The entire 2021 NCAA tournament is being played in the state of Indiana, a state where basketball is a way of life. And so it is right to think of the movie “Hooshears”?
Such a great film. And what is the best way to celebrate a great film about basketball in the state of Indiana to rank the film’s best quotes? I’ve done similar things before – for “Major League”, “Bull Durham,” “Sandlot” and “A League of Our Own” – and those lists have been warmly received, so let’s “Hussers” “Dive into.
And, yes, there are only 13 quotes / scenes here. Some of your favorite people probably didn’t make the cut, and for that, I’m sorry. The list may expand to 30 and we will not run out of good lines.
NCAA BRACKET PICKS: DeCourcy (Gonzaga) | Alcoholic (Illinois) | Fagan (Gonzaga)
13. “Small. ‘
Set-up: For the first time Dale walks into Hickory High. He is looking for Cletus Summers, the man who hired Dale as the new basketball coach. Dale isn’t sure where to go, so he stops one of the teachers on the move. This is Myra Fleener.
Words …
Myra: “You are not the new coach?”
Dale: “You were expecting something different?”
Myra: “Small.”
Dale: “Sorry to disappoint you.”
Why this is the best: Hickory, welcome to the coach. Outsiders are not welcome at all.
12. ‘I am no geezer.’
Set-up: Momentarily earlier, Dell ended the coaching days of interim coach George. As he introduces himself, one of the players, Buddy, is talking with another player, Whit. Dale doesn’t like it, and after Buddy is smart, Dale leaves him out of the team.
Words …
Friend: “You’re breaking my heart.” C’mon, Whit. Let’s blow this chicken coop. “
(Buddy leaves, but Whit stays where he is)
Dude: “Let’s go, Gizzard.”
White: “I don’t have an affair.”
Why this is the best: I mean, who wants to be known as a jackal? Also, what is a gizzard?
11. “Thank God!”
Set-up: The Hickory team leaves from the locker room on the court. Except Strap, who kneels in prayer (as he always does). Coach Dale told Ollie that if the strap didn’t end before the tip, he would have to play. The strap goes out as soon as the players break to start the game.
Words …
Ollie: “Thank God!”
Why this is the best: Poor Oli. Your moment will come, baby.
10. ‘My team is on the floor.’
Set-up: Dale has issued a pre-game decree that echoes his practice philosophy: move the ball around, and no shots before at least four passes. Well, the game does not start so well, as the lack of shooting leads to a lack of scoring and Hickory quickly falls behind. Rad, one of the players, makes a substantial decision. He starts shooting and scoring. So, Dale takes him out and puts in the only other player on the Six-Man roster, Ollie. Later in the game, Merle is out and Raad jumps to test himself in the game.
Words …
Dale: “Where are you going?”
Rad: “In the Game.”
Dale: “Sit down.”
Rad: “What do you mean? We have to go out of there. “
Dale: “Sit down. sit!”
Referee: “Coach, you need one more.”
Dale: “My team is on the floor.”
Why this is the best: This is my road or highway to Coach Dale’s squad. The best part of the scene may be just the reactions, though. The referee looks at Dale and says, “Okay!” Like, “This is your funeral, Fella.” And Cletus just shakes his head and says, “What are you trying to do?”
9. “God comes very cheap nowadays, doesn’t it?”
Set-up: Jimmy Chitwood is, apparently, the best basketball player in the region. She is not on the team, and the teacher, Myra Fleener, does not want basketball to overtake Jimmy’s life.
Words …
Myra: “I don’t want it to be the high point of his life. I have seen them, real unhappy people. He talks about his glory days during the rest of his life, when he was 17 years old. “
Dale: “You know, most people are treated like God, just for a moment.”
Myra: “God comes very cheap nowadays, isn’t it? I mean, you unite by putting a leather ball through an iron ring. And I hate to tell you this, Mr. Dale, but this is only a game.
Why this is the best: About a minute later, to drive his talk home, Fleener added the kicker: “Just stay away from Jimmy. I do not want him when he is coaching at Hokeri, 50 years old. “Ouch, teach. Rigid.
8. ‘I play, coach stays. He goes, I go. ‘
Set-up: Coach Dale stayed away from Jimmy. He tells her that he doesn’t care if he actually plays in the team. But the townspeople are not happy, and they are meeting to take a vote to exclude Dale as Hillary’s coach. The vote has already taken place, and the people running the meeting are counting the ballots as Jimmy walks inside. All eyes are on him as he walks towards the front of the packed room. He turns around and looks at the crowd panicked.
Words …
Jimmy: “I don’t know if it will make any changes, but I think it’s time for me to start playing ball.”
(The crowd roars with applause.)
George: “I told you! Once we got rid of him! “
Jimmy: “One more thing. I play, coach stays. He goes, I go. “
Why this is the best: The look on George’s face is perfect, as he knows what is going to happen. He announces the outcome of the vote – Dell is eliminated, 68 to 45 – but again the vote is taken, and Dell is highly retained.
7. ‘Make it a good one, strap.’
Set-up: Ollie is on the line with a playoff game on the free-throw line. He gives his second free throw after Dale instructs – “And you’ll land your second shot.” – And everyone puts their hands together for the “team”! The leash grabs Ollie’s hand from the other side of the bench, and begins to pray. He is preventing the rest of the team from running on the court. Dale, a man as agnostic as you would find in that film in Indiana, gives him a moment to finish.
Words …
Dale: “Make it a good one, Strap.”
Why this is the best: Spoiler: It was a good one.
6. “Will you drop the ball, will you, George? ‘
Set-up: Dale walks into the gym for his first practice as a coach. George Walker, a local resident and big basketball fan, has been practicing, since he was in the absence of the head coach. He suggests an exercise strategy, which does not sit well with Dell.
Words …
Dale: “First of all, let’s be real friendly here, okay? My name is Norm. Secondly, your coaching days are over.”
George: “Look, mister, there are two types of dumb: a man who gets naked and runs into the snow and barks at the moon, and a man who does the same thing in my living room. Someone to the first. Doesn’t matter. Second, well, you’re forced to deal with it.
Dale: “Translate. Is this some kind of danger? ”
George: “I don’t know why Claes put his tired old bones here. He owes you something awful. The fact is mister, you start to screw up on this team and I would personally hide your ass in a pine rail and send it to the line. “
Dale: “Will drop the ball, will you, George? Thank you.”
Why this is the best: This scene completes a lot, plot-wise. First, all pretense of nuance quickly disappears from the locals. Less than a minute later, Walker goes to the pine rail to “hide-strap” Dale’s ass, suggesting the practice of threatening him. By which Dale, who already knew how politely asks for basketball (superb delivery by Hackman). This is his team, and he is working in his own way. Now we know that
5. ‘It was dentin.’
Set-up: Hickory’s in trouble. There is a danger of the playoff game slipping away. Dale turns to one of his players and says, “Buddy, 41 is killing us. Just killing us. Stay with him! I mean, think of chewing gum. By the end of the game I’m going to know.” Want to taste what that is? “Cut a few minutes later…
Words …
Dude: “It was Dentine.”
Why this is the best: How great is that? This was Dentin. And this is another W for Hickory.
4. ‘We are on the way to the last big speech time.’
Set-up: Hickory is about to take the team to the court for the state title game. In the team’s locker room. Dale gives some game notes, then introspect.
Words …
Dale: “We are way past big speech time. I want to thank you for the last few months. It has been very special for me. Anyone have anything they want to say?
Merle: “Yes, let’s win this for all the small schools that never had a chance to come here.”
Everett: “I want to win for my father.”
Dude: “Let’s win for Coach, which is what we got here.”
Dale: “Thank you.”
(The preacher recites a pregame prayer. Then, a story about David and Goliath. The team stands, and everyone puts their hands in the middle of the circle.)
Dale: “I love you guys.”
Why this is the best: To catch a cold Quiet in front of the lunatic. Moment of reflection. Such a scene could easily become Corny, but it did not.
3. ‘The sun does not shine on the same dog’s donkey every day …’
Set-up: Dale’s walk through Dale’s city streets when he offers to help lift a heavy bag in Oprah’s truck, Myra Fleener’s mother.
Words …
Opal: “The sun does not shine on the same dog’s ass everyday, but Mr, you haven’t seen a ray of light since you’ve been here. I believe it’s time we chatted . Sunday. Food. “
Why this is the best: It is the film’s best one-liner. At least, the best one-liner that doesn’t improve in a moment of drama.
2. ’10 feet. ‘
Set-up: The Hickory team runs in the arena, where they will play the state title game (Butler University’s Hinkle Fieldhouse), and is much larger than the smaller gyms where players are used. Dell has a measuring tape.
Words …
Dale: “Buddy, hold it under the backboard. What’s this?”
Friend: “15 feet.”
Dale: “15 feet.”
(He walks under the rim)
Dale: “Strap, put Oli on your shoulders. Measure it from the rim. Big? How far? “
Dude: “Ten Feet.”
Dale: “Ten feet.” I think you will find it to be exactly the same measure as our Jim Hickory. Let’s get ready for practice. “
Why this is the best: The entire scene is perfect.
1. ‘I will make.’
Set-up: The championship game is until the last second. Hickory has struggled in every way and has a chance to win the game. The camera swings on the hammock.
Words …
Dale: “All right, listen. listen! What are we going to do here. Jimmy, they are hoping to take the last shot. We are going to use you as a decoction. Buddy, you get the ball and take it to Merley over the picket fence. He is about to take the last shot. all right let’s go!”
(No one reacts)
Dale: “What’s the matter with you guys? what’s the matter with you?”
Jimmy: “I’ll make it.”
Why this is the best: Self-confidence! Bravo! Believe in yourself! When the ball is in our hands, how many times have we told ourselves “I’ll make it”? Unfortunately, most of us are not Jimmy Chitwood.
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