10 Underrated Acting Performances By Athletes In Movies
2. Kevin Garnett - Uncut Gems
The 15 time NBA all star, Kevin Garnett, swaps in his 2008 Championship ring for a rare black opal in the critically acclaimed 2019 hit, Uncut Gems.
Garnett plays a 2012 version of himself alongside Adam Sandler who plays Howard, a gambling addicted jewelry store owner in New York. In trying to impress Garnett and his entourage, Howard hesitantly gives him his most prised possession, a black opal mined from Africa. What follows is a story of twists and turns and betrayal with Garnett in the centre of it all.
What's most impressive about his performance, is that athletes commonly play a parodied version of themselves in some form of light-hearted comedy, whereas Garnett has to stay serious and edgy in this dark drama. He attacks the lines so effortlessly that it feels semi-improvised especially when he is haggling with Adam Sandler's character over the price of the opal.
Sandler himself confessed to not expecting a whole lot from first-timer Garnett but he was pleasantly surprised by the professionalism and composure of his performance.