By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Business Insider/AP Photo
ESPN’s 30 for 30 is a tremendous documentary series about sports and the history behind some of the most epic, unforgettable events.
The 30 for 30 series is a masterclass in sports. Any sports fan who appreciates history will hold in high regard watching every episode. Basketball is one of the main sports 30 for 30 has covered in several episodes.
Let’s take a look at some of the top basketball stories to stream on ESPN’s 30 for 30.
The Fab 5
It is perhaps the greatest recruiting class of all time. Five freshmen players came to the University of Michigan and changed everything. The group includes Jalen Rose, Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson.
As first- and second-year students, this group led the Wolverines to two straight national championship appearances. In this documentary, the Fab 5’s impact in bringing out the baggy shorts and black socks made them must-see TV. The Fab 5 were known for trash-talking and for playing great basketball overall.
Wolverines had an intense rivalry with Duke Blue Devils in the early 1990s. Four of the five members made it to the NBA. Webber was the only member who didn’t participate in the documentary.
Bad Boys
The Detroit Pistons of the 1980s and early 90s were known for playing very physically. This documentary showed the world that they deserve to be mentioned as one of the greatest teams in NBA history.
Isiah Thomas led this “bad boy” group and surrounded himself with Rick Mahorn, Bill also beer, Dennis Rodman, Joe Dumars, and more. The Pistons won back-to-back titles in 1989 and 90.
Before Michael Jordan became the ruler of the NBA, he had to go through the Pistons, which made him elevate his greatness by getting himself ready for the beating. It took mental and physical effort to beat this great Pistons team.
This Magic Moment
One of the most impressive 30-for-30 documentaries has to be the mid-1990s Orlando Magic team, led by founding fathers Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway.
This duo was Shaq and Kobe before Shaq and Kobe. The duo could have won championships together. The mid-90s Magic had some impressive years together, but it was a short ride. Everything changed when Shaq left Orlando to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 1996.
It’s Miller Time
Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers had a fierce rivalry with the New York Knicks in the 90s. No one enjoyed torturing the Knicks, especially at Madison Square Garden, more than Miller.
Miller is one of the greatest clutch playoff performers of his generation. This documentary highlights the differences between Knicks and Pacers fans, Miller’s journey to the NBA, and the impact he had on the Pacers organization.
After losing to the Knicks in a hard-fought seven-game series in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, Miller got over the hump and beat them the following season in Game 7 of the semifinals.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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