ESPN+ has taken us behind the scenes of our favorite sports and given us a peek into the lives of coaches, general managers, athletic directors and of course, athletes. The new series NBA Rooks gives us a look at what it’s like to be a rookie in the NBA as they make their way into the league, from the NBA Draft Lottery through the 2019-2020 season.
The concept for NBA Rooks is far from a new one. There have been plenty of shows over the years that have given us a look at the lives of professional athletes. Still, that doesn’t mean it’s not an interesting concept.
We watch these guys play in massive arenas and on TV, so it’s nice to see them off the court as well. This new series also provides a little wrinkle on the typical format. We’re not seeing playes who have been in the league for years and know how to handle their day-to-day operations. These are kids who are just making their way to the big stage and are going to have a lot to learn as they adjust to life in the NBA.
The new series focuses on six high-profile players, most notably the top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Zion Williamson. If I have one complaint about this new series, it’s that all of these players were so highly touted coming out of college and making their way to the NBA. It would be nice to see a bit more variety, perhaps a player who was on the cusp of potentially being drafted or even an international players who was going to have to adjust to life in America.
Still, it’s fun to see the guys getting ready for their next big step. The first couple of episodes focus on the NBA Draft Lottery and preparations of the NBA Draft itself. I find the lottery dynamic to be very interesting. Players like Zion, who pretty much know when they’re going to get drafted, sit and watch as lottery balls are drawn to determine where they will live for at least the next few years. We saw some of the players’ anxiety and anticipation, but I wish the series would have actually spent a little more time on the lottery.
Of course, the big show is really the NBA draft and seeing the players get ready for the biggest night of their lives to that point was also pretty cool. I’ll never really understand NBA fashion, but it was interesting to see how much work they put into their outfits for the night.
But this series is about much more than flashy suits. It’s about young men growing up to become superstars and the people and places that helped get them where they want to be. These players have lived interesting lives and they’re only going to get crazier as they kick off their NBA careers. I definitely recommend NBA Rooks if you’re a fan of basketball or just like seeing the real lives of professional athletes.
The first four episodes of NBA Rooks are available now on ESPN+. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and can cancel at any time.