Watch Basketball: A Love Story

2018
1 Season
8.3 (135)

Basketball: A Love Story is a documentary miniseries produced by ESPN that was released in 2018. It explores the history of basketball and its impact on American culture through interviews with over 165 NBA legends, coaches, and executives, as well as prominent cultural figures such as Julianne Moore, Ashley Judd, and Chadwick Boseman.

The series is comprised of ten episodes, each running between 40 to 60 minutes in length. Each episode covers a different aspect of basketball's history, from the early days of the sport all the way to the present day. The interviews are conducted in a conversational style that focuses on the personalities of the individuals, rather than just their accomplishments on the court.

One of the most interesting aspects of Basketball: A Love Story is how it tells the story of basketball through the eyes of those who played and coached the game. The series features interviews with basketball legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan. Their insights into the sport and their own experiences are fascinating to watch, especially for basketball fans.

In addition to the interviews with players and coaches, the series also features commentary from prominent cultural figures, including actors, writers, and musicians. For example, Julianne Moore speaks about her love of basketball and how she became a fan of the New York Knicks. Ashley Judd talks about how her father, a Kentucky Wildcats fan, introduced her to the game. Chadwick Boseman, best known for his role as Black Panther, shares his thoughts on the intersection of basketball and African American culture.

One of the strengths of Basketball: A Love Story is its ability to delve into the nuances of basketball and its impact on American culture. The series covers everything from the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird to the influence of hip-hop on the sport. There are even episodes dedicated to the WNBA and the global impact of basketball.

Another interesting aspect of the series is how it showcases the evolution of basketball tactics and strategies over time. From the early days of the game, when dribbling wasn't even allowed, to the modern era of high-flying dunks and three-pointers, the series covers it all. Fans of the sport will find this aspect of the series especially fascinating, as they'll be able to see firsthand how the game has changed over the years.

Overall, Basketball: A Love Story is a must-watch series for basketball fans and sports enthusiasts in general. Its extensive interview roster and in-depth coverage of basketball's history make it a fascinating look at one of America's most beloved sports. Whether you're a casual fan or a die-hard enthusiast, you'll appreciate the series' passion for the game and its impact on American culture.

Basketball: A Love Story is a series that ran for 1 seasons (61 episodes) between October 9, 2018 and on ESPN

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Seasons

62. Basketball Pass

February 5, 2020

Basketball Pass

61. Basketball Hysteria

February 5, 2020

Basketball Hysteria

60. Golden State Emerges

February 5, 2020

Golden State Emerges

59. Analytically Correct

February 5, 2020

Analytically Correct

58. Battles Royale

February 5, 2020

Battles Royale

57. America's Game

February 5, 2020

America's Game

56. The Decision

February 5, 2020

The Decision

55. LeBron Enters

February 5, 2020

LeBron Enters

54. Size Matters

February 5, 2020

Size Matters

53. Triangle: Kobe, Shaq, and Phil

February 5, 2020

Triangle: Kobe, Shaq, and Phil

52. NCAA: Pay or Play?

February 5, 2020

NCAA: Pay or Play?

51. The Spurs Way

February 5, 2020

The Spurs Way

50. The W

September 10, 2018

Following the impressive gold-medal showing from the 1996 USA Women's Basketball Olympic team, NBA commissioner David Stern launches the WNBA in 1997 to make professional basketball more inclusive for women.

49. Pat Versus Geno

February 5, 2020

Pat Versus Geno

48. The Coach and the Killer: Phil Jackson and MJ

September 18, 2018

Phil Jackson brings outside-the-box thinking and tactics to his role as the coach of the Chicago Bulls. His blend of psychology and the triangle offense is just the formula to get the most out of his roster of big personalities.

47. Dream Team

February 5, 2020

Dream Team

46. College Coaches: The Changing of the Guard

September 18, 2018

The success stories of Jim Valvano at NC State, Rollie Massimino at Villanova, and Denny Crum at Louisville opened the door for other unique styles of coaching that supplanted the success and star power of their predecessors.

45. Magic

February 5, 2020

Magic

44. Air Jordan

September 10, 2018

Michael Jordan takes over the NBA: the building of a player, brand, and a pop culture icon.

43. Little Big Men

September 18, 2018

A history of small players, including Bob Cousey, Becky Hammon, Chris Paul, Spud Webb, and Muggsy Bogues.

42. Glastnost: The Walls Come Down

September 18, 2018

A look at how the game of basketball became international, starting with coach John McLendon and a later wave of stars. In light of the emerging international talent, the US is unexpectedly beaten at the 1988 Olympics, finishing with the bronze medal.

41. Born to Coach

February 5, 2020

Born to Coach

40. Signature Moves: The Mind

September 10, 2018

A look at the strangest free throw shooting techniques in the sport's history, followed by a breakdown of the pick and roll, and the art of flopping.

39. The First Lottery

February 5, 2020

The First Lottery

38. Contempt: LA vs. Boston

September 18, 2018

The NBA's greatest team rivalry - fierce on the court and acrimonious off it.

37. NBA: It's Fantastic

February 5, 2020

NBA: It's Fantastic

36. Georgetown Culture: John Thompson's America

September 18, 2018

The creation of the Big East conference gave rise to the Georgetown Hoya teams under John Thompson. Led by Patrick Ewing, Georgetown showed its dominance on the court. Off the court, their importance to the black community is explored.

35. Genius Gene

February 5, 2020

Genius Gene

34. Don't Call Me Buckwheat

September 18, 2018

Lenny Wilkens is the consummate underdog. Despite a childhood of poverty, racism and the untimely death of his father, Wilkens fought his way to the top of professional basketball, eventually coaching the Seattle Supersonics to their first and only title.

33. The First Lady

September 12, 2018

Pat Summitt, one of the greatest coaches in the history of basketball, is profiled...spanning from her time as a player, to her role as Olympic head coach, to the dynasty she built at the University of Tennessee.

32. Portland's One Year Dynasty

September 18, 2018

A potential new dynasty arrives with the Trail Blazers' 1977 NBA Finals victory, but continuous injuries to Bill Walton in subsequent seasons derail any future chances of titles.

31. Tailspin

February 5, 2020

Tailspin

30. Do or Die

February 5, 2020

Do or Die

29. Wild Days: Upsets, Brawls, and No-Calls

February 5, 2020

Wild Days: Upsets, Brawls, and No-Calls

28. Deal of the Century

February 5, 2020

Deal of the Century

27. General Knight

February 5, 2020

General Knight

26. David vs Goliath

September 18, 2018

The UCLA Bruins dynasty comes up against David Thompson and his NC State team, who finally knock them off and claim a title of their own.

25. One and Done

September 18, 2018

The debate over eligibility and one and done started well before John Calipari and the University of Kentucky; Spencer Haywood was one of the first to challenge the rules.

24. Self Expression

February 5, 2020

Self Expression

23. Oscar and West: Bittersweet Victories

September 18, 2018

Oscar Robertson joins forces with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the Milwaukee Bucks, and Jerry West teams up with Wilt Chamberlain on the Los Angeles Lakers. Two of the greatest pairs ever to play together, but even with each victory, their past will haunt them.

22. Joy or Relief?

September 18, 2018

Al McGuire won an NCAA title with Marquette in the last game he ever coached. The game's top coaches debate whether finally winning brings joy, or relief.

21. Title IX: Immaculata

September 18, 2018

Title IX gave rise to the women's game at the college level, and the first great team emerged from Immaculata University. Immaculata won 3 consecutive NCAA Titles from 1972-1974 and played in the first ever televised NCAA Women's CBB.

20. The Eighth Wonder of the World

September 18, 2018

Lew Alcindor, one of the greatest players of all-time, led UCLA in the Game of the Century against Elvin Hayes and the University of Houston. The Houston upset is seen as paving the way for college basketball to be widely televised.

19. Renegades

February 5, 2020

Renegades

18. Rupp's Reckoning

September 18, 2018

There are endless stories of racism, but also humanity, in the early days of college basketball, including: the era of Adolph Rupp at Kentucky; the integration of the college game at Texas Western; the strength of Charlie Scott.

17. Tomboys

September 18, 2018

Some of the game's greatest female players, including Cheryl Miller, Ann Myers, Nancy Lieberman, and Carol Blazejowski discuss their love of the game and challenges they faced as pioneers of the women's game.

16. Birth of the Bruins

February 5, 2020

Birth of the Bruins

15. The Witch Hunt

September 18, 2018

A look at gambling in the early days of the sport, and Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins who was wrongly accused of being involved in a point-shaving scandal during his freshman year at University of Iowa.

14. Brotherly Love

February 5, 2020

Brotherly Love

13. Mayhem in Munich

September 18, 2018

The 1972 Olympics will forever be remembered for the tragedy that took the lives of 11 Israeli athletes. That year, the US again faced off with the USSR, in one of the most controversial finishes in Olympic history.

12. Signature Moves: Discipline

September 18, 2018

How some of the greatest in the game mastered their signature moves, featuring Lebron James, Walt Frazier and Dirk Nowitzki.

11. The Dipper and the Winner

September 18, 2018

The rivalry between Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, including the iconic 1965 Eastern Conference Finals.

10. ABA: The Red, White, and Blue

September 18, 2018

The American Basketball Association becomes one of the first upstart leagues to challenge the dominance of the NBA.

8. Patriots to Protests

February 5, 2020

Patriots to Protests

7. The Spring of '57

February 5, 2020

The Spring of '57

6. Signature Moves: The Feel

September 18, 2018

The art of the game and how some of the greatest mastered their signature moves, featuring Chris Paul, Wes Unseld, Diana Taurasi, Allen Iverson, and Earl Monroe.

5. Scandal

September 18, 2018

A point shaving scandal in the college ranks almost derails the sport in the 1950s; profiles of two of the first superstars of the sport: George Mikan and Bob Cousy.

4. Origins

September 18, 2018

The beginnings of basketball are traced from James Naismith to the expansion of the game across the country to the development of college leagues.

3. The Choke

September 18, 2018

Latrell Sprewell's 1997 incident with his coach, PJ Carlesimo, sparks a conversation about the relationship between player and coach.

2. The Teachers

September 18, 2018

The best in the game share why they love basketball, and speak about the players they grew up emulating, late nights practicing in the driveway, and how basketball provided a refuge from the realities of life.

1. Episode 1

October 9, 2018

Part 1, Segment 1/7: Love of the Game

Description

Where to Watch Basketball: A Love Story

Basketball: A Love Story is available for streaming on the ESPN website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Basketball: A Love Story on demand at Hulu, ESPN+ and YouTube Premium.