PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia is a town that hustles, works hard and strives to prove naysayers wrong, so of course Adam Sandler’s latest project is aptly named to embody the city’s strongest characteristics.
“Hustle,” which is now available on Netflix, stars Sandler as Stanley Sugerman, a globe-traveling scout for the Sixers who discovers a talented, unknown prospect in Spain, Bo Cruz, portrayed by Juancho Hernangomez of the Utah Jazz. Sugerman brings Cruz to Philadelphia and takes him under his wing to prove he belongs in the NBA.
It’s a powerful story for both NBA fanatics and the basketball-averse, and Philly’s iconic landmarks are just the cherry on top.
These are the best Philly moments in “Hustle.”
Recognizable sites
Philadelphia really acts as one of the characters in the film. Whether training scenes up and down Manayunk, basketball scrimmages at Capitolo Playground, the Wells Fargo Center parking lot or the exterior shots of the Loews Hotel, the movie features some of the most iconic sites in Philadelphia.
It’s not just the city limits either. Critical basketball scenes are filmed at Manor College in Jenkintown.
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In fact, scenes supposedly taking place in New York were actually filmed in Philly, according to Netflix Tudum. The Four Seasons on Arch Street is used as a hotel in NYC. The NBA Combine location is actually the Tom Gola Arena on La Salle University’s campus. And another critical basketball scrimmage is filmed at Girard College, masquerading as a school in the Bronx.
You’ll also see Sandler’s character wearing Federal Donuts and Navy Yard sweatshirts, and, unsurprisingly, a brief homage to Rocky.
An ode to Philly fans
You can’t make a Philly sports movie without acknowledging the fans.
“Philadelphia baby, you’re gonna love it,” Sugerman tells Cruz shortly after touching down in the city from Spain. “Best sports fans in the world — actually, the worst, but that’s what makes them the best.” Touché.
Fandom plays as a backdrop, with a montage of Sixers murals and background actors in Flyers and Phillies gear. Temple fans will also love the fact Sandler’s character is a former Owls player.
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Sports legend cameos
Many current and former Philadelphia sports figures make guest appearances: Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, Maurice Cheeks, Jay Wright, Doc Rivers, Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, Matisse Thybulle and Allen Iverson (wearing a Phillies cap, no less).
Several other NBA players outside of the Philly bubble also pop up throughout.
Philadelphia’s love of the game
“Hustle” pays tribute to the authenticity of Philadelphia’s strong basketball community. One representation of the city’s love of the game is a subtle nod to the late, great Kobe Bryant, who starred at Lower Merion High School before becoming a global sensation for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Plus, the concept of community comes full circle in the crew. Director Jeremiah Zagar is from Philadelphia, and one of the writers, Will Fetters, is from Delaware.
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Cheesesteaks
“Hustle” doesn’t hide the fact that Philadelphia is a cheesesteak town. Pat’s, Geno’s, even Ishkabibble’s get honorable mentions.
Steaks are probably best described when Sandler and Hernangomez’s characters enter a room at the Loews to find a collection of unwrapped sandwiches. Hernangomez takes only a bite out of each.
“You take one bite and you don’t eat it all, because if not, you get fat,” he says.
Not sure how the average Philadelphian would feel about that, but he does have a point.