The Internet has been buzzing this week over the news that LeBron James has reached a deal with Warner Bros.
The rumor mills began to run wild. This could mean only one thing, right?
Space. Jam. 2.
As a kid, I fell in love with basketball through the film as Michael Jordan and Co. took down the Monsters in what for many of my generation view as a true classic.
A sequel would be great. There’s no shortage of talented, charismatic NBA players these days. Here I take my picks from the current league roster for who would be the best replacement for MJ if the reboot indeed does happen.
LeBron James:
Okay, this is the easiest option here.
James, who recently co-starred in Trainwreck, is a household name already. Argued by many as one of the best to ever play the game, it’s more than his on-court abilities that make him a great fit for filling the role.
When I was younger, I looked up to Michael Jordan. Sure, he was an amazing athlete but he has always had this natural swagger about him – which is a kind of untouchable confidence that pairs perfectly with trying to beat an all-star team of aliens. LeBron, who recently asserted after a loss in the NBA Finals that he was the best player in the world. This is the exact kind of confidence you need to beat the monsters.
Blake Griffin:
On the court, the Clipper’s star is an intense player known for his powerful slam dunks. Off the court, he’s one of the funniest players in the game – a perfect pairing for the sometimes silly idea of a real NBA player facing off with monsters.
I could go on for a while about how Griffin’s sense of humor would translate well to the big screen – I’ll just leave this here instead:
Russell Westbrook:
The league’s most recent scoring leader is coming off of a season where more than once he was asked to carry an injury-riddled squad through the tough Western Conference. In that time, we, as fans, got to see that explosive and sometimes over-the-top intensity Westbrook plays with. His passion for the game would translate well in the underdog story, as we’ve seen more than once how he can post ridiculous stats with almost no help.
Imagine how frightened the monsters would be with this guy dribbling maniacally in front of them.
Instead of showing you a video of an energetic Westbrook in action, the best way to highlight his personality is this fan impression of Westbrook doing Westbrook things.
Nick Young:
This is the biggest long-shot on this list.
Young -- or "Swaggy P" as he's known -- could be an interesting fit for the role. He is constantly in the news for saying off-the-wall things. Young was recently in the news for when he was asked who should get the role, he told TMZ not Blake Griffin because he's "too beige." Swaggy was once quoted as saying his right arm is "strictly for buckets" when asked about why is shooting arm isn't tattooed like his other.
In his recent appearance on Wild 'n Out, Young showed he can be the funny guy in a live-action performance and not just quoted as saying something funny.
Chris Paul:
Even if you're not familiar with his work on the basketball court, you've probably caught a Statefarm commercial featuring the point guard and his supposed twin brother "Cliff Paul."
He's a true team player.
When the band of Looney Toons characters end up with their backs against the wall with the monsters, they'll need someone out there who will make the team better and create opportunities to score. Paul was last year's assist leader with an average of 10.2 per game. That kind of play-making ability would be so fun to watch during the epic final game of the movie.
And really, how can you not like this guy?
