30 for 30 Shorts Season 2 Episode 5 Posterized

Posterized takes viewers on a journey through the prowess of one NBA player, specifically Shawn Bradley, who many remember for his towering 7'6" frame. The episode takes its title from the dunk contest that took place in the 1997 All-Star game, where Kobe Bryant successfully jumped over Bradley to make an epic posterizing dunk. The scene was played and replayed on highlight reels for days afterward, and became something of a signature moment for both athletes.

The episode explores the idea of what it meant to be "posterized" - a term coined by the Vince Carter slam dunk of 2000. As a culture, we are fascinated by the idea of a player jumping over someone else to dunk the ball, and it's the kind of move that can make a player an instant legend. The episode discusses some of the most memorable moments in NBA history where a player is "posterized," such as when Michael Jordan dunked over Patrick Ewing, or when LeBron James did the same to Jason Terry. These moments are forever etched in basketball lore, and this episode does an excellent job of exploring just why they're so important.

However, the episode is far from a simple highlight reel. Rather, it delves deep into the life and career of Shawn Bradley, examining what this moment meant for him personally. Bradley was known more for his size than his skills on the court, and was often overshadowed by flashier players. Yet for all that, he remained a beloved and respected player, known for his dedication and his commitment to his faith and his family. Despite the obviously negative connotations of being "posterized," Bradley himself has said that he didn't mind being dunked on - it was all part of the game, and it was a thrill to be a part of these iconic moments.

The episode also explores some of the stories behind these famous moments, including what was going through the minds of the players involved, and whether such moments can be called "fair." For example, when Vince Carter dunked over a seven-foot Frenchman in the Olympics in 2000, he faced criticism for "disrespecting" the other team. But as the episode points out, these moments aren't about disrespect - they're about the remarkable skill and athleticism that goes into pulling off such a feat. Fans don't remember who won or lost these games - what they remember are the moments of pure excitement and awe that they witnessed.

Ultimately, Posterized is a fascinating look at what makes basketball such an entertaining and compelling sport. It explores the ways in which players can influence and inspire the imagination of fans, and how these moments can become fixed in our collective memory. Bradley may have been the victim of an incredible dunk, but in the end, he goes down in history as a player who was a part of something truly remarkable. This episode is sure to delight fans of all ages, and remind us all of just why we love the game of basketball.