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In the first intergalactic hoop battle in 1996’s “Space Jam”, Michael Jordan’s formidable adversaries were a collective of threats called “Monstars.” The list was filled with mutant aliens who stole the talent of the superstars of the day – Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, Shawn Bradley, Muggsy Bogues, and Larry Johnson.
But in LeBron James’ fight to escape the Serververse in “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” he is forced to face a new team of villains known as the Goon Squad, also based on top NBA talent and of the WNBA.
This time, the animation is more fluid, presenting movements that seem more multifaceted and formidable. Meet the members of the Goon Squad and their real-life counterparts.
Klay Thompson as Wet-Fire
The 31-year-old Golden State Warrior is known for his manual shooting form. Thompson, who was drafted in 2011, has won three NBA Championships with his team and is a five-time NBA All-Star. After tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in 2019 and his Achilles tendon in November 2020, he has been sidelined for two seasons. But fans are hoping for a fall comeback. In the meantime, he flexes his funny bone.
On the film’s red carpet, when asked which Looney Tune he’d like on his team, Thompson stepped out in favor of a character forbidden for unsavory pre- # MeToo behavior. “Probably Pepé Le Pew because nobody wants to approach this man, so if I’m by his side I’m going to have an open shot. This is how bad it smells. I also remember it from the first one.
His Goon, Wet-Fire, can switch between being covered in water or in flames to play with his opponents.
Diana Taurasi as White Mamba
The great UConn and keeper of the Phoenix Mercury has three WNBA championships, an MVP award, and icy water running through her veins. His ability to score in pressure situations has earned him comparisons to the late Kobe Bryant and the nickname White Mamba. The competition takes place in his family. Taurasi’s father, who was born in Italy but raised in Argentina, played professional football in Italy. She is married to Mercury assistant coach Penny Taylor until July 2020, when she stepped down to be the full-time mother of their son Leo Michael Taurasi-Taylor.
In “A New Legacy”, Taurasi is combined with a snake, so not only can she shoot hoops, but she can also drag the other team with her tail.
Nneka Ogwumike as Arachnneka
The 31-year-old Nigerian-American superstar is also in a sister group. Her younger brother Chiney played with her at Stanford and is her current teammate with the LA Sparks. Ogwumike, who grew up in Texas, won a WNBA championship in 2016, was league MVP, rookie of the year, and six-time All-Star selection.
Can she replicate such success in court as a member of the Goon Squad? It really helps that her spider character Arachnneka has eight legs to dribble with.
Damian Lillard as Chronos
The Portland Trail Blazer goalie is known throughout the league as a good guy and selfless teammate. Last month he even received the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award, which is a league-wide accolade.
In other words, he really flips the script on his character on the pitch playing for the bad guys. Nicknamed “Dame Time,” the 31-year-old Oakland, Calif. Native is a six-time NBA All-Star and was the league’s 2013 Rookie of the Year.
Inspired by Lillard’s speed, Chronos is super-fast and made of metal.
Anthony Davis as the front
Known for embracing his bold and signature unibrow, Davis is set to play against current Los Angeles Lakers teammate LeBron James in the summer blockbuster. The pair have a story. They won an NBA championship together in the 2020 NBA bubble. But that title was just another accolade for the eight-time NBA All-star. The power forward who attended Kentucky also won an NCAA championship in 2012 and a gold medal at the London Olympics.
In the original “Space Jam”, Seal sang “Fly Like an Eagle”. In the new movie, thanks to his character’s wings, Davis can.
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