Wednesday, May 12, 2010

My Newest Addiction: ESPN's 30 for 30

I'm in the middle of Ice Cube's whoop-ass doc on the LA Raiders of Oakland ("Straight Outta LA"). Even if Al Davis is a touch, well, evil...

... the documentary is great. Buoyant. Fun. And the only safe way to be around Raiders fan. (Not to mention it made me strangely nostalgic for N.W.A.)

ESPN is replaying their 30 for 30 documentaries over the next few weeks, and most are already available on iTunes. Set your DVR to catch some of my faves...

Without Bias and The Guru of Go (former Lakers coach Paul Westhead) - I defy you to watch either of these tales about talent (Len Bias and LMU star Hank Gathers) cut down in the prime of youth and not bawl like it's Pixar's Up.

No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson - Who knew the Answer would ever be classified as a victim. Even this bitter Sixers fan had to look at him with a touch of empathy. PRACTICE?!?!

Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL? Who knew that Donald Trump could come off looking bad? Apparently, Gordon Gekko was wrong. Greed isn't always so good, and can kill a fledgling football league no matter how colorful their costumes. Alas, no doc on the XFL (which I actually attended once. ONCE.)

The Band That Wouldn't Die Barry Levninson's best work since Wag the Dog. It's a bittersweet look at the Colts Band, who became musical Ronin once the Colts left Baltimore like thieves in the night. FYI - I was at the first game when the Colts came back to Baltimore. Three straight quarters of booing. And yet, it was still calmer than ANY Eagles or Raiders game.

Truth be told, they've all been great (except the superbly annoying one about Rotisserie Baseball... which only reminded me why I hate myself for doing it). Ricky Williams manages to come off as more insane. Jimmy the Greek as more tragic. And Mrs. Gretzky more hot.

11 comments:

Steve Sax said...

When does the Ike Davis 30 for 30 doc play?

Fred's Brim said...

Ike Davis: Hebrew Hammer

(sorry, Adam Goldberg)

Fred's Brim said...

So who are worse? Eagles fans or Raiders fans? Are LA Raiders fans better or worse than the Oakland edition? Anybody here qualified to answer that? Delino?

Gagne's lucky glasses said...

Are these available online? I keep missing them and want to see the Iverson one

Betsy said...

We watched it in between innings last night. The one time I was bummed we weren't shelling out the $20 for DVR. On the upside looks like Netflix will have it soon.

Nostradamus said...

@fb

I'd say Iggles fans are probably worse, but Raider fans are probably more delusional.

Regarding oaktown v. LA being worse, the really over-the-top fans are those that stuck with them after the move, not those that rooted for the because they were the local team.

Paul said...

I recorded the Raiders one last night but haven't watch it.

The Ricky Williams one was interesting.

Did Ice Cube have to use his AK?

Paul said...

I heard Ken Burns is releasing a documentary on the steroid era called 10th inning. Anyone know when that will be released.

His next project has to be on baseball blogs.

Wesley Vento said...

I thought Ryan Braun was the Hebrew Hammer.

Picture of Al Davis next to Gollum is the funniest thing I've seen in a very long time.

FB, being from or associated with Philly makes you worse. They should sign Jamarcus and the world will collapse on itself.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

My two pennies:

Eagles fans are the scariest. After all, there's a COURT in the stadium. A court!

One of the only miracles in my life - going to the Vet and rooting for the Giants almost every year... and never being shivved.

On the other hand - my doctor once was in attendance as a physician at a LA Raiders / Browns game. And he had to save some poor Browns fan who got beaten into a COMA just for wearing his jersey.

At least the Eagles hire upstanding citizens like Michael Vick. That's good for an image makeover.

Josh S. said...

This post has caused me to waste the last 20 minutes at TotallyLooksLike.com.