Hornets Give Semi-Pro Thumbs Up at Special Viewing
Monday, February 11, 2008
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com
Following Sundays practice at Loyola University, Hornets players joined team staff members at a private advance showing of the Will Ferrell movie Semi-Pro, at the AMC Elmwood Palace theater in Harahan. The movie, which opens in theatres Feb. 29, revolves around a fictional 1970s ABA team, the Flint Tropics. Ferrells character, Jackie Moon, is an owner/coach/player for the Tropics, who are trying to reach the NBA by finishing in fourth place or higher in the ABA standings.
As they exited the theater afterward, each Hornets player we spoke to gave the film a positive review.
I thought it was great, Ryan Bowen said. It was exactly what I expected, to be honest.
It was funny you know if its a Will Ferrell movie, its going to be funny, echoed Adam Haluska. It was pretty much what I expected.
Very funny, Jannero Pargo added.
Julian Wright gave perhaps the most ringing endorsement of the movie, saying hell be back at a theater in a few weeks for a second viewing of Semi-Pro.
I was laughing the whole time, the rookie from Kansas said. It was hard not to. I liked it a lot. Will Ferrell is one of my favorite actors. Ill be there when it comes out to see it again.
Ferrells Jackie Moon character in Semi-Pro was similar to those hes portrayed in other recent comedies such as Anchorman, Talladega Nights and Blades of Glory egomaniacal and extremely clueless. I asked a few Hornets which current teammate reminds them the most of Jackie Moon. Their responses:
Ryan Bowen
I suppose the guys would probably say me, but I dont know if we have anybody like that on our team.
Adam Haluska
[grins] We dont have anybody THAT crazy.
Jannero Pargo
Probably Adam Haluska. [pause] Because hes white.