By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Additional time at home and the movie industry largely put on hold can lead us back to watching flicks considered oldies but goldies. This was the exact case with Ocean’s 11 and not the Clooney-Pitt remake, but the original film.
Directed by Lewis Milestone and featuring several huge stars back in 1960 all but inspired the Ocean’s film series. It itself was a big hit back in the day. On a trivia note, George Clooney was not even born when Frank Sinatra introduced the character of Danny Ocean.
The two-hour classic film centered on the attempt to rob multiple Las Vegas casinos on New Year’s Eve is well worth your time, even for a replay. Our take with 2021 knocking on the door casts NBA players and – since this is Eurohoops after all – a European gang for the next remake. Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Dirk Nowitzki are all part of our suggestions and will also be going through plot twists similar to the original movie.
Luka Doncic as Danny Ocean (Frank Sinatra)
The Slovenian sensation is our leading actor. His overall relaxed approach to tough situations sparks the resemblance. Doncic takes on the task of organizing the European bunch more than capable as a team to run over the NBA. However, the heist will be complicated.
Sinatra quote
“Hello, this is a recording. You’ve dialed the right number; now hang up and don’t do it again”
Giannis Antetokounmpo as Spyros Acebos (Akim Tamiroff)
It’s all Greek to me and being the Greek Freak makes him an easy choice for the character named Spyros. He is not actually part of the “11” but essential in planning and gathering the team. Just like Sinatra, Doncic will play pranks on him for the necessary comic touch.
Acebos quote
“Who’s knocking him? I love him. I respect talent”
Goran Dragic as Jimmy Foster (Peter Lawford)
His role as Danny’s main partner in crime was inspired by teaming up with Doncic and leading Slovenia to the 2017 EuroBasket title. His MVP run a very similar approach this time around. Scrolling down through our cast reveals another connection. Directly below a minor spoiler.
Foster quote
“Mother, I have never missed one of your weddings”
Nikola Jokic as Josh Howard (Sammy Davis Jr.)
From the original role of a talented baseball pitcher to the Joker changing expectations from the bigs in the basketball world for good. Making the most out of every possession is his thing. Despite not participating in the actual robberies, he will be moving the money to a safe location.
Davis Jr. quote
“They way I figure it is like this: the eleven of us cats against this one city”
Dirk Nowitzki as Sam Harmon (Dean Martin)
He returns from Hawaii to assist his closest friend, in this case, his teammate in the bottom end of his more than a successful career, Doncic. Coming out of retirement is necessary as he is the only member of the gang who understands how Las Vegas works. Not much of a reach considering the Dallas Mavericks championship run in 2011.
Harmon quote
“The odds are always with the house”
Rudy Gobert as Tony Bergdorf (Richard Conte)
An abrupt end to his part does not undervalue his contribution, just the opposite. The back-to-back NBA Defensive Player of the Year fits like a glove as the ace electrician responsible for causing timely blackouts at the five casinos, similar to blocking his opponents 2.2 times per NBA contest over his first seven seasons.
Bergdorf quote
“Give it to me straight Doc. Is this the big casino?”
Dennis Schroder as George “Curly” Steffans (Richard Benedict)
The German connection prompts him to pick up Nowitzki at the airport in our unique edition. His role also consists of keeping the tension low through the challenges faced by the group. Leave it up to an NBA floor general to make everyone better.
Evan Fournier as Roger Corneal (Henry Silva)
Moving on to our French connection. Fournier will pursue Gobert to join in the heist. Going way back will help them nail their roles. The numerous medals as teammates in major FIBA competitions proves as much and probably even more.