Movies You Missed the First Time Around: Gunnin' for that #1 Spot
The Snowpocalypse (soon to be the all-encompassing Winter from Hell) gave me a chance to start instantly streaming some sports documentaries that have been in my Netflix queue for awhile. One of those that I had heard great things about was the basketball movie, Gunnin' for that #1 Spot.
Synopsis (from the film's official site):
DSB Review:
Gunnin' for that #1 Spot introduces us to eight of the best prep school basketball players in the country as they come together in Harlem's famed Rucker Park for an all-star game. The eight budding superstars highlighted are: Jerryd Bayless, Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, Tyreke Evans, Donte Greene, Brandon Jennings, Kyle Singler, and Lance Stephenson.
One of the wisest decisions the filmmakers made was choosing to highlight kids from diverse backgrounds and at different stages in their college recruitment. We get to see that even surrounded by these elite-level players Beasley is physically a man among boys, yet emotionally might not be ready for the wealth and free time of the NBA. We visit the surprisingly quiet and unassuming Tyreke Evans and hear about the sacrifices his older brothers made and how he carries their NBA hopes on his shoulders. We get a full dose of the dynamic personality and game of Brandon Jennings and realize how he now has Milwaukee excited with the Bucks on the cusp of the playoffs. We also see Stephenson (easily the youngest of the group by two years) and how his neighborhood and whole community desperatelywant need him to succeed as the "next big thing".
As intriguing and captivating as some of the stories are, the cookie cutter introduction to the eight players has a tendency to drag on far too long before they arrive in New York City for the game and surrounding festivities. And the game is where Yauch's filmmaking rises to new levels. Armed with unparalleled access to the players and the court during the game, Yauch's movie brings us the closest we can get to participating in a game at Rucker Park ourselves. At times it feels like you are literally on the court running the break alongside Evans and Bayless. Yauch's respect for Rucker Park, the fans, the players, and ultimately the game comes through in every camera shot.
The film also briefly touches on the system of players' rankings in magazines and online sports services that references the #1 Spot of the title. I would have loved to see more of this compelling look into the underbelly of high school basketball (along with college recruiting, AAU leagues, and a look into camps sponsored by every sneaker company) and wished it would have been explored more in depth in the narrative.
I can't wholeheartedly recommend this movie...especially if names like Bayless and Jennings don't mean much to the non-NBA fans out there. However, I think specifically with the players involved that it is still a little too soon to watch this documentary with any perspective. But I have a feeling this film will age really well and in 10-15 years when we're looking back on the careers of the kids involved, this will be like a home movie and provide a glimpse into their development and a snapshot of their weekend at the legendary Rucker Park.
Thanks for coming and suckling Daddy’s Sugar Ball…
Synopsis (from the film's official site):
On the corner of 155th and Frederick Douglas Boulevard in Harlem lies Rucker Park. By appearances, the concrete pavement, anchored on one side by its run down slab bleachers, is no different than any other basketball court in the city, but this is the place where nicknames are indelibly branded, and legends are born.
On September 1, 2006, the top 24 high school basketball players in the nation stepped out on this court that once saw the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Dr. J to compete in the first annual "Elite 24" all-star game. Gunnin' for that #1 Spot follows eight of these players as they prepare to showcase their skills at the most legendary playground in the world.
Directed by Adam Yauch (MCA of the Beastie Boys), the documentary trails these players on the fast track to the NBA, as they are being groomed to be in the spotlight of a multi-million dollar game. Combining Yauch’s unique directing style with raw hip hop music, Gunnin' highlights these soon to be NBA All Stars.
DSB Review:
Gunnin' for that #1 Spot introduces us to eight of the best prep school basketball players in the country as they come together in Harlem's famed Rucker Park for an all-star game. The eight budding superstars highlighted are: Jerryd Bayless, Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, Tyreke Evans, Donte Greene, Brandon Jennings, Kyle Singler, and Lance Stephenson.
One of the wisest decisions the filmmakers made was choosing to highlight kids from diverse backgrounds and at different stages in their college recruitment. We get to see that even surrounded by these elite-level players Beasley is physically a man among boys, yet emotionally might not be ready for the wealth and free time of the NBA. We visit the surprisingly quiet and unassuming Tyreke Evans and hear about the sacrifices his older brothers made and how he carries their NBA hopes on his shoulders. We get a full dose of the dynamic personality and game of Brandon Jennings and realize how he now has Milwaukee excited with the Bucks on the cusp of the playoffs. We also see Stephenson (easily the youngest of the group by two years) and how his neighborhood and whole community desperately
As intriguing and captivating as some of the stories are, the cookie cutter introduction to the eight players has a tendency to drag on far too long before they arrive in New York City for the game and surrounding festivities. And the game is where Yauch's filmmaking rises to new levels. Armed with unparalleled access to the players and the court during the game, Yauch's movie brings us the closest we can get to participating in a game at Rucker Park ourselves. At times it feels like you are literally on the court running the break alongside Evans and Bayless. Yauch's respect for Rucker Park, the fans, the players, and ultimately the game comes through in every camera shot.
The film also briefly touches on the system of players' rankings in magazines and online sports services that references the #1 Spot of the title. I would have loved to see more of this compelling look into the underbelly of high school basketball (along with college recruiting, AAU leagues, and a look into camps sponsored by every sneaker company) and wished it would have been explored more in depth in the narrative.
I can't wholeheartedly recommend this movie...especially if names like Bayless and Jennings don't mean much to the non-NBA fans out there. However, I think specifically with the players involved that it is still a little too soon to watch this documentary with any perspective. But I have a feeling this film will age really well and in 10-15 years when we're looking back on the careers of the kids involved, this will be like a home movie and provide a glimpse into their development and a snapshot of their weekend at the legendary Rucker Park.
Thanks for coming and suckling Daddy’s Sugar Ball…
Posted by Max Power at 2/24/2010 2:00 PM 
Categories: Movies You Missed
Tags: Rucker Park Lance Stephenson Brandon Jennings Tyreke Evans Donte Greene Gunnin' for that #1 Spot Kevin Love Jerryd Bayless Adam Yauch Michael Beasley Kyle Singler
Categories: Movies You Missed
Tags: Rucker Park Lance Stephenson Brandon Jennings Tyreke Evans Donte Greene Gunnin' for that #1 Spot Kevin Love Jerryd Bayless Adam Yauch Michael Beasley Kyle Singler
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