“LeBron James’s career started when he beat me,” says the protagonist of the Safdie Brothers’ documentary in an interview. That statement was confirmed by LeBron—the brightest star of the NBA, and already a legend for some time now. He would say that in high school everyone looked up to Lenny Cooke. A regular kid from Brooklyn became the most sought-after player in the country, leaving not only James, but also future NBA stars like Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire far behind. He was even thought of as the heir to Michael Jordan. But unlike them, Cooke never made it to the professional league. He missed out on the million dollar contracts, the crowds of fans chanting his name and most of all his chance to write a page in the book of basketball history. While his high school peers celebrate great triumphs, Lenny awkwardly hoists himself up from the couch to open another bag of chips, looking nothing like an athlete. The Safdie brothers (whom we’ve had the pleasure of hosting at Netia Off Camera) ask the question: what happens when the American Dream comes too soon? Far from just a story of wasted talent and the brutal confrontation between dreams and reality, the documentary also reveals the hypocrisy and immorality inside the beautifully wrapped package of American sports.