When we talk about the greatest basketball movies, the list is a rather short one. Coach Carter, Space Jam, White Men Can’t Jump, and the newest addition, Hustle, are a few which left a lasting impact on basketball fans. The 2022 movie starring Adam Sandler and a host of NBA players became an international sensation. So much so that the 56-year-old actor took credit for making a 2x NBA champion, who appeared in the movie, famous with the younger generation.
A story that caught the eye of basketball fans and made Bo Cruz a household name, Hustle was a must-watch for hoop lovers. With Sandler’s passion for the sport being clear as day, a project like this was inevitable. So when Kenny “The Jet” Smith encountered some fans at an airport, Sandler was quick to take credit for the legend’s fame.
Adam Sandler is making Stars out of NBA Legends
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Recently, Inside The NBA member and 2x NBA champion, Kenny Smith joined BigBoyTv for an interview. During his time there, the Houston Rockets legend recounted a funny story about his encounter with a young fan and her mother just after the release of the movie. “I was in the airport and a little kid and her mom comes up, “We just saw your movie last night, it was great…Excuse me though, did you play or are you an actor?”
Kenny, taking it in stride, was overjoyed about being called an actor. As soon as he told the story to Sandler, he was on Smith. As Kenny recalls, Sandler said, “Yeah, I just sh*t on your whole career in one movie.”?
While Kenny has long retired from the sport, he is one of the most well-known and respected minds in the business. Most of the newer generation of basketball fans know him from his shenanigans on Inside the NBA along with Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson. Getting to be known as an actor though seems to be the feather in Kenny’s cap, though.
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Kenny and the crew receive brotherly Love from Ernie
The Rockets legend recently earned some love, along with Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley from longtime host and partner, Ernie Johnson. Describing their relationship on the LeBatard show, Ernie said, “We love each other, truly…I grew up with two older sisters and this is as close as I’ll ever come to having brothers. “
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With the love between the crew evident onscreen as well, it is no wonder that Inside The NBA has such a massive fan following. As the NBA Finals are in full swing, we can expect more moments of candor and humor from the legends and now, actors. And who knows? Maybe we get an Adam Sandler cameo someday as well.
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