Wakanda Forever: Detroit Pistons relate to Marvel's 'Black Panther'

Members of the Detroit Pistons can be included in the “Black Panther” wave that’s swept across the country.

The Marvel Studios commercial and critical success is crushing box-office records, already surpassing more than $500 million in the 18 days since it was released last month.

Set in the fictional African country of Wakanda, the movie is upfront with a Pan-African message that resonates with black audiences. Many African-Americans wore African garb to viewings, honoring the characters.

The Free Press polled the 15 players on the roster and several members of the coaching staff. Five players have seen the movie and most plan to see it soon.

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The film’s predominantly black cast is common thread when discussing the movie with players.

Forward Anthony Tolliver watched the film during the NBA All-Star break and took his 5-year-old son, Isiah. He said it’s a must for his son to see people of color well represented — even in a work of fiction.

“I think representation is important when it comes to everything,” Tolliver said. “When it comes to superheroes, when it comes to presidents, when it comes to leadership of any kind, I think it’s important for kids to see somebody that looks like them in that position so that they can strive for it.”

Pistons connection

The movie opens with a brief scene explaining Wakanda’s origins. The setting then moves to Oakland, Calif.

It’s 1992 and kids are playing pickup hoops on an inner-city court.

A player dribbles through traffic for a layup.

He yells, “Tim Hardaway!”

The scene brought a smile to Hardaway, who is now a Pistons assistant. It didn’t catch him off guard; friends who saw the movie gave him a heads up.

That didn’t stop Hardaway from swelling with pride, remembering the time when he was an All-Star point guard for the Golden State Warriors — a time when he was a household name in the Bay Area.

It also served as a reminder to his family that he once was a dominant player.

“The coolest thing in the world is not how I react, it’s how my family reacts,” Hardaway said Tuesday. “When somebody says your name and your family, your kids, you see the reaction on their faces, that makes it real, that makes it cool, that makes it like wow.

“That’s some cool (expletive).”

Film director Ryan Coogler, an Oakland native, strived for authenticity and the scene is an example.

It would have been easy to drop a Michael Jordan reference since he was the league’s dominant player at that time.

A small detail, but it works.

“It was powerful in the sense of what’s happening and how everything is going,” Hardaway said. “Everybody needs to empower each other and learn from one another and help one another instead of hurt one another.

“That’s what it’s about.”

Killmonger hits home

The movie is unique in the depiction of main antagonist, Killmonger. Arguably the most sympathetic villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, his story resonated.

Killmonger grew up on the streets of Oakland. Black Panther's alter-ego, Prince T’Challa, is a member of Wakandan royalty.

“He’s like us,” point guard Ish Smith said of Killmonger, who is played byMichael B. Jordan.

“A lot of our ancestors are from Africa, but sold over here and now we’re here now so he’s us, in a sense, when it comes to the movie.”

Point guard Reggie Jackson echoed Smith’s thoughts.

“I think he’s one of the first villains where people found yourself in a bind rooting for him, but you also know what’s going to happen. You also want Black Panther to be victorious, but Killmonger is someone African-Americans, especially from the situations we come from, I think they can relate to it.”

Forward Stanley Johnson and assistant coach Otis Smith have each watched it twice.

Forward Reggie Bullock simply said, “Wakanda Forever” and performed the salute when asked if he’d seen the movie.

Timing has been an issue for those that haven’t watched.

The movie was sold out at a Charlotte theater for Jon Leuer.

Power forward Blake Griffin sounded embarrassed, but said he is still trying to get acclimated to the Detroit area after arriving in late January when he was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers. Griffin and center Andre Drummond are planning a date to see it together. Drummond met Jordan during All-Star festivities and they discussed the movie.

Safe to say most team members will check it out.

And Hardaway probably speaks for most movie-goers.

“Can’t wait to see the sequel,” he said.

Follow Vince Ellis on Twitter @vincent_ellis56.