ESPN's 30 for 30 Series

FiveB247x
FiveB247x Posts: 2,330
edited October 2010 in A Moving Train
Anyone watch any of the 30 for 30 documentaries? I'm a big sports fan and all these are really well done and good stories even if you're not a sports fan.


Here is the schedule http://30for30.espn.com/schedule.html
CONservative governMENt

Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
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Comments

  • megatron
    megatron Posts: 3,420
    i watched the knicks one a couple weeks ago. i liked it. almosts couldn't tell it was on that shit channel.
  • PJ44
    PJ44 Posts: 153
    the one on The U was amazing. i think they are doing a sequel.
    PJ44
  • FiveB247x
    FiveB247x Posts: 2,330
    I've watched all of them thus far. Some are more detailed reviews and insight to sports issues, games and era's where others have been discussed more in terms of relations to society and impact. I don't know if I have a favorite, mostly because all of them have been done so well.
    CONservative governMENt

    Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
  • pjhawks
    pjhawks Posts: 13,025
    great series - I think all have been pretty good but my favs so far have to be The U, Jimmy the Greek and one I just saw about Loyola Marymount/Hank Gathers - not ashamed to admit i cried watching the Gathers story as I had a brief chance to interact with Hank as a high school hoops player.
  • FiveB247x
    FiveB247x Posts: 2,330
    The U was a bit fun to watch but had some racial undertones which weren't really discussed to full detail. Jimmy the Greek was enjoyable as I remember watching him when I was younger. The Hank Gathers story is a sad one. All of them have been very well done. Last night's about Allan Iverson, in my opinion, was the best to date.
    pjhawks wrote:
    great series - I think all have been pretty good but my favs so far have to be The U, Jimmy the Greek and one I just saw about Loyola Marymount/Hank Gathers - not ashamed to admit i cried watching the Gathers story as I had a brief chance to interact with Hank as a high school hoops player.
    CONservative governMENt

    Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
  • g under p
    g under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,242
    FiveB247x wrote:
    The U was a bit fun to watch but had some racial undertones which weren't really discussed to full detail. Jimmy the Greek was enjoyable as I remember watching him when I was younger. The Hank Gathers story is a sad one. All of them have been very well done. Last night's about Allan Iverson, in my opinion, was the best to date.
    pjhawks wrote:
    great series - I think all have been pretty good but my favs so far have to be The U, Jimmy the Greek and one I just saw about Loyola Marymount/Hank Gathers - not ashamed to admit i cried watching the Gathers story as I had a brief chance to interact with Hank as a high school hoops player.

    I went to school in Hampton and played ball at Allen Iverson's high school a t Bethel high. I bowled at that Circle Lanes a 1000 x's and bowled there Wednesday night league 3 man team *Seventh Heaven*. We led and won the league, won $800 and racial divide was like they said in the doc just not as bad since I was there in the early 80's instead of the early 90's. maybe due to the fact we were college students and AI's people were high school youngsters.

    There was always such tension in that bowling alley especially on league nights. Non league nights blacks stayed separately from whites. In that area blacks and whites lived in completely separate areas and many didn't dare get caught in the wrong areas at night.

    This was a very captivating doc in that it brought back so many memories of the area and what it was like back then. Even though i think what happened to AI was unfair he was boastfully in the wrong place at the wrong time and had to pay for the consequences of his actions that night. He basically said so about the incident, in the end though things worked out for him and the others that were convicted.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • FiveB247x
    FiveB247x Posts: 2,330
    Thanks for sharing bud. I'll have to take your word on the area as I'm not from there or been there.. but it seems to match well with the documentary. And yes I agree with you about AI. It's a sad ordeal that racism and personal issues took this incident to such a heightened level and even though AI and others came out on top - it is very clear that it changed and influenced many in that area and in my opinion a microcosm of issues we as a society have and go unresolved. We merely look at this issue, say it worked itself out and that's that. I do also think the documentary explains on some levels a bit deeper into AI and how he is and was shaped.. certainly doesn't excuse many things, but does put things into perspective. Anyways, was a really good show and I'd recommend it to all.
    g under p wrote:
    I went to school in Hampton and played ball at Allen Iverson's high school a t Bethel high. I bowled at that Circle Lanes a 1000 x's and bowled there Wednesday night league 3 man team *Seventh Heaven*. We led and won the league, won $800 and racial divide was like they said in the doc just not as bad since I was there in the early 80's instead of the early 90's. maybe due to the fact we were college students and AI's people were high school youngsters.

    There was always such tension in that bowling alley especially on league nights. Non league nights blacks stayed separately from whites. In that area blacks and whites lived in completely separate areas and many didn't dare get caught in the wrong areas at night.

    This was a very captivating doc in that it brought back so many memories of the area and what it was like back then. Even though i think what happened to AI was unfair he was boastfully in the wrong place at the wrong time and had to pay for the consequences of his actions that night. He basically said so about the incident, in the end though things worked out for him and the others that were convicted.

    Peace
    CONservative governMENt

    Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
  • g under p
    g under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,242
    FiveB247x wrote:
    Thanks for sharing bud. I'll have to take your word on the area as I'm not from there or been there.. but it seems to match well with the documentary. And yes I agree with you about AI. It's a sad ordeal that racism and personal issues took this incident to such a heightened level and even though AI and others came out on top - it is very clear that it changed and influenced many in that area and in my opinion a microcosm of issues we as a society have and go unresolved. We merely look at this issue, say it worked itself out and that's that. I do also think the documentary explains on some levels a bit deeper into AI and how he is and was shaped.. certainly doesn't excuse many things, but does put things into perspective. Anyways, was a really good show and I'd recommend it to all.
    g under p wrote:
    I went to school in Hampton and played ball at Allen Iverson's high school a t Bethel high. I bowled at that Circle Lanes a 1000 x's and bowled there Wednesday night league 3 man team *Seventh Heaven*. We led and won the league, won $800 and racial divide was like they said in the doc just not as bad since I was there in the early 80's instead of the early 90's. maybe due to the fact we were college students and AI's people were high school youngsters.

    There was always such tension in that bowling alley especially on league nights. Non league nights blacks stayed separately from whites. In that area blacks and whites lived in completely separate areas and many didn't dare get caught in the wrong areas at night.

    This was a very captivating doc in that it brought back so many memories of the area and what it was like back then. Even though i think what happened to AI was unfair he was boastfully in the wrong place at the wrong time and had to pay for the consequences of his actions that night. He basically said so about the incident, in the end though things worked out for him and the others that were convicted.

    Peace


    Don't get me wrong it was the time of my life, shaped me and made friends for life in the 7 years I was in that area. That documentary brought back so much of what I did there, the school I went to, the places of recreation and even the concert venue I worked in and attended 100's of concerts. On one of the best small venues on the east coast in the Hampton Coliseum. Right next to the Coliseum is an area which I considered to be a very poor neighborhood with it's share of crime.

    It's strange though at the time of the AI incident I wasn't paying it much attention at all. I was sort of detached from my life there. The only thing that caught my ear was that the incident happened in Circle Lanes. I wasn't surprised that could happen there cause that was the racial atmosphere when I was there. I saw my share of racial incidents, even some that happened to me. Another aspect of the areas make up is that that Hampton Roads area is high in Military activity of all the branches including the CIA. Our military ships and submarines are built at the famous Newport News Shipyard. Sports in general, high school sports in that area rules in that area.....from the Hampton Crabbers who dominated football to Bethel B's to Pembroke High. So you could see why Allen was able to do as he pleased due to the fact that he was a very gifted athlete. Odd thing that I find with the documentary was that people from both sides haven't changed their views on the incident even to the point of being reluctant to being interviewed today. I have to go back there again someday it's been 10 years since I've been down there.

    Anyway a fascinating documentary and i liked when he was asked if he ever wanted to be black and then Steve James gave his answer then the videographer was asked if he ever wanted to be white and the answer he gave. Those responses were too cool and I'm sure the racial devide continues with President Obama currently occupying the White House.

    peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • FiveB247x
    FiveB247x Posts: 2,330
    I think most of the people who haven't change opinions, feel so strongly or had all these conspiracy theories simply shows what a cluster f', pivotal and polarizing situation it rose too. A small incident which represented something so much greater and people's opinion began to reflect it into larger issues and meaning. A snowball effect which pierced into very sensitive topics like race, equality and class. Makes you reflect and wonder if it was merely treated as it should have been, an underage court case which AI and others didn't get jail time but still punished, what would his life be like now and what would AI represent to that area in replacement of it?
    g under p wrote:
    I went to school in Hampton and played ball at Allen Iverson's high school a t Bethel high. I bowled at that Circle Lanes a 1000 x's and bowled there Wednesday night league 3 man team *Seventh Heaven*. We led and won the league, won $800 and racial divide was like they said in the doc just not as bad since I was there in the early 80's instead of the early 90's. maybe due to the fact we were college students and AI's people were high school youngsters.

    There was always such tension in that bowling alley especially on league nights. Non league nights blacks stayed separately from whites. In that area blacks and whites lived in completely separate areas and many didn't dare get caught in the wrong areas at night.

    This was a very captivating doc in that it brought back so many memories of the area and what it was like back then. Even though i think what happened to AI was unfair he was boastfully in the wrong place at the wrong time and had to pay for the consequences of his actions that night. He basically said so about the incident, in the end though things worked out for him and the others that were convicted.

    Peace
    [/quote]


    Don't get me wrong it was the time of my life, shaped me and made friends for life in the 7 years I was in that area. That documentary brought back so much of what I did there, the school I went to, the places of recreation and even the concert venue I worked in and attended 100's of concerts. On one of the best small venues on the east coast in the Hampton Coliseum. Right next to the Coliseum is an area which I considered to be a very poor neighborhood with it's share of crime.

    It's strange though at the time of the AI incident I wasn't paying it much attention at all. I was sort of detached from my life there. The only thing that caught my ear was that the incident happened in Circle Lanes. I wasn't surprised that could happen there cause that was the racial atmosphere when I was there. I saw my share of racial incidents, even some that happened to me. Another aspect of the areas make up is that that Hampton Roads area is high in Military activity of all the branches including the CIA. Our military ships and submarines are built at the famous Newport News Shipyard. Sports in general, high school sports in that area rules in that area.....from the Hampton Crabbers who dominated football to Bethel B's to Pembroke High. So you could see why Allen was able to do as he pleased due to the fact that he was a very gifted athlete. Odd thing that I find with the documentary was that people from both sides haven't changed their views on the incident even to the point of being reluctant to being interviewed today. I have to go back there again someday it's been 10 years since I've been down there.

    Anyway a fascinating documentary and i liked when he was asked if he ever wanted to be black and then Steve James gave his answer then the videographer was asked if he ever wanted to be white and the answer he gave. Those responses were too cool and I'm sure the racial devide continues with President Obama currently occupying the White House.

    peace[/quote]
    CONservative governMENt

    Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
  • Horos
    Horos Posts: 4,519
    I've been enjoying these documentaries. Even when the subject is not something I'm totally interested in. They are well made.
    #FHP
  • cajunkiwi
    cajunkiwi Posts: 984
    Best things I've ever seen on ESPN - I've loved every single one of them. The Ali one was depressing as hell
    And I listen for the voice inside my head... nothing. I'll do this one myself.
  • FiveB247x
    FiveB247x Posts: 2,330
    Absolutely... and the Ali one was so depressing and on the flip side - the forgotten great champ, Larry Holmes.
    cajunkiwi wrote:
    Best things I've ever seen on ESPN - I've loved every single one of them. The Ali one was depressing as hell
    CONservative governMENt

    Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
  • FiveB247x
    FiveB247x Posts: 2,330
    Anyone see tonight's show about South Africa and Mandela? Was a wonderful story about not just sports, but their nation coming together amid a long history of apartheid and hatred.
    CONservative governMENt

    Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
  • RW81233
    RW81233 Posts: 2,393
    FiveB247x wrote:
    Anyone see tonight's show about South Africa and Mandela? Was a wonderful story about not just sports, but their nation coming together amid a long history of apartheid and hatred.
    i didn't really fall for this one like some of the others...mostly because south africa is literally killing people to hold the world cup this year.
  • FiveB247x
    FiveB247x Posts: 2,330
    Absolutely - I think it was merely a good documentary about a specific moment in time and how it worked out. Inspiring from what occurred, but disheartening of many of the issues they've dealt with since that time. All in all, was a good show in my opinion about that particular period, which is all is was really meant to be.
    RW81233 wrote:
    FiveB247x wrote:
    Anyone see tonight's show about South Africa and Mandela? Was a wonderful story about not just sports, but their nation coming together amid a long history of apartheid and hatred.
    i didn't really fall for this one like some of the others...mostly because south africa is literally killing people to hold the world cup this year.
    CONservative governMENt

    Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
  • cajunkiwi
    cajunkiwi Posts: 984
    FiveB247x wrote:
    Absolutely - I think it was merely a good documentary about a specific moment in time and how it worked out. Inspiring from what occurred, but disheartening of many of the issues they've dealt with since that time. All in all, was a good show in my opinion about that particular period, which is all is was really meant to be.
    RW81233 wrote:
    FiveB247x wrote:
    Anyone see tonight's show about South Africa and Mandela? Was a wonderful story about not just sports, but their nation coming together amid a long history of apartheid and hatred.
    i didn't really fall for this one like some of the others...mostly because south africa is literally killing people to hold the world cup this year.

    Very true (and as a New Zealander, it was EXTRA painful to watch). But that being said, they've only been a unified society for 20-odd years - they may have a looooooooong way to go, but don't count them out simply because they haven't caught up yet. I have faith that they'll get there (but then again, I'm a possimist lol)
    And I listen for the voice inside my head... nothing. I'll do this one myself.
  • FiveB247x
    FiveB247x Posts: 2,330
    I could imagine the frustration as a sports fan watching such a thing.

    It's not all that comparable to the same level by any means, but I'm a huge Indy Colts fan in the NFL. I went to the Super Bowl this past year and watched them lose to New Orleans. Albeit, I am not happy about it in the least, I can atleast look at it after the fact in my sports misery and know it meant something special and significant to the people of that region (after Katrina and all). Will never be happy bout it, but I can see it atleast. The South Africa thing was so much more than a mere game or tournament and I'm sure as a bystander, most can see it's significance and importance well after the fact, even if you were rooting for the losing team. :D
    cajunkiwi wrote:
    Very true (and as a New Zealander, it was EXTRA painful to watch). But that being said, they've only been a unified society for 20-odd years - they may have a looooooooong way to go, but don't count them out simply because they haven't caught up yet. I have faith that they'll get there (but then again, I'm a possimist lol)
    CONservative governMENt

    Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
  • cajunkiwi
    cajunkiwi Posts: 984
    FiveB247x wrote:
    I could imagine the frustration as a sports fan watching such a thing.

    It's not all that comparable to the same level by any means, but I'm a huge Indy Colts fan in the NFL. I went to the Super Bowl this past year and watched them lose to New Orleans. Albeit, I am not happy about it in the least, I can atleast look at it after the fact in my sports misery and know it meant something special and significant to the people of that region (after Katrina and all). Will never be happy bout it, but I can see it atleast. The South Africa thing was so much more than a mere game or tournament and I'm sure as a bystander, most can see it's significance and importance well after the fact, even if you were rooting for the losing team. :D
    cajunkiwi wrote:
    Very true (and as a New Zealander, it was EXTRA painful to watch). But that being said, they've only been a unified society for 20-odd years - they may have a looooooooong way to go, but don't count them out simply because they haven't caught up yet. I have faith that they'll get there (but then again, I'm a possimist lol)

    Yeah, we were in two minds about that. We were happy for the South Africans because they are traditional rivals and we could finally play them again (legally, that is) - it was good to have them back, and we were happy that they found success after everything they'd been through. However, we didn't REALLY want them to win the whole bloody thing. We would've been perfectly content with them making it to the grand final and then losing. Then again, we go into every World Cup ranked #1 in the world, and haven't won it since the inaugural one in 1987. We could write the definitive book on choking.

    Sorry to hear you're a Colts fan - I like Peyton, and I know Addai from his days at LSU, but as someone living in Louisiana I had to root for the Saints (even though I'm a Chargers fan first. Between them and the All Blacks, I may we well be the one personally writing the book on choking). I live in Baton Rouge, and I have a LOT of coworkers who missed work on that Monday because they'd gone to the French Quarter when the final whistle blew because they didn't want to miss the party haha
    And I listen for the voice inside my head... nothing. I'll do this one myself.
  • dcfaithful
    dcfaithful Posts: 13,076
    I loved the one about Reggie Miller and The NYK. Great documentary about a great sports rivalry.
    7/2/06 - Denver, CO
    6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
    8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
    9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
    9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
    9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
  • FiveB247x
    FiveB247x Posts: 2,330
    The Colts will be back this coming year and win the trophy!

    And yea - NO was a mad house, and even to this moment I hate they won, atleast I can look across and be glad for the Saints and their fanbase if we didn't.
    cajunkiwi wrote:
    Yeah, we were in two minds about that. We were happy for the South Africans because they are traditional rivals and we could finally play them again (legally, that is) - it was good to have them back, and we were happy that they found success after everything they'd been through. However, we didn't REALLY want them to win the whole bloody thing. We would've been perfectly content with them making it to the grand final and then losing. Then again, we go into every World Cup ranked #1 in the world, and haven't won it since the inaugural one in 1987. We could write the definitive book on choking.

    Sorry to hear you're a Colts fan - I like Peyton, and I know Addai from his days at LSU, but as someone living in Louisiana I had to root for the Saints (even though I'm a Chargers fan first. Between them and the All Blacks, I may we well be the one personally writing the book on choking). I live in Baton Rouge, and I have a LOT of coworkers who missed work on that Monday because they'd gone to the French Quarter when the final whistle blew because they didn't want to miss the party haha
    CONservative governMENt

    Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis

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