The film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which has made many people agree since its theatrical release, includes several references. Including one to the NBA, and more particularly to LeBron James.
There is no doubt that a film like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse multiply the references. The way he treats the multiverse naturally pushes him towards fan service (example: the hidden gameplay of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, future PS5 hit) and nods to pop culture. And imagine that the feature film goes so far as to pay homage to the world of sport, with a seemingly innocuous sequence which, in reality, is far from it.
” I don’t know if it’s intentional, but if it is, it’s a reference worthy of the greatest », indicates The Web Head in a message published on June 15 on Twitter. His remarks are accompanied by a clip in which two versions of Spider-Man — Punk and India — check each other by exchanging fake punches worthy of a boxing ring. So far, there is nothing sensational. Except that the movements and sequence chosen are exactly the same as a check shared by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, two NBA stars, during a Miami Heat game.
A tribute to LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, two great NBA players
Is this reference proven? Or is it just an orange ball fan fantasy? Good news: this is the first option considered. Phil Lord, co-writer and co-producer of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, confirmed on the social network to the blue bird that it was indeed a tribute. He just answered ” #culture “a way of honoring those “who had the ref”.
This very subtle reference to the world of sport, more particularly to the world of the NBA, is obviously applauded by aficionados. ” These little things make all the difference “, underlines for example Internet user. ” It’s really elite », will even say a Miami NBA franchise fan page (followed by more than 130,000 people).
LeBron James, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, all-time leading scorer and four-time NBA champion, is a regular checker with his teammates. It’s even a kind of ritual for him. Dwyane Wade, arrived at the same time as him in the big league (in 2003), is one of his best friends – hence this cleverly orchestrated greeting. Together, they played four finals in a row, for two titles won in the jersey of the Miami Heat (2012, 2013). LeBron James did not comment on this reference. On the other hand, he recently highlighted “the excellence of black culture” by sharing a glowing article about Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
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