The NBA’s historic lore is filled with many incredible stories and moments, and as of August 10, we’ve been given a glimpse back into a rather dark chapter in the NBA’s history. This dark chapter in the NBA’s history is none other than the infamous Malice at the Palace incident, which occurred between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons. Many NBA fans are familiar with the incident, but Netflix has begun releasing their documentary series that dives deeper into the all-out brawl that happened on November 19, 2004. The series will span five episodes, with the first part of the documentary already available for viewing, and new installments will be released on a weekly basis. If you enjoyed watching Netflix’s The Last Dance, then you are in for some entertaining and riveting retelling of NBA stories.
Similar to The Last Dance in the Untold: Malice at the Palace Documentary, the players are featured heavily throughout. This includes interviews from players including Reggie Miller, Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, Jermaine O’Neal, and Ben Wallace. Additionally, fans, security personnel, and even investigators involved in the incident have parts in this documentary detailing the events of that night. There is certainly an emphasis in the documentary to reveal the truth about what actually happened and makes you question what you actually know about the Malice at the Palace. The beginning of the documentary does a great job of setting the scene, going back to the Eastern Conference Finals the year before the incident, and focuses on how the Indiana Pacers, who ended up being sanctioned came to be a part of the organization.
What we remember about that November night in its aftermath was the damage control David Stern specifically had to do, which is highlighted in the documentary, and the tarnished reputation of not only the NBA but specifically the players involved. The impact that this event had on players like Jermaine O’Neal and Ron Artest can be felt strongly in this first part of the documentary. This event proved so impactful on the Pacers team, who were expected to win the East, that perhaps it changed NBA history in the process and is the reason Indiana is still looking for their first title. Untold: Malice at the Palace offers viewers and NBA fans never before seen footage of the fighting that took place and does well to show the severity of the fighting to the point that legal action was necessary. In only one episode, there were facts and details I had never known revealed, and this documentary, I believe, will truly add a different dimension to this dark period of NBA basketball.
There’s no better time for this documentary than right now, in my opinion. With what we’ve seen take place this past postseason where fans returning to arenas violated some players during the playoffs, it makes sense to look back to when those interactions were taken to the utmost extreme. This documentary really brings into question the role of fans and at what point they cross the line in their role as fans. If you appreciate the history of NBA basketball and want to be entertained this summer, then Untold: Malice at the Palace is must-see TV!
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