Alabama basketball season has officially begun, leading excitement and passion from fans to be especially high. There are certain films that can capture that exciting feeling that the sport provides, showing the passion, roughness and work ethic involved in the game.
From the Looney Tunes universe to concrete courts on the streets of Spain, here are three of the greatest basketball movies ever made.
“Space Jam” (1996)
“Space Jam” follows the Looney Tunes as they recruit retired NBA champion Michael Jordan to help them win a basketball game for their freedom from the invading ”Monstar” aliens.
Although “Space Jam” doesn’t necessarily take the game of basketball as seriously as others, it does involve some of the sport’s biggest stars. From Jordan to Larry Bird to Charles Barkley, the basketball star power assembled for this movie is second to none.
However, it’s not just basketball players that make appearances, as the film features big names such as Bill Murray and Wayne Knight. Most of these A-list actors at the time somehow managed to take a back seat to Bugs Bunny and company, as it’s the Looney Tunes characters who steal the show with their slapstick comedy and rambunctious antics.
It’s dumb, it’s illogical, but it’s a fun basketball movie that continues to introduce generations to some of the game’s biggest stars of all time.
“Hustle” (2022)
If “Space Jam” was the collection of the biggest NBA stars of the 1990s, then “Hustle” is that collection for the 2020s. Featuring names like Anthony Edwards, Trae Young, Tyrese Maxey and Luka Dončić, the film is a gift for current basketball fans.
The film follows fictional Philadelphia 76ers scout Stanley Sugerman, played by Adam Sandler, as he finds the fictional and talented prospect Bo Cruz, played by Juancho Hernangomez, in Spain. Seeing Cruz as an opportunity to finally be promoted to a 76ers assistant coaching position, Sugerman brings Cruz back to the U.S. to train for and join the NBA draft.
On top of all of the player appearances, the film is full of emotion and heart, giving basketball fans all that they could ask for from a modern NBA film.
“The Way Back” (2020)
“The Way Back” follows former high school basketball phenom Jack Cunningham, played by Ben Affleck. Cunningham is plagued by alcoholism and separated from his wife, but he accepts a head coaching job at his alma mater Bishop Hayes Catholic School after the previous coach had a heart attack. The team hasn’t been to the playoffs since Cunningham played there and only has six varsity players, but he is determined to bring Bishop Hayes back to relevance.
The film is certainly dark and gritty, but few have captured the visceral and physical nature of the sport, especially high school basketball, quite like it. Affleck is phenomenal in the role, putting forth a compelling and engaging depiction of addiction and loss.
Director Gavin O’Connor is no stranger to sports movies, helming films such as the 2004 hockey drama “Miracle” and the 2011 MMA film “Warrior.” O’Connor’s direction is perhaps the film’s best aspect, as his understanding of how to film actual in-game sports sequences is some of the strongest in recent memory.
“The Way Back” is certainly not for everyone, as it isn’t a light-hearted family film like “Space Jam” or a cameo-fest like “Hustle.” However, it truly may be the most realistic depiction of basketball ever put to screen, making it one of the best films as a whole that the sport has to offer.
