The Perfect Shot - Behind The Scenes Of “Jump Shot” The Movie

Executive producer Steph Curry

We have the best excuse for dinner and a movie since “Netflix and chill.” Here’s the next movie that you need to add to your list and the dinner recipes to complete a perfect night in.
 
 
*Pours a giant glass of wine and settles onto the couch,*
The Last Night’s Game Team

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"Jump Shot" is an award-winning film that celebrates the true story of Kenny Sailors. Sailors is a forgotten basketball legend who changed the game of basketball as we know it by introducing the jump shot. But he was so much more than an NBA (National Basketball Association) pioneer. He revolutionized the sport for women, served as a U.S. marine in WWII and then faded into history.
 
We were lucky enough to catch an advance screening of the film. (Spoiler alert – you’ll laugh out loud and you’ll cry – it’s that good). We caught up with director Jacob Hamilton who proudly shared his labor of love that is “Jump Shot.” Here’s what we learned from our chat. Check out this week’s podcast for the full interview.
 

1. This movie has unbelievable star power. From interviews with executive producer Steph Curry to Kevin Durant to the hot-headed hall of fame basketball head coach himself Bobby Knight (who is hilarious by the way). It’s the who’s who of the sports world coming together to celebrate the OG legend, Kenny Sailors. Sailors is not yet in the hall of fame, but hopefully after hearing these hall of famers and future hall of famers talk about him, it creates a movement to give him the honor he deserves.
 

2. Hamilton had the idea for the film in 2011 after listening to a two-minute audio clip of Sailors talking about how he developed the jump shot because he was shorter than his brother. Going over him that was the only way Sailors could make a shot. It took Hamilton and his team, which included an archival producer to dig up nearly 90-year-old audio clips and 600+ archival assets (videos, etc), until 2019 when the final film premiered at SXSW. One factor of Sailors’ life that isn’t included? Interviews with his teammates from a Senior Olympics 3-on-3 basketball tournament that Sailors played in at the age of 87. There just wasn’t enough supporting video footage to include it.
 

3. After watching this movie, you’ll wish you could have adopted Sailors as your grandpa. He was a humble guy who loved a good dad joke as much as he loved his family. He felt his service to his country in WWII was one of the most important pieces of his storied life. But most of all he loved having breakfast with Hamilton when he would visit. Hamilton tells a story of when Sailors was watching March Madness with a friend and the friend asked who Sailors had in his final four (bracket). Sailors said “god, husband, father and Marine.”
 

4. Sailors played in the NBA before it was cool. It’s true, the league was subpar to college basketball with teams folding and other professional leagues disbanding. While playing in the NBA, Sailors, who was one of the most popular players in the league, landed an endorsement deal for…prune juice. As Kevin Durant put it in the film, “It must have been the Gatorade of the time.”
 

5. The movie is a love story intertwined with a story about a man who continues to reinvent himself. Kenny Sailors might have been the greatest basketball player in his time but he left two weeks after his team won the college basketball national championship to fight in WWII. He left behind his wife and child, not knowing if he’d return. He came back and proceeded to set records in the NBA. After his career, he retired to Alaska with his family because of his wife’s health. But he wasn’t done evolving yet. He became a hunting guide all the while changing the sport of women’s basketball as well. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of this story. We could go on for days.
 
The film is out for limited release on April 16 – 18. Here’s how to you can watch.

Dinner is served

Since “Jump Shot” is executive produced by Steph Curry, here are a few of our favorite recipes from his wife, chef and restaurateur, Ayesha Curry, to try on your night in. YUM

Make sure to tag us on Instagram @lastnightsgame and @jumpshotmovie in your pics from your dinner and a movie night.

The late, great Kenny Sailors

Let's Do This

Coffee? Check. Leftovers for lunch? Yum. Great chitchat to share at the office? You do now.

Bring it on Monday, 

The Last Night's Game Team

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Little League Baseball World Series

Aloha champions. Providing their state with a much needed pick me up after Hurricane Lane, the team from Hawaii beat the South Korean team to claim the title of Little League Baseball World Series Champions. The Hawaiians and their opponents then engaged in an unusual series tradition, collecting a handful of infield dirt in baggies to commemorate their playing time. BRINGING SAND TO THE BEACH

Overtime

Week one of college football starts this Thursday but the University of South Carolina Gamecocks are having to do a little extra cosmetic work before their season opener. This weekend’s Jay-Z and Beyoncé concert destroyed the turf, days before the team is scheduled to take the field. ALWAYS TIME FOR A LAST MINUTE FACE-LIFT

Sideline stat

Last season, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton led his team to a big victory over the Baltimore Ravens (NFL – National Football League). That win couldn’t save his Bengals postseason dreams but it allowed the Buffalo Bills to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. In gratitude, Bills fans donated $450,000 to Dalton’s charity. This weekend during his first game back in Buffalo, Dalton turned the tables and made a $450,000 donation to the Roswell Park Cancer Center in downtown Buffalo, earning him a standing ovation from the Bills' fans. RESPECT

Coaches’ corner

Yesterday, The Players’ Tribune published an essay by Golden State Warriors’ (NBA – National Basketball Association) Steph Curry entitled “It’s Personal,” highlighting the need for gender equality. The NBA MVP is surrounded by women including his wife, Ayesha - a successful chef and restaurateur and two young daughters. He spoke about how he wants his girls “to grow up in a world where their gender does not feel like a rulebook for what they should think, or be, or do.” READ THE INSPIRING ESSAY HERE

What to watch 

Celebrating its 50th year, the U.S. Open (tennis) begins today and everyone will be there including the Serena Williams (in her long-awaited fashionable outfits), Roger Federer and last year’s champs Rafael Nadal and Sloane Stephens. SCHEDULE

It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere

Spice up the sports-related small talk before the sun goes down.

Make it a double,

The Last Night's Game Team 

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NBA (National Basketball Association)

When you’re so good that details aren’t important. For the first pick in the NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns selected Deandre Ayton from the University of Arizona. Ayton had a big few days, first joining Jimmy Fallon and fellow draft prospects in a 90s themed skit. Not to be outdone, he was another athlete to fall victim to not reading a sponsored social media post before tweeting it. TWEET FAIL

When you have a fashion moment you regret. The newest members of the NBA attempted to emulate fashionable veterans LeBron James and Russell Westbrook at their big debut. Not only did University of Oklahoma’s Trae Young, who was the fifth player drafted, show up in a maroon suit…with shorts (maybe he couldn’t find pants that were long enough)? but the night’s fashion included jackets lined with logos, “Black Panther” inspired Gucci and a grandma inspired suit coat. DRAFT FASHION

Overtime

TV personality and chef, Ayesha Curry, wife of Golden State Warriors (NBA) star Steph Curry, is opening a new restaurant in Houston much to the dismay of some Houstonians. Still bitter that the Warriors knocked their Houston Rockets out of the playoffs, fans took to Yelp to rip apart the restaurant before it even opened, posting over 550 reviews. SPOUSAL SUPPORT

Sideline stat

Superstar Lionel Messi couldn’t save his once favored Argentina from a World Cup loss to Croatia yesterday. Their 3-0 loss could make it hard for his team to make it out of the first round, depending on today’s Iceland vs. Nigeria game. WHAT A MESSI

On the other hand, Messi’s rival, Cristiano Ronaldo is having a stellar World Cup, setting the European record for international goals scored in his team’s win over Morocco yesterday. SCORE

Coaches’ corner

Rules were made to be broken at least for one reporter. The NBA frowns upon insiders releasing draft picks before they’re announced. An ESPN reporter found a way to get creative with the way he revealed who teams would be selecting, using phrases on Twitter like the teams have “zoned in on,” “grown comfortable with,” or “focused in on” a certain player. SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT