What a time to be a sports fan! The excitement of the NBA and NHL playoffs is in full swing, baseball is back, and the buzz surrounding WWE Backlash this Saturday, May 10, adds to the thrill. For those looking to enhance their sports experience with some riveting content, Netflix has just the thing. The streaming giant is set to release three new installments of its acclaimed sports documentary series, Untold, starting with Untold: Shooting Guards on May 6.
Untold: Shooting Guards revisits the infamous 2009 incident involving Washington Wizards teammates Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton, where a shocking locker room confrontation escalated to the point of firearms being drawn. This documentary promises to delve deep into the bizarre events that unfolded, featuring first-hand accounts from both players.
The documentary series continues with Untold: The Liver King, which will premiere on May 13, followed by Untold: The Fall of Favre on May 20. Each episode is set to drop at 3:00 a.m. ET on Netflix, giving fans plenty of time to catch up on the action.
For those curious about the specifics, Untold: Shooting Guards runs for 85 minutes and will explore the high-pressure environment of the NBA, where camaraderie can often lead to intense competition. The confrontation between Arenas and Crittenton was ignited during a game of booray on a team flight, where tensions flared over a financial dispute. Arenas, known for his playful yet provocative nature, reportedly taunted Crittenton, escalating the situation to dangerous levels.
As the documentary reveals, the atmosphere in the locker room was charged with competitive egos and the stakes were high. Arenas, attempting to challenge Crittenton’s bravado, brought multiple firearms into the locker room, placing them near Crittenton’s locker. This shocking act culminated in a standoff that would change both players' lives forever.
The fallout from this incident was swift and severe. The NBA, facing a public relations crisis, imposed lengthy suspensions on both players, each receiving a 50-game ban. The media frenzy that followed cast a shadow over the Wizards franchise and altered the trajectories of Arenas and Crittenton’s careers.
Gilbert Arenas, once a star player with Hall of Fame potential, saw his career derailed by the incident. Following his suspension, he was traded to the Orlando Magic and ultimately left the NBA by 2012. However, he has since reinvented himself as a media personality, hosting a popular podcast titled Gil's Arena.
On the other hand, Javaris Crittenton's path took a tragic turn. In August 2011, he was arrested and later pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in connection with a drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of Julian Jones, a 22-year-old mother of four. The incident, which stemmed from a misguided attempt at revenge against someone he believed had robbed him, ended in heartbreak for Jones’ family and a ten-year prison sentence for Crittenton.
As the documentary unfolds, it captures the pain and consequences of that fateful day in December 2009. Both players reflect on their choices, with Arenas acknowledging the devastating impact on Crittenton's life, stating, "Our decisions that day ruined his life." Crittenton’s perspective reveals a sense of spiraling circumstances that led to irrevocable consequences.
What adds depth to Untold: Shooting Guards is its exploration of broader themes surrounding the pressures faced by young athletes, the nature of accountability, and the potential for redemption. The documentary serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a moment of anger can lead to life-altering repercussions.
In addition to Untold: Shooting Guards, Netflix is also releasing other exciting titles this week. Among them is a new season of the racing series Full Speed, which premieres on May 7, and Blood of Zeus Season 3 on May 8. Additionally, the Netflix original film Last Bullet is set to debut on May 7, while the romantic slasher Heart Eyes will be available on May 9.
Netflix subscriptions are available in three tiers, starting at $7.99 per month for the ad-supported plan, with ad-free options priced at $17.99 for the standard plan and $24.99 for the premium plan. Subscribers can look forward to a wealth of content, including new original series and films.
As fans gear up for an action-packed week of sports and streaming, Untold: Shooting Guards stands out as a must-watch documentary that not only recounts a shocking moment in sports history but also prompts viewers to reflect on the complexities of human behavior and the lasting impact of our choices.
For those eager to witness this captivating story, Untold: Shooting Guards is available for streaming on Netflix starting May 6, 2025, at 3:00 a.m. ET. Don’t miss out on this compelling exploration of one of the most notorious incidents in NBA history.
