We are now in the heart of the NBA Playoffs, the Finals quickly approaching. Basketball fans remain on the edge of their seats with each game, but soon basketball season will be over. So why not use that break to stay in fan-form and enjoy a relaxing movie? Here’s a list of 13 movies every basketball fan must see.
1. "Glory Road" (2006, PG)
In 1966, Texas Western head coach Don Haskins faces scrutiny after playing black players on his team. He then takes the first all-black starting lineup to the NCAA National Championship changing basketball in the south, as well as, all over the country.
2. "Coach Carter" (2005, PG-13)
Samuel L. Jackson plays Ken Carson, the new head basketball coach at an inner-city Richmond, Va. high school. Coach Carter has his work cut out for him though, taking on the task of mentoring his players beyond the court, in the classroom and in the streets of one of the roughest neighborhoods.
3. "Space Jam" (1996, PG)
The Monstars take on the Toon Squad…Michael Jordan. Looking to enslave the hilarious and cunning Looney Tunes to their outer space theme park, the Monstars take on a challenge from the Looney Tunes in a game of basketball, but not before stealing the talent of other NBA superstars. The Looney Tunes must enlist the help of basketball-great Michael Jordan to ensure their freedom.
4. "Love & Basketball" (2000, PG-13)
Follow the lives of two Los Angeles neighbors from childhood to the pros. Monica (Sanaa Lathan) moves in beside Quincy (Omar Epps) which sparks their love-hate relationship with each other and with basketball as both push themselves to compete at the next level. This is a story of how passion and desire for a dream may blind us from the greater joys of life.
5. "Above the Rim" (1994, R)
A high school star, played by Duane Martin, with tremendous promise faces obstacles in the streets of New York. Tupac Shakur plays a drug dealing brother pulling Martin’s character into the life of money, drugs and girls.
6. "White Men Can’t Jump" (1992, R)
Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson team up to hustle other basketball players on the streets of Southern California. The two set out to show everyone what real street ball is all about in this hilarious comedy.
7."Rebound: The Legend of Earl ‘The Goat’ Manigault" (1996, R)
This documentary follows Earl Manigualt (Don Cheadle), a New York City playground baller who many believe could have been a Hall of Famer. But The Goat’s involvement in drugs ultimately became his downfall. See how a star became reformed into a neighborhood icon for all the young kids in the community.
8. "Like Mike" (2002, PG)
This fun comedy combines basketball with a little fantasy as Calvin, a 14-year-old orphan (Lil’ Bow Wow), finds a pair of old sneakers with the initials M.J. on the inside. Upon wearing the shoes, Calvin inherits all the abilities of an NBA superstar and begins to play on the team of one of his favorite players (Morris Chestnut).
9. "Hoosiers" (1986, PG)
Arguably, one of the greatest sports movies of all time, "Hoosiers" highlights a small-town high school basketball team in Indiana that rises to become the top contender for a championship under the leadership of a checkered coach and town drunk. This film highlights any and all odds that a high school may face in under overwhelming odds.
10. "He Got Game" (1998, R)
"He Got Game" isn’t great simply because of its basketball storyline. This Spike Lee film, like many of his others, touches on themes pivotal in every day life while portraying the hardships that come from being the No. 1 ranked high school basketball player in the nation. Ray Allen plays Jesus Shuttlesworth, a high school kid whose future falls on where he chooses to play college ball. The only problem, he must deal with his strict father, played by Denzel Washington, who has troubles of his own with the law.
11. "Rebound" (2005, PG)
Martin Lawrence heads this comedy of an acclaimed college basketball coach who is demoted after a string of public outburst on the sideline. He then takes up a job as a junior varsity coach in hopes to reclaim his afore fame, but after everything begins to go his way, he must choose to have his old life back or stick with the kids he’s grown fond of coaching.
12. "Hurricane Season" (2009, PG-13)
In Marrero, La., families are still recovering a year after Hurricane Katrina. A high school basketball coach tries to breathe life into the city embarking on a tough mission of bringing basketball players together from five different schools for a run at the state championship. Forest Whitaker, Taraji P. Henson and Isaiah Washington headline this inspiring drama.
Whether it’s a tear-jerking true story, a hilarious comedy or a heart throbbing drama, each of these basketball movies will be entertaining and deserve to been watched by all basketball fans.
