Spike, Mike, Ballers and Documentaries

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 21, 2008

Spike Lee loves basketball, that’s for sure. But if you are like me, you probably haven’t loved basketball much since the conclusion of the Michael Jordan era. And don’t get me wrong, I’m from Cleveland and King Lebron James is a cool dude who knows how to dunk pretty well, but he’s no Air Jordan. Maybe it is the unwavering charisma, the confident but never arrogant demeanor of the man who made us believe that men could literally fly, but I just don’t think we’ll ever see another quite like him. Because lets face it, Lebron isn’t that interesting and Kobe Bryant is a douche. That’s right L.A., I said it…

Anyway, that whole basketball related fan-rant was brought on by the news that Spike Lee, the man behind Mars Blackmon — Jordan’s biggest fan, is currently starting production on a documentary focused on the life of Mr. Jordan. According to Lee, the doc is being financed by the NBA and should be ready for next year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Lee is reportedly already pulling together exclusive footage not only of Jordan’s formidable years, but of the period when he made his comeback and the time during his days with the Washington Wizards. One thing we know for sure is that Spike Lee is a true fan, and on top of that, a great filmmaker. My first instinct is to say that this is one of those docs that could show us the man behind the smile and the shiny bald head. Then again, you never know. Either way, I will be there with my Air Jordan’s on when this one comes rolling into my town.

I guess the only question I have left is this: Does anyone even watch basketball anymore?

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