NEW YORK — If you’ve ever seen the classic basketball film Space Jam, you are already familiar with the concept we are about to discuss.
But imagine that you had to assemble a starting lineup of five players to win “the ultimate game” against a team of giant aliens called The Monstars. You can literally save the planet as long as you come away with the victory.
You have to face Pound, Blanko, Bang, Bupkus and Nawt — also known as the Nerdlucks or The Mean Team. They stole the basketball talent away from Charles Barkley, Shawn Bradley, Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson and Muggsy Bogues.
If you played the role of Michael Jordan, who are you taking for your version of The Tune Squad?
That is the question we asked several prospects, including basketball alien Victor Wembanyama, on the red carpet at Barclays Center right before they heard their name called in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Here is what they said:
Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
We asked prospects at the 2023 NBA Draft to name a starting five that could save the planet. 🏀 They were allowed to pick themselves.
Here is what San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama told us. pic.twitter.com/OXBJjrlq2E— For The Win (@ForTheWin) June 23, 2023
Scoot Henderson (Trail Blazers)
We asked prospects at the 2023 NBA Draft to name a starting five that could save the planet. They were allowed to pick themselves.
Here is what Trail Blazers rookie Scoot Henderson told us: pic.twitter.com/qvpIULsJYh— For The Win (@ForTheWin) June 23, 2023
Amen Thompson (Rockets) and Ausar Thompson (Pistons)
We asked Rockets rookie Amen Thompson and Pistons rookie Ausar Thompson to name a starting five that could save the planet. Here is what they both said when we spoke to them at the 2023 NBA Draft in Brooklyn: pic.twitter.com/q0BoI9wxwq
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) June 23, 2023
Taylor Hendricks (Jazz)
We asked prospects at the 2023 NBA Draft to name a starting five that could save the planet 🏀. They were allowed to pick themselves.
Here is what Utah Jazz rookie Taylor Hendricks told us: pic.twitter.com/Fj4hhECaAQ— For The Win (@ForTheWin) June 23, 2023
Dereck Lively (Mavericks)
We caught up with Dereck Lively before the 2023 NBA Draft. The Mavericks rookie told us his all-time starting five to save the planet in a game against the Monstars. pic.twitter.com/7PWz3rADXo
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) June 23, 2023
Gradey Dick (Raptors)
We asked Toronto Raptors rookie Gradey Dick to name a starting five that could save the planet. Here is what he said when we spoke to him at the 2023 NBA Draft in Brooklyn: pic.twitter.com/NFyLPymSNV
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) June 23, 2023
Jalen Hood-Schifino (Lakers)
Before the 2023 NBA Draft, we asked Jalen Hood-Schifino to name his all-time starting five that could beat the Monstars.
The @IndianaMBB star chose multiple #Lakers legends and he was then was selected by Los Angeles just a few hours later. pic.twitter.com/VSCXgejVhg
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) June 23, 2023
Cam Whitmore (Rockets)
Before the 2023 NBA Draft, we asked @NovaMBB star Cam Whitmore to name his all-time starting five that could save the planet. Here is what the #Rockets rookie told us: pic.twitter.com/onQ6yIN9oP
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) June 23, 2023
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Heat)
We asked Miami Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. to name a starting five that could save the planet. Here is what he said when we spoke to him at the 2023 NBA Draft in Brooklyn: pic.twitter.com/o0pxZ2qspn
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) June 23, 2023
O-Max Prosper (Mavericks)
We caught up with Olivier-Maxence Prosper before the 2023 NBA Draft. The Mavericks rookie told us his all-time starting five to save the planet in a game against the Monstars. pic.twitter.com/mcnlYIgLUl
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) June 23, 2023
