Hustle Movie Review

Hustle is a 2022 Netflix basketball drama movie about a basketball scout finding a player he hopes will help him make his comeback in the NBA. Hustle stars Adam Sandler who plays Stanley Sugerman, the basketball scout and later assistant coach, and Juancho Hernangomez who plays Bo Cruz, the upcoming and unknown Spanish star basketball player.

Troubled Background

Bo Cruz is a fantastic basketball player that Stan finds by chance while on a scouting trip to Spain. Bo, however, has a troubled background and is struggling to fend for his daughter, Lucia, and his mom, Paola. He works construction but is such a good basketball player that Stan thinks he could be an All-Star great.

The Sixers

Stan works for the Philadelphia 76ers and is appointed assistant coach by team owner Rex. Rex, however, dies, and his son Vince takes over. Vince makes a bad decision to draft a player who Stan thinks he shouldn’t and realizes his mistake. He [Vince] then appoints Stan to look for the missing piece (a phenomenal draft) who will complete the team and increase their chances of winning the NBA championship. Vince pegs Stan’s assistant coach job on him finding this player, and Stan is forced to get back out there and look.

Bo, 'the Cruz Missile'

Stan, on meeting Bo Cruz, talks to him and his family and promises him a huge payday. He tells Bo that an average NBA player is paid $900,000 and brings him to the US, to Philly, to be drafted by the Sixers. However, Stan ends up disagreeing with Vince, who is still not convinced that Bo is that good of a player after he plays dismally due to challenges from an upcoming star player, Kermit. Stan ends up quitting and takes on the responsibility of Bo, including his tab since he came to the US.