7 Messages
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146 Points
Information for the new Sweetwater (2023) movie is incorrect
Edit: When I posted this, I didn't proofread it carefully, so I've changed the wording to accurately reflect the historical record, which was previously unclear. My apologies to anyone who read my previously incorrect account.
The description for the film Sweetwater read, "Hall of Famer, Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton, makes history as the first African American to sign an NBA contract, forever changing how the game of basketball is played." Mr. Clifton was not the first African-American to sign an NBA contract, nor was he the first African-American to play in an NBA game. Harold Hunter was the first African-American to sign an NBA contract. However, Mr. Hunter was cut from the team during the pre-season and never played in the league. Mr. Clifton signed his contract less than one month after Mr. Hunter and made his debut on an NBA roster on May 24, 1950, though four days later, Earl Lloyd made his debut for the Washington Capitols, making him the first African-American to play in the NBA.
gromit82
Champion
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7.8K Messages
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280.6K Points
3 years ago
jmg: Sweetwater (2023) is a dramatized film. Does the film portray Nat Clifton as the first black player to sign an NBA contract (even if that wasn't true in real life)? The question is whether the film is in error, which would be listed on IMDb in the Goofs section, or whether the IMDb plot outline is in error, in which case the plot outline should be corrected.
Also, in that era, the NBA season ran from October through April, so there were no games in May.
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jmg999
7 Messages
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146 Points
3 years ago
I have no idea what's in the film, as I haven't seen it. Regardless of what's in the film, the description is inaccurate, b/c they're depicting a real-life event but making incorrect claims about it in the description of it. May 24, 1950 was the date that he signed his contract, where he became a member of the team. As I stated, he never played in a game. I'll edit the post to make it clearer.
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eboy
2.5K Messages
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69.2K Points
3 years ago
Wikipedia states the actual historical facts a bit better (..one of the first): ”He is best known as one of the first African Americans to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).”
Maybe the Plot Outline could be: ”Hall of Famer, Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton, makes history as one of the first African American to sign an NBA contract, forever changing how the game of basketball is played”
Then again, perhaps he doesn’t ”make history” if he’s one of the first…
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eboy
2.5K Messages
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69.2K Points
3 years ago
Yes. And? You can of course keep the current Outline, or make a minor adjustment to it. It’s not my decision, really. Mainly just curious why this ”original” Outline is so important to you.
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