30 for 30: Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks (2010)
**** (out of 4)
After a several month hiatus, ESPN's wonderful new documentary series kicked off again with this one looking at the two-year period from 1994 to 95 when Reggie Miller and the New York Knicks became the most talked about subject in the league. Taking place the year after Jordan retired, the film mainly follows the two infamous playoff series, which started with Miller and Spike Lee getting into it and then the following year Reggie topped that by scoring eight points in just over eight seconds. One thing I hate about today's media is the fact that most reporters have to pretend that seeing a good fight makes them want to cry and turn their heads. I grew up when the stuff in this film took place and we also had the Knicks going against the Heat in violent brawls and of course the one and only Dennis Rodman. I remember Reggie and Lee and I remember how incredibly fun it was to see all of this trash-talking and fighting. This documentary does a marvelous job at showing how much fun this stuff was and I think it also shows why the current NBA can be such a bore because we no longer have hated rivals but instead stars going out to dinner together before the game. Pat Riley, the Knicks' coach, tells how his players weren't allowed to talk or shake the hands of the other team before the game. All of the main players are here being interviewed and that includes both Miller and Lee who tell their sides of the rival. It was great fun hearing these two men all these years later because you can still see that great smile this brings to both of them. Seeing the New York backlash against Lee was priceless as was his trip to the next game in Indiana. The supporting players are all here being interviewed as well as several media and TV guys. Director Klores does a wonderful job at keeping everything playful and as much as these teams hated each other, at the same time you can tell that all of them have wonderful memories of it and love talking about it.