Above The Rim (1994)
Duane Martin almost played in the NBA but never did. But at least he got to showcase his skills in what seemed like the longest basketball montage since forever. Tupac, playing himself a foul-mouthed thug, stole the film, of course. In the clip below, security guard Shep shows Kyle that he can actually, uhm, guard:
QUOTES THAT DESERVE A TWEET:
“Why you doing this man? It’s only a game.” “Not to me.”
He Got Game (1998)
Ray “Jesus Shuttlesworth” Allen and Denzel Washington (in his brand new Jordan XIIIs) as son and father, playing one-on-one, and talking trash in a Spike Lee joint. If all that aren’t enough to convince you that this film is the ultimate basketball movie, perhaps cameos by Rick Fox and Travis Best should do the trick. Watch Jesus and his almighty father battle it out on the court:
http://youtu.be/s0OB2ZJEsl0
QUOTES THAT DESERVE A TWEET:
“I pray you understand why I pushed you so hard! It was only to get you to that next level, son. I mean, you the first Shuttlesworth that’s ever gonna make it out of these projects, and I was the one who put the ball in your hand, son. I put the ball in your crib!”
Basketball Diaries (1995)
Before Leonardo DiCaprio was Romeo and “the king of the world,” he was Jim Carroll—“a troubled kid in a crazy city.” There’s basketball, there’s drugs, and a sense of reality that the Robert Swifts of the world can probably relate to.
QUOTE THAT DESERVES A TWEET:
“Idle time is the devil’s play thing.”
White Men Can’t Jump (1992)
If you’re looking for the trashtalk bible, this film is it. Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson are definitely on top of their game on this one. Woody will dunk on you, and he will not shut up about it.
QUOTE THAT DESERVES A TWEET:
“I’ll tell you what. Why don’t we take all these bricks and build a shelter for the homeless, so maybe your mother will have a place to stay.”
Blue Chips (1994)
Cameos, a healthy Penny Hardaway, Shaq, Bob Cousy, point shaving, more cameos, Larry Bird, and Nick Nolte giving a pep talk that straight up makes you want to hit something.
QUOTE THAT DESERVES A TWEET:
“You can get through college half-assed. You can get through life half-assed. But I’ll guarantee you boys one thing, sure as hell, I’ll guarantee you this: you cannot win half-assed.”
Space Jam (1996)
Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny are arguably the best one-two punch in basketball since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. His Airness can’t do comedy to save his life, but hey, that’s what Bill Murray is for.
QUOTE THAT DESERVES A TWEET:
Charles Barkley: I won’t go out with Madonna again.
Hoosiers (1986)
If coach Norman Dale’s words haven’t inspired you yet at any point in your life—before a big game, an important meeting, or a dentist appointment—then you’re probably doing it wrong. This film has all the elements of an underdog story that Pinoys are suckers for (see: Gilas Pilipinas), just ignore the fact that the film is set in 1950s Indiana.
QUOTE THAT DESERVES A TWEET:
“Strap, God wants you on the floor.”
The Air Up There (1994)
“The Jimmy Dolan Shake and Bake” is what the film was remembered for, overshadowing the more iconic, deeper “I play for Winabi.” This is a feel-good movie set in Africa that won’t have the highlights you’d probably look for in a basketball film. But that title though.
QUOTE THAT DESERVES A TWEET:
“You came halfway around the world to watch me play basketball?”
Coach Carter (2005)
Coach Samuel L. Jackson. Nuff said.
QUOTE THAT DESERVES A TWEET:
“When we step on the floor every second that clock is ticking, we are pedal to the metal, we run the ball, we pressure the ball, and most importantly we control the tempo of the game, we make them play Richmond Oiler ball.”
Dobol Dribol (1992)
The Captain shows that not only can he get buckets, he can also, you know, memorize some lines. It’s also fitting that the most popular PBA star of his generation remakes the 1979 original, which starred the Living Legend Robert Jaworski and Nora Aunor. This film has copious amounts of basketball footage featuring Alvin Patrimonio and a bunch of unknowns as well as singing bits from a pre-tatted Aiza Seguerra.
http://youtu.be/2-cWg8a25Rg
QUOTE THAT DESERVES A TWEET:
“Papaano ako magkakaroon ng kambal na bansot?”
Honorable mentions: Last Two Minutes (1989) – Patrimonio’s first foray into movies, with fellow PBA legends Jerry Codinera and Bong Alvarez. Dunkin’ Donato (1993); Eddie (1996); Rebound: The Legend of Earl ‘The Goat’ Manigault (1996); Sunset Park (1996); The Sixth Man (1997)