ESPN’s unprecedented 20-hour film “Basketball: A Love Story,” from Peabody Award-winning director Dan Klores, is already garnering rave reviews.
Fans who have caught the film thus far on the ESPN App or during the advance preview on ESPN2 have called the expansive project “brilliant,” “amazing,” and “a must watch for any and every hoops fan.”
The sweeping project, which consists of more than 60 interconnected “short stories,” will be available across multiple ESPN platforms in a variety of viewing experiences. The full film will air in a serialized format in primetime on ESPN over five Tuesdays: Oct. 9, from 7-11 p.m., Oct. 16, from 7-11 p.m., Oct. 23, from 7-11 p.m., Oct. 30, from 8 p.m-12 a.m., and Nov. 13, from 8 p.m-12 a.m. (all times ET.)
Additional cheers for the film were heard from the all-star studded gala premiere ESPN held Sept. 27 at BAM (Brooklyn Academy Of Music) in Brooklyn, N.Y. Notable guests in attendance praising the film included Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, singer/songwriter Paul Simon, as well as former NBA legends Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Spencer Haywood, Sonny Hill, Allan Houston, Bernard King, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Charlie Scott, Isiah Thomas, and Lenny Wilkens.
Above, watch the star-studded trailer. Below, Front Row presents a sampling of fans’ Twitter reaction to the project.
Share your thoughts using the hashtag #BasketballALoveStory.
Katie Hughes and Betsy Rudnick Fernand contributed to this post.
Outstanding segment on the 1957 Tar Heels on “Basketball: A Love Story” airing on ESPN networks. In the segment on Russell and Chamberlain. Great interviews and extensive rarely seen highlights from 1957 NCAA title game win over KU.
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) September 26, 2018
Another good segment on “Basketball: A Love Story” on race in America and the 1968 Olympics featuring Tar Heel and Hall of Famer Charlie Scott.
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) September 26, 2018
'Basketball: A Love Story' author tells of Popovich's generosity for team employee https://t.co/Sv3XD3b6KV #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/ONumEa1evQ
— News 4 San Antonio (@News4SA) September 26, 2018
“Basketball: A Love Story”
is
brilliant
— Kristen Ledlow (@KristenLedlow) September 26, 2018
Great evening at premiere of Basketball a Love Story with @JalenRose @espn #DavidStern #EarlMonroe @JackieMacMullan @Cheurlin1788 #champagne #DanClores @NBATV pic.twitter.com/wFsJfBOfml
— Isiah Thomas (@IsiahThomas) September 27, 2018
So many great stories told on the fabulous documentary series "Basketball: A Love Story", a must watch for hoopheads. Loved all of it, but the part on the very first dunk contest was especially entertaining. Highly recommended https://t.co/BWCszHEZOb
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) September 29, 2018
One of the million things I love about “Basketball: A Love Story” is hearing from great players that aren’t heard from enough. Oscar Robertson, Bob Pettit, George McGinnis … so many.
— Chad Finn (@GlobeChadFinn) September 26, 2018
This Basketball: A Love Story series that @espn has done is the best work I've ever seen! It's so addicting!#NBATwitter
— Deven Parikh (@DeePee30) September 26, 2018
Basketball: A Love Story on @ESPN is some of the best documentary television I’ve ever watched. Touching, funny, great stories and interviews with the greatest players. That’s all. Enjoy your evening. #BasketballALoveStory
— Daniel van Voorhis (@dan_vanvoorhis) September 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/MrLastChantz/status/1044803212832690176
For any Basketball fan this is a must watch! #BasketballALoveStory pic.twitter.com/EqbMsfjjFV
— Peter Gash (@CoachGashUMASS) October 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/dmy3320/status/1046236214217625600
Just watched 10 episodes of #BasketballALoveStory. The most comprehensive, beautifully done and entertaining documentaries I've seen in a long time
— Tony Reece (@tonyreece) September 29, 2018
