The force is strong in the post: The NBA equivalent for every Star Wars film
Episode VI — Return of the Jedi is the Dream Team
The third film in the original trilogy fulfills the promise set forth by A New Hope. Our heroes are reunited and come together to turn the tables on the Dark Side and win a (seemingly) once-and-for-all victory over the evil empire.
It should come as no surprise that the good guys come out on top especially in a movie made mostly for children. But as cheesy inspirational quotes like to remind us it’s more about the journey than the destination.
The final battle is a picture-perfect presentation of the importance of teamwork. The victory could not be obtained without every one of our heroes doing their part. On Endor Han Solo’s strike team, aided by their new friends the Ewoks are able to defeat the Imperial forces on the ground. This allows them to destroy the shield generator which was up until then blocking Lando Calrissian and the Rebel Star Fleet from attacking the Death Star. All the while Luke engages Vader in a lightsaber battle which ends with Vader turning his back on the Dark Side to save his son from the Emperor.
Return of the Jedi also solidifies Star Wars as a money-making machine on and off-screen. The film was accompanied by promotional items, toys, collectibles, comic books, and more than earned George Lucas Jaba the Hutt-sized piles of cash.
The greatest basketball team ever assembled took on the world at the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona. While it was a foregone conclusion that the team would certainly bring home the gold, it did not stop the world from watching.
Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, John Stockton, and Christian Laettner famously formed the team that would return USA Basketball to the top of the world after a disappointing Bronze Medal showing at the 1988 Games in Seoul.
The NBA was booming. The league was thriving off the renewed energy instilled into the game from Magic and Bird. The marvel and majesty of Michael Jordan kept the momentum flying full speed ahead as their careers began to wind down. Talent across the league was at an all-time high, and the Dream Team brought those stars to help spread the gospel of basketball to the rest of the world.
The merchandising tie-in opportunities were endless. Eleven of the greatest basketball players on the planet, and Christian Laettner (sorry) were together in one place, wearing the same uniform. The team pictures alone were ready-made for posters and t-shirts. The collectible item bonanza surrounding the team created a flood of merchandise still popular to this day.
The 1992 Dream Team would fulfill the promise of Magic and Larry that began just over a decade before and would set up the NBA to dominate the worldwide market in the years to come.