Once upon a time, back when Lebron James was fully likeable, less decorated on his fingers, and taking three or more steps against the Detroit Pistons in the eastern conference finals, he was praised for his acting potential, culminating with this 2008 performance in the courtroom commercial for Vitamin Water. Back then, a connection between arguably the game's best player (Kobe was on his second string of titles at the time) and the sequel to one of the sport's most popular, cult-inspiring movies, "Space Jam," would have been more appropriate. Today -- given James' certainly uncertain relationship with fans nationwide -- less so, except that's exactly what could happen if the rumors are true and Lebron becomes the next superstar charged with saving the talents of the league's other stars.
The latest chirp from ESPN reporter Brian Windhort's twitter account, however, refutes the network's earlier report of a "Jam" revival, CBS Sports reported.
"Well it was fun while it lasted," Windhorst wrote. "LeBron sources refute Deadline report, there's no Space Jam 2 or Warner Bros. project in works."
A sequel to "Space Jam" makes so much sense right now as those whose childhoods were imprinted by the cartoon-human crossover (whatever happened to that genre? I used to love it! Osmosis Jones!) are now grown, both wistful of and amused by the pop culture of their past. Basically, "Space Jam" is cool again. Of course, with Michael Jordan, it always will be. More accurately then, "Space Jam" is still relevant. That may not be the case in another 10 years. What are they waiting for?
They were probably waiting for a guy like Lebron, a young, personable superstar comfortable behind the camera and decorated enough to become M.J.'s cinematic predecessor. If only he could have won a ring with Cleveland or remained loveable, we'd be talking about "Space Jam 3." Then, he retained the talent so coveted by the aliens of Moron Mountain and brought them to Miami, pushing him indefinitely off the list.
Since MJ, there hasn't been a player worthy of starring in the sequel. Allen Iverson was too controversial, Tim Duncan too tall, Kobe Bryant too mean, Shaq too "Kazam-ed," and the rest simply weren't good enough. Kevin Durant might still be an option, but for now he's still the league's second best player, and "Space Jam's" leading actor has to be the best. Perhaps if the Thunder win it this year (they're my annual pick, though I think it's the Pacers' year), Durant will get the nod until the creators of "Space Jam" take too much time making up their minds and he loses his best player title back to James.
Thus, finding the next Michael Jordan will be about as likely as watching the next "Space Jam 2."
