ESPN is one of the biggest sports channels in the world, so if you’re looking for any kind of sporty viewing, this is the place to come to. Whether you’re after the biggest football matches, sporty TV series, or college basketball games, ESPN can provide. There’s a great deal on the channel this summer that’s new, as well as some standard old favorites. So, without further ado, here’s everything you should be setting reminders for on ESPN this summer.
When the Garden Was Eden
Any Knicks fans out there that haven’t already seen When the Garden Was Eden should get straight to their television right now. This feature-length documentary by director Michael Rapaport tells the story of the two years in which the New York Knicks made the NBA finals. Along with the highs and lows of matches and training, they give particular time to their two winning titles. This is a glorious example of documentary-making and a must-view for anyone with an interest in the NBA, but particularly those with a soft spot for the Knicks.
The World Series of Poker
Whilst it’s possible to read up on all of the action from the 2021 WSOP, sometimes it’s nice to kick back and watch it. ESPN has great coverage of the event, with interviews from real poker experts. Getting to know the game of poker is easier than you might think, especially with knowledgeable presenters on hand to provide opinions and explanations on the crucial points of the game. You never know, you might even feel inspired to pick up a deck of cards yourself.
The Summer League Basketball
If you’re a true basketball fan, then the off-season isn’t time for a break, it’s time for the Summer League. ESPN seems to be in agreement as they’ve got loads of coverage this summer. A great deal of their post-match interviews and analysis can be viewed online as well as on television. So, for those who are in front of a computer rather than on the couch, there’s no excuse not to catch up with the action. Watching players from the sophomore and G-League affiliates can prove a great way to spot up-and-coming talent. If any basketball bettors are out there then it’s worth paying close attention to this coverage.
Slaying the Badger
If you’ve had enough of the live action and want to get truly engrossed in a great story then you can take your pick of the 30 for 30 documentaries available on ESPN. However, Slaying The Badger is one of the best cycling documentaries out there. The story of Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault is well-known by most cycling aficionados, but this reimagined documentary takes a more careful look at the events surrounding the story. Greg LeMond helped his teammate, known as The Badger, to win the Tour de France, yet in 1986 when it was LeMond’s turn, would his teammate do the same for him?