The NBA season officially kick's off this week and to celebrate the spirit of alley oops, jump shots, and slam dunks. I figured why not write about some basketball movies. There's classics like Hoosiers, White Men Can't Jump, Above The Rim, Coach Carter, He Got Game, and Love & Basketball. Then there's the not quite classic tier but good films the Blue Chips, Glory Road, and Sunset Park of the world. The list goes on until you get to the one's you either never heard of or forgot about.
I'm here to educate and refresh your memory about those films. Here are five hidden gem basketball films you may like.
5. Eddie
This 1996 film followed the 90's film trope of a average joe becoming the head coach of a pro team and uses unconventional methods for winning results. Whoopi Goldberg stars as a New York Knick fanatic named Edwina better known as Eddie, she wins a contest to become the assistant coach for a half and leaves such an impression. She is selected to become the head coach (mainly as a publicity stunt by the owner). Unsurprisingly in the film world, she rejuvenates the Knicks to make the playoffs, and help's many players learn more about themselves along the way.
Eddie isn't available on any streaming service. There are a few rips uploaded to YouTube though.
4. The Winning Season
This 2009 film definitely flew under the radar of basketball films, it stars Sam Rockwell as Bill Greaves a borderline acholic busboy who is spinning his wheels in life. A friend of his who now is the principal at a high school, hires him to coach the girls varsity basketball team. Bill is a bit in over his head, and the girls give him a run for his money. Eventually he help's them through their own personal struggles, while they alley oop in helping him rebuild his relationship with his daughter. The film also stars a young Emma Roberts and Rooney Mara, and actually has plenty of heart.
The Winning Season is available on Tubi, Pluto TV, and The CW app.
3. Hurricane Season
2. Celtic Pride
Boston Celtics fans have a reputation for being quite fanatical. This 1996 film exaggerates that claim feeding into that reputation. The film stars Dan Akroyd and Daniel Stern as two Celtics fans who lives pretty much revolve around the team. As the Celtics are poised to lose the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, the two come up with a scheme to kidnap star player Lewis Scott (Damon Wayans) until after game 7. Effectively guaranteeing Boston will win, that is until Lewis blackmails them into choosing prison or The Celtics. One of Judd Apatow's earlier films, it is not for everyone but if you just need some mindless entertainment this one's for you.
Celtic Pride currently isn't available to stream without renting. I have seen it on tubi quite a few times, so it should cycle back on it soon.
1. Rebound: The legend of Earl "The Goat" Manigult
Legend has it Earl 'The Goat" Manigault is one of the best basketball players that never was. This 1996 HBO original movie starring Don Cheadle and directed by Eric La Salle helped tell his story. Earl was a playground legend on the streets of New York in the 60's. He had an amazing leaping ability and was highly sought after in high school and college. Yet, he succumbed to the allure of drugs and eventually hit rock bottom. This film follows his life up to him turning things around, it makes you want to learn more about the goat. As well as think about other legends who never made the NBA who stories deserve to be told.
I don't believe this film has ever been available to stream. If you want to see it there are rips uploaded to YouTube, quality isn't the best but gets the job done.
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