This is a rare documentary about the early days of the NBA starring the 1977 World Champion Portland Trail Blazers. There are appearances of many classic NBA stars in the movie, including Kareem Abdul-Jabar and Dr. J.
Original Description: Evoking a cinema verite feel not found in most sports documentaries, Fast Break examines the 1977 Portland Trailblazers basketball team in a surprisingly personal and compelling fashion. Inter-cutting excerpts from the 1977 playoff/championship season, the film steps outside of the basketball court, and into the everyday lives of the Trailblazers, as well as their coach Jack Ramsey. Whether it’s biking the Oregon coast with star center Bill Walton, hosting a kids basketball camp with Dave Twardzik, or joking with Maurice Lucas at the pool – Fast Break lets the players speak for themselves: about basketball, life, and playing in Portland. Fast Break, a film documentary about Bill Walton and the Portland Trail Blazers winning the 1976-77 NBA title and the aftermath of their accomplishment, is the greatest movie I have ever seen on the subject of professional team sports, basketball as a metaphor for life, and the perfect practice of Zen Buddhism in American society.
Appearing: Jim Bradley, Rickey Brown, Corky Calhoun, Johnny Davis, T. R. Dunn, Herm Gilliam, Bob Gross, Lionel Hollins, Maurice Lucas, Lloyd Neal, Tom Owens, Dale Schleuter, Larry Steele, Dave Twardzik, Wally Walker, Bill Walton (Portland Trail Blazers team); Jack Ramsey and Jack McKinney (coaches); Bill Schonely (radio announcer); Larry Colton (interviewer); Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Julius Erving (opposing players).
Mazama Productions, Inc. ; directed by Mike McLeod and Don Zavin
Oregon Historical Society, MI 01908
