You’re already mad. I missed your favorite basketball movie and I’m the worst and I don’t know anything.
We all have our favorites. Some might be embarrassing. Maybe we don’t love a movie because it was before our time and we can’t watch anything that’s not in HD or using less than 40 cameras per scene.
With the Wolves’ season over with, you’ll have plenty of basketball to watch with the playoffs starting. But the playoffs will end (sadly) and you’ll need something to itch your basketball fix. And plus, this first round hasn’t been all that fun.
Here are my top-five basketball movies. After that, I throw in some of the favorites from my friends around the office and Twitter. Enjoy.
(“Hoosiers” isn’t on my list, so I’m the worst.)
This is kind of cheating because it’s a documentary. We could open a can of worms and get into all of the awesome basketball documentaries out there. But if I was going to choose one documentary to watch, I’d pick this one. It’s about Reggie Miller giving the Dementor’s Kiss to the New York Knicks and their fans, including Spike Lee.
I don’t remember watching a lot of basketball in the ’90s since I was still just a little dude, but I never realized how annoying Reggie Miller could be – depending on if you’re on his team or not. He’s this skinny, nerdy dude talking trash, but he’s so good that you can’t do anything about it.
The story gives a solid background of Miller growing up and how painful being a Knicks’ fan was in the mid ’90s.
I remember watching this movie in theaters as a six-year-old and it is still one of my favorite memories as a youngster. I’m pretty sure my step-dad hated the movie and might have even fallen asleep, so that’s not exactly a ringing endorsement, but he’s a hockey guy, so he was doomed from the beginning.
If you love ’90s basketball, you’ll recognize a bunch of faces. And Bill Murray is in the movie and acts as MJ’s friend. A world where MJ and Murray are friends is a world I want to be in.
I have no interest in seeing LeBron James star in a sequel.
During research for this piece, I bought this jersey. You should do the same and we could form a 2-on-2 basketball team.
Great movie for you romantics out there. And it’s extremely underrated when it comes to equality between men and women in basketball.
This movie gets a little steamy from what 10-year-old Kyle remembers, so just keep that in mind if watching with kids.
First off, these guys are playing pick-up basketball for money. Hustling opponents. That’s a freaking great storyline. If you would have told me back in 1992 that Billy would turn into one of the better actors in Hollywood, I wouldn’t have believed you. I couldn’t stop thinking about Billy during season one of “True Detective.”
Let’s not forget how gret Rosie Perez in this movie, either.
“You should have said I love you infinity plus infinity!”
Denzel Washington, Spike Lee and Ray Allen. This was the real Big Three. We probably forget that this was kind of a ballsy move for Allen to be in this movie. When the movie was released in 1998, Allen was only 22 years old and just in his second year. BUT THE DUDE CAN ACT!
He was actually nominated for the 1999 MTV Movie Award Best Breakthrough Male Performance. He lost, but he’s an NBA player so he already won. The other nominees? James Van Der Beek, Joseph Fiennes, Josh Harnett and Chris Rock.
You didn’t like this movie? You might say that players aren’t allowed to visit a college so close to the signing deadline. Or maybe that Jesus would have definitely gone pro out of high school (because he could have) if he was so broke and very good at basketball. Don’t think about these things. This is a movie. Not a “well actually” contest.
It’s also worth noting that the soundtrack for the movie is dope.
Best quote from the movie:
Don Pagnotti, “When making a business decision, the only color that matters is green.”
“Space Jam”
From Andrew
As a 6-7 year old kid I don’t remember watching much actual basketball on TV at night. But I can vividly remember watching the intro to “Space Jam.” It takes you through some of Jordan’s greatest highlights set to the Quad City DJ’s “Space Jam.” When you are in first grade, you think that’s pretty freaking cool.
Plus the ending is awesome when the spaceship lands and Newman proclaims, “Ladies and Gentleman…Michael Jordan!” and then R. Kelly’s “I Believe I can Fly” (a song made just for the movie) plays. That’s good stuff. The rest of the soundtrack was also awesome, and it was played often at the Maher household.
The movie is pretty cool, but I loved the music the most.
From Kate
MJ and Looney Toons. What more could you want?!
“White Men Can’t Jump”
From Bjorn
Wesley and Woody. Best 2-on-2 teammates of all time. And because Woody hits that hook shot from deep. And, of course, they wear those great hats.
@Kyle_Ratke White Men Can’t Jump because of the epic smack talking throughout each game. pic.twitter.com/D8coEOpgVm
@Kyle_Ratke is there really an argument against White Men Can’t Jump?
“Coach Carter”
From Alex
Because it’s a great story that is based on true events.
From Bennett
Because I would play for Sam Jackson.
From Pat
Teaching discipline, defense and character.
@Kyle_Ratke Coach Carter. I’m a sucker for tear jerkers
Coach Carter. I really don’t need to explain this, it’s a perfect movie. https://t.co/wuNawmOGEr
“The 6th Man”
From Sam
I thought The 6th Man with Marlon Wayans and Kadeem Hardison was really funny. I’ll pick that one.
The 6th Man. Because A&K all the way. https://t.co/GLri8ObBeo
“Glory Road”
From Todd
True underdog story that promotes team chemistry, team basketball and addresses social issues well. Plus, I cried.
“Blue Chips”
From Bob
We got to see Shaq and Penny together before they were Magicians!
“Hoosiers”
From Sam
Mainly because it was one of the first sports movies I remember seeing and it’s still an inspiration for the underdog teams.
From Eric
No explanation needed.
“I’ll make it,” Jimmy Chitwood.
“My team is on the floor,” Coach Dale.
Gives me goosebumps.
@Kyle_Ratke Hoosiers. Growing up in Chetek, no other hoops movie came close to capturing the feel of small town bball. Hoop Dreams #2.
@Kyle_Ratke Teen Wolf – mostly because it’s obvious the actors had never played basketball in their entire lives before this movie.
@Kyle_Ratke Hoosiers and it isn’t even close. Hackman, Hopper, and Jimmy. Don’t get caught watching the paint dry!
“Teen Wolf”
Teen Wolf, because it’s the only correct answer. https://t.co/CG2CwaOIPV
“Air Bud”
@Kyle_Ratke air bud. The Golden Retriever baller predicted the rise of the Golden State Warriors
@Kyle_Ratke pic.twitter.com/qJHrBxXidB
“Celtic Pride”
@Kyle_Ratke Celtic Pride because I feel like I can relate with the main characters.
“Eddie”
@Kyle_Ratke Eddie. I had no idea that Whoopi was that good of coach. Still waiting for an NBA team to give her a chance
“Kazaam”
@Kyle_Ratke Kazaam. Reasons: A+ acting. Loved by the critics. Box Office success.
“Semi-Pro”
@Kyle_Ratke Semi-Pro, because of Jackie Moon.
