With the NBA Season wrapping up yesterday with the San Antonio Spurs claiming the title in 4 decisive games against the Cleveland Cavaliers we will turn to our attention to the films about the game. Here our my top 5 basketball films:

#5 Coach Carter
This one is a reach but to be honest basketball movies are kind of slim. I would have liked to have included the 1970’s TV Show ‘White Shadow’ but since it is a television show we will stick by the rules. Coach Carter is a more urban version of the #1 film on the list ‘Hoosiers”. Samuel L. Jackson plays Coach Carter, a disciplinarian coach, who is trying to lead his team (which includes his son) to victories on and off the court.

#4 Pistol: The Birth of a Legend
Pistol: The Birth of a Legend takes a look at the great “Pistol” Peter Maravich. The film is a movie for kids but is well done. Looks at Maravich’s grade school antics and how much he practiced and prepared for the stardom that was to come.

#3 Rebound: The Legend of Earl “The Goat” Manigault
All basketball legends aren’t born playing in organized games.”Rebound: The Legend of Earl “The Goat” Manigault ” explores the mean streets of Harlem and the legend of Earl “The Goat” Manigault. It is said the he had a 52-inch vertical leap. Must see for basketball fans. Starring Don Cheadle as Earl Manigault.

#2 Hoop Dreams
Excellent documentary follows the lives of teenage basketball players William Gates and Arthur Agee. Explores topics ranging from race and class in inner-city America. Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the1994 Sundance Film Festival.

#1 Hoosiers
By far the best film of these five. So good in fact that the readers of USA Today have called this the best sports movie of all time (I wouldn’t go that far). Gene Hackman gives an outstanding performance as Coach Norman Dale and Dennis Hopper plays town drunk, but basketball junkie, Wilbur “Shooter” Flatch. A can’t miss film that you should see even if you don’t like basketball.

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