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Seasons & Episodes

EP1 Love of the Game Sep 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.

EP2 The Teachers Sep 18, 2018

A tribute to the role coaches have played in not just the game, but the lives of their players. Coaches speak candidly about how to motivate, teach and get the best from their players.

EP3 The Choke Sep 18, 2018

The 1997 incident where Latrell Sprewell choked his coach, PJ Carlesimo, sparks the conversation about the relationship between player and coach.

EP4 Origins Sep 18, 2018

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

EP5 Scandal Sep 18, 2018

The story of a point shaving scandal in the college ranks that almost derailed the sport in the 1950s, as well as a profile of two of the first superstars of the sport: George Mikan and Bob Cousy.

EP6 Signature Moves: The Feel Sep 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.

EP7 The Spring of '57 Sep 18, 2018

The NBA's first dynasty, the Boston Celtics, powered by Red Auerbach and Bill Russell. And an introduction to Wilt Chamberlain, a giant even in a sport of big men, during his time at University of Kansas.

EP8 Patriots to Protest Sep 18, 2018

Oscar Robertson and Jerry West lead the U.S. Olympic team in a symbolic win against the USSR during the Cold War in 1960. In 1968, players face a difficult choice to play or not to play when a boycott by prominent Black athletes is implemented.

EP9 Signature Moves: The Touch Sep 18, 2018

How some of the greatest in the game mastered their "Signature Moves", this time featuring Steph Curry, Bernard King and Hakeem Olajuwon.

EP10 ABA: The Red, White, and Blue Sep 18, 2018

The American Basketball Association became one of the first upstart leagues to challenge the dominance of the NBA. A hilarious and nostalgic look at some of the tactics used by early executives and players to gain attention.

EP11 The Dipper and the Winner Sep 18, 2018

One of the greatest rivalries in basketball - Wilt Chamberlain versus Bill Russell. Russell and his Celtics continue to get the best of Chamberlain's teams, including in the iconic 1965 Eastern Conference Finals.

EP12 Signature Moves: Discipline Sep 18, 2018

How some of the greatest in the game mastered their "Signature Moves", featuring Lebron James, Walt Frazier and Dirk Nowitzki.

EP13 Mayhem in Munich Sep 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.

EP14 Brotherly Love Sep 18, 2018

The tragic story of Maurice Stokes, a former all-star who was injured during a game and debilitated for the rest of his life. But from tragedy grew a bond between he and teammate Jack Twyman.

EP15 The Witch Hunt Sep 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.

EP16 Birth of the Bruins Sep 18, 2018

An introduction to the UCLA Bruins, arguably the greatest dynasty in the history of men's college basketball, and their coach John Wooden.

EP17 Tomboys Sep 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.

EP18 Rupp's Reckoning Sep 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, and the strength of Charlie Scott.

EP19 Renegades Sep 18, 2018

Explore the tumultuous years of the ABA, where the league did everything it could to compete with the NBA, with differing levels of success.

EP20 The Eighth Wonder of the World Sep 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.

EP21 Title IX: Immaculata Sep 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.

EP22 Joy or Relief? Sep 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?

EP23 Oscar and the West: Bittersweet Victories Sep 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.

EP24 Self Expression Sep 18, 2018

Walt "Clyde" Frazier was one of the first to become a cultural icon off the court. Players like Pete Maravich and Calvin Murphy continued that trend, but their popularity stemmed from their play on the court.

EP25 One and Done Sep 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.

EP26 David vs Goliath Sep 18, 2018

After winning six national championships, the UCLA dynasty continued through the Bill Walton era. The Bruins dominated until they came up against David Thompson and his NC State team, who finally knocked them off and claimed a title of their own.

EP27 General Knight Sep 18, 2018

Bobby Knight, one of the most prolific and vilified coaches of all-time, led his Indiana program to glory.

EP28 Deal of the Century Sep 18, 2018

The ABA and NBA merge in 1976 with the St. Louis Spirit owners taking a smaller buyout but a portion of the NBA's TV rights in perpetuity.

EP29 Wild Days: Upsets, Brawls, and No-Calls Sep 18, 2018

The league continues its intense ways during 1976 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns, which culminated in a Celtics championship and produced a triple-overtime Game 5, which is considered by some to be the greatest NBA game ever.

EP30 Do or Die Sep 18, 2018

George Gervin and David Thompson competed down the wire in one of the NBA's tightest races for the scoring title ever. The two were within fractions of a point in scoring average entering the last game of the season, and both put on a show.

EP31 Tailspin Sep 18, 2018

In the '70s, the NBA's image was at an all time low due to rampant cocaine use and an increase in on-court violence. Only the birth of the greatest individual rivalry in the sport's history could keep it afloat: Magic Johnson v Larry Bird.

EP32 Portland's One Year Dynasty Sep 18, 2018

The Portland Trailblazers, led by Bill Walton, win the 1977 NBA Championship against the Dr. J-led 76ers. Though it appeared a dynasty was being born, continuous injuries to Walton in the subsequent years derailed the team's chances.

EP33 The First Lady Sep 18, 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.

EP34 Don't Call Me Buckwheat Sep 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.

EP35 Genius Gene Sep 18, 2018

Magic Johnson, then a rookie, puts himself on the map leading the LA Lakers to the 1980 NBA title. Johnson's brilliant career serves as a jumping off point to discuss whether basketball genius is born or made.

EP36 Georgetown Culture: John Thompson's America Sep 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.

EP37 NBA: It's Fantastic Sep 18, 2018

Former NBA commissioner David Stern is profiled, and the Stern era - considered to be the time in which the NBA's popularity exploded - is explored. One thing that helped: the star-studded "NBA: It's Fantastic" advertisement campaign.

EP38 Contempt: LA vs. Boston Sep 18, 2018

Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers. The NBA's greatest team rivalry included a tough coach named Pat Riley leading the Lakers to titles over the Celtics. A look into the rivalry that was fierce on the court and acrimonious off it.

EP39 The First Lottery Sep 18, 2018

A look at the first NBA Draft Lottery in 1984, made all the more interesting by the prize awaiting the first winner: Patrick Ewing. When Ewing went to the New York Knicks, rampant conspiracy theories began to emerge.

EP40 Signature Moves: The Mind Sep 18, 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.

EP41 Born to Coach Sep 18, 2018

5-Star Camps, started in the late 1960s by Howard Garfinkel, became the place where top high school players and college coaches showcase their talents. Later, Rick Pitino puts Providence on the map with an NCAA tournament run.

EP42 Glasnost: The Walls Come Down Sep 18, 2018

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

EP43 Little Big Men Sep 18, 2018

A great history of small players - from Bob Cousey to Becky Hammon, to Chris Paul, Spud Webb, and Muggsy Bogues.

EP44 Air Jordan Sep 18, 2018

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

EP45 Magic Sep 18, 2018

Magic Johnson becomes the most well-known person in the world to be diagnosed with HIV after announcing his retirement at the age of 32. His announcement gave the HIV/AIDS movement a public figure to rally behind.

EP46 College Coaches: The Changing of the Guard Sep 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.

EP47 Dream Team Sep 18, 2018

After a disappointing performance at the 1988 Olympics, USA Basketball negotiates to get NBA players into the Olympic Games. The Dream Team went on to blow out all of their opponents, win the gold, and help raise the sport's profile even further.

EP48 The Coach and the Killer: Phil Jackson and MJ Sep 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.

EP49 Pat Versus Geno Sep 18, 2018

The rivalry between the University of Tennessee and the University of Connecticut is magnified because of the tension between the schools' head coaches, Pat Summit and Geno Auriemma.

EP50 The W Sep 18, 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.

EP51 The Spurs Way Sep 18, 2018

Gregg Popovich and the Spurs embrace the globalization of basketball to create a dynasty in San Antonio. Pop's coaching roots are traced back to Larry Brown and the University of Kansas. With the Spurs, he turns international players into NBA superstars.

EP52 NCAA: Pay or Play? Sep 18, 2018

With the NCAA an ever-growing, billion-dollar industry, the debate continues about whether the players deserve to be compensated financially for their roles in helping to bring in millions to their schools.

EP53 Triangle: Kobe, Shaq, and Phil Sep 18, 2018

The Master takes on his next challenge: trading in MJ, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman for the glitz and glamour of LA and his next pair of superstars: Shaq and Kobe. The results are a dynasty arguably as great as the one he constructed with the Bulls.

EP54 Size Matters Sep 18, 2018

A celebration of the greatest big men to play the game: from international players such as Hakeem Olajuwon, Yao Ming, and Dirk Nowitzki to the United States' Shaquille O'Neal and Anthony Davis.

EP55 LeBron Enters Sep 18, 2018

From his time as a high school prodigy in Akron, Ohio, to being selected first overall in 2003 by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James seemed destined to become one of the game's all-time greats.

EP56 The Decision Sep 18, 2018

Seen as one of the most ill-conceived public relations events in sports history, LeBron James ends his first free agency by choosing his new team live on ESPN in "The Decision."

EP57 America's Game Sep 18, 2018

With stifling defense, the early 2000s Detroit Pistons become the model for how franchises can be dominant without a true superstar. Off the strength of his performance with this Pistons, Larry Brown is tapped to coach the 2004 USA Olympic team.

EP58 Battles Royale Sep 18, 2018

When LBJ took his talents to South Beach, some thought it was a foregone conclusion that the Miami Heat would easily walk away with a championship. "The Big 3" quickly learned that each championship would need to be battled and earned on the court.

EP59 Analytically Correct Sep 18, 2018

The role of analytics in the contemporary game.

EP60 Golden State Emerges Sep 18, 2018

Selecting future superstars Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green through the NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors emerge as a dominant force in today's NBA using the principles of small ball and catch-and-shoot.

EP61 Basketball Hysteria Sep 18, 2018

A celebration of both the fully immersive experience of modern basketball ‒ complete with daily games across the globe, social media interaction, and new technologies ‒ as well as the core tenets of the game that have made basketball great for years.

EP62 Basketball Pass Sep 18, 2018

The ball, the common denominator, the object of a shared feeling is held, passed to and from, caressed, embraced, twirled, hugged, whispered to, and even kissed as the final act of an expression of shared emotion.

8.4| 0h30m| TV-G| en| More Info

Released: 18 September 2018 Ended

Producted By: My Three Sons Productions

Country: United States of America

Budget: 0

Revenue: 0

Official Website: https://www.espn.com/watch/series/c31393a0-346f-4269-b680-18338b6e4c4f/basketball-a-love-story

Synopsis

'Basketball: A Love Story' is a series of 62 interconnected short stories that creates a vibrant mosaic of the game, featuring 165 exclusive interviews. The cast encompasses basketball's most prominent figures and explores the complex nature of love as it relates to the game.

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My Three Sons Productions

Basketball: A Love Story