Do you like sports? Are you a fan of documentaries? By this point I’m sure you’ve seen ESPN’s “30 For 30” series, which puts the best of both worlds together.
When it comes to documentaries in the sports world, no one has done it better. “30 For 30” has encapsulated the biggest moments in sports over the last 30-plus years. However, with so many films being released each year, it’s nearly impossible to have watched all of them. Here are the top 10 currently on Netflix you must watch as soon as possible.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
Photo Credit: Getty
Top ESPN 30 For 30
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10 There's No Place Like Home
You won't believe the depths this Kansas fan will go to make sure the inventor of basketball's original rule sheet makes it to his home state.
"This documentary follows a man's fanatical quest to win James Naismith's original rules of basketball at auction and take the document to Kansas."
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9 Bad Boys
Multiple Hall-of-Famers discuss their strategy behind one of the most gruesome defensive (and bully) attacks in basketball history. You hated them then. You'll like them after watching this film.
"Led by players like Isiah Thomas and Dennis Rodman, the Detroit Pistons of the late 1980s and early '90s made their mark as the "bad boys" of the NBA."
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8 The U
Shady and dramatic, the rise to greatness Miami accomplished during the 80s was unparalleled. A stigma might still exist surrounding one of the most polarizing football programs in history.
"The University of Miami's football team became a nationwide powerhouse in the 1980s as the coach stirred up controversy by seeking out black players."
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7 You Don't Know Bo
If you lived during the 90s you completely understand how amazing Bo Jackson was. He was an athlete who comes along once in a century. Not only are you reminded of how great he would have been if not for a career cut short due to injury, but you see the surprisingly humble Bo of today that lays low and now focuses on a sport not played with a ball or in front of other people.
"Two-sport athlete Bo Jackson will forever be known as a cultural icon -- and one of the most famous professional sportsmen of all time."
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6 Winning Time
Forget Miller Time, "Winning Time" is about one of the greatest lesser-known rivalries in sports history...Sure, Reggie Miller got beat a lot in the 90s -- but even if you're a Michael Jordan fan or a Knicks fan, you'll love this great piece of drama that highlights the NBA's golden age of the 90s... You'll also get great insight as to why Miller became one of the great all-time NBA scorers. Let's just say it had a lot to do with this sister, who was even better.
"NBA legend Reggie Miller became an enemy to New York Knicks fans, especially after helping the Pacers win the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals."
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5 The Price Of Gold
One of the worst sports crimes of the century gets an in-depth documentary on how Tonya Harding and co. planned their attack and to the extreme ends they went to deny all of it.
"The Price of Gold" examines figure skater Tonya Harding's involvement with the attack on competitor Nancy Kerrigan prior to the 1994 Winter Olympics.
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4 The Pony Excess
Shocking uncovered footage of the only football program to get the death penalty by the NCAA. Literally, you see the man who makes the announcement pass out in front of a room full of media before reporters converge on stunned players declaring they will transfer... And you won't believe how high this slimy pay trail goes.
"The glory days of Southern Methodist University's football program ended with the discovery of illegal recruiting violations."
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3 Ghosts Of Ole Miss
With Ole Miss currently having their best season since 1962, this powerful film couldn't be more relevant. This story isn't about football, but about culture, race and equality. Sure, you know Martin Luther King, but do you know James Meredith? After watching this documentary you'll be proud you do.
"In 1962, the University of Mississippi campus erupted in violence over integration and swelled with pride over an unbeaten football team."
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2 Broke
People are still talking about the facts and figures released in this film years later. It is absolutely shocking how many pro athletes go broke after making millions of dollars in their short careers. Paying for dozens of cell phones at once? Blowing it all away on multiple six-figure cars? How about a mansion with two bowling alleys? You'll hear all about it here... One of the most notable moments is from the NFL's newly formed "Rookie Symposium," in which we see former head coach Herm Edwards testify to the young group that you only need one car, one house and one piece of jewelry, not the Mr. T starter set!
"Director Billy Corben examines the harsh realities behind the flashy careers of professional athletes, most of whom will go bankrupt after retiring."
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1 Jordan Rides The Bus
You get a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like for the biggest athlete the world has ever seen to quit his sport, move to Birmingham, Ala. and join a minor league baseball team. The manager of the Double-A Barons that year? Future Red Sox manager Terry Francona... Even as someone who grew up in Illinois idolizing MJ, it's still eye opening to be reminded of the gravitas he bestowed and the influence he not only had over multiple sports, but our entire culture.
"Filmmaker Ron Shelton looks back on the year that Michael Jordan left basketball to play minor league baseball with the Birmingham Barons."
