There have been many great TV shows about sports, including American football. However, there have been excellent TV shows about basketball, as well. Without further ado, here are the top 10 best basketball TV shows.
Best Basketball TV Shows: 10. Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
The Showtime Lakers are one of the most iconic basketball teams ever. Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty tells the story of this team. The series starts with Jerry Buss buying the team and the Lakers drafting Magic Johnson. This series includes great writing, excellent performances, and plenty of fun basketball action in addition to a balanced view into the main characters’ lives. Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty is an excellent basketball TV show.
9. The Crossover
Moving from NBA basketball to high school basketball, The Crossover is another excellent series. This series focuses on JB Bell and Jordan Bell, two twins largely considered basketball phenoms. The two of them have to navigate high school basketball as well as their lives off the court. Additionally, their father adjusts to life after his professional basketball career and their mother begins pursuing her own dreams. The Crossover is a great show and highly watchable for anyone interested in basketball.
8. Swagger
Reggie Rock Bythewood and NBA superstar Kevin Durant created this series. Swagger centers on Jace Carson, a basketball prodigy who is 14 years old, as he joins the Swagger DMV AAU team. Former basketball star Ike Edwards coaches this team. This series draws much of its inspiration from Durant’s experiences in AAU basketball.
Additionally, it delves into the complexities of youth basketball for the players, coaches, and parents involved in it. The show provides a fresh look into the world of AAU basketball. Swagger is a great show for anyone who wants a realistic perspective into AAU basketball.
Best Basketball TV Shows: 7. Clipped
Clipped tells the story of the Los Angeles Clippers back during the ownership of Donald Sterling. It delves into his downfall due to his racist remarks and all the complexities of the larger NBA community and the Clippers organization.
Additionally, it centers on how the team led by coach Doc Rivers still seeks to win a championship. This series is well-written, well-acted, and dramatic in all the right ways. It is a fascinating look into a turbulent time in the Clippers’ history. Also, Clipped is a top-notch basketball show and deserves to be watched.
6. Running Point
Running Point is by far the newest show on this list. However, it is quite good. The series focuses on Kate Hudson, who becomes the president of the Los Angeles Waves, a pro basketball team her family owns. Additionally, it explores her challenges in terms of familial expectations, team management, and personal growth.
The story of Jeanie Buss, the owner of the Lakers, inspired this series. Additionally, this series offers humor and heartfelt moments, giving viewers an entertaining look into professional basketball. Running Point is one of the top basketball TV shows, despite being quite new.
5. Totally Hoops
Many basketball TV shows focus on men’s basketball, but this one centers on the Lady Hoopstars. They are a 14-and-under team from Dayton, Ohio. Totally Hoops follows the real-life story of the 11 players on the team as they go through the 2000 season.
This series focuses on an aspect of basketball that many others do not. Additionally, this provides the series with a unique appeal to viewers. Totally Hoops is definitely worth watching, especially for anyone who regularly follows the world of women’s basketball.
Best Basketball TV Shows: 4. Last Chance U: Basketball
The original Last Chance U series featured on our list of the best football TV shows. As such, it is only fitting that Last Chance U: Basketball features on our list of the best basketball TV shows. This series concentrates on various community college basketball programs. The first season centers around East Los Angeles College and its basketball team.
This team, called the Huskies, experiences a remarkable turnaround under the coaching of John Mosley. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic ended this season. However, it is still a great start to the series and it continues well from there. Last Chance U: Basketball is well worth the watch.
3. Anyone’s Game
Many people don’t think of Canada when they think of basketball. However, Anyone’s Game centers on The Athlete Institute in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada. This is an athletic training center that has a reputation as “one of the world’s leading producers of Division 1 and NBA basketball players.” Additionally, it is important to point out that this series is a documentary.
As such, viewers experience a deep dive into how young basketball players practice and play to secure their future in professional basketball. This is a compelling and realistic series. Anyone’s Game explores a part of basketball most are unfamiliar with and as such, it is worth taking the time to watch.
2. Basketball Wives
Basketball Wives is another one of the top basketball TV shows. It dives into the lives of women who are part of professional basketball players’ lives: wives, ex-girlfriends, girlfriends, and fiancées. This series was originally set in Miami, Florida. However, it later returned and focused on the LA region.
The series gives viewers insight into these women and their personal lives as they go to high society parties, deal with passionate fans, create and tear down friendships with one another, and handle the impact of their partners’ fame on their lives. This is an interesting series that dives into the family lives of professional basketball players. Basketball Wives is great for anyone who wants to see a series that dives into the reality of being romantically involved with professional basketball players.
1. The Last Dance
The Last Dance is a documentary that centers on the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls, led by superstar Michael Jordan. This documentary provides a grounded look into Jordan’s life and follows him from his early days to his final season with the Bulls. Additionally, it delves into the lives of his teammates, such as Steve Kerr, Dennis Rodman, and Scottie Pippen. This entertaining, well-written documentary features behind-the-scenes and real-life footage from the 1997-98 NBA season. Anyone who wants to know the real story behind one of the NBA’s most iconic teams ever should watch The Last Dance.
That concludes our list of the top 10 best basketball TV shows.