The parents of Jason McElwain, the kid with autism who scored 20 points in a recent high school game, have gotten calls from about 25 production companies interested in making a movie about Jason’s exploits.
I wish it could just be enough that it was a great story. A documentary about his life, the game, the moment, fine. But a Disney movie about it? I dunno. I mean, these are the people who brought you “Air Bud,” not to mention “Air Bud 2″ and “Air Bud 3.” By the end of the movie, Jason will have an angel on his shoulder, turn into a werewolf at halftime, and a lovable, talking, dyslexic monkey with telekinetic powers will be starting alongside him as the power forward.
But, if they insist on making the movie… here are a few casting suggestions.
1) Luke Ridnour.
3) Dwight Howard.
Todd Says:
March 1st, 2006 at 7:08 am
Typical,
A bunch of Hollywood execs. said to themselves “Wow what a great, feel-good story. How can we exploit this and make a assload of money for ourselves.”
Pick the carcass clean, its the American way.
Fuckers.
Lark Says:
March 1st, 2006 at 10:21 am
Two words: Garbage time.
Who the fuck was guarding this kid?
Bouj Says:
March 1st, 2006 at 11:26 am
Mybuddy has a pretty brutal take on this, and that HS FB player who had Downs and scored that 70-yd TD untouched a couple of years back. Basically, these “charity” cases are insulting to the kids and messing with the integrity of the game. He gets way more owrked up over it than me.
It’s too bad that this is being played up like a charity case, because the kid can actually stroke it (7-13, with 6 three’s, even if no one was on him). A real coach could utilize that and design some set plays and run him off screens to get him 2-3 open looks each half. Are you telling me this autistic kid isn’t as capable of learning a handful of plays? Have you seen some of the mouthbreathers playing in the NCAA/NBA?
The Basketball Jones » Iverson Rejected Says:
March 1st, 2006 at 12:22 pm
[…] Look, I’ve got nothing personal against Luke – he’s a solid, young point guard – but I’m sorry, inviting Luke Ridnour to play over Allen Iverson is like inviting that Autistic Kid to play over Kobe. It’s retarded. (OK, that was a bad choice of words.) It’s stupid. Ha! […]
Lincoln Says:
March 1st, 2006 at 2:10 pm
The first time I saw it, it was a nice heartwarming story. Then the media pounded it into dust. I’ve worked in a group home setting and its hilarious when the rich and shameless have to interact with the handicapped or learning disabled. You’d think they were with an ax murderer. None of those producers/directors would have anything to do with the handicapped.
I can’t wait to see what kind of sickly sweet vomit Disney comes up with.
On another note, the kid with down syndrome–my favorite quote was “Mentally retard kid runs 70 yards for touchdown–Bengals looking to sign”. (Keep in mind this was a few years ago)
Adam Says:
March 1st, 2006 at 3:53 pm
It may very well have been a charity case, and maybe he wasn’t being well guarding. I really don’t care. An austic kid, who’s dreamed about playing high school basketball all his life, got to go there in front of the whole school, drill some threes while the crowd went crazy, get carried off the court like a hero, and generally have the best night of his life. That’s a cool story, I don’t care what you say about it. I’ll be sad if it turns into a shitty movie, but right now I just want to enjoy it. I’ve seen the clip probably 20 times since it happened and it gives me goosebumps every damn time.
Rob Says:
March 1st, 2006 at 4:47 pm
I would pay to see a movie based on the Spencerport team JMac torched for 20 points. Imagine life for the poor saps who were guarding him. “You let rainman score 20 points?!” or, “damn, corky took your a** to school.” And you know the coach had to bite his tounge in the lockerroom after the game, especially toward the one white kid who had a hand in Jmac’s face while he kissed net.
Don’t get me wrong. I cried when I saw the SportsCenter feature. But I’m sure the true entertainment factor would be the story of the team that let an autistic kid score 20 in less than four minutes. Call it “the Bad News Knicks.”
Bouj Says:
March 1st, 2006 at 4:55 pm
“Call it ‘the Bad News Knicks.’”
Or just call it “The 2005-2006 New York Knicks”.
The Big Picture Says:
March 1st, 2006 at 5:13 pm
isiah thomas is probably looking to trade for this kid too.
jorite Says:
March 1st, 2006 at 6:50 pm
I’m just waiting for someone like Skip Bayless to turn on this kid Kobe-style: “13 shots in 4 minutes?! Way to go, ball hog. How about getting your teammates more involved?”
chunkstyle23 Says:
March 1st, 2006 at 7:01 pm
They could cast the guy from Office Space, you know, the dude who wants to show Jennifer Aniston his “O” face. A dead ringer.
http://www.gregpitts.com/
Todd Says:
July 17th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
I’m so sick of hearing about this kid. It’s nice he can hit threes, but no one was guarding the kid. Plus the kid has no sportsmanship. His team was up by 20 points I believe, and the kid is taking three’s. Not only is that bad basketball, but that is bad sportsmanship. This kid didn’t deserve to win the ESPY he doesn’t deserve to have a movie. All he deserves is a pat on the back like everyone else would get. If I were guarding him in that game, I would’ve stepped up and stuffed the kid.
the mighty mjd Says:
July 17th, 2006 at 4:20 pm
That might be my favorite comment ever.
Corbin Says:
July 23rd, 2006 at 11:51 pm
I totally agree with Todd..Kobe’s 81 was more impressive bc he was ACTUALLY GUARDED
Flying Chef Says:
July 24th, 2006 at 8:58 pm
Twas cool this kid lit it up for a few minutes. Yippie. This story should have had 30 seconds of airtime and then moved on to something more important in our wretched country. I am fucking sick of hearing about this ‘autistic’ kid. As if his ‘autism’ is a debilitating disease that won’t allow him to participate in, well, anything. Like he’s trapped in box. Like he’s Rainman. The press has made his 20 points in a basketball game seem like a miracle. What little bit I know of autism is as described below:
· Impaired ability to make friends with peers. Bullshit. He is the manager of the team, cheers on the bench and constantly interacts with the players by multi-tasking and taking care of their needs on the court.
· Impaired ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others. Bullshit, again. Did you hear his speech on TV? No conversation skills issue that I could see.
· Absence or impairment of imaginative and social play. You gotta be shittin’ me. No other data required.
· Stereotyped, repetitive, or unusual use of language. See below. More bullshit.
· Preoccupation with certain objects or subjects. Seemed to catch on to being a ball-hog on the court, pretty Goddamned quick. Didn’t see him staring at the ceiling or the fat cheerleader.
· Inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals. Jason didn’t have any trouble getting out of his manager routine, on a moments notice, and jumping right into the game and the crowd.
There is nothing above that specifically renders an autistic kid unable to sink a few baskets. His speech is fairly clear, he’s never had an outburst on the bench and his Dad says he never suffers any temper tantrums or uncomfortable social situations. After the game, Jason said, “I was focused on the game. You gotta be focused on the game, not anything else”.
An autistic kid giving a speech about being focused? You gotta be fucking kidding me.
Listen. It’s a cute story about a kid who suffers very limited symptoms of autism. There are certainly challenges he faces and will possibly forever face. But, playing with orange balls isn’t one of them. I bet he could probably hit a baseball, too. Remember the reason why he didn’t officially make the team: he wasn’t big enough. No mention of autism.
I feel sorry for the kid and for those getting false hope that experience the most severe symptoms of this disease. And, he wins an ESPY? And, a Disney movie deal?
MAKE IT FUCKING STOP!!!!!!!