10 NBA Stars You Didn't Know Once Starred in Movies

Image via Complex Original

NBA career: 1971-73 (Virginia Squires); 1973-76 (New York Nets); 1976-87 (Philadelphia 76ers)
As seen in: The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (1979)
Role: Moses Guthrie
Rotten Tomatoes: N/A 

The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh is the kind of movie that could have only been made in the late '70s, when mustaches were pencil thin and cocaine was Florida's flagship industry. Starring Dr. J, the film is about a fledgling basketball team that has to hold an open tryout to fill its roster. There's a caveat, though: Everyone on the team must be a Pisces (as in the astrological sign). SMH. Now, if you want to go an acid trip without actually putting a blotter in your mouth, you know what movie to watch.

NBA career: 2007-14 (Oklahoma City Thunder)
As seen in: Thunderstruck (2012)
Role: Kevin Durant
Rotten Tomatoes: 20%

If you're writing a sports movie for kids, you can't go wrong with the ol' talent-switcheroo premise. Case in point: Thunderstruck, which tells the role reversal story of Kevin Durant—who plays himself—and a 16-year-old bench warmer. While KD clanks balls off of the rim and, presumably, adopts a more aggressive masturbatory schedule, teenager Brian shreds nets for his high school team and impresses a "cool" girl. Eventually though, Brian learns that getting ahead in life is all about hard work, not commandeering a man's basketball acumen. This film is very powerful, obviously. 

NBA career: 1959-65 (Philadelphia Warriors/San Francisco Warriors); 1965-68 (Philadelphia 76ers); 1968-73 (Los Angeles Lakers)
As seen in: Conan the Destroyer (1984)
Role: Bombaata
Rotten Tomatoes: 27% 

Conan the Destroyer tells the remarkable true story of a yolked-out barbarian (Arnold Schwarzenegger) who battles supernatural creatures, a horrifying pig-man, and an evil queen, all in an effort to lead a princess back to her inherited kingdom. Conan also has to slug it out with the princess' bodyguard, Bombataa, who is played by Hall of Fame center/sex enthusiast Wilt Chamberlain. Provided you're roaringly high on psychedelic mushrooms while viewing, this movie is a pretty spectacular film.

NBA career: 1976-78 (Milwaukee Bucks); 1978-80 (Indiana Pacers); 1980-90 (Denver Nuggets); 1990-91 (Dallas Mavericks)
As seen in: Amazing Grace and Chuck (1990)
Role: Amazing Grace Smith
Rotten Tomatoes: 29% 

Amazing Grace and Chuck tells the story of a Little League pitcher who tours a nuclear silo and is so distraught by what he sees that he makes the moral stand not to pitch again. A professional basketball player named Grace Smith (played by professional basketball player Alex English) hears of the Little Leaguers one-man movement and becomes a brother in arms. Before you know it, these unlikely heroes spark a worldwide crusade to disarm the globe. You can change the world, kiddos.

NBA career: 1985-2000 (New York Knicks); 2000-01 (Seattle Supersonics); 2001-02 (Orlando Magic)
As seen in: Exorcist III (1990)
Role: Angel of Death
Rotten Tomatoes: 55%

Likely before firing his agent, Patrick Ewing played the Angel of Death in Exorcist III. As evidenced by the photo above, he was very comfortable in character. Ewing is the runaway star, but the film features several other bizarre cameos, including Fabio, Larry King, and Samuel L. Jackson.

NBA career: 1993-97 (Washington Bullets); 1998-00 (New Jersey Nets)
As seen in: My Giant (1998)
Role: Max
Rotten Tomatoes: 19% 

If you like sight gags (particularly ones that draw attention to height differential), then My Giant is your North by Northwest. This film stars the punitive Billy Crystal alongside former NBA-sponsored satellite tower Gheorghe Muresan, who is more than seven and a half feet tall. As far as foreign-born NBA centers go, Muresan is one of the most prolific names in Hollywood.

NBA career: 1986-93 (Detroit Pistons); 1993-95 (San Antonio Spurs); 1995-98 (Chicago Bulls); 1998-99 (Los Angeles Lakers); 1999-00 (Dallas Mavericks)
As seen in: Double Team (1997)
Role: Yaz
Rotten Tomatoes: 11% 

Double Team is what happens when the two greatest actors of a generation create a piece of art that will live in perpetuity. With all due respect to Bert and Ernie, rebounder-turned-treasonist Dennis Rodman and roundhouse kick aficionado Jean-Claude Van Damme are the greatest on-screen duo in entertainment history. This film is like a male bellybutton ring for the soul.

NBA career: 2000-02 (Los Angeles Clippers); 2002-03 (Cleveland Cavaliers); 2003-06 (Portland Trailblazers); 2008-09 (Memphis Grizzlies)
As seen in: The Perfect Score (2004)
Role: Desmond Rhodes
Rotten Tomatoes: 17% 

In The Perfect Score, Darius Miles plays a high school basketball star who has to score a 900 on his SAT in order to get a scholarship. The real Darius Miles was drafted out of high school, so this was not easy role for The Punisher. And, by the standards of this list, Miles delivers a Cary Grant-like performance.  

NBA career: 1991-1997 (Boston Celtics); 1997-2004 (Los Angeles Lakers)
As seen in: Meet the Browns (2008)
Role: Harry
Rotten Tomatoes: 32% 

With a well-maintained soul patch and tastefully restrained Jheri curl, Rick Fox plays the love interest in Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns. Demonstrating remarkable range, Fox plays a high school basketball coach who is equally parts charming and sketchy. Is he really there for Brenda or does he just see her son, basketball phenom Michael, as a meal ticket? If you care to learn more, find this title at the bottom of you local Wal-Mart's "$.99 DVD" bin.

NBA career: 1969-75 (Milwaukee Bucks); 1975-89 (Los Angeles Lakers)
As seen in: Airplane! (1980)
Role: Murdock
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% 

As one of the 10 greatest players in NBA history, a best selling author, and overall cool guy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a bona fide renaissance man. And, there's nothing underhanded or sarcastic about calling his role as Murdock in Airplane! legitimately wonderful. To be blessed with comedic timing and an unstoppable hook shot is almost unfair. Cap for president in 2016.