General / Apr 24, 2008 / 4:16 pm

“Ball Don’t Lie” Movie Premiere Contest

Ball Don’t Lie

Over here at Dime, we’re getting geared up for Saturday night’s Tribeca Film Festival premiere of the new basketball movie “Ball Don’t Lie,” and we want some of our readers to share in the experience of opening night with us and some of the movie’s stars.

We’ve known about “Ball Don’t Lie” for a while now. We first read the book a few years back and loosely followed its development into a full-fledged movie with a legit cast (the movie stars Grayson “The Professor” Boucher, Ludacris, Nick Cannon, Rosanna Arquette, and several other actors you’d immediately recognize from shows like “The Wire” and “Lost“). The movie tells the story of Sticky (played by Boucher), a kid who’s been dealt a tough hand in life but finds salvation on the basketball court - the only place in the world where he’s free from his problems. It’s a great story, sort of along the lines of an “8 Mile” for basketball.

So here’s what we want to do for our readers: In the comments section below, tell us about your favorite basketball movie and why you love it so much. We’ll go through the posts and the best ones will get a ticket to the premiere and the chance to possibly meet The Professor and Nick Cannon on opening night (not to mention getting to hang out with the Dime crew).

You can check out the movie’s official Tribeca Film Festival listing HERE, as well as a schedule for upcoming showings if you want to buy tickets. And if you don’t win the contest, you’re more than welcome to come by the opening anyway. No one will leave empty-handed. We’ll be hooking people up with everything from free subscriptions and gear to basketballs autographed by Ludacris.

67 Responses to ““Ball Don’t Lie” Movie Premiere Contest”

  1. control says:

    Does it have to be a movie? The Fresh Prince basketball episodes are hilarious and I swear a few NBA coaches have watched them and stole the “Pass it to Will” playbook. Also, Will Smith taking Isiah Thomas 1on1 is priceless, Will was giving him buckets the entire dream, as well as playing rock solid D on him.

  2. JHov says:

    No doubt..Love & Basketball! I am not a punk but you gotta admit there’s never been an ethnic movie about a relationship centered around bball! Sanaa Lathan didn’t hurt my eyes either. But I’m guessing everybody out there could relate to either Epps or Lathan’s character as well. This movie had something for everybody: the pitfalls of banking everything on athletics (Epps character getting hurt) and realizing how much you would sacrifice for basketball!(Lathan playing ball overseas)

  3. Charlie says:

    Favourite basketball movie gotta be Glory Road. Cuz it is History and helped define what basketball is today. It is inspiring and a great film.

  4. Jah says:

    Best Basketball Movie EVER = “White Men Can’t Jump”

    The plot, the characters, the basketball, the trash-talking - it was all put together so well!

    You know I’m right…

  5. Diego says:

    Anyone ever catch the old Chevy Chase movie “Fletch,” when Fletch (Chevy) has his Lakers dream sequence and is sporting a massive Josh Childress ‘fro? Hilarious.

  6. N-Truh-Kit says:

    surprised nobody wants to mention HE GOT GAME…

    Ray Allen played the role of a poverty striken HS Basketball GOD who was supporting his little sister, going to school, playing ball, and dealing with the scrutiny of being the top recruit in the country. Denzel’s role was inspirational in the sense that it showed a man who had done wrong, but was trying to turn his life around. Unlike everyone else in the movie surrounding Ray Allen’s character, Denzel was the only one who wanted him to make the decision Ray thought was best, not the decision which could ultimately cost him a bright and promising future. Plus the movie also depicts real life issues involved with being someone with that much hype (i.e. the college recruiting, agents, corrupt friends/fam). It’s also a good story of forgiveness…

  7. Diego says:

    What about that movie where the janitor (played I think by some one-named male model who was in a Madonna video back in the day) who used to be a high school superstar plays in a playground tourament? Tupac had a role as a bad guy. Great flick. Who was that playing the janitor? He truly had a sweet jump shot.

  8. K Dizzle says:

    Diego
    the actor was Leon
    that was Above the Rim
    classic

  9. MoxWestCoastRep says:

    Hoop dreams?? Great movie Arthur agee and William Gates struggle to live their dream and growing up in challenging conditions.
    And white men can’t jump was awesome! “you gotta big Z in your fro man! What are you the black zorro?”hahaha

  10. w/o a doubt... says:

    Hoop Dreams. Even though its a documentary, its one of my favorite flicks ever. I used to watch that movie all the time…I love how it seemed at the beginning that Gates was gonna be the star, and then Agee ended up taking Marshall (”giant killers”) farther in the state tourney. Although, you could blame that on Gates’ bum knee. I always enjoyed watching Agee ball more, and the drama involved w/ his family was intense. Great, great flick…’bout to get sentimental and pull out the old VCR tonight.

  11. Diego says:

    Hoop Dreams was great. Regarding White Men Can’t Jump, I just saw where Wesley today got 3 years prison and fined $5 million for federal tax evasion. Ouch! (Looks like he’ll have time to practice his game.)

    Thanks for answers re. Above the Rim. Great film. I googled it a bit. Leon actually played a security guard. He really had a smooth jumper. Duane Martin was in it also. Did you know he apparently actually was drafted by the Knicks!?!

  12. bxballer says:

    Above The Rim. I loved the story of Kyle Watson, trying to make it to college. He dealt with his moms bringing some dude who he was not feeling, around to be his stepfather. Hanging out with Birdie, even though he was a bad influence. Dealing with the pressures of impressing scouts. Overall just a awesome movie. Plus what a great cast, Tupac, Duane Martin, Bernie Mac, Wood Harris, Marlon Wayans, and Leon.

  13. doc says:

    Im just naming them for dime I dont want to see nut ass Nick Cannon and Professor.Above the Rim, White Men Cant Jump.Soul in the Hole is a nice documentry.Hoop Dreams.Glory Road was nice and Coach Carter.Sunset Park was my shit too.Space Jam.I even fuck with Hoosiers.I just like ball.

  14. doc says:

    I forgot the Air up There and Blue Chips.

  15. MoxWestCoastRep says:

    nice call doc.
    Air up there The Jimmy Dolan Shake and Bake!
    And Blue Chips
    Gotta love Shaq and Penny!!

  16. iain. says:

    I’ve seen just about all of them, but i guess it is officially a movie (nominated for an oscar), hoop dreams is hands down the most edge-of-your-seat i-actually-care-about-these-kids 2 hours 52 minutes you can get from a flick. Arthur just draws you in with his street-wise intelligence and his attitude, never giving up or going down the wrong path even when every male role model around him was. When he took Marshall upstate i had a tear in my eye. And the way the fortunes of the kids intertwined and switched around during the course of the movie was so amazing i doubt a script-writer could have come up with a better one had he tried.

    Real life, real Basketball, real people and real dreams, and i doubt that another film will come along in the next 20 years that comes close to it.

  17. marcus the great says:

    He Got Game

  18. Diego says:

    Juwanna Mann? LOL!

  19. w/o a doubt... says:

    not nearly as good as Hoop Dreams but I also enjoyed Rebound: The Legend of Earl ‘The Goat’ Manigault
    I think the subtitle was something like, the greatest player to never make it to the NBA. That intrigued me at the time…

  20. MoxWestCoastRep says:

    Eddie? Woopie? Terrible. And what was that bow wow one?
    Space jam sucked too!

  21. James says:

    I was going to say He got game cause that flick is the truth just like Earl “the pearl” monroe was at Winston-Salem State-where I currently reside- Jake called his son Jesus after earl the pearl b/c he was the truth on the playground- the scene with Denzel talking to Jesus on the pier in Coney Island with the Ferris Wheel in the background, its inspiring man- and like I said the clip with Monroe straight up moving man- add in Public Enemy and you got a masterpiece - but sence someone else already said He got Game- I was going to mention my second favorite, Through The Fire- Directors Cut- It mirrors He Got Game with Sebastian playing for Lincoln- the same hardwood that Jesus was getting buckets on. The behind the scenes look into Sebastians life as a basketball star was not only inspirational, but it started a movement that you guys at Dime discussed in your recent issue with Felipe Lopez-how young stars get so much coverage- as a result of Through the Fire- Lance Stephonson now is documenting his life on video through the net- I love to watch the DVD of Sebastians moves on the playground- But my favorite part of the film shows Telfair playing one on one with his older brother and his brother is straight up kicking his ass- haha- then it shows the work it takes to get to the NBA and it aint all disneyland it makes me want to go play everytime I see either film

  22. girllybballluver says:

    C’mon guys…what about Space Jam???? Just kidding.

    My favorite has to be Glory Road. While it’s true their moves (like the off the back board alley) weren’t true to the time, the acting is great (tho I’m tired of derek fisher playing angry black man roles) they’re all funny. The players joked on each other the entire movie. I’ve watched it a million times, I can practically say all the lines with them. And a couple of them were really ballin’.
    I love Josh lucas(he played the coach…he’s so cute) I’m sorry I let the girl in me show just now :-)
    Not to mention that it’s a true story, and even though it’s funny it’s incredibly moving. The scene where Neville is beaten up in the bathroom…crazy!

  23. Joe BreeZee says:

    I scanned through the posts so forgive me if someone did mention it and I missed it. But one of the best basketball movies I have seen is “Heaven is a Playground.” Didn’t get the hype of “Above the Rim” but just as good. And you have to mention Hoosiers because it was one of the originals. I definitely enjoyed Glory Road also and am glad they told that story on the big screen.

  24. giacomo says:

    coach carter, with space jam a close second cos of its hilarity. nuf sed

  25. BallGurl says:

    Joe BreeZee-

    “Heaven is a Playground” was an excellent call…Remember when he snatched the dollar off the top of the 18 wheeler?? Sick moment!! The story line about how some coaches exploit players is deep too…Extremely moving tale!!

    But to me, the best basketball movie is (drum roll)”Above the Rim” R.I.P. Nutso

  26. nao_diga says:

    It won’t win me any passes, but I’m inventing a sub-category: Books that would have made a great movie. I wish someone would make White Boy Shuffle by Paul Beatty into a movie.

    Not all about basketball, but it would have some great basketball scenes if they did a movie right. I can just see Gunnar’s first game in Compton, or the last day of basketball camp as scenes in the movie somebody should make.

  27. Bobby B says:

    @ Joe BreeZee:

    I hope you read the book as well. I thought the movie was just alright, but Rick Telander is a great writer and I thought the book was so much better.

  28. Celts Fan says:

    2 words will end this: Teen Wolf

  29. Zach says:

    I think the best basketball movie is REBOUND. To think Kareem says your the best basketball player he has EVER played against (you must be damn good). So much straight potential. All that going for him and REAL LIFE intervenes, drugs have ruined tons of athletes lives and the movie shows what really happens in a lot of cases instead of a feel good basketball story that usually ends with some kind of championship victory.

    To me this is the best basketball movie ever, it is real and has heart and emotion. Earl Manigault’s memory should live on and be talked about, because he is one of the reasons that RUCKER is in existence today. ‘GOAT’ should live on.

  30. MoxWestCoastRep says:

    celts fan you just blew my mind!! SNAP!! You went old school Michael J. Fox!!
    ‘The Pistol’ was great

  31. Yooooo says:

    Blue Chips!!! Great depiction of the recruiting process of yester year. I think that movie opened eyes, and really put illegal recruitment under the microscope. The NCAA head honchos (bunch of fags that they are) prolly felt demasculated at the obvious jab at their lack of control in the recruiting area. Since then there have been MEGA changes in the area of recruiting, all the way down to limiting text messages!

    The cast was great. I always wanted to know if Ricky Roe really played in real life though, anybody know? They showed like the whole game of Indiana, any movie with dope highlights like that is my favorito homey. I wonder if while shooting, people actually started goin hard at each other.

  32. anomaly says:

    What about “Blue Chips” (1994)? The acting was average at best (can’t expect much from Shaq or Penny), but I thought Nick Nolte did a great job as the head coach of Western. I really enjoyed the storyline and the basketball scenes were well done. Remember the scene where you see the young Diesel tearin it up at an underground pick up game? That s–t was sweet. The film establishes these fast, furious sports sequences.(Real games were played for the film, using current and former college stars from that time, and their energy level comes through.) Together, they give “Blue Chips” a great vibe that works well even for the sports-impaired, and that keeps the film scrappy and exciting almost all the way through. Even Larry Bird and Bob Cousy are in it.
    “Blue Chips” addresses the corrupt recruiting practices that may have been going on more often than we ever heard about then or hear about now, but probably to a much lesser degree. Nick Nolte (coach) will happily lie to each new prospect — among them, Anfernee Hardaway and Shaq — about his own religion if that makes matters any easier. He buys that player’s father a new tractor, and Penny’s mother a new house. The university also gets Shaq a lexus. The film even finds one athlete who demands $30,000 in cash as an incentive to sign up.
    I thought the ending was great when Nick Nolte admits during a press conference about every corrupt deal made through the university’s corrupt b-ball program. Then he resigns, and the last scene is of Nolte walking home from the press conference and he sees a young kid practicing his jumper in the middle of the night at a park b-ball court. He goes over there and gives the kid a tip about snapping his wrist on his follow through. The next shot is nothin but net. That’s my favorite b-ball movie. Lot of great b-ball scenes and a riveting storyline.

  33. girllybballluver says:

    LoL…I’ve always figured that I’m probably one of the youngest…if the not the youngest person around these parts, but sometimes I forget. I was reminded just now when the movie Rebound was mentioned. I of course thought about that movie martin lawrence made with the kids. LoL…my bad.

  34. ereezy says:

    how has nobody mentioned Hoosiers as the best basketball movie ever. Jimmy coming out of nowhere with the wettest jumper ever to help carry this team to state champions!! I know the film is a little old, but lets be real here, no other basketball movie has as compelling a story with as convincing acting. Hackman is ridiculously bad ass as the coach and then you got drunk ass Hopper stumbling around the film. What a good movie, i will still watch that movie at any time of day, any day of the week.

    Also, i don’t know if this counts, but all the old Jordan videos like playground, and his airness…so tight. i still watch those Jordan tapes before i go play and they get me pumped up to go hit the court and throw down some nasty dunks on dudes heads. These videos are pure fire as far as motivation goes.

  35. cora says:

    Agree,A friend said that on tall dating site ____Tallconnect.com___,which is a dating site for all tall friends and tall singles,especially models and basketball players.

  36. Ian says:

    in order

    white men cant jump
    glory road (kinda the remember the titans of basketball)
    the goat
    6th man???????

  37. sans says:

    It has to be “He Got Game”. One of Spike Lee’s best movies, loosely jocking on Steph’s true story, but still an innovative and original look into the life of a basketball prodigy living in an f-d up part of our country. Denzel drops a charismatic, roughneck performance; Ray Allen sells the role of Jesus (named after Earl Monroe, not Christ–classic); and Rosario Dawson eats the screen alive as the gold-digging girlfriend, Lala.

    Best part about this movie is that the basketball sequences are legit. Not everymove is an alley-oop, And-1, Above the Rim cliche. There’s tight passing, solid movement without the ball, and a star player that plays with his teammates, not like Kobe two years ago (when he had no teammates). Throw in the bum treatment of a convicted felon, which goes unnoticed by the whole of society everyday, involved in the higher pursuit of claiming a basketball God for the governor’s alma mater, and this movie is as smooth as watching Jesus Monroe floating around in old Bullets clips. Smooth.

    The film does have a horrid, “magic basketball” sequence at the end of the film, but Spike ruins most of his movies in the finishing segments. Minus one minute this is one of the greatest films ever–and definitely the best one to ever involve hoops.

    My apologies to Black Magic, Hoop Dreams, Above The Rim, and Born Ready; among others.

  38. E-Z says:

    Ready for this?……..Celtic Pride! lol

    Damon Wayans going 1-on-1 with the guy from “home alone” is a classic scene in American cinema. lol

  39. MSkittle says:

    White Men Can’t Jump- Classic early 90’s movie. At a time when Wesley Snipes still payed his taxes.

  40. gary says:

    sans , couldnt agree more. my “hometown hero” travis best(springfields own!!) plays ’sip’ for the railsplitters. spike lee defines a generation of filmmakers and this movie defines big time hs reecruiting.

  41. oh yeaahh says:

    SPACEJAM. . . need i say more?

  42. bigdoggchad says:

    Crossover with “Hot Sauce” haha, or whats that movie with that waitress from cheers as their coach.

  43. doc says:

    i FORGOT THE Hank Gathers story.Or we might have just got that in Philly.

  44. K$ says:

    Teenwolf… enough said

    Rebound was by far the best basketball movie made. Don cheadle was great as the goat. Whenever we would go to the park I would do the finger tip drill with the ball so the clowns playing can say… which one is the goat?

  45. Celts Fan says:

    haha we’re on the same page K$

    let’s not forget Through the Fire. That was a GREAT comedy… Oh, you mean it’s only gotten funny as Bassy’s “career” has played out? My bad…

  46. Bobby stew says:

    “Above the Rim” This movie pathed the way for AND1 and Streetball to finally get credit. Think about it, they were doing all types of AND1 moves in this movie way before AND1 ever came out. You can’t forget the awesome cast of Tupac, Bernie Mac, and Marlon Wayans. This movie was very inspirational and stressed hardwork, education, and most importantly listening to your mother. Classic movie, classic soundtrack, and classic basketball.

  47. Jeffrey says:

    Love & Basketball by far my favorite basketball movie

  48. Johnson says:

    There are some extraordinary films out there, but I want to give it up to Coach Carter. Yes, it was a basketball movie, but it not only taught to be best basketball player, but also stressed the importance of education. There are many teenagers these days who are “blinded” by that gold professional players make, and therefore as teenagers put total dedication into basketball and forget about school work. The film truly showed us some great values, it is important to keep everything in life a balance and not get caught up with all the ‘goods’ in life.

  49. Kudabeen says:

    Rebound: The Earl Manigault story was a great movie. We started traveling as a 5 man team to play in other neighborhoods. That was one of the best scenes in the movie, when they were going to play and Earl was tossing the ball back and forth. Then when Earl punched it on them for the W, they had to run for their lives…Great movie. Don Cheadle was really good in that movie. I have to find it…

    Above The Rim - I agree Bobby. This was a great all around movie and the sound track was crazy at the time…

    He Got Game - Just fun to see Ray and Denzel, but the movie wasn’t bad overall. It wasn’t too much BBall action like that…

    White Men Can’t Jump - Loved Sidney Dean! Inspired us to start playing for money…$$ Very nice back then…

  50. bsteezy3 says:

    My favorite basketball movie of all time wasn’t a movie–it was a documentary: HOOP DREAMS! That film did so much for me as far as understanding life. I watched it as a teen–maybe in like 1994 (I remember because Webber was in the league, and I remember seeing him on the film). Hoop Dreams is the best movie, because IT IS REAL!! No acting involved at all; no re-created scenes, it was all real–the good, the bad, and the ugly. Certain scenes stick out in my head and they are just as true today as they were back then: Spike Lee telling the ballers at a NIKE camp: “This thing is all about money!”; the coaches calling the NIKE camp a “meat market”; the differences in schools and opportunities–one kid goes to a prep school (and everyone there kisses his ass because he’s so good of a ballplayer), and the other goes to a poor public school (no asskissing involved!). The film is real life, and it shows that as good as those guys were, THEY STILL DIDN’T MAKE IT! The guys personal life played huge factors in the film: William’s baby arriving during his playoff game; Arthur’s father leaving the family. It is by far, the realest film ever made that all basketball players should watch.

  51. bsteezy3 says:

    A couple of more things about Hoop Dreams: Arthur explains how the dope boys in the neighborhood give the ballplayers shoes and clothes so that they don’t have to hustle and risk losing their opportunities; William’s asshole coach. Take this into consideration, a quote from William. He says “People always tell me ‘Don’t forget about me when you make it to the league.’ I should tell them ‘Don’t forget about me if I DON’T make it to the league.” Hoop Dreams is the shiznit…

  52. yoda says:

    rebound, above the rim and one of my favorite, old movie called The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh. dr. j played there, funny film.

  53. The Jed says:

    In honor of three years behind bars, White Man Can’t Jump has to top this morning’s list.

  54. CP3ForMVP says:

    He Got Game

    Followed by White Men Can’t Jump

  55. Gerard says:

    6th Man

    This was back in Marlon Wayan’s heyday before he got stereotyped as A) a joke, and B) just another Wayans, back when his show was still fresh. This movie has everything; incredible basketball games, clowning on other players, a little bit of love drama, and even touching drama. I’m not going to lie, the first time I saw this movie I actually teared up at the final scene.

    Anyways, Wayans does his type of humor as he has to deal with his brother’s death and subsequent back-from-the-grave ghost appearances, and still has to learn to carry his team without the guy he relied on all his life.

    It’s funny, there’s the whole excitement of the NCAA tournament, rivalries, a WHOLE lot of guest appearances, and a climactic finish that makes the movie.

  56. Brado says:

    Hands down, the best basketball movie of all time is “The Harlem Globetrotter Meet Snow White”. Although this flick is animated, its 90 minutes of action packed suspense! This movie was released in 1980 – two years before I was born. I discovered this movie as a child….I don’t recall the time nor place, but I do remember the overwhelming feeling I had seeing this show. This show depicts basketball players in a way no other show has been able to accomplish – as real people who care. In this show the Globetrotters have a very visible concern for the welfare and wellbeing of Snow White. Their actions and words portray humility and love. This show was life changing for me because it helped me realize – hey, basketball stars are real people who care….hell, if they care about an fictitious animated character they probably really care about a middle class, 9-5 working white boy like me! I definitely feel like a somebody because of this movie….when the man gets me down I can always find peace in the knowledge that basketball stars care about me.

    Not only is this movie entertaining, its life changing!

  57. brandon says:

    my fave basketball documentary is Sole in the Hole. the story of ed “booger” smith, his coach/father figure Kenny Jones, and their team, Kenny’s Kings. very captivating movie and a must see for all dime readers! The home movie scenes of him as a little kid dominating the other kids was just too funny! I’m surprised this movie wasn’t already mentioned…

  58. GEE...Until you do right by me... says:

    Above The Rim!

    The Birdman (r.i.p.), the soundtrack, the comedy, the story and all. When Marlon has on that gear and the powder and all I lose it every time. Wood did his thing in that movie too.

    I love White Men Can’t Jump too but I can’t get past Above The Rim.

  59. Stan says:

    I’d probably have to go with Glory Road.
    But you can’t forget about classics like He got Game, or SUNSET PARK(terrance howard as SPACEMAN, LOL).
    Hoops Dreams was more of a documentary, so I’d have to pass on that. And then there was “GOAT”. Nothing like watching Don Cheadle tell K.Garnett aka DA KID…”"Welcome to Harlem, motherf***er”….LOL, priceless.

  60. jonny taise says:

    ‘The Fish That Saved Pittsburg’
    “Whooooaaaa, yeaaaaahhhhh”!!!
    Real heads know the deal.
    Next.

  61. bigdoggchad says:

    Sunset Park thats the movie I was thinking of.

  62. James says:

    You gotta love Big Time in He Got Game- epecially the part where he asks how you spell “pussy”- he starts spelling it and big time says HIV mother F***er or Sweetness has some crazy parts too

  63. James says:

    And I almost forgot the NYC playground scene it Through the Fire when Telfair crosses some dude but does it by pushing the ball with one hand and then pulling it back by the same hand- ridiculous- and some little man in the crowd kept saying “I missed it” when everyone was going nuts- that documentary just shows how much one high schooler had riding on his shoulders to help his family

  64. daquest?on says:

    um if i aint from new york can i participate?

  65. daquest?on says:

    damn it sounds fun, basketballs, free gear and subscriptions and if u win getting 2 hang out with the dime crew nice

  66. #9 says:

    for everybody who has seen the movie…how was it?

  67. CHANGMACHINE says:

    how bout that movie about Dennis Rodman?

    forgot wat its called

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