EXCLUSIVE: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is developing a docuseries about pioneering Black basketball players including Chuck Cooper, Earl Lloyd and Nat Clifton.
The NBA legend has teamed up with Cineflix Productions, the company behind Nancy Buirski’s recent feature doc Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy, and his longtime business partner Deborah Morales, who runs Iconomy Multi-Media & Entertainment, on The Pioneers.
The four-part series, which is out to broadcasters and streamers, will tell the story of the players who paved the way toward integrating the sport.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Cineflix)
It will tell the complete off-the-court story behind basketball’s racial integration, beginning with the Boston Celtics’ surprising second-round selection of Cooper during the 1950 NBA draft. Breaking the color barrier, Cooper’s pick was met with severe pushback during a harsh racial climate, but it would also open doors for other Black players to make the league, including Lloyd and Clifton, whose journeys will be revealed in the docuseries.
The production team has unprecedented access to the Chuck Cooper Foundation and its archives, as well as the backroom maneuvering in the battle for justice, including in-depth interviews with the sport’s leading stars.
Activist athlete Abdul-Jabbar, who will exec produce, will be interviewed on camera to frame the dual nature of basketball’s story through time—one of success layered with struggle and setbacks.
The Pioneers will be produced by Cineflix Productions with J.C. Mills, Morales, Robin Keats and Michael Harris exec producing alongside Abdul-Jabbar.
Cineflix is also behind Summer Qamp, a profile of Camp fYrefly, and The Descendants, which will embark on a global journey with the families of Mahatma Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Martin Luther King Jr, as well as a scripted series with Gladys Knight.
“Isaac Newton wrote, ‘If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.’ Cooper, Lloyd, and Clifton are some of the giants whose shoulders I stood on to be able to have the career and life I have had. I pay grateful homage to them every time I fight for social justice for others,” said Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
“When we first looked at the stories of Cooper, Lloyd and Clifton, it struck us how little we all knew about these three incredible trailblazers, and we weren’t alone,” added J.C. Mills, President and Head of Content at Cineflix Productions. “The Pioneers will pay homage to these game changers and their successors, who, against all odds, have braved racism while propelling themselves to stardom. We are honored to have one of those successors, NBA legend and Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as a part of this project to give us the play by play as he experienced it firsthand.”
“It’s important to me that we celebrate the people in history who sacrificed so much so that others could live their dreams. Part of celebrating them is to make sure they don’t get lost in a climate that is trying to erase the achievements of People of Color. That’s why I am so committed to this project,” said Deborah Morales.
“The evolution of the NBA uniquely mirrors that of the country from the 1950s through today,” added Robin Keats who brought this project to Cineflix with Michael Harris, whose father Chris was a close friend and teammate of Chuck Cooper’s on the St. Louis Hawks.
peterdeadline
https://deadline.com/2023/06/nba-docuseries-in-the-works-from-cineflix-kareem-abdul-jabbar-1235420786/
By: peterdeadline
Title: Docuseries On Pioneering Black NBA Players In Works From Cineflix, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Deborah Morales
Sourced From: deadline.com/2023/06/nba-docuseries-in-the-works-from-cineflix-kareem-abdul-jabbar-1235420786/
Published Date: 06-21-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
What does NBA refer to as "waived"?
In the NBA, "waived" means a team has officially released a player from their roster. This can be done for various reasons, including salary cap reasons, personal issues, or disciplinary action. After a player has been waived, they are an unrestricted-free agent who can sign with any league team. However, if the player was waived after March 1st of the previous season, they are not eligible to play in the postseason.
Who was the first to score a basket in the NBA?
Ossie Schetzman, an American professional basketball athlete, was the first to score a basket in the Basketball Association of America. The NBA would become the National Basketball Association later. The Toronto Huskies played the New York Knickerbockers on November 1, 1946. Schectman's historic first basket opened up the BAA's inaugural season.
Who holds the record in terms of career playoff wins for the NBA?
LeBron is one of today's most sought-after basketball stars, having won an incredible 174 NBA Playoffs wins and played 266 games.
What is a NBA hybrid contract?
A hybrid contract in the NBA allows teams to offer players higher salaries than they would have been able to otherwise. These contracts allow for a portion of the salary to be added to the team's cap and the remainder is paid directly as a bonus to the player. This allows teams to offer higher salaries while still complying with league salary restrictions. It also gives players an incentive to sign with specific teams, as they can make significantly more money than they would have been able to otherwise.
Which NBA player is the leading scorer now?
Because different players have their own styles of play, the answer to this question can be subjective. Kevin Durant (LeBron James), Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Stephen Curry are the top choices for most dominant scorers in the NBA.
Kevin Durant's not just a great shooting player, but he is also an offensive force! He has two NBA Championships and two Finals MVPs under his belt, as well as a regular season MVP title. This player is serious.
Which player is the greatest defender in the NBA's history?
It would be no surprise to anyone who is familiar in basketball to find "The Dream", at the top of this list. Hakeem Olajuwon blocked 3,830 shot during his 18-year NBA playing career. This number is higher than any other player in NBA history. He was also a 9-time All-Defensive player and 2-time DPOY, leading his team to win two NBA Championships. He was a top defender. His athleticism, timing and footwork made him an excellent rebounder and shot blocker. His ability to guard any position on the court made him a nightmare for opponents. He was not only one of the best offensive players, but also had a great ability to guard any position on the court. He was quick, agile, and had a wide range of spin moves that allowed him to score at the post. He was a versatile player who is now considered one of the top defenders. This list should include Hakeem Olajuwon.
Bill Russell ranks only #2 on this list, with an average of 15.1 points per game. But he was a formidable defender in his era and gave opponents nightmares. Bill Russell has 11 NBA Championships to his credit throughout his career. He also holds the record for the most defensive win percentages in NBA history, 133.64. His rebounding and defensive skills were crucial to the Boston Celtics' remarkable success. His ability to anticipate plays and understand opponents' strategies made him an intimidating presence on the court, which is why he is considered by many as the most decorated defender in NBA history.
Third on the list is Dennis Rodman. He was a pioneer in the NBA's history, and he made an enormous impact whenever he played. Rodman was a tough defender, rebounder, and did not need the ball to score. This allowed Rodman to be an effective player, which enabled him to win many games. Dennis Rodman was a 7 time Rebounding Champ, 8 times All-Defensive player, 2-time DPOY and a 5-time NBA champion. His defensive end tenacity was exceptional, and he always seemed in the right place at just the right time. He was also a good rebounder. He could out-jump much taller players while grabbing boards away from them.
What is a buyout within the NBA?
In the NBA, a buyout is a contract between a team or player. In this agreement, the players agree to be paid a part of or all the remaining contract amount. The agreement allows players to become free agent and sign with any team in league after their buyout is over. The league allows teams to change their roster composition or reduce their salaries during the season.
Statistics
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20% of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Meanwhile, the opening night rosters include a record-setting 234 players with some G League experience, according to the NBA ( Twitter link ). (hoopsrumors.com)
- "NBA first-round ratings drop 27 percent, 40 percent since 2017–18". (en.wikipedia.org)
- The opening game of the 2020 Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat brought in only 7.41 million viewers to ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (en.wikipedia.org)
- As of 2014, 45 percent of its viewers were black, while 40 percent were white, making it the only top North American sport that does not have a white majority audience.[102]As of 2017Democrats than Republicans.[103]Outside (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
twitter.com
- Tweet / Follow Twitter
- Sam Amico on Twitter: "Timberwolves Waive PJ Dozier, CJ Elleby and AJ Lawson - Hoops Wire https://t.co/xKu1ZTuQZN" / Twitter
bleacherreport.com
si.com
- NBA Free Agency Preview. The Biggest Question and Rumors
- Free From Quarantine: The NBA Bubble Is A Unique Experience
How To
What compensation is offered to NBA players for being injured?
Guaranteed contracts allow NBA players to keep their money even if they are injured or unable to play. Some have even made millions of dollars without ever playing a single game. However, they may lose out on bonus payments and their contract might not be renewed. However, players on non-guaranteed agreements will not be paid until they can play again in the NBA. The NBA can provide some assistance with disability payments or a lump sum settlement for those who qualify, but there is no guarantee of pay during an injury absence. Additional assistance may be offered by the league or teams on a case-by–case basis.
Through the Injury Disability Plan, assistance can also be provided by teams. It depends on the individual's and team's situation. Some players might be able negotiate a buyout with the teams in order to receive money for their absence due to injury. While there is no guarantee that players will receive payment if they are injured, the league and team can offer some assistance. Every situation is unique, so each case should be considered individually. The NBA has extensive rules concerning injuries and payments in the event of injury absences. This can be helpful for players to make financial decisions or reach an agreement with teams. If you have any questions or concerns it is important to talk with a professional.
