"Untold: Shooting Guards" is a cautionary tale of ego

Director Walter Thompson-Hernandez takes viewers back to 2010 for his latest effort in an eye-opening instalment of  Netflix's "Untold" series with "Untold: Shooting Guards." The opening episode of Season 5 of the popular series delves into what led to Washington Wizards teammates Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton pulling guns on each other in the locker room.

The episode begins with an almost cinematic sharp cut to December 2009, showing the infamous day Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton brought guns into the Washington Wizards locker room, which led to headline domination and altered public perception of the two men. But rather than rehash tabloid hysteria.

"Shooting Guards" opts for a profoundly human approach, engaging viewers personally. The documentary provides Arenas and Crittenton with a platform to articulate their perspectives directly to the audience, placing them at the centre of the ongoing controversy. This intimate narrative style facilitates a more profound comprehension of their experiences and the complexities inherent in their respective stories.

Unfiled interviews reveal Arenas' exceptional openness through his unique blend of boldness and frankness, while Crittenton demonstrates deep sincerity, which intensifies throughout the series. A combination of testimonies from Arenas and Crittenton and expert analysis from teammates, coaches, journalists, and legal professionals paints a complex picture of locker room tension erupting from prideful behaviour and distorted masculinity concepts.

Director Walter Thompson-Hernandez doesn't glamorize the incident. The episode demonstrates its power through its careful and measured approach. Incorporating archival footage, grainy locker room photos, and court transcripts sparingly yet powerfully to create tension without using sensational elements. The episode delivers a decisive moment when both men describe the critical dispute that triggered their confrontation through parallel editing, highlighting the fragmented nature of memory and truth.

The narrative continues beyond Arenas' suspension and Crittenton's departure from the NBA. The final act veers into darker territory: Following his departure from the NBA, Crittenton descended into personal turmoil that ended with his manslaughter conviction. At this point, we evolve from a straightforward sports narrative into a tragic examination of wasted talent and systemic failures with consequences stemming from one crucial choice.

"Shooting Guards" avoids simple paths to redemption or moralistic conclusions. The documentary clearly understands past events, their significance then and now, and their ongoing impact. The narrative serves as a warning while depicting a psychological drama that follows two young men struggling with fame and fear as their egos lead them to destructive consequences.

Final Grade: B+

"Untold: Shooting Guards" is now available to stream on Netflix.