NBA 2K21 is next folks and I’m excited. As you can probably tell by now, writing about sports is one of my favorite topics. And of course, writing about sports-related video games is just a bonus. NBA 2K21 is next on my agenda, but the real motive behind this post is not the video game. It’s March Madness.
And yes, I’m perfectly aware that March Madness and NBA have very little in common. Perhaps only the sport of basketball, and the country it’s being played in the USA. And yes. One tournament is on a professional basis, while the other one is on a college/amateur basis. But the excitement for both tournaments is pretty huge, even here at IndieGala.
NBA 2K21 VS NBA 2K21 MAMBA FOREVER EDITION
Indeed. As you can probably tell by now… Both NBA 2K21 and NBA 2K21 MAMBA FOREVER EDITION are available for purchase. We’re pleased to announce that both of these projects are not only ready to be purchased. But they’re both on sale. Feel free to check out both of them at IndieGala, and pick the right one for you.
But what’s NBA 2K21 all about? Well, developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K, it’s a sports simulation game for true baseball fans. Oh and for the true NBA fans as well.
Wonton said on Steam: I play this game for the single-player portion of it. my-team, my-career, etc. Do not get this game for multiplayer.
While bigbeastman mentioned: Fun If you have other friends to play with, but beware of hackers.
NBA 2K21: What Is March Madness Anyway?
Well, as I mentioned earlier it’s one of the most respected college basketball tournaments that exist. The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, also known as NCAA March Madness, is a single-elimination tournament. It takes place in March each year, and except for last year, has been going strong since 1939. Yes. Last year the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But this 2021, it will happen at various venues in Indiana, rather than in multiple countries across the USA.
So, the 2021 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament will begin on March 18th and will end on April 5th. UCLA holds the record for the college with the most titles. But precisely because of the March Madness tournament, we picked out some cool basketball-themed movies. They all go well with the March Madness spirit, and if you care to find out which movies made the cut… Scroll down.
Semi-Pro
A sports comedy with Will Farrell, Woody Harrelson and André Benjamin to kick off this March Madness post? Yes, please. But Semi Pro is a movie about second chances. A chance for one terrible basketball team to play in the NBA. But the thing is they need the motivation, and inspiration to start winning in order to qualify for the NBA. Luckily for the fans, Jackie Moon (Will Farrell) has some tricks up his sleeve. Indeed, Semi Pro got some bad reviews back in 2008, but I think the movie is just what you think it is. It is a hilarious attempt at a sports satire with one of the most talented actors in Hollywood. It’s worth revisiting for March Madness.
Fun fact: Except for the Flint Tropics, all of the team names and uniforms are the same as the real ABA.
The Sixth Man
The Sixth Man is a blast from the ’90s. A by the numbers sports comedy, but a comedy that feels like the right pick for this post. It has Marlon Wayans in the Kenny Tyler, but Kadeem Hardison is the 6th man from the title. Brother to Kenny who dies expectantly but comes back as a ghost in order to help his team win an NCAA title. Yes, Kadeem and Marlon are great in this movie, but David Paymer is fantastic as coach Pederson. It’s one of my 90’s guilty pleasures, and yes. I think it belongs to this list too.
Fun fact: Lorenzo Orr, who portrays Malik Major in the movie, played basketball at the University of Southern California (USC). A rival conference of the University of Washington.
Space Jam
Seriously. This is a 90’s gem of a movie, and until the sequel arrives I’m recommending the 90’s version of Space Jam. Although the new movie won’t include Pepe Le Pew, and you may have heard about Lola’s redesign. But the OG Space Jam has Michael Jordan in the lead role, Bill Murray in the supporting role. And lots of Looney Tunes to take you down memory lane. It has fantastic humor, good animation and probably the best basketball player in the history of the sport. What’s not to like? This is another of my 90’s guilty pleasures and I can’t help but recommend it here.
Fun fact: The movie’s original promotional website still exists online, exactly as it appeared in 1996.
Celtic Pride
Different Wayans brother, and different basketball movie. Celtic Pride is another 90’s gem, and I can’t tell you how I love this movie. Especially because I’m a Celtic fan. But in Celtic Pride, Dan Aykroyd and Daniel Stern play two Celtics fans who kidnap Lewis Scott (Damon Wayans). The best player in the rival team (Utah Jazz), in order to ensure the title win. But Celtic Pride is one of those movies that I had to defend since the mid-’90s. It has a great cast, and it’s written by Judd Apatow and Colin Quin.
Fun fact: Daniel Stern & Dan Aykroyd appeared in different Macaulay Culkin films. Aykroyd in My Girl and Stern in Home Alone 1 & 2.
Glory Road
Let’s end this list with a couple of sports dramas. And Glory Road is one of them. Josh Lucas plays Don Haskins. A basketball coach who coached a college team with an all-black starting lineup. A first in NCAA history. And aside from basketball, the movie explores themes like racism, discrimination and perseverance. Derek Luke and Mehcad Brooks are some of the supporting actors in Glory Road, but this is a movie you can’t miss. Regardless if you’re a fan of period-piece movies. Or basketball movies altogether.
Fun fact: Ben Affleck was originally set to play Don Haskins. He pulled out of the project due to scheduling conflicts.
Hoosiers
Another period piece movie. And another inspirational basketball story. But this time with a two-time Oscar winner in the cast. Indeed. Gene Hackman is Norman Dale in Hoosiers. A new coach with a spotty past. He’ll take a small-town Indiana high school basketball team to the 1954 state championship, but it won’t be an easy road. And yes. Gene Hackman is great in this movie, but so is Dennis Hopper as the local drunk. Furthermore, his Oscar nomination (for best supporting actor) was well deserved.
Fun fact: Harry Dean Stanton turned down the role of Shooter. In 2013 he expressed regret over saying no to the film. And couldn’t remember his reasons for declining it.
Coach Carter
Let’s end this post with a biopic, shall we? And Samuel L. Jackson stars in the titular role. That of coach Ken Carter. A coach who after he benches his entire team for breaking their academic contract with him. Yes, the written contracts demanded respectful behavior, a dress code and good grades for players. So, when their behavior got worse, coach Carter got into action. Jackson is amazing as per usual here, and that’s hardly a surprise. But in the cast of the movie, you can easily find Channing Tatum, Rick Gonzalez, Rob Brown and singer Ashanti. It’s a really good movie, and it’s worth your time.
Fun fact: When Ken Carter was asked who should play him in the movie, he wrote down one name: Samuel L. Jackson.
Are You A Fan Of NBA 2K21?
Or March Madness for that matter? Let us know in the comment section which team are you rooting for? Which basketball movie is your favorite too. We’d love to know all about it.
