If the television universe had a better sense of poetry, Netflix’s three-part Bill Russell documentary and Showtime’s three-part Wilt Chamberlain documentary would have come out the same day. The Chamberlain doc would have gotten better ratings, but the Russell doc would have received better reviews, and then we would have discussed the relative merits of each type of success and come to the conclusion that judging either of them exclusively on that one measurement was reductive.
Instead, Sam Pollard’s Bill Russell: Legend premiered back in February, while Rob Ford and Christopher Dillon’s Goliath, about Chamberlain, will air through the rest of July on Showtime and associated platforms.
While the two documentaries about contenders for basketball greatest-of-all-time status are both solidly made examinations of their complicated subjects, neither is even the recent Goat when it comes to multi-parters about outspoken NBA centers. Steve James’ Bill Walton series for ESPN holds that crown.
Instead, Sam Pollard’s Bill Russell: Legend premiered back in February, while Rob Ford and Christopher Dillon’s Goliath, about Chamberlain, will air through the rest of July on Showtime and associated platforms.
While the two documentaries about contenders for basketball greatest-of-all-time status are both solidly made examinations of their complicated subjects, neither is even the recent Goat when it comes to multi-parters about outspoken NBA centers. Steve James’ Bill Walton series for ESPN holds that crown.
- 7/14/2023
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Bill Russell, the intimidating center who rejected layups and bigotry with equal authority while leading the Boston Celtics to pro basketball’s greatest dynasty, died Sunday, his family announced. He was 88.
Russell won five Most Valuable Player awards and the Celtics captured 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career, including eight in a row from 1959-66. His powerful adversary during the 1960s, Wilt Chamberlain, ended the streak by leading the Philadelphia 76ers to the league title.
The 7-foot-1 Chamberlain and the 6-foot-9 Russell met 142 times in an epic rivalry of big men that riveted basketball fans for a decade. His Celtics went 57-37 against Chamberlain’s teams during the regular season and owned a 29-20 advantage in the playoffs.
“Wilt and Russell were to basketball what Arnold Palmer was to golf,” 76ers Hall of Fame forward Billy Cunningham once said. “Turn on the television on Sunday,...
Bill Russell, the intimidating center who rejected layups and bigotry with equal authority while leading the Boston Celtics to pro basketball’s greatest dynasty, died Sunday, his family announced. He was 88.
Russell won five Most Valuable Player awards and the Celtics captured 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career, including eight in a row from 1959-66. His powerful adversary during the 1960s, Wilt Chamberlain, ended the streak by leading the Philadelphia 76ers to the league title.
The 7-foot-1 Chamberlain and the 6-foot-9 Russell met 142 times in an epic rivalry of big men that riveted basketball fans for a decade. His Celtics went 57-37 against Chamberlain’s teams during the regular season and owned a 29-20 advantage in the playoffs.
“Wilt and Russell were to basketball what Arnold Palmer was to golf,” 76ers Hall of Fame forward Billy Cunningham once said. “Turn on the television on Sunday,...
- 7/31/2022
- by Ira Kaufman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Did you see the game? Then you probably heard Dick Stockton. The man who has called more major U.S. pro sports games for television than anyone in history announced his retirement today after 55 years in the business.
Stockton, 78, began his career at CBS in the late 1960s and spent 17 years at the network. He also covered the NBA and Major League Baseball playoffs for Turner Sports for nearly two decades and had been working at Fox Sports since 1994. The latter said he covered at least 1,545 network TV games across the big four U.S. professional sports leagues: NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL.
“Working alongside former players and coaches, many of whom are still in the Fox rotation, has been a particular joy,” Stockton said in announcing the move. “But I feel there is a time to call it a day and allow the many younger broadcasters the chance to develop their careers,...
Stockton, 78, began his career at CBS in the late 1960s and spent 17 years at the network. He also covered the NBA and Major League Baseball playoffs for Turner Sports for nearly two decades and had been working at Fox Sports since 1994. The latter said he covered at least 1,545 network TV games across the big four U.S. professional sports leagues: NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL.
“Working alongside former players and coaches, many of whom are still in the Fox rotation, has been a particular joy,” Stockton said in announcing the move. “But I feel there is a time to call it a day and allow the many younger broadcasters the chance to develop their careers,...
- 3/25/2021
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
A week ago, this question would have been much easier to answer. Without a championship ring under his belt, LeBron James is merely an explosive all-round forward, a physical specimen and a great player. That is not to say that such a description isn’t impressive, but in the history of NBA many have been considered “great.”
With a ring under his belt however, LeBron James has vaulted himself onto a list of some of the greatest NBA players of all time. Many will argue that he isn’t quite there yet, and that is debatable, but no one can argue that his dominating performances throughout the 2011-2012 playoffs didn’t give him an extraordinary boox.
To begin, it would be advantageous to list players that are definitely above LeBron James. Also, I apologize in advance if certain legends are omitted, but due to the sheer number of greats, it...
With a ring under his belt however, LeBron James has vaulted himself onto a list of some of the greatest NBA players of all time. Many will argue that he isn’t quite there yet, and that is debatable, but no one can argue that his dominating performances throughout the 2011-2012 playoffs didn’t give him an extraordinary boox.
To begin, it would be advantageous to list players that are definitely above LeBron James. Also, I apologize in advance if certain legends are omitted, but due to the sheer number of greats, it...
- 6/25/2012
- by John Tang
- We Got This Covered
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.