Like Mike 2: Streetball (simply titled Like Mike 2 in various regions) is a 2006 American sports comedy film directed by David Nelson. Contrary to the film title, it is not a plot continuation of the 2002 film nor does it feature any of the original cast members.
Contents
Plot
Teenager Jerome Jenkins Jr. and his friends are skilled at streetball but cannot match the older boys in their neighborhood. When they learn that a streetball team called Game On is coming to town to scout for talent, they train intensely with hopes of winning. After a brief visit from his father, Jerome spots a pair of shoes hanging from a streetlight. Retrieving them, he witnesses the shoes being struck by lightning, granting the wearer the ability to play like Michael Jordan. At the Game On talent event, Jerome sinks a half-court shot and wins a one-on-one match with ease, earning a spot on the team. However, his success attracts envy, and his manipulative, self-proclaimed cousin Ray steps in as his agent, securing sponsorships while keeping Jerome under his control.
During the first Game On match with Jerome, the team struggles until he joins and helps them win. Afterwards, while his friends go to a club, Jerome, being a minor, heads to an amusement park where he earns the streetball name "Triple J". Encouraged by Ray, he begins hogging the glory, straining friendships.
On a break from the team, Jerome’s father, Jerome Sr., returns home. Ray tries to have Jerome's mother sign a contract for a 15% cut of Jerome's earnings and sets him up for a music video. When Jerome’s father finds him during the shoot, a fight breaks out as Jerome disregards his dad’s advice.
Before the season’s final game against the top team, the Drop Squad, Ray pushes Jerome to wear sponsored shoes, but he refuses, believing his magic sneakers are key to his performance. Despite initially doing well, Ray secretly swaps Jerome's shoes, leading to a loss for the team. Upset, Jerome quits basketball. After a conversation with Ray, Jerome takes the bus home and tells his mother he’s done with the sport. She later kicks Ray out for his manipulative behaviour. Jerome reconciles with his friends, who encourage him to play for fun, and they form the team "Triple Threat". He also finds his magic shoes among Ray's belongings.
In the finals against Ray's new team, "Ray-On", Ray sabotages Jerome's sneakers, injuring a teammate. With his father’s support, Jerome makes the final shot without his magic shoes, winning the game for Triple Threat. Afterwards, sponsors show interest, but his father declines. Ray tries to resurrect the ripped contract, only to be locked in a trunk by a friend. The story concludes with Jerome walking home with his family, while Ray, still in the trunk, gets towed, and the shoes dangle from a streetlight.
Cameos
Former NBA player Clyde Drexler and Dallas Mavericks NBA team owner Mark Cuban both made cameos in this film, Drexler as himself and Cuban as a team's coach.