The Perfect Shot - Behind The Scenes Of “Jump Shot” The Movie
Need an excuse for dinner and a movie? This new Steph Curry produced film is it.
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
"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
A Reason To Celebrate
There’s a new champ in town, you thought you got excited about your AM coffee and who’s rolling in the dough.
Whether it’s becoming the best in the world, first time experiences or simply making it until Friday, let’s celebrate.
Glad you’re here,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
There’s a new champion in the NBA. Last night the Toronto Raptors became NBA champions for the first time in franchise history beating the Golden State Warriors at home. Steph Curry and his Warriors won the last two NBA championships. DRAKE WAS OVER THE MOON
Overtime
“Trendsetter” Memphis Grizzlies coach and former NBA player, Nick Van Exel just discovered the next best thing, iced coffee. It absolutely blew his mind and he took to Twitter to tell the world about it…for those who’ve missed this budding trend. WELCOME TO THE PARTY
Side note – If his name sounds familiar, there’s a Nick Van Exel name-drop by Jay-Z on Beyonce's "Crazy In Love."
Sideline Stat
Soccer stars dominate the top spots in this year’s Forbes list of the world's highest-paid athletes. Lionel Messi brings home enough bacon to secure the top spot followed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. The NBA is the most dominate sport with 35 players in the top 100 and Serena Williams is the highest ranked woman at #63. SHAKE YOUR MONEY MAKER
Coaches’ corner
Ahead of the College Baseball World Series, last night the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals played the first ever MLB (Major League Baseball) game in Nebraska at the home of the famed college tournament, Omaha. SURELY WARREN BUFFETT WAS EXCITED
What to watch
Golfer Brooks Koepka is seeking a three-peat at this week’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, which is the PGA’s (Professional Golfers Association) third major golf tournament. What he’s hoping doesn’t repeat is when announcer Joe Buck called Koepka’s girlfriend the wrong name live on TV. Even worse, it was his ex-girlfriend’s name. The two poked fun at the situation this week with a hilarious video. SOMEBODY SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE BUNKER
He’s Grrrreat!
How sports books lost their butts with Tiger’s win, the Boston Marathon is today and fireworks in San Fran.
It’s the comeback everyone is talking about. And no, we don’t mean the fact that it’s Monday again.
It’s so much better than that,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PGA (Professional Golfers Association)
Until recently, no one would’ve ever thought of Tiger Woods as an underdog. But after some distractions in his personal life and back problems that left him unable to walk, he was not even close to being the favorite to win at the Masters. Then he went and proved them all wrong. Tiger showed why he still deserves to be at the top by winning the Masters yesterday. This was his fifth Masters win and first since 2005. TIGER FOR THE WIN
Overtime
The Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants (MLB – Major League Baseball) played an 18-inning game on Friday night, the equivalent of two games in one. The Giants promised Friday night fireworks so when the game was over (the Giants won), they proceeded with their fireworks show. The only problem is that it was after 1 am. Needless to say, their neighbors were fired up. DARE YOU TO CALL THE COPS
Sideline stat
Overshadowed by the star power and success of his own team, the Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry, 31, set the record for three-pointers made in the NBA (National Basketball Association) postseason. (The playoffs started on Saturday and the Warriors are again the favorite to win it all). NBD JUST SETTING RECORDS OVER HERE
Coaches’ corner
With his win, Tiger became the second oldest golfer to win the Masters. Nike celebrated by dropping an incredible commercial directly after his win. Not celebrating? The sports books. Because he was such an underdog, online betting company FanDuel said his win cost them over $2 million. An executive with William Hill (another online sports betting company) summed it up perfectly by saying, “It’s great to see Tiger back. It’s a painful day for William Hill – our biggest golf loss ever – but a great day for golf.” WIN SOME, LOSE A LOT
What to watch
The Boston Marathon is today. Keep an eye on seven-time NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) champion Jimmie Johnson who will be pounding the pavement in today’s race. IF YOU’RE NOT FIRST, YOU’RE LAST