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LeBron James: Can he do a Space Jam sequel on the court?

By Ronald Agers

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on February 08, 2020 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on February 08, 2020 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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LeBron James
(Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) – LeBron James /

Michael Jordan shot a basketball movie, but his priorities were about basketball

The movie Space Jam was shot in the summer of 1995. It was then that Michael Jordan started playing chess while the rest of the NBA was playing checkers. He took advantage of this time filming the movie to get back into NBA shape and play some legendary pickup games with NBA superstar peers. It was the same blueprint he used to his advantage playing fro the Dream Team back in 1992.

Who would have thought Space Jam came to light because Jordan’s agent, David Falk, saw it as a tremendous branding opportunity for all parties. All from a commercial back in 1992 with Jordan and Bugs Bunny.

Sidebar to talk about David Falk for a second. Let’s look at what this man has done for this culture.

  • He begged Jordan’s parents to force him to take a meeting with Nike when wanted to wear Adidas.
  • The movie is a cult classic that is still pouring money into the portfolio.
  • Gave Jordan an opportunity to build his celebrity while distancing himself from the gambling rumors rehabbing and shining up his image.
  • He started using movies to showcase some of the Air Jordan shoe line (The Air Jordan 11s are known as the Space Jam Jordans).

But when it came time to film,  Jordan made requests that he’d need to practice, and he’d need a place to work out. So Warner Bros. built Jordan a full-sized Space Jam training dome (Like they were going to say no!) called the “Jordan-Dome”.

The gym had a weight room, full-sized court, and everything else he possibly needed. The schedule was ridiculous.

  • Filming took place Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Two-hour break for mid-day workouts.
  • Once filming was completed for the day, Jordan would hold scrimmages at the Jordan Dome with other NBA players, with runs lasting until 10 p.m.

Then the chess playing started.

Jordan started inviting NBA players for pick-up games after his filming days were over. Players like Reggie Miller, Patrick Ewing, and Dennis Rodman in the Jordan-dome. Remember the last player mentioned here. Dennis Rodman conveniently was acquired in a deal with San Antonio soon after.

Convenience?

Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo brought up a great point in their podcast this week. Why in the world didn’t someone record the pickup games? Think those games would be must-see TV in times like these? Who cares about the quality of the video.