SA Footy

Did any of you ever see this documentary about two promising basketball players who were brought up on the wrong side of the tracks in Chicago, Illinois and were captured on film throughout their high school careers (1987 to 1991). The doco/film was released in 1994.
Would recommend it to anyone, even if you're not a basketball fan.
A story about life as well as sport.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27976-2004Jul4.html

Just thought I'd add this link for those that are interested in how things ended up for them.

Great doco. Thoroughly deserved its Oscar. Not often can you say that.

Great read, too.

Arthur Agee's old man was a real piece of work. So was William Gates' brother, Curtis - not surprised one bit that he was gunned down in the street.

The treatment these kids get from parents, scouts, coaches is nothing short of disgusting. With Aussie Rules and Rugby League big business these days, I'm sure the same thing will happen here - that's if it isn't happening already.

Would love to see something like a one-hour follow-up as a DVD extra.

Thought it was interesting to read that William still had some sort of shot at it in 2001. Slim as it may have been, he was obviously impressive in off season scrimmages. As Juwan Howard (who was in the same age group as William, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose and others) was quoted as saying "It's a shame that some people look upon William as some kind of novelty because if it hadn't been for his injuries, it would have been no surprise for him to have made the NBA". Curtis obviously had great talent despite his off court problems and attitude.
Interesting during the doco how you see all stops being pulled out for William regarding his finances and the quote from Arthur's High School (Marshall) coach I think was spot on the money regarding him having to change high schools. I think arrangements would have been made for Arthur as well if they'd known he was going to become the talent that he did at the high school level.
Shows how big it is in the US when you have sportswriters coming on television and saying "I think I've just seen the next Isiah Thomas" - Don't put any pressure on the kid or nothing.

Another disturbing thing shown in 'Hoop Dreams' was the scouts hanging around basketball courts watching pre-teens play.

Then make a buck off recruiting them for schools.

Then the schools pimp the kids for all their talent. They roll out the red carpet for stars like William Gates.

But show the door for others like Arthur Agee who don't set the world on fire from the get-go.

I remember seeing this doco years ago...very good watch.

Been four years since this was posted about but it's been 16 years now.


For those that weren't aware, Gates' high school teamate Amal McCaskill did make the NBA and he did attend Marquette with William

ORDoubleBlues wrote:Been four years since this was posted about but it's been 16 years now.


For those that weren't aware, Gates' high school teamate Amal McCaskill did make the NBA and he did attend Marquette with William

I tried to find that movie a while back to watch.
Couldnt find it anywhere
meant to be good though!!

any idea where I might be able to get my hands on a copy??

Just watched Stevie - the doco director Steve James did after this.

One disturbed character.

Sick puppy just got released from prison after a ten year stretch.

And fled the state of Illinois.

Iron Fist wrote:any idea where I might be able to get my hands on a copy??

Pretty much anywhere these days!

If not JB or any half-decent retail outlet.

Then surely Civic, Blockbuster, Video Ezy etc.

Magpiespower wrote:Just watched Stevie

Iron Fist wrote:any idea where I might be able to get my hands on a copy??

Pretty much anywhere these days!

If not JB or any half-decent retail outlet.

Then surely Civic, Blockbuster, Video Ezy etc.

Ill have to go have a look at JB
I have only looked at Atlantic Video and my local blockbuster

MW wrote:I remember seeing this doco years ago...very good watch.

As above.