The top 10 best basketball documentaries every basketball fan needs to watch

Basketball is one of the most beloved sports in the world, filled with intense rivalries, electrifying performances and emotional moments for the fans. Documentaries highlight the best and worst moments for fans to be fully immersed in the life and growth of the athletes. Learn more about the best basketball documentaries of all time right here.

The films range from the life and career of legendary athletes to the growth of teams and their journey to significant victories. They inspire fans with passionate stories and behind-the-scenes action. Here are some of the best basketball movies and TV shows.

What are the top ten best basketball documentaries?

Basketball documentaries tell the best stories about the stars and the teams and their stories. Here are the best documentaries:

10. The Redeem Team

The documentary is about the journey of the United States National Basketball team towards achieving success in the Olympics after their humiliation in the 2004 Olympics. It was directed by star basketballers LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Jon Weinbach. LeBron, Wade, Pau Gasol, Carmelo and Boozer team up to tell stories of the great team and legendary star Kobe Bryant, cementing his legendary status.

9. Untold: Malice at the Palace

Directed by Floyd Russ, the 2021 documentary highlights one of the biggest brawls between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2004. The brawl changed the history of how fans and the players as some of the players and fans were involved in the fight. Ron Artest and Jermaine O'Neal give an insider perspective on how and why the fight occurred. It is one of the best documentaries on Netflix.

8. Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks

The film was released in 2010 and was directed by Dan Klores. It features the legendary Reggie Miller with his clutch performances and rivalry with Spike Lee. Winning time also highlights the rivalry between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks.

In this rivalry, Spike Lee and Reggie Miller rubbed shoulders, which led to Reggie putting up an excellent performance to ensure the Pacers beat the Knicks in seven games in the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals. The documentary has interviews with both basketball stars and their colleagues.

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7. Benji

Released in 2012, Benji is a film about Ben Wilson, a high school basketball prospect murdered in 1984. The movie was released in 2012 and directed by Coodie and Chike. Benji inspired many Chicago-based basketballers as it is a story that leaves many with thoughts of what could have been.

6. The Fab Five

The show is about the lives of Jalen Rose, Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson on their journey to make it big in college basketball. Released in 2011 and directed by Jason Hehir, the show features the five as the first-ever freshmen partnership to make it to the NCAA National Championship game. The five were also known for their unique fashion that set trends for other players.

5. More Than a Game

Directed solely by Kristopher Belman, the 2008 film featured LeBron James and four teammates from Akron, Ohio. It features the lives of LeBron, Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee and Romeo Travis as they try to make it in the basketball world. It gives the perspective of a teenager's life as they try to work their way up to their dreams.

4. Hoop Dreams

Many fans consider this one of the best basketball documentaries ever. It was released in 1994 and directed by Steve James. The film highlights the role race, education and class play in the development of basketball players.

Starring William Gates and Arthur Agee, the documentary is set up in low-income Chicago, where there are a lot of obstacles to overcome for the two to make it into the NBA. It is highly regarded as one of the best basketball movies and documentaries of all time.

3. Survive and Advance

Directed by Jonathan Hock, the film features the journey of the NC State Wolfpack to winning the NCAA Championship led by legendary coach Jimmy Valvano. In their quest to win the championship, they had to battle against teams with great names, such as Michael Jordan at UNC and Ralph Samson of the University of Virginia.

Their final game was against future NBA Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler in what was regarded as one of the best games ever.

2. Magic and Bird: A Courtship of Rivals

This is one of the best basketball documentaries on Amazon Prime and can also be found on YouTube. The rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in the 80s kept the NBA alive and later turned into an unbreakable friendship at the end of their careers.

Did Magic and Bird get along? The two began their rivalry back in the NCAA years and brought the NBA to life amid drug addiction elimination campaigns by David Stern. They became friends in 1987 after doing a commercial together. The documentary also has interviews with their coaches and teammates.

1. The Last Dance

Released in 2020 and directed by Jason Hehir, the docuseries features Michael Jordan and the successful Chicago Bulls era in their 1998 season, which was their last season together. The film amplifies Michael Jordan's mentality and proves why he is the best. Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen are an essential part of the ten-part series as crazy inside stories little known to most are unravelled. It is one of the best basketball documentaries on Netflix.

What are the greatest basketball movies of all time?

There have been many movies made and dedicated to basketball and its stars. Some of the best basketball movies of all time include, Like Mike, Coach Carter, Hoop Dreams, Love and Basketball, White Men Can't Jump and Uncut Gems.

What NBA player documentaries are coming out in 2023?

A documentary released in 2023 is Stephen Curry: Underrated, which examines one of the best basketballers' life and career. Another is Bill Russell: Legend, which focuses on the NBA star highlighting footage throughout his life.

Basketball documentaries highlight the life and careers of the best in the game while inspiring fans as they see their favourite players and teams' struggles to become successful. Most legends such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have documentaries honouring their success.

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