With basketball being one of the most popular sports in the world and at the center of popular culture, it’s not surprising that the sport is associated with the biggest celebs, the hottest music, and the next business innovations constantly — and effortlessly, we might add.
All of these lead us to this question: How did the game even get to this point? To answer that question, years and years of individuals and major events is the answer. For a better understanding of basketball’s rise, we’ve rounded up some of the best hoops documentaries that show the impact of the game on and off the court. We love the state of basketball right now, and if you don’t agree with us, you will after watching these awesome sports films.
The Last Dance (2020)
Hoop Dreams (1994)
[Released in 1994 and directed by Steve James, Hoop Dreams follows the journey of two high-school students in Chicago — Williams Gates and Arthur Agee — who are striving to achieve a career in professional basketball. There are themes of race, class, education, and American culture. Famed critic Roger Ebert gave Hoop Dreams “two thumbs up” after its initial premiere, and in 2005, the documentary was a part of the 25 annual films added by the Library of Congress to the National Film Registry./dt_media]
Iverson tells the story of Allen Iverson’s rise from his impoverished hometown in Hampton, Virginia, to become the NBA’s biggest superstar. Everything from AI’s style of play to his fashion, to his swagger, has impacted the way the game is played today. Without him, the close-knit relationship between hip-hop culture and basketball would probably look completely different.
The Other Dream Team (2012)
Doin' It in the Park: Pick-Up Basketball, NYC (2012)
Benji (2012)
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