Sundance kid

Out of respect for Allen Iverson: Sundance? We’re talking
about Sundance? A film fest? In the sports section? I mean Sundance… you’re about to read about Sundance…in the sports section?!
Now before I get carried away doing my best Iverson tribute on paper, I want to share with you my experience as a sports fan while being at an independent film festival. I traveled
to the land of the pick and roll as a part of an intersession course offered by the communication
department. How could the Las Vegas for hipsters cater to guys who wear sweatpants on Sundays, eat hot wings and don’t shave because they’re lazy, not because the guy in the Urban Outfitters catalogue made it trendy to do so?
It is because the Sundance Film Festival has became an outlet for all types of documentaries,
including ones of the sport genre. This year’s lineup consisted of a documentary on Reggie Miller, Pat Tillman and Dock Ellis, the Pittsburgh Pirate who pitched a no hitter while tripping on LSD.
“Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks,” which is directed by Dan Klores, brought me back to my childhood, a childhood filled with memories of watching
the NBA with my dad on lazy Sunday afternoons. This documentary heightened my appreciation
for Reggie Miller, the city of New York, John Stark’s rash decisions, Spike Lee’s swag, the NBA on NBC theme song and epic NBA rivalries that once existed in a galaxy far away called the 90’s.
After the film aired, a 6’7’’ alien named Reggie strolled down the aisle to answer questions
about the documentary. Maybe it was because David Stern was not in a 4000 foot radius, but Reggie was extremely relaxed and had a lot of fun with the question and answer session. He made fun of himself, Jordan and even the most famous dictator
of our generation, David Stern.
The great thing about a festival like Sundance is that they are committed to giving unknown directors a chance to shine. First time director James Blagen was given the chance to showcase “Dock Ellis and the LSD No-No.” Besides stepping
in slush and waiting in the cold for movie tickets, this film provided my favorite four minutes and thirty seconds of the festival. This animated short depicts what Dock saw that day on the mound while he was high on LSD during the 1970 season. The short is on YouTube and I encourage all to view it, as it is simply genius.
Even if you are not into independent film or hate the Utah Jazz, going to Sundance is a must for any sports fan for the simple fact that phenomenal sports documentaries are like the midrange game: a lost art form.