*The character that basketball lovers have known and loved since 2012, “Uncle Drew,” has made its way from the Pepsi Max mini-series all the way to the big screen. Kyrie Irving, point guard for NBA’s Boston Celtics, is the man and creator behind the endearing character.
Robin Ayers of EURweb sat with Irving to find out exactly where he developed the traits of Uncle Drew.
“I would say it’s a little bit of my inner voice as well as my dad, the role he’s played. As well as, probably my grandparents. Older coaches that I’ve played for. They always give you knowledge. ‘I’ve been through something similar before, you know, this is how you deal with it’.”
A significant line that’s applicable to the entire film says, “You don’t stop playing because you get old, you get old because you stop playing.” EUR opened the question to Irving, asking if he’d ever stop playing basketball.
Irving says, “One way or another, no.”
EUR: “it’s just in you, you’ll always find a way? Maybe coach someday?”
To which Irving jokingly replies, “No. I’m not doing that. No. I’m not doing that.”
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Comedic star, Rel Howery, plays Dax in the movie, a childhood fanatic of basketball who loses hope in playing for himself, and now vicariously plays through other ballers. Dax, whose girlfriend is played by Tiffany Haddish, gathers a legendary team of geriatric players led by Uncle Drew. Their team, the Harlem Buckets, is set to compete in New York’s legendary Rucker Park, against Dax’s arch nemesis, Mookie, played by actor/comedian, Nick Kroll.
EUR: “The two of you bantering back and forth was some of the funniest comedy in the whole movie. How was that?”
Rel: “The back and forth was just something we did, and it was really funny. The first time we did it, I ended up laughing.”
The film stars basketball icons, Reggie Miller, Lisa Leslie, and Nate Robinson who shared their take on the pressure of bringing comedy to the forefront. Other cast members include Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Webber, J.B. Smoove and Mike Epps.
Uncle Drew is in theaters June 29. Get more info here.
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