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The movie, NBA Lane, is magical perfection

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 You just knew the premier of NBA Lane was going to be special right from the start when the overhead cloud formation is that of the NBA logo. Masterful stuff!


Then, unbelievably, it got better. Once I got over the fact that, at 77 years of age, I am two years older than the League I write about, the film was absolutely charming.

NBA Lane has it all. The old guys - the youngsters - the rivalries - but most of all, the memories and the hope that the young guys bring to a League that has entertained us for 75 years through tough times and joyous seasons (per NBA.com): 

• The morning clouds look like Logoman

• Magic Johnson’s street address is 32 NBA Lane, Larry Bird’s is 33 NBA Lane – they (obviously) live across the street from each other on NBA Lane

• Dwayne Wade lives at #3 NBA Lane

• Oscar Robertson lives at #181 NBA Lane – a nod to the number of Triple-Doubles he recorded. He also is reading a newspaper article about Russell Westbrook breaking his record

• If you look closely, you’ll see Russell Westbrook is in an impromptu photoshoot by mascots

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is sitting in his iconic rocking chair from the night he retired

• Manu Ginobili is cooking Asado – a nod to both his Argentine roots and his time in San Antonio

• Trae Young is filling up an ice bath – a nod to his Ice Trae nickname

• Bill Walton is tending to his rose garden – a nod to is time in Portland, and utters his iconic catchphrase from his commentating days

• To depict the global impact of the NBA over 75 seasons, we have a large mural featuring international superstars (Dražen Petrović, Rudy Gobert, Yao Ming, Nikola Jokić, Hakeem Olajuwon, Luka Dončić, Joel Embiid, and Steve Nash)

• Robert Horry flashes a peace sign…and then 5 more fingers to total the number of NBA rings he has

• Zion Williamson holds a cup of Big Face Coffee he just ordered before breaking the backboard

• Gary Payton stops the Hoop Bus in its tracks with sheer defensive will

• Crosswalk signals on NBA Lane feature a Dikembe Mutombo finger wag for DON’T WALK and a Logoman for WALK

• NBA Hall of Famers gather for a reception inside a ballroom on NBA Lane (Julius Erving, Ray Allen, Grant Hill, Dikembe Mutombo, Artis Gilmore, Richard Hamilton, and Vlade Divac are featured)

• Kevin Durant is flanked by a hall of oil paintings featuring iconic players who have also won the MVP award (Wilt Chamberlain, Willis Reed, Moses Malone, Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, and Giannis Antetokounmpo featured)

• Devin Booker pulls up to a Kobe Bryant mural featuring the “BE LEGENDARY” quote that Kobe signed on Devin’s shoes

• LaMelo Ball and Benny The Bull play 2-on-2 on an NBA Jam cabinet (LaMelo plays with The Hornets, Benny plays with The Bulls)

• Lil Penny of the famed Nike commercials plays chess against the mastermind of making moves, Jerry West. The Larry O’Brien Trophy sits with them, watching the game

• Kawhi Leonard holds a skateboard – a nod to his Southern California roots and his return to Los Angeles

• Anthony Davis crosses over Los Angeles/Staples Center rival Chuck The Condor

• Isiah Thomas drives an old school hot rod – a nod to Detroit and the Pistons

• Carmelo Anthony walks down NBA Lane like it’s a pre-game tunnel walk. Behind Carmelo is a wall of “concert posters” showing iconic NBA Finals match-ups from the last 75 seasons

Take a few minutes. Kudos to those that made this movie work so well. It is pure joy. How often can we say that in a present society that just can't seem to get much right. We needed this movie!

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  1. The Celtic KnightOctober 8, 2021 at 8:07 AM

    Where is his Airness? Great job Tom!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tom LaneOctober 8, 2021 at 5:24 PM

    Was he missing? I was so mesmerized by the film, I just don't know.

    ReplyDelete

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