30 for 30 Shorts Season 2 Episode 3 Untucked

In season 2, episode 3 of 30 for 30 Shorts titled "Untucked," the story revolves around the NBA draft class of 1984. More specifically, it focuses on one particular player, Alaa Abdelnaby, who was drafted 25th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. Abdelnaby's underwhelming NBA career has been a topic of discussion among basketball fans for years, and this episode aims to shed light on what happened to the Lebanese-American player after he left the league.

The episode opens with footage of Abdelnaby playing for Duke University, where he was a standout player and a key member of the team that won the 1991 NCAA championship. From there, the story shifts to the NBA draft, where several of Abdelnaby's fellow draftees reflect on their memories of that day. The episode includes interviews with some of the biggest names from the 1984 NBA draft class, including Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Charles Barkley, all of whom were selected before Abdelnaby.

The focus then shifts back to Alaa Abdelnaby, who describes the challenges of his rookie year in the NBA. Despite playing on a team that made it to the NBA Finals, Abdelnaby was largely relegated to the bench and struggled to make an impact whenever he did get playing time. Eventually, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he saw a bit more playing time but still failed to live up to his potential.

After brief stints with the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, Abdelnaby's NBA career came to an end in 1995. But instead of returning to Lebanon, where his family had immigrated from, he chose to stay in the United States and try his hand at entrepreneurship. Abdelnaby started a successful advertising company, but even now, decades after leaving the NBA, he is still haunted by the lingering disappointment of his basketball career.

Throughout the episode, viewers get a glimpse into Abdelnaby's life today, which includes coaching youth basketball players and occasionally appearing on local sports radio shows. But the bulk of the episode is dedicated to exploring the trajectory of Abdelnaby's NBA career and trying to piece together what might have gone wrong. Was it simply a case of a talented player not living up to expectations, or was there something else at play?

As with much of the 30 for 30 series, "Untucked" is not just a sports story but a human interest story. Through the lens of Abdelnaby's NBA career (or lack thereof), the episode explores themes like immigrant identity, mental health, and the nature of success. It's a compelling and thought-provoking piece of storytelling that offers a unique perspective on the world of professional basketball.