Lebron James, arguably one of the biggest names in basketball in the world right now will soon be on the big screen alongside Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Lola Bunny in Space Jam: A New Legacy. While it’s great seeing Lebron don the same role that Michael Jordan did back in 1996, we found 5 other NBA Superstars that can have the talent and charisma to star in their own Space Jam flick:
5 NBA Superstars That Should Be In Space Jam:
- Stephen Curry
- Joel Embiid
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Luka Dončić
- Zion Williamson
1. Stephen Curry
Don’t let his size and physicality fool you — Stephen Curry, admit it or not has revolutionized the game for the better. The point guard for the Golden State Warriors has continued to showcase his talent and love for the game since he was in college — making a name for himself in the world of basketball at a young age. Since then Curry has broken several records and has won numerous awards in the NBA such as being a seven-time NBA All-Star, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, and has won three Championships with the Warriors. He is known for his ability to score those three-pointers and for his positive outlook and outspoken perspectives on his Christian faith which he proclaims both in and out of the court. Curry often refers to Philippians 4:13 from the Bible which reads “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — which we hope may include a possible Space Jam movie in the near future.
2. Joel Embiid
The Cameroonian player for the Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid is a man oozing with a personality that is worthy of his own Space Jam flick. After a year of playing college ball with the Kansas Jayhawks, Embiid was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft for the 76ers. Despite an injury-plagued season that prevented him to play during the 2014-15 season, Embiid jumped back for a rookie season in 2016-17 and an eventual All-Star appearance in the next season. He has nicknamed himself “the Process” in response to a refrain from 76ers fans during the Sam Hinkie era to “trust the process”. He is also known for his playful personality and social media presence specifically for his trolling which is one of the main reasons for his addition to our list. We are definitely looking forward to his wacky and playful spirit alongside our favorite Looney Tune characters.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a Nigerian-Greek player for the Milwaukee Bucks. He began playing basketball for the youth teams of Filathlitikos in Athens. After two years of playing for the Athens club, Antetokounmpo entered the NBA during the 2013 draft where he was selected 15th overall by the Bucks. Standing at 6 ft 11 inches, Antetokounmpo’s size, speed, and ball-handling skills have earned him the nickname, “The Greek Freak”. Antetokounmpo won back-to-back NBA Most Valuable Player Awards in 2019 and 2020, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James as the only players in NBA history to win two MVPs before turning 26. Alongside his MVP win in 2020, he was also named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, becoming only the third player after Michael Jordan (1988) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1994) to win both awards in the same season. Antetokounmpo’s breaking records that he shares alongside Lebron James and Michael Jordan and being reputable for his humor on and off the courts can push this superstar for a bright future not just in the NBA but as a potential star in a Space Jam movie of his own.
4. Luka Dončić
It would also be interesting to see a European take the helm as a superstar player for the Tune Squad. The Slovenian player for the Dallas Mavericks, Luka Dončić, will surely be able to add his skills, talent, and personality to the world of film in a Space Jam movie. Prior to his career in the NBA, Dončić shone as a player for Union Olimpija before joining the youth academy of Real Madrid. He debuted for their senior team in 2015, at the age of 16, becoming the youngest in club history. With the love for the game coursing through his veins, Dončić would later join the NBA draft under the Dallas Mavericks in 2018 where he was unanimously selected for the NBA All-Rookie First Team and won Rookie of the Year for the 2018–19 season. Dončić has a long list of feats that he has already accomplished at the young age of 22 which all point to an amazing career still ahead of him in the world of professional basketball.
5. Zion Williamson
When you think of the personality and stature that has been set by both Jordan and James — Zion Williamson is a name that can come toe to toe with both, as a potential Space Jam star. The career of Williamson is heading in the right direction with the possibility of being the next face of the franchise. His overall charisma is seen on and off the courts with an impressive list of accomplishments at the age of 21. Following a dominant freshman-year stint with the Duke Blue Devils, Williamson was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans as the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. He was chosen for the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020 and he became the 4th youngest NBA player to be selected to an All-Star game in 2021. Williamson’s career in professional basketball has just started but it certainly is heading in the right direction with no signs of stopping this kid, making him an athlete that we must all be on the lookout for.
Admittedly, we haven’t even scratched the surface of the amount of talent in the league in this list of 5 potential NBA Superstars for Space Jam. It is given that everyone has their own personal biases and favorites when it comes to the game. There are die-hard fans for certain teams and players who often come out in full support during the NBA season, especially during the playoffs. Subsequently, there are also some who find the original Space Jam film’s star, Michael Jordan, to be the only one worthy for the role while others are excited for Lebron James’ version in the upcoming sequel. No matter what the case may be, as fans of films and the sport we are ecstatic for the upcoming Space Jam: A New Legacy which comes out on HBO Max and theaters in the United States this July 16. It’s best to get your VPNs ready in order to catch all the fun and wacky antics of the Looney Tunes gang alongside Lebron.
