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The Best Episodes of 30 for 30

Every episode of 30 for 30 ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of 30 for 30!

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30 for 30 is the title for a series of documentary films airing on ESPN, its sister networks, and online highlighting interesting people and events in sports history. This currently includes four "volumes" of 30

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    30 for 30 Season 1 Episode 10 - No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson

    S1:E10

    The 1993 trial of Hampton, Virginia, high school athlete Allen Iverson, convicted for his role in a racially tinged melee, and its impact on both the community and on Iverson's life.

    Director:Steve James
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. 30 for 30 Season 1 Episode 20 - One Night in Vegas
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - One Night in Vegas

    S1:E20

    The friendship of boxer Mike Tyson and rapper Tupac Shakur and the night of September 7, 1996, when Shakur was murdered after attending the Tyson-Bruce Seldon fight in Las Vegas.

    Director:Reggie Rock Bythewood
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. 30 for 30 Season 2 Episode 9 - Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #3 - Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau

    S2:E9

    A chronicling of the life of Eddie Aikau, a big wave surfer and lifeguard whose death served as inspiration to an entire spiritual movement.

    Director:Sam George
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. 30 for 30 Season 3 Episode 5 - Four Falls Of Buffalo
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - Four Falls Of Buffalo

    S3:E5

    A profile of the Buffalo Bills teams of the early 1990s, when the franchise became the first team to play in—and lose—four consecutive Super Bowls.

    Director:Ken Rodgers
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. 30 for 30 Season 3 Episode 16 - Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies - Part 1
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies - Part 1

    S3:E16

    A three-part series, initially airing on consecutive nights, exploring the Celtics–Lakers rivalry, focusing mainly on the 1980s era of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson but also examining the entire history of the NBA through the rivalry. (Parts 1 & 3: 2 hours in length; Part 2: 1 hour in length)

    Director:Jim Podhoretz
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. 30 for 30 Season 3 Episode 17 - Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies - Part 2
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies - Part 2

    S3:E17

    The Celtics-Lakers rivalry ramps up in the 1984 Finals as a cast of characters–led by Larry Bird and Magic Johnson–who changed the NBA finally went head-to-head for a title. Directed by Jim Podhoretz and produced by Jonathan Hock.

    Director:Jim Podhoretz
    Writer:Unknown

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of 30 for 30

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  7. 30 for 30 Season 3 Episode 18 - Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies - Part 3
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies - Part 3

    S3:E18

    Conclusion of a look at the 1980s Celtics-Lakers rivalry, focusing on the three years after the 1984 NBA Finals, as the teams’ disdain for each other gradually turns to respect while meeting in two more Finals. From filmmakers Jim Podhoretz and Jon Hock.

    Director:Jim Podhoretz
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. 30 for 30 Season 1 Episode 16 - The Two Escobars
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - The Two Escobars

    S1:E16

    The lives of soccer player Andrés Escobar and drug lord Pablo Escobar; the intertwining of crime and soccer in their native Colombia; and the connections between the deaths of both men. (2 hours in length)

    Directors:Jeff Zimbalist, Michael Zimbalist
    Writers:Jeff Zimbalist, Michael Zimbalist

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  9. 30 for 30 Season 3 Episode 24 - Nature Boy
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #9 - Nature Boy

    S3:E24

    The life and times of professional wrestling legend Ric Flair.

    Director:Rory Karpf
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. 30 for 30 Season 4 Episode 41 - Stolen Gold
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - Stolen Gold

    S4:E41

    Ramón Torres confronts a deception within the Spanish basketball ID team he captained at the 2000 Summer Paralympics: Many of his teammates were revealed to not actually have intellectual disabilities (and were stripped of their gold-medal win as a result).

    Director:Suemay Oram
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. 30 for 30 Season 1 Episode 23 - Into the Wind
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #11 - Into the Wind

    S1:E23

    Terry Fox's attempt to run 5,373 kilometres (3,339 mi) across Canada in support of fundraising for cancer research captures the attention of his fellow Canadians and the world.

    Directors:Steve Nash, Ezra Holland
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. 30 for 30 Season 2 Episode 16 - The Price of Gold
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - The Price of Gold

    S2:E16

    A profile of a January 6, 1994, incident at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, where an unknown attacker strikes entrant Nancy Kerrigan — an assailant that is later revealed to be a hit man hired by the ex-husband of Kerrigan's rival, Tonya Harding, as part of a plan to prevent Kerrigan from competing in the 1994 Winter Olympics.

    Director:Nanette Burstein
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. 30 for 30 Season 2 Episode 18 - Bad Boys
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - Bad Boys

    S2:E18

    A look back at the Detroit Pistons of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Narrated by rapper Kid Rock, a native of nearby Romeo, Michigan. (2 hours in length)

    Director:Zak Levitt
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. 30 for 30 Season 2 Episode 20 - Playing for the Mob
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - Playing for the Mob

    S2:E20

    How Mafia associate Henry Hill orchestrated a point-shaving scheme involving Boston College basketball. Narrated by Ray Liotta, who portrayed Hill in Goodfellas.

    Directors:Cayman Grant, Joe Lavine
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. 30 for 30 Season 2 Episode 25 - Rand University
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #15 - Rand University

    S2:E25

    An exploration of former NFL receiver Randy Moss and his humble (and humbling) origins in Rand, West Virginia.

    Director:Marquis Daisy
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. 30 for 30 Season 2 Episode 28 - I Hate Christian Laettner
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - I Hate Christian Laettner

    S2:E28

    A look at the life and basketball career of Christian Laettner and the intense dislike some fans still harbor for the former Duke University and NBA star.

    Director:Rory Karpf
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. 30 for 30 Season 3 Episode 9 - Believeland
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #17 - Believeland

    S3:E9

    A look at the sports curse that befell Cleveland since the NFL's Browns last brought a major pro sports championship to the Ohio city in 1964. The film debuted one month before LeBron James and the Cavaliers' won the 2016 NBA Finals, after which the film was re-released with an updated ending on June 30, 2016.[64]

    Director:Andrew Billman
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. 30 for 30 Season 3 Episode 10 - Doc & Darryl
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #18 - Doc & Darryl

    S3:E10

    The connection between the lives and careers of former New York Mets Dwight "Doc" Gooden and Darryl Strawberry.

    Directors:Judd Apatow, Michael Bonfiglio
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. 30 for 30 Season 4 Episode 9 - The Life and Trials of Oscar Pistorius Part 1
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #19 - The Life and Trials of Oscar Pistorius Part 1

    S4:E9

    Part 1 of 4. The life of South African Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius, from his childhood during the last days of apartheid, to worldwide celebrity as the first double-leg amputee to compete in the able-bodied Olympics, to his conviction for killing his girlfriend.

    Director:Daniel Gordon
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. 30 for 30 Season 4 Episode 10 - The Life and Trials of Oscar Pistorius Part 2
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #20 - The Life and Trials of Oscar Pistorius Part 2

    S4:E10

    Part 2 of 4. The life of South African Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius, from his childhood during the last days of apartheid, to worldwide celebrity as the first double-leg amputee to compete in the able-bodied Olympics, to his conviction for killing his girlfriend.

    Director:Daniel Gordon
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. 30 for 30 Season 4 Episode 42 - The New York Sack Exchange
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #21 - The New York Sack Exchange

    S4:E42

    A nostalgic look back at the sensational defensive line of the 1980s New York Jets. This group of larger-than-life personalities not only terrorized quarterbacks but also captivated an entire city with their flamboyant style and relentless drive.

    Director:Ken Rodgers
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. 30 for 30 Season 1 Episode 15 - June 17, 1994
    7.6/10(17 votes)

    #22 - June 17, 1994

    S1:E15

    Quick-cut archival footage captures the various US sporting events on the day in question and the emotions they generated, including the opening of the World Cup soccer tournament, the Knicks/Rockets NBA Finals, Arnold Palmer's last round in the U.S. Open, and the New York Rangers' Stanley Cup victory celebration. One event, however, overshadows them all: O. J. Simpson's run from the police.

    Director:Brett Morgen
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. 30 for 30 Season 1 Episode 18 - Jordan Rides the Bus
    7.3/10(9 votes)

    #23 - Jordan Rides the Bus

    S1:E18

    Motivated by the dream his late father had for him, Michael Jordan retires from basketball and has a brief career in minor league baseball.

    Director:Ron Shelton
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. 30 for 30 Season 1 Episode 26 - Tim Richmond: To the Limit
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #24 - Tim Richmond: To the Limit

    S1:E26

    The career of NASCAR driver Tim Richmond, his flamboyant lifestyle, and his 1989 death from AIDS.

    Director:Rory Karpf
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. 30 for 30 Season 1 Episode 1 - King's Ransom
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #25 - King's Ransom

    S1:E1

    The 1988 trade of Wayne Gretzky from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings and the effect it had on Gretzky, the fans in Edmonton, and the popularity of hockey in Southern California.

    Director:Peter Berg
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson" is the best rated episode of "30 for 30". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Steve James and written by Unknown, it aired on 4/13/2010. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "One Night in Vegas".