High Flying Bird, Netflix, Extension 765, Harper Road Films

Basket Ball

Netflix original film High Flying Bird dropped Friday February 8, 2019.

#HighFlyingBird was directed by Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh and shot entirely on an iPhone 8.

rottentomatoes: 92%

metacritic: 78

imdb: 6.3




Ray Burke, High Flying Bird, Netflix, Extension 765, Harper Road Films, André HollandRay Burke

Ray Burke represents the interests of athletic talent during an NBA lockout outside of New York City, New York.


Ray Burke, High Flying Bird, Netflix, Extension 765, Harper Road Films, André Holland“What you promise?  You must’ve signed something.  You said he’s calling, threatening.  You must’ve promised something.  Erick, I’m asking you about this.  I said it didn’t look good.  There’s precedence.  It’s not protocol.  Not during a lockout.  Last time this happened, folks went broke.  You still broke.  You ain’t even in the league yet– yeah.  Check, please.  Uh, wait a second.  Here you go.  I am no longer having a good time.  He got yo’ ass.  You a owl now?  You.  You just telling me this now, jumping at me, Erick Scott, when you got got.  That man ain’t meet you by happenstance at your homie’s party six months ago.  He meant to rock up to whoever’s pre-season soiree was going down and catch him a rookie.  And he caught the big fish, yeah.  Oh, the number-one signer!  He got yo’ ass.  Don’t get me wrong.  You helped.  Smilin’.  What’d he say?  ‘Big fan.  Saw all your games at LSU.’  Couldn’t wait for you to sign to New York, wouldn’t have to travel to you?  Gave a nerdy laugh, made you think he was a cornball?  Mm-hmm.  See, he heard about the trouble.  Meetings happening and no resolution.  Everybody expecting something to come down to the wire, as always, and the owners or players to fold, but if they didn’t… ‘wonder how people are gonna survive.’  He scared you, describing how a lockout doesn’t affect the Stephs and Durants.  ‘They got that long money.  It’ll take a minute before it affect their daily life.  But those check-to-check fellas just starting out, the rookies…’ mm-hmm.  He saw you panic and offered you some dumb interest loan from his bank.  At that moment… you should have asked yourself then, ‘what’s his angle?  Why is he being so damn generous to me?’  Then you should have said, ‘hey, man, I’m doing all right.  My agent, who isn’t being paid during the lockout, told me don’t take a loan unless I can pay for it.’  At which point, I’d have said, I being you in this case… that’s right, Erick.  ‘That’s stupid.’  See that logic?  Don’t take loans.  For the fuck what?!  You had money to move here.  You moved here.  Your rent is paid.  Now I’m shouting.  Hey, E, spare me your apologies, okay?  This isn’t Sister Ray’s Prep Academy where you do something stupid, I rap your knuckles, tell you to say the rosary and all is forgiven.  You just being you.  Here’s what you thought signing to the NBA would be.  Not a chance to show your talent, not as a vehicle to a better world or to change how the game is played by pushing your limits, your team’s limits into athletic glory.  No.  You thought, ‘I can’t wait to sign that contract and stunt on these fools.’  It’ll be a big ‘fuck you’ to the naysayers and the hate swayers.  Just wait till I swag out, finally get moms a new spot and use Ray as the daddy I never met.’  But signed or not, we are in a lockout.  Time or you to get that daddy’s dream dick out your mouth.  Or after you made that stupid decision, you could’ve told Joe Blow loan shark, ‘thanks, man.  Yeah, I got your money, I spent it on some dumb shit.  I know it was a six-month, very short-term loan with very stupid, dumb-ass interest, but I thought I’d be playing by now.  I’m not, so I don’t got money to pay you back.  Fuck you, have a nice life.’  What’s the worst he could do?  Give you bad credit?  Rhetorical.  My point, Erick, is… he can’t do shit else.  He’s gon’ call non-stop maybe send a summons, but you’re stressing like he can schedule a drive-by.  On what?  Climate change?  The league is a business.  Yes, Erick, business.  We are in business.  Hey!  You want to get back on the court and I want to get you there.  But right now, we have to wait, okay?  You can do that.  Or I don’t know, man, practice.  Still got your pregame ritual down?  I’ll assume you practicing.  Listen.  You think these fools, these rich white dudes gon’ let the sexiest sport fall by the wayside?  I mean, football is fun, but it don’t sell sneakers.  You can’t even see the players half the time.  Baseball… is a whole lot of tradition, but in order to move merch and inspire rap lyrics, they need your services.  Too much money at stake.  So, just chill the fuck out.  Wait on the Lord, Job.  Man, did they ever let you go to class at LSU?  My apologies.  When I’m hungry, I get mean.  Hmm.  A bible.  Not the Bible, a bible, and don’t open it now.  Excuse me.  Here.  I have cash.  We’ll get it for you, I promise.  But… you ruined my lunch.  Next one’s on you.  You’ll know.  Need a ride?” — Ray Burke

“But listen, he spent it on something.  Does his mama have a Tesla?  Just now.  I hope the hell so.  He needs to explain why my corporate cards are deactivated.  Nah, that’s Sam, walking with me every step towards my meeting that is not with Sam.  Sam, I’m on the phone.  I appreciate it.  I like my news no-chaser, but thank you.  Spence, I’m trying to see how far the kid is in over his head, so that I can manage him.  Then he’d know I was trying.  He’s about to be a 30 for 30 episode.  Erick Scott.  Let me call you back.  I think we’re preparing for a nuclear strike.  We deporting people or something, Samantha?  Why today?  ‘How may I help you?’  Ain’t that what you’re supposed to ask?  You are my assistant, yeah?  No?  What, you mad?  Avery James?  In golfing tournaments?  Whoa, are you crying?  Oh, urgent isn’t an emotion.  Listen, I’m sure Starr has a good reason for moving you.  I taught you well, yeah?  Hey , maybe you’ll be happier with Avery.  She answers faxes.  Why does it look like the interns are preparing for a visit from Mar-a-Lago?  What the hell’s going on?” — Ray Burke

“But you’re not taking on any weight.  You aren’t making the money you’re used to making.  Ads are still running.  That’s a trickle.  Tell ’em not to.  Don’t do this.  Why would you want to rep hockey?  Repetition – do not do this.  Okay.  All right.  You know what?  Please don’t put me in the category with everybody else.  You think this is personal?  You think I’m here because my feelings are hurt?  Do you like this?  What part?  Are you firing me?  So, you have been calling me, leaving messages, to tell me that this if my life’s work.  Snip…?  You know, I came in today.  We are in a lockout.  I’ve been trying to stop… no, I have stopped players from leaving this agency, players who called me saying, ‘I don’t think I can be signed with you anymore,’ until I showed them the money management fund I furrowed away from my 15 percent for a rainy.  Why you think my list is so long?  Kobe is not dead.  It’s my commission.  Besides, it’s what the players are asking for – a larger cut of the gross for that day when the court ain’t dry and they lose an ankle or they piss off a coach or… the owner’s will cave.  Not enough.  I rep players.  Who else’s side… you want this over, yes?  That’s what you want too, just a quick ‘over?’  It’s coming.  My corporate card wasn’t being honored at places where our company is respected.  It’d be nice if you could fix that.  I make salary here?” — Ray Burke

“Working ’em hard?  Even if they were, you’d still be cracking that whip.  ‘I love the Lord and all His black people.’  Nah, we gon’ get some out here.  I can get Erick.  Spence, when did you know it was time?  They aren’t built for change.  None of ’em.  The owners, the Players Association…. the firm is just a siphon.  The smallest shift in the system, everything gets fucked up.  Player gets hurt, his life is fucked.  Team owner says ‘Negroes,’ his life is… well, annoying, but more effectively, his players get fucked.  City can’t afford to house its home team, Brooklyn gets fucked.  I’m sitting, looking Starr in his face, he’s acting like the lift of that company is gon’ be worse off than some of these players about to go back to… I’m just saying, man.  They snatching ’em out the womb, like… cats your boys’ age, they hungry to get them out there.  Ain’t even really finished high school yet but they won’t explain 37% tax.  Hmm.  Hmm.  I’m not out.  I’m just outside.  But I’m about to pull up a chair.  Hey, man, I gotta go.  Yeah, I am, I’m coming.  I’m gonna bring you an event… you won’t forget.  That’s a promise.  Gotta go talk to Myra first.” — Ray Burke

“You know, I hate when people not my mama call me Ray-Ray.  Is there more in the bowl, My-My?  I’m just asking for confirmation.  You want this over.  Everybody does.  Do it for the kids.  To the future.  You still want ’em?  Do you still want kids?  You all still trying?  I’m just asking.  Hmm.  How’s it going?  So, you gonna be needin’ some time off.  I’m just trying to figure– you just seem relaxed for a meeting that doesn’t seem to have good news with a pool of, what did you call ’em, horny sharks?  Maybe you need to go on leave early.  Maybe your head’s not in the negotiation.  So, like, Surrogate Ray?  Uncle Ray?  So, why have it?  Hey… uh… you need some coffee.  Trying to enjoy that burn while you can?  She wants them more than you… mm.  That’s beautiful.  ‘Heavy with mood.’  Ah, it’s college lesbian music.  Good, and– advise everyone at the meeting they shouldn’t put off till tomorrow what they can do today.  Doing my job, Myra.  I’d like to do my job.  Tell ’em.  Just tell ’em.” — Ray Burke

“I’m not.  You’re my assistant.  They wipe your memory or something?  I’m not.  I need you.  Okay, look, Sam… you were a really great assistant, okay?  But please stop whining because I didn’t pay you special attention.  Now, I know there are people who buy their personal assistants gifts and whatnot, but it’s really because they hate their assistants.  But they need ’em so they buy ’em things.  I told you you were indispensable, now you want me to say sorry – for what?  Not remembering your birthday or your last name?  I mean, what is this?  Date two?  For what?  Tch.  Ah… don’t thank me yet.  Come on, inside.  ‘Chose me?’  Hey, watch that ‘four word,’ lady.  Yeah.  Not lately.  ‘Story.’  ‘Get at him?’  You mean, like… we gotta get a game goin’.” — Ray Burke

“You have a lovely home.  Pardon?  Oh, no, I didn’t.  A very lovely one.  Ms. Umber– uh… Emera– um… well, I was raised Baptist.  God?  ‘Jesus wept.’  Mmhmm.  Hey, hell is a place.  Right.  And I think they should be compensated for it.  Oh, I hear you.  Mrs. Umber, I want to speak with you about an oppor– uh… yes, but in a different way.  He’s in the NFL, since we’re in a lockout– great.” — Ray Burke

“Philly.  Yep.  And I’ll tell you why when you turn on your TV and tell me that you’ve accepted Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior.  What happened with Seton?  Lord…?  GOT I know.  We’re still in the lockout?  I’m just making sure.  Slavery?  I love the Lord and all His black people.  I’m listening.  Yeah.  Those contracts expire.  Lawsuit?  For what?  So, it’s a month.  In baby time, that’s a lot.  A lot of guys not prepared for a full six-month strike.  Players’ll probably cave before the network deal’s done, the owners won’t have to agree to shit.  We gotta stop ’em.  Turn it up.” — Ray Burke

“‘We?’  That is your teammate, sir.  That will be your teammate.  You don’t think the coach, the team’s management or David Seton are gonna pay attention to its star players bickering before the game is even back on?  What did I just tell you?  That act’s getting a bit tired, especially since it’s not bringing in any money.  You funny.  You funny, man.  You got bad press without stepping foot on the court, but you got jokes.  And you… did you tell him you’re no longer my assistant?  Listen, all you had to do was say, ‘no comment.’  Emera Umber’s just tweeting from her son’s account, trying to get you hyped.  Just say no.  Yeah.  Thank you, Ray.  Isn’t this the envelope I gave you?  Why are you carrying it around?  It’s not.  You’ll know.  Can we all just– cousin.  Yes, Erick, he’s dead.  We good?  Man, what are you talking– let me check the temperature for you.  We have not heard from New York.  They haven’t hit us up, haven’t said anything about the beef.  That’s good, it gives us a minute to recalibrate.  You did go down the rabbit hole with Alice and the Dormouse, but it’s cool ’cause you back now.  So, let’s put our heads together and figure out how we can get in front of this thing.  It’s time for you to go home.” — Ray Burke

“That’s your legal advice?  Thank you, Myra.  Tell Caroline I said hello and– stop by the court if you get bored.” — Ray Burke

“How y’all doing?  I said, how y’all doing?  All right.  Well, um… listen, y’all might notice that things are a little different this year.  No cameras out here, just a few journalists from the papers.  And since we got a little time… and Spence asked me to say something to the youth, I guess I’ll speak on it.  Is that all right?  Is that all right?  All right.  You know, I’m not from where y’all from.  This neighborhood’s where most of y’all come from, yeah?  Yeah.  Well, it didn’t look like this when I was your age.  It looked more like the town that my people are from, my cousin… is from.  You know, I used to, uh… used to visit him every year in Jacksonville.  And we would, you know, do what cousins do – play each other, dare each other to get better every summer.  Now, I kept my part of the bargain.  He did too.  See, his daddy helped him, even though he never met him.  My cousin had a growth spurt one summer.  Yeah, man.  I went back down there the summer before high school and… Gavin had done shot up to six-six.  A mango season, they called it.  ‘All you need is a mango season and everything’ll change.’  And it did.  Everybody was coming down there to see him play.  Now, I guess this is the part where y’all expecting me to say I was jealous.  Oh, I was.  But not of him.  I couldn’t be jealous of that fool.  Nah, I was jealous of the cats that got to play him.  Gavin loved… loved this game.  He was thankful to God for his height and his talent and… and then he lost all that.  He lost that love and then he left the game.  He lost his life.  Y’all don’t lose that love.  A’ight?  Even if yo’… even if yo’ mango season ain’t come, won’t come, passed, hold onto that love.  It’ll get you through.  Um… but I want to introduce you all to somebody who hasn’t lost that love and never will.  And even though there’s a bunch of talk going around about status on teams and whatnot, fu– um… forget all that.  Ain’t no teams right now.  So, put your hands together and give it up for your Back Court king, Mr. Erick Scott!” — Ray Burke

“Thank you all for coming on a weekend at short notice.  We just, uh… well, I wanted my client to have a chance to… listen, his intentions were and are good.  Both he and Jamero Umber were there as guests of the Back Court charity event.  They were set up… they were set up by me.  What you all saw on your smartphones and tablets… was raw.  It was palpable and it was real.  It was the beginning of change, change of this game that’s been played behind the game.  What you saw yesterday… was just a glimmer, a lightning flash of what could be the beginning of a whole new industry.  Any questions?  We’ll have to wait and see.” — Ray Burke

“You have a chance, sir, to do what has never been done before.  We are disruptors – you, me and Umber.  Why do you think so small?  Man, you didn’t feel it when you snatched that ball out of Jamero’s hand, when he thought he had you crossed up and you picked his pockets?  You didn’t feel it?  Man, the whole world stopped.  Those two kids watching haven’t stopped dancing and selfieing since.  You didn’t see it?  Man, when a million faces that would normally record the game and fast forward to the good parts, when they had to hear about it at the water cooler, man, I knew right then that we had they ass!  We had something that they can’t bottle up.  What would you pay to be at an event so exclusive that you could only catch glimmers of it on Snapchat and Youtube?  Facebook called and said they’d pay you and Umber for streaming rights to your one-on-one.  It don’t matter.  I told ’em no.  ‘Cause Netflix wants a sit-down tomorrow.  Only thing they don’t have is live streaming, but we could lead their market.  The money would go direct to you two – no Players Association, no league.  It ain’t about the money, man.  We talking about money ’cause that makes them listen and pay attention, but this makes you the decider, brother.  The game that they made over the game is over.  It’s your game now if you want it.  Come on, South Side, we don’t need the league, man!  We don’t need the Players Association.  Let them battle that shit out over network rights and splits for the next few months while you, me and a few others, we wreck shop!  Paid event by event, like… but without the brain damage.  What you think?” — Ray Burke

“Man… for a second, man I could see a whole infrastructure that put the control back in the hands of those behind the ball, instead of those up in the sky box.  It never had to.  Spence, man, Rutgers ain’t no Ivy League.  Why make a man if only to watch him die?  Nah, man.  I just wanted to snatch the game out they hands for a minute.  I don’t need it.  I just wanted to hold it, just for a second.  So, they know… like I know.  You remind him of his mortality.” — Ray Burke


Erick Scott, High Flying Bird, Netflix, Extension 765, Harper Road Films, Melvin GreggErick Scott

“Ray, I ain’t promise shit.  I came to you.  When the first negotiation failed with the league and Players Association, I said, ‘let me hold something to float me by.’  I came to you first.  How many agents give players money?  Who tryin’ to be broke?  So, what?  Now you rushin’ me off?  Yeah, me and you both.  Who?  Come on, man.  Damn.  He said…. he used the term ‘freshmen.’  ‘That’s stupid.’  It wouldn’t be a loan if I could pay it back then.  I needed money.  Look, Ray, I’m sorry– what?  Yo, pause, bro.  I already got– right.  You wrong.  I didn’t come to the league to say fuck you to nobody.  I was made for the league.  It’s all business?  No sex before a game.  Who?  Yo, stop low-key stupiding me.  This money?  Bible?  We finna pray?  Ray, look… you right.  I got caught in a bad position, I got taken advantage of, I know.  I just want the game.  That’s what I know.  That’s what I want.  When should I open this?  Nah, I’m up the block.  I’m good.  Hey, thanks, though, man.  For real, I mean it.” — Erick Scott

“I don’t know why that dude came at me like that.  Hell, no!  It’s just… just whatever.  It’s just some of that stuff ain’t right.  I’m deadass.  If I got some shit to say, I’ma say it straight to a nig– a dude.  I’m a say it to a dude’s face.  Don’t need no tweets.  But it wasn’t.  What?  Look, put it like this.  There’s street ball and there’s organized ball.  Me and this cat’s supposed to be on the same team.  If it weren’t for the lockout, we’d be in training together, but… he plays organized ball.  I’m from the streets.  I know iso, one-on-one.  Take the clock off, till 21, I’ll light his ass up any day.  Whoa, girl, what you doin’?  Okay, lady, why you send that?  Ray.  You’re not Ray.  Wait, since when?  No, his mom was.  Look, I was hacked earlier.  They was talkin’ about how I was chillin’ and slackin’ during the lockout and they hope I be ready if the game came back ’cause I’m just support for Jamero.  Like, tha fuck?  That’s me, that’s how I talk.  That was me.  No, see, that’s not how I talk.  That’s corny.  I don’t even know what that mean.  Yeah.  I was heated ’bout that.  No, see, but I’m startin’ to wish I did.  No.  Look… like I said, I make the rim shake and move with my fury.  See, that’s good.  There go Ray right there.” — Erick Scott

“But we had no choice.  I mean, Sam ain’t really… it was all me.  I did it, you know?  Fuck homes and his fam.  If the game ever get back on.  Look, Ray, I’m sorry.  So you do worry about the money?  Yo, Ray, this you and Gavin Burke?  Thought it might be a good time to open– okay.  Yo, you used to rep buddy, right?  I never made that connection, fam.  Yo, buddy die, right?  My bad.  Was it hard?  Who you calling?” — Erick Scott

“You’re welcome.  So, what you ’bout to do?  Wanna hang out?  It’s not.  You wouldn’t know.” — Erick Scott


Sam, High Flying Bird, Netflix, Extension 765, Harper Road Films, Zazie BeetzSamantha

“Mr. Starr is in his office.  I know.  I tried to call you.  I’m trying to– who?  Oh, now you want to talk to me?  No.  No, I work at Avery James now.  Yes, and I could’ve told you that if you’d responded to any of your phone calls or emails.  I know you’re old school.  I sent you a fax.  I am not any emotion except for maybe urgent right now.  I’m aware.  It’s temporary.  Starr don’t know shit from Shine.  Mm-hmm.  What do you think I’ve been trying to tell you?” — Samantha

“Hi, Myra!  It’s Sam.  Samantha.  I’m Ray Burke’s assistant.  Oh, yeah, same Sam.  Um… you think I could get a ride with you?  He just… seems off.  Um… wow, that’s really specific, but yes.  Wait.  No, I’m sorry.  I wasn’t trying– thank you, Myra, for telling me all that you could.  I’m sorry.  But, you know, desperate times, right?  Sure I didn’t overstep with that licensing suggestion?  MM-hmm.  Ooh… I don’t like to be used.” — Samantha

“You don’t seem surprised.  I got your address from the off– former.  I guess I’m just saying you don’t seem that upset.  I’m glad you finally see that.  Well, thank you.  ‘Indispensable.’  You know I chose you.  Mmhmm.  I graduated top of my class and I came in entry level, so that I could work with you.  I knew you were a hard-ass and everybody else knew you already had old-man tendencies at almost 40.  Yeah, well… you do it for the right reasons.  I know you’d never admit it, but you lean into it and the work shows.  Yeah, well, ’cause the problem is we’ve run out of story.  What’s the story here?  Remember that Paul Meghan thing?  When he was caught publicly punishing his daughter and everybody thought he was done?  But when you leaked that video of him crying at his daughter’s recital and that changed everything and that became the story?  We need to get at Erick Scott.  Wait, what?  No!  What is wrong with you?  No.  I’m talking about activate him.  Like… what story’s gonna activate Erick?” — Samantha

“Why?  Are you scared?  Come on.  But everybody says that then their shit goes viral, then they’re like, ‘oh, no, that wasn’t me.’  Okay.  But is it true?  Are you better than him?  You’re both signed with New York, both wanna play, but… are you better than Jamero?  ‘Light… his… ass… up…’ whoa!  I’m grown as fuck.  Because you said it’s true!  You wanted Ray to help you make a statement that was true and didn’t sound confrontational.  You’re right.  And I don’t work for him either.  Yo, Jamero’s talkin’ mad shit about you!  Yeah, but you can’t say anything about his mama, so… yeah, you wrote that, too.  ‘Tha fuck?’  Okay, so you didn’t say, ‘get that wet nurse off your timeline?’  So, did it make you mad that they were, like, ‘you’re just the backup?’  ‘You’re a bench player?’  Oh, so did you say, ‘Jamero so drunk off that mama’s milk, now he lookin’ for a spanking from his daddy.’  Why didn’t you?  You scared?  Mm-kay!  ‘Shake and move with the fury… of my discontent.’  It’s cute.  Hey!” — Samantha

“What?  He called to schedule an appointment.  Well, I was going to, but when he told me why, I figured you’d want to have this discussion in person.  Yeah, he was his first client.  He brought him to SAV.  I’m right, right?  He was your brother?” — Samantha

“Thanks.  Nothing.  Okay.  Yes, it is.  I’d know.” — Samantha


David Starr, High Flying Bird, Netflix, Extension 765, Harper Road Films, Zachary QuintoDavid Starr

“I’m clearly trying to make a shitty situation sound less shitty.  Uh, the point is, Ray, we can only take on so much weight.  We aren’t making any money, anything for almost six months.  The larger agency has concerns.  The division, this division, nobody expected it in the past 15 years to run the way it does.  Most of our clients are basketball.  We built this machine out of nowhere.  And it runs and it will run.  Listen… when you started, no one, not even you– right, ’cause your blood is in the game.  You care about the game.  Well, I hate this part of the job.  No, but it’s bad news.  Pump’s off near six months, the sand’s drying up in the mirage.  It– I know, I messed that metaphor up, but you know what I’m saying.  You’ve been in this all your life.  Why you got to be snippy?  First time in weeks!  You did what?  Thought you didn’t want to work for the big shots, the Brons, the Kobes – RIP.  You wanted to work with guys the level of your cousin before he… look, Ray, you cannot take a cut of your commission.  How much are they making– so you’re on the side of the players?  Is that what you want?  When?  Well, I can’t.  All expense accounts for the division are frozen until we see signs of life from the owners and the PA and that includes… I am afraid, your salary.” — David Starr


Myra, High Flying Bird, Netflix, Extension 765, Harper Road Films, Sonja SohnMyra

“Yes?  Oh… oh, yes!  Didn’t you just call me to confirm the meeting with Ray?  When you say ‘off,’ are his eyes wide, like, open, like a deer?  And his jaw is clenched as though he’s chewing on a bad steak?  That’s not off.  That’s in.  He’s up to something.  Thanks for the heads-up.  No, it’s too late now.  You done let it slip.  Don’t worry, though.  Ray’s ‘up to something’ is usually good.  Like I said, he can see the business.  He’s a few steps ahead.  When I first met Ray, he was on a strategy.  I thought he was just trying to curry favor for his already then star-like cousin, but he… the cousin had a secret.  Things like that were hard to hide, even before social media blew up.  You know, no one knows this and Ray, he’ll deny it to this day, but he kept trying to get Gavin to get out ahead of it.  He kept telling him to use it, you know, make it a part of the appeal, a part of the whole package.  I mean, Gavin was one of the best.  And when you have one of the best hiding something, it either eats away at the game or the person.  In this case, it was mostly the person.  Thank you for… trespassing.  Hardly.  Lady, you have a bright future.  ‘Overstep?’  That’s where we were headed if this lockout didn’t happened.  Come work for us.  We could use– she beat you to the punch, Ray-Ray?  We’l see.  You’re buying the rounds, you’re late.  What kids?  You don’t even have kids.  What?  Look, Ray, don’t– you know we do.  We’ve tried.  Oh, we running some tests.  Caroline was gonna have the baby, but… now we’re running some tests to see if I can.  You are a shit.  My womb isn’t blocking you, Ray.  I want this shit over too.  Fuck you.  This meeting is a formality.  Nothing’s changed, twat.  It’s an up-or-down vote.  The owners aren’t budging.  They like the 50/50 split on our revenue, but the players don’t because they have to spread it out amongst too many other players, especially with the surge in income.  The meeting’s just there as a formality, just to say we met and tried before the holiday weekend.  Even if I was trying to get pregnant, it wouldn’t happen before Tuesday.  So, my head is in the game, dick, and the Players Association, which I rep, has spoken and they are not moving.  And the owners, well, they don’t even give a fuck.  Half of ’em won’t even show.  What?  There’s a spot right on the corner.  Man, I was never that girl!  Even in high school, I had friends who couldn’t wait to be moms.  But not me.  Shit, and now– and I want her more than the world.  Sounds like honey whiskey.  I know… what is that?  I know that.  I knew you were one of us.  Go home, Ray.  ‘And?’  Ray, no– what are you even talking about?  What are you up to?  It’s a lockout, Ray.  Go home, hmm?” — Myra

“David.  ‘Boys?’  We don’t have to talk.  You’re planning a weekend trip to Australia?  You weren’t planning to be here.  Tch.  I’m supposed to be here in case negotiations… you know, the Players Association could sue your ass.  You weren’t negotiation in good faith.” — Myra

“Where you been?  You smell like drink.  I need a drink.  Philly?  What are you talkin’ about?  God.  David Seton is the Lord Voldemort of owners.  The Dark Lord.  Harry… Walder Frey.  I’m sitting in this meeting yesterday when I should be home, comforting my wife.  Fuck you.  Yes.  Yes, we are.  And I thought we would be.  I thought I was just dealing with hard-ass businessmen who didn’t want to give their players proportionate pay.  Fuck, that’s what unions and businessmen have been fighting for since– yes!  What are you even saying?  We’re being played, Ray.  The owners galvanized by that wet spot Seton from what I can tell.  They’re holding onto this lockout so they can renegotiate terms with the networks.  They expired last week.  I know, I checked.  I can’t prove any of this shit.  I just know.  They’ll probably settle with the networks in a couple of weeks for bazillions and then agree to some weak-ass form of 0.5% increase every five years over 20 years and– it’s another month.  Don’t start.  I know.  Fuck, I know.  Why are you talking like that?  What are you looking at?  Oh, no, Ray!  What have you done?” — Myra

“It’s a free country still, I think, or at least there’s an illusion of one.  I’m headed home, Ray.  But yes.  No, he’s not scabbing if he wants to shoot the ball around with neighborhood kids and take a couple questions from the press about it.  I will.  Thank you, but I won’t get that bored.” — Myra



Spencer, High Flying Bird, Netflix, Extension 765, Harper Road Films, Bill DukeSpence

“I’m not the man’s accountant.  A what?  How am I supposed to know?  You give him the bible?  You need me to call you back?  Ask him.  Hey, man, stop talking to me while that woman is talking to you.  I called to find out if any of the players you manage are coming to the Back Court Day.” — Spence

“Freddy, box her!  Box her out, put your ass in her chest.  Let her get a rebound, why play defense at all?  Okay, stop.  Take a break.  And by ‘break,’ I mean run your asses around this court until I get tired.  Run!  Run!  Somebody got to.  They ain’t do it themselves.  That’s better.  You here to tell me none of the players you represent can come to the event?  Erick?  Good, I gotta make some money this year.  I’m trying to buy them some new jerseys.  Stop staring off into the distance.  What the hell’s wrong with you?  Oh… it’s that bad, huh?  Brooklyn gets fucked.  Ray… you care all the way or you don’t care at all, man.  Gettin’ ready to preach?  You preachin’?  They won’t explain agency fees.  Look, there’s a reason why the NBA started integrating as the Harlem Globetrotters exhibitions started goin’ international.  Control.  They wanted the control of a game that we play, we played better.  They invented a game… on top of a game.  The question is… what you gon’ do?  You in or you out?  Hey, man, you can’t save ’em all, man.  Couldn’t save Gavin.  Back Court Day.  Why?  Did they come to an agreement?  Ain’t nothing but a modern-day auction– oh… ‘I love the Lord… and all His black peoples.’  Run!” — Spence

“Nah, it can’t sustain, man.  Don’t hit me with that Ivy League talk– black Ivy, man.  Why set it up if it’s not gonna last forever?  Playin’ God now.  How do you show a man his humanity?” — Spence


Emera Umber, High Flying Bird, Netflix, Extension 765, Harper Road Films, Jeryl PrescottEmera Umber

“Not what you were expecting?  When you walked up.  You stopped, looked around.  Guess you thought we were one of those stories.  Boy has hoop dream, mother pushes him to succeed so he can buy her a house.  I already have a house.  Don’t need a house.  Mm-hmm.  Mrs.  ‘Mrs’ is fine.  You believe in God?  But from whom do you draw your strength?  You scared I’ma ask you to recite a verse?  Oh… well, Mr. Burke, I believe in God.  And not the ‘He is everywhere’ Creator version in your mind.  The God who asks for obedience.  Indeed!  And I intend my sons to know heaven here, in this world.  They have the opportunity to do that right here.  They have the skill, the charm, the drive to be the best in this world.  And they don’t drink or smoke or any of those other natural afflictions that can halt a man.  Gospel of Prosperity!  Amen!  But, again, it’s not about me.  I don’t want their money.  It’s theirs.  No, you don’t.  If you did, you’d get up and go on from here.  About repping Jamero Umber.  I already manage Jayvier.  Oh, please!  I see old white men and young hoteps trying to rise up off my baby, same play.  I’m the manager.  Agent.  All.  And you ought to be ashamed of yourself, trying to cash in on somebody during the lockout.  What?  Erick Scott ain’t working out like you thought, is he?  Well… you can’t have a percent of my baby’s earnings.  I’m an old school accountant with Bell.  I know how to pay they taxes.  I want sweeping exclusive deals that match their worth and that can be jettisoned if the brand becomes unfit.  I can negotiate that.  And if I can’t, I have a lawyer that can and he’s paid by my and my husband’s trust.  So, Mr. Burke… Ray… we do not need you.  I appreciate you coming to Philly to see me, though.  Gives me a great idea of what kind of company the competition keeps.” — Emera Umber


David Seton, High Flying Bird, Netflix, Extension 765, Harper Road Films, Kyle MacLachlanDavid Seton

“I’m the last person you want to be trapped in the elevator with.  I was giving you a hard time in there.  You can handle it.  I like that they send you to represent the big boys.  You headed someplace nice this long weekend?  I’m headed to Australia.  Not a moment too soon.  Well, I guess I don’t have to spend just the weekend anymore, do I?  Our youngest is dating a reef specialist, wants us to meet him.  I think it’ll be nice.  You believe in family, don’t you, Myra?  You should go somewhere nice with yours.  For?  Neither were you.” — David Seton


Jamero Umber, High Flying Bird, Netflix, Extension 765, Harper Road Films, Justin Hurtt-DunkleyJamero Umber

“You was talkin’ all that slick shit on Twitter, fam.  Talk that slick shit now.” — Jamero Umber


Karl-Anthony Towns, High Flying Bird, Netflix, Extension 765, Harper Road FilmsKarl-Anthony Towns

“I think the biggest rookie mistake you can make is being satisfied with making it.  You know, the satisfic– satisfaction of making the NBA is the night of the draft when you get drafted, the night after the draft or the day after the draft I’ll even give the rookies, but there shouldn’t be no satisfaction when you get to work.  When you get to work, you’ve already had the glory, you’ve been patted on the back enough about making it to the NBA.  It’s time for work now.  Now you have to fight to keep your job every single day, and being satisfied with making it and just running through the motions is the biggest mistake any rookies can make.” — KAT

“Sometimes everyone bumps heads.  It’s just like anyone at work, you know.  You may bump heads with your co-worker from time to time, but for me, as a teammate, I always remind each other, you know, all of us, that we’re teammates, you know, we’re family.  We’re in this together.  I’m not here not only… I’m not here just to be here for myself, I’m here to help everyone.” — KAT

“It’s not as easy as it sounds.  You’re not just given a boatload of money, like the old-school cartoons.  You’re not given a roomful of gold coins and you get to dive off a diving board and swim in it.” — KAT

“I think the biggest thing you have to also remember is you got to make sure you reevaluate your circle, you know?  You gotta reevaluate… ‘all right, does this person need to be here for the ride?  Or have they been riding my coattails?  Have they been real to me?’  You know, it’s always good to sit back sometimes and reevaluate, ‘are the people around you there for you or are they there for you after June 25th?’  That was my draft day.  So, if they’re there for you no matter what happens, there’s good friends, but you must understand sometimes even the people who are there for you may not be the people you need to have around.  They may not be the best people to have around you for your image or for the journey you’re gonna be a part of.” — KAT

“You’ve got to find fun.  I think when you lose fun for the game and the passion, that’s when everything goes downhill or you just… quit.  You know, I think the biggest thing about the game of basketball that I love so much and no matter what happens… it’s not even basketball, just anything in life.  I love the competition.  The better the competition, the more fun it becomes.” — KAT


Donovan Mitchell, High Flying Bird, Netflix, Extension 765, Harper Road FilmsDonovan Mitchell

“I came from a family where we don’t… it’s really three of us – my mom, my sister, myself.  We don’t really trust anybody.  For– rightfully so, we don’t trust anybody.  We just stay within ourselves.  And it’s worked, you know, for my whole life.  And we met with… I wanna get this right, maybe three agencies, you know, and the agency I’m with now, CAA, was the first meeting, the longets meeting.  I make jokes all the time, it was, like, five hours, but, um, it just felt like I was at home, you know.  That’s been the consistent– constant– consistent throughout my career, you know, Louisville felt like I was at home.  When I went to Brewster Academy for high school, I felt at home, like that home vibe I can be comfortable with, you know?” — Donovan Mitchell

“You’re never off the clock.  That’s one thing that I know.  You’re always on the clock.  You could be at home, anywhere.  With the technology now, anybody needs to pick up with a soundbite and put your name behind it, even if it’s not true, you make headlines, so that’s the one thing I learned.” — Donovan Mitchell

“Well, I think the first thing is just being more efficient.  You know, it kinda goes back to being that rookie that’s all over the place.  There are moments where I felt I was out of control, shooting shots that are, like, ‘what are you doing?’  But you’re just out of control.  It’s my first year so I’m learning and making mistakes.” — Donovan Mitchell

“For me, the beginnin’ of the year was my mental was all over the place, worryin’ about the Rookie of the Year award and all this outer stuff and I struggled.  You now, I’ve never worried about, you know, these awards, that’s never been my mentality.  I come in here and I’m like, ‘who’s gonna win it?  Who’s doing this?  Who’s doing what?’  And, you know, I think I scored a combined 22 points in ten games, you know, like, and, like, 20 turnovers so I wasn’t really contributing much.  So, I think I took a step back, you know.  I had the screensaver of the Rookie of the Year votes on my phone, that was my screensaver.  Switched that, took it off and, like, just went back to who I was.” — Donovan Mitchell


Reggie Jackson, High Flying Bird, Netflix, Extension 765, Harper Road FilmsReggie Jackson

“Yeah, we have… it’s called RTP, Rookie Transition Program, so, um, mine was the year after.  Anybody that was drafted in 2011 or lockout class, you’d probably do it the year following, but when you’re drafted you’re with your team for a while, you have a good four- or five- day period where they bring you together in New York and go over the ins and outs of the league and things to expect, but, no, I think they do a good job in trying to present everything that’s gonna be there but there’s nothing like the experience and living it is still… someone telling me what I’d go through and living it was two different worlds.  I tried to prepare to the best of my ability, but… it’s a monster that I don’t think anybody can prepare for.” — Reggie Jackson

“you know, I’d rather have somebody talk about me to my face rather than talk about me to– behind my back or sub-tweet and I have to guess what you’re trying to say rather than we just air it out and we figure it out amongst the family and, you know, we’re happy to go do it in front of everybody else and find a way to keep moving in the right direction.” — Reggie Jackson

“That’s one thing I’ll say – 90% mental.  Once you get to this level, everybody has the talent.  It’s really about unlocking your mental, unlocking your confidence, um, learning how to deal with your vices.” — Reggie Jackson

“You know, Steph Curry out there playing completely free.  He looks like he’s living in his own world.  You see Russ… at the same time, Russell Westbrook, those guys… LeBron.  You can go down the line of guys who look like they’re playing the most free and the guys actually enjoying just playing basketball are the guys having the most success.” — Reggie Jackson


Dr. Harry Edwards, High Flying Bird, Netflix, Extension 765, Harper Road FilmsDr. Harry Edwards



https://player.fm/series/series-1784173/amanpour-jay-inslee-anna-taylor-james-balog-tarell-alvin-mccraney-and-andre-holland?t=2477

https://player.fm/series/series-1784173/amanpour-jay-inslee-anna-taylor-james-balog-tarell-alvin-mccraney-and-andre-holland?t=2477

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