Exploring how activism has defined the NBA since the earliest days of the league.

Bill Russell. Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Dr. J. Magic Johnson. LeBron James. Steph Curry. This three-part documentary series chronicles the history of activism in the NBA to tell the story of how the league has reshaped social justice in America. “It’s so much more than a game,” says Bill Walton in the series. “It’s a vehicle to push positive social change.”

Episode 1: Tracking the influence of the early NBA legends like Bill Russell and Dr. J who paved the way for generations of future players.

Episode 2: Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Craig Hodges and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf epitomize the different ways players can use their platforms.

Episode 3: Exploring the progression from the “Malice in the Palace” to the NBA’s transition to a “player’s league,” culminating in the current movement.

The Mission: Examining Craig Hodges’ failed protest following the 1991 Rodney King beating and this year’s NBA boycott in the bubble led by the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Rule: Spencer Haywood won a legal battle that allowed players to be drafted and play in the league without completing 4-years of college and changed basketball forever.

The Big O: Short feature detailing Oscar Robertson’s everlasting impact on the league, including his landmark demand for free agency.

Things That Make You Go Hmm: In the 1980s, black NBA stars had fame, money, opportunities, and sponsorships. But Arsenio Hall made it his job to give them something they didn’t have: a voice.

The Owner’s Box: Short feature looking into the balance of power in the NBA, and how it has shifted from team owners to players over the years.

More Than an Athlete: Stepping outside the pro sports bubble to look at the danger of being black in America, a reality that impacts NBA stars as much as anyone.

Partners

Shut Up and Dribble was co-produced with SpringHill Entertainment and debuted on Showtime in 2018.

Credits

Gotham ChopraExecutive Producer
Maverick CarterExecutive Producer
Martin Desmond RoeExecutive Producer
LeBron JamesExecutive Producer
Rich PaulExecutive Producer
Jamal HendersonCo-Executive Producer
Adam FeinsteinCo-Executive Producer
Victor BuhlerExecutive in Charge of Production
Meghan Cirillo Post-Producer
Rob FordStory Producer
Gloria Coronado-MyattFinishing Executive Producer