“Basketball is my favourite sport. I like the way they dribble up and down the court”
Spaceman (Sunset Park) — Player Comparison = Tristan Thompson
“It’s time to get loud, it’s time to represent, Sunset Park what time is it!!” Only known as “Spaceman” was played by a super young Terrence Howard, in this 1996 lesser-known movie, Sunset Park. About a New York City high school team, that like most sports movies must find themselves and come together as a team to finally reach their true potential. Spaceman just like Tristan Thompson was a beast on the boards, and was the energy, glue guy of the team. Spaceman was quiet and kept to himself mostly, having difficulties communicating with his teachers and his teammates. Once he finally opens up, he becomes unstoppable on the boards and a vital part of the teams success in the movie.
Quincy McCall (Love & Basketball) — Player Comparison = Derrick Rose
“Who you going to the dance with anyway? Spalding?
This movie man. Love & Basketball straight up pulling on your heartstrings! Remember how good this movie actually was? Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan killed it in this. Quincy McCall, what a beast! The only reason I’m comparing him to Derrick Rose is, much like Rose who has had multiple injuries and set backs in his career, it just reminds me on Quincy’s story. He was almost on top of the mountain, when a devastating knee injury finished his career. He could never really reach his true potential, much like Rose now (Sorry Derrick). This scene though, gets me every time.
Timo Cruz (Coach Carter) — Player Comparison = Lou Williams
Timo!! He is instant offence baby. A tortured soul in this movie, always trying to prove himself, while juggling the hardships of his personal life. Timo would have made a great sixth man for this game, much like Lou Williams. A great streaky shooter, deadly from the corner, Timo Cruz was one of my favourite characters from Coach Carter. Yah I put him on this list over Damien Carter! Timo is willing to die for his team, and I love that about him. This is the type of guy I would want on my team. Remember how many push-ups and suicides that guy did, just to get back on the team? That’s why he’s on this list, and well because he was awesome. I also totally forgot Channing Tatum was in this movie!
Scott Howard Aka Teen Wolf — Player Comparison = Russell Westbrook
Okay, okay, okay. I know what you’re thinking. Really, Russell Westbrook? Yes! This wolf could do it all on the basketball court. He could even surf on top of a moving van!! Rebounding, passing, dunking, honestly Scott Howard could do it all. Just like my man Russell Westbrook, he would have been a triple double machine, if he didn’t realize that he could win without becoming the wolf (what a shame). Howard plays the brand of basketball I love, rough and tumble basketball. Do you remember some of the fouls in the finals in this movie? Straight up murder people! He is the spark plug of the East squad, and team captain no doubt. He is odds on favourite to win All-Star MVP. What an insane concept for a movie though, and lets not speak of the sequel. Damn you Jason Bateman.
The West All-Stars
Billy Hoyle & Sidney Deane (White Men Can’t Jump) — Player Comparison = JJ Reddick & Jamaal Crawford
These two guys are a package deal. I don’t care what anyone says! Without question my favourite basketball movie, and these two guys really could play. I decided on Reddick and Crawford because to me it just felt right, ironically enough they are actual teammates in real life. Billy Hoyle will out work anyone on the court and he doesn’t want to admit it, but is a knock down shooter. Sidney Deane, no one in any movie ever, has looked as stylish when playing basketball as Wesley Snipes did in this movie. His outfits are on point, and now lets get to his game, unorthodox to say the least, but just an overall great scorer. The West team has instant chemistry, but it could derail them in the end, seeing how they could have a side bet going, that could ultimately hurt the team. Don’t bank on Woody Harrelson going into the dunk contest. Everything you need to know about this movie is in the scene below. Also, if they remake this movie, I want Chris Pratt for Hoyle and Michael B Jordon for Deane!
Kyle Watson (Above The Rim) – Player comparison = Kyrie Irving
Handles for days! Without a doubt a show off, Kyle Watson was the original Kyrie Irving. Could be a burden to the West team if he doesn’t share the rock. The opening scene in Above The Rim is the reason I never learned how to dunk, still chilling to this day. Kyle just like Kyrie is a playmaker, who is always looking to score the ball. Could be looking at the high-scorer of the game.
Junior Battle (Coach Carter) — Player Comparison = Serge Ibaka
He was the best player on Coach Carter’s team, the heart and soul of it too. Junior Battle was an all-around solid player. Shot blocking, mid-range jumper, could finish around the rim, just like Serge. Junior found himself in an unusual spot, after the top two scorers from the previous season left the team. The only big on this West squad, looking forward to the big man battle we have always wanted to see; Spaceman vs. Junior!
Bill Murray (Space Jam) Player Comparison = Brian Scalabrine
Hear me out people! Bill Murray in the limited minutes he played, in the biggest basketball game this world has ever seen, deserved a spot on a roster. He’s a team player, who is going to get the other guys hyped for this game! Some times you need that on your roster, sure he will be a defensive liability, but it’s an all-star game. NOBODY PLAYS DEFENCE! Scalabrine, the white mamba was crucial to the Celtics winning a title, and he was the hype man for the team. Bill Murray is also an underrated passer, and is looking for the all time all-star game assist record. Space Jam, a time in my life when I found myself having a weird fascination with bunnies. Tell me I wasn’t the only one?
The Coaches
I would have loved to have Birdie from Above The Rim, who was played by Tupac, but obviously that can’t happen (RIP). So coaching the West will be Ken Carter (Sam Jackson) and coaching the East, I’m going with Norman Dale (Gene Hackman). Both different in styles and at the end of the day, it will be interesting to see how the players react to their coaching styles.
The Game
I’m having a tough time picking a winner here. All I know is, if the game is close down the stretch, you know Jimmy Chitwood is knocking down a game winner. That is a fact, they are running the picket fence for Jimmy and he’s knocking it down. Hoyle and Sidney will be tough to handle together, so honestly I don’t know! Teen Wolf himself, gets the rare all-star game triple double, before turning back into Scott Howard, for the final minutes of the game, which hurts the East team. For the 10 people reading this, let me know which squad is coming out victorious! At the end of the day I’m probably going with the team that has a werewolf on it, just saying.