The latest Adam Sandler movie on Netflix, Hustle, is based on a lot of actual events. Sandler plays Stanley Sugarman, a real-life Philadelphia 76ers basketball scout, in the film, which was co-produced by LeBron James. Numerous well-known NBA figures, like Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson, Julius Irving, Kenny Smith, Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, and Seth Curry, make appearances in the film.
As the frantic Sugarman, trying to make something of his newest recruit Bo Cruz (Juancho Hernangómez), Sandler gives a credible tragic portrayal that adds to the film’s realism. Is Hustle, however, based on actual events?
What Happens in Hustle?
Sandler Plays Stanley Sugerman, a Basketball Scout for The Philadelphia 76ers Who Is Down on His Luck Because He Has Prioritized His Career Over His Personal Life.
Stanley, for The Past Nine Years, Has Been Spending Weeks at A Stretch Away from His Wife Teresa (Queen Latifah) and Daughter Jordan (whose Birthday He Has Missed Every Year) (Jordan Hull).
Stanley Is Blown Away by Bo Cruz’s (Juancho Hernangomez) Innate Ability During a Scouting Trip to Spain. Bo Is Trying to Help Support His Mother and Young Daughter.
Despite Stanley’s Best Efforts, Bo Is Unable to Make the Move to Philadelphia and Try out For the Nba, as The 76ers’ Owner, Ben Foster, Is Opposed to The Idea.
Stanley Believes that Bo Is on The Cusp of Becoming an Athletic Celebrity, so He Secretly Trains Him for An All-Or-Nothing Shot at Stardom.
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Is It Based on A True Story?
The Events in Hustle Are Fictional.
Bo Cruz Is Not a Real Nba Player, and The Film Is Based on A Script Written by Taylor Materne and Will Fetters.
Materne Has Contributed to The Nba 2 K Video Games, While Academy Award Nominee Fetters Worked on The Critically Acclaimed Film a Star Is Born.
However, Hustle Does Feature Cameos from A Number of Actual Nba Players, Both from The Past and Present.
When Asked About the Film’s Hoop, Sandler Told Slash Film that The Studio’s Priority Was to Make It Appear “as Cool as possible, as authentic as possible.”
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Is the Story in Hustle Based on Actual Events?
The screenplay for Hustle was written by Taylor Materne and Will Fetters, however, the film is not based on a factual story.
We follow Stanley Sugerman, a retired basketball scout, as he tries to resurrect his career by signing a Spanish talent named Bo Cruz. Both Bo and Stanley have had their fair share of problems, but that just brings them closer as they strive to make it in the NBA.
The character of Stanley is fictional and not based on any actual scout for the Philadelphia 76ers. But they are legit basketball players and a squad. The Philadelphia area is home to an NBA club that goes by the nickname ‘Sixers’ and does compete in the same league as the one featured in the film.
Bo Cruz isn’t a genuine NBA player either, although Utah Jazz player Juancho Hernangomez plays him in the film.