Fittingly executive produced by Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, documentary Jump Shot: The Kenny Sailors Story takes basketball fans back in time to chronicle the life of the player who created the modern jump shot. Especially when one considers how perimeter-orientated the NBA game is today (when even seven-footers slide behind the arc to stretch defenses), there's no denying Sailors revolutionized the sport, but even the most die-hard basketball fans may not be aware of who he is. Jump Shot sets out to change that, educating viewers about a true pioneer in an insightful way. Jump Shot is an important basketball history lesson, shining a light on one of the game's unsung heroes who deserves more recognition.
One of the coolest things about Jump Shot is how it draws parallels between Sailors and modern great NBA players like Russell Westbrook and Curry. Featuring plenty of archived footage of basketball games from the 1940s and 1950s, viewers can see how Sailors was truly ahead of his time with his dribbling and shot technique. These sections illustrate that while basketball has greatly evolved since its inception decades ago (the sport is virtually unrecognizable to today's fans in its earliest format), some elements remain ingrained over several years. It's quite fascinating to see how Sailors' shooting form compares to NBA legends like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and more, illustrating that just about everyone who's shot a jump shot is somewhat indebted to Sailors.
Something else the documentary does very well is paint a full picture of the man Sailors was, providing a nice balance to the basketball aspects. Detailing his commitment to family, military service, quiet post-playing life out of the spotlight, and a coaching career where he was an advocate for women's sports, the documentary covers a lot of ground in under 90 minutes, making it an informative and well-paced watch. Jump Shot does a great job of highlighting Sailors' humble nature, as he understood some things were bigger than basketball. The film makes the point that outlook probably cost Sailors his chance at being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame while he was alive, since he faded from memory in the public consciousness after retiring. This gives the documentary some dramatic heft, underscoring the tragedy of how Sailors' contributions to the game largely go ignored (he is in the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame).
There are parts of the documentary where interview subjects push for Sailors to be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame, acting as a rallying cry for voters. In lesser hands, this could have felt like propaganda, but after watching Jump Shot, viewers will feel the Hall of Fame campaigning is warranted. Sailors is an integral figure in the history of basketball; it's impossible to imagine the game without him, so most viewers will likely agree with the argument it's crazy Sailors hasn't received the sport's highest honor. In addition to explaining the origins of the jump shot, the documentary reminds people how good of a player Sailors was in his prime, as he was named to three All-American teams and led Wyoming to a national championship when he was in college. He was one of the best players of his era, and all basketball fans will find something to appreciate in Jump Shot.
With the absence of live sports games leaving a massive void, Jump Shot is a great option for fans looking for a basketball fix during this time. It's very interesting to see how far the game's come along (Sailors played at a time when basketball didn't have much of a presence in the zeitgeist) and learn about someone who helped innovate it into what it is today. And Sailors himself proves to be an entertaining subject, evidenced mostly in clips from the 2010s as he demonstrates his skillset and reminisces about playing. More people should know who he is, and hopefully Jump Shot is able to find an audience.
Jump Shot: The Kenny Sailors Story will be available from April 16-18 at JumpShotMovie.com for $7.99. It runs 79 minutes and is not rated.