two-time NBA champion.
Legends and Underdogs
Beyond the hardwood, Netflix offers a variety of films exploring different facets of global sports culture:
- Koshien: Japan’s Field of Dreams: A fascinating look at the high-stakes world of Japanese high school baseball.
- Muscles and Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators: A nostalgic deep dive into the extreme athletic competition that captured 90s television audiences.
- Miracle: The Boys of ’80: A timely exploration of the iconic Team USA hockey victory, featuring firsthand accounts from the players who achieved the impossible.
- Elway: An intimate portrait of NFL icon John Elway, detailing his path to becoming a five-time Super Bowl quarterback and the personal costs of his competitive drive.
Shocking Stories and Controversies
Sports history is often marked by drama that transcends the playing field. These documentaries capture the most intense moments:
«No matter what Manti Teʻo does in his post-football life, he’ll always be overshadowed by the story about his fake girlfriend.»
In Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist, the bizarre catfishing scandal involving college star Manti Teʻo is re-examined. Similarly, Untold: Shooting Guards revisits the shocking 2009 locker room standoff between Washington Wizards teammates Javaris Crittenton and Gilbert Arenas.
Iconic Franchises and Rivalries
For fans of team history, several films provide deep dives into the dynasties that defined eras:
- America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys: An exploration of the Jerry Jones era and the 1990s Dallas Cowboys.
- Who Killed the Montreal Expos?: Investigates the tragic decline of one of baseball's most promising teams.
- Celtics/Lakers: The Best of Enemies: Narrated by Donnie Wahlberg and Ice Cube, this series explores the legendary rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.
- The Last Dance: The definitive chronicle of Michael Jordan and the 90s Chicago Bulls dynasty.
Global Icons and Short-Lived Leagues
The collection is rounded out by features on international legends like Pelé, which highlights his transcendence beyond soccer, and This Magic Moment, which examines the short-lived but electric partnership between Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway in Orlando. Finally, This Was the XFL tells the story of the ambitious, yet failed, attempt to shake up the professional football landscape in 2001.