Ray Allen plays the role of Jesus Shuttlesworth in the film He Got Game. Photo Credit: Quora

Nineteen years ago today, “He Got Game” debuted, and the world met Jake and Jesus Shuttlesworth.

The film, stars Ray Allen and Denzel Washington and keyed in on the life of Jesus Shuttlesworth, the basketball star of Brooklyn’s Lincoln High School. Jesus is the most sought after high school basketball prospect in the nation.

Denzel Washington plays the role of Jake Shuttlesworth, Jesus’ father.  Jesus’ story is overshadowed by his father who is doing a long bid in jail after accidentally killing Jesus’ mother.

Although in prison, Jake Shuttlesworth tries to earn himself an early release by talking his estranged son into playing basketball at the governor of New York’s alma mater, Big State University.

Simply put, Lee’s film gave the world a glimpse into the life of a blue chip athlete. 

Actor, Hill Harper not only played the role of cousin to Ray Allen in the “He Got Game” film, but he also played the role of his teammate on that Rail Splitters team. At the time of the film, Allen was in the early years of his career as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, but way back then, Harper knew that Allen had something special.

So what stood out?

“His work ethic,” Harper told me on Scoop B Radio.

Check Out Hill Harper Chat With Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio 

“He had a work ethic. He was shooting and playing every day. He wanted to do well as far as the acting was concerned, wanted to do well as far as the basketball was concerned.”

Ray Allen went on to retire as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. He also won two championships with the Miami Heat during the big three era of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade on South Beach. Harper is not surprised by Allen’s success, in fact he saw it coming even on set.

“People that I know who are successful and have longevity, they have work ethics and it comes down to that and he obviously had that. When he was acting, he wanted to be the best that he could be. When he was playing ball, he wanted to be the very best that he could be.”

With a budget of 25 million, “He Got Game,” made  22.4 million in the box office. 

Check Out The Trailer

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The post Spike Lee Directed & Denzel Washington, Ray Allen Starred “He Got Game” Debuted 19 Years Ago Today appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Toast to all the wonderfulness-ness-ness-ness, acting, and finally getting to work with Hill Harper, says Towanda Braxton with Trina Braxton at lunch in L.A. Clinks to juggling time singing background for Toni Braxton in NY and Towanda’s competition. It is time to talk retirement again and on with the can’t. Trina is less cordonated as break dances and gives it to Towanda and she has to take it.

Toni’s bag is flat as a pancake so Tamar Braxton suggested she wear a rooster inside.  Toni is about to leave for NY for her show and the whole family will be there.  Toni thinks it is time to get new background singers.  She thinks it is time that they do their own thing.  The two doo wop pop sisters don’t know and Tamar doesn’t know how they are going to feel after 13,000 years.  Toni better watch  that arch after the concert.

Towanda’s dance competition is in a few days and at practice with her dance partner and instructor. She is suspect because he is shorter than she is and she is just learning the routine within three days. Tamar and Traci Braxton comes to infiltrate the rehearsal and Towanda is alarmed; Tamar has been the know it all since DWTS. The takeover spirit is distracting. Traci’s Doctor is not clearing her to dance, but she is there for support. Slow slow quick quick slow is almost like sex, says Traci. Towanda’s dance partner can feel her coochie pelvic to pelvic.  He is sent to excuse them so she can concentrate.

At King’s Theatre in Brooklyn, the crew is ready to hit the stage. It’s 10:45 pm after the gig and the family is waiting on the superstar at dinner. Tamar likes her booty flat and white and surfboard, surfboard.  The question is where is Toni. Towanda has to fly to DC in the morning. Toni arrives at 12:56 am after a shower and the other sisters wished they got the memo. There are stinky pits and the energy is dry.  Toni decides to not have the conversation and just be the artist. Toni is the last one to show up and the first to leave because the tension can be cut with a knife.

In New York City, Tamar shows up without her blonde wig, which is being cleaned to find out that Trina and Towanda want to have the same conversation with Toni about singing background.  She chooses to not say a thing and not get involved.

Meanwhile in DC, Traci is walking and singing at the Race for the Cure cancer event.  Daddy and Trina are there to support. It’s 4:00 pm at the Howard Theatre, Towanda arrives and her dance partner is no where to be found and losing is not an option.

Watch how the talk goes down between the firing and the quitting and find out more about how Towanda’s dance competition went below:

Next episode, Towanda is getting some work done, but what exactly is it that she getting nipped and tucked?  Watch to find out on Thursday at 9:00 PM ET.

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The post Braxton Family Values: Season 5 Episode 6 ‘You Gotta Get Pelvic to Pelvic!’ [Weekly Recap] appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.