Air Bud

After the death of Josh's father, the Framm family moves to Fernfield, Washington. They adjust to a new town and Josh begins a fresh chapter at a new school. The move sets the stage for his developing bond with Buddy.

Josh practices basketball behind an abandoned church when he meets Buddy, a stray Golden Retriever. He notices Buddy's surprising agility and friendly spirit. Josh decides to bring Buddy home, hiding him from his mother at first.

Jackie agrees to let Buddy stay until Christmas, and Buddy quickly becomes a beloved member of the family. Christmas arrives and Josh receives Buddy as a special present, solidifying their bond. The dog starts bringing joy to the Framm household.

At school, Josh faces disdain from star player Larry Willingham but befriends Arthur Chaney, a kind maintenance worker and former pro. With Chaney's guidance, Josh earns a spot on the Timberwolves basketball team despite coach Barker's initial skepticism. The season begins to unfold with new teamwork.

Buddy escapes and ends up at a game, where the crowd cheers as he scores a basket. He becomes the Timberwolves' mascot and appears in halftime shows. The new fame begins to change the team's dynamic.

Barker is fired after being caught abusing Tom for poor performance. Josh suggests Chaney take over as coach, and Chaney emphasizes teamwork over individual glory. The team begins to adopt Chaney's collaborative approach.

Larry Willingham is subbed out for ball-hogging and unsportsmanlike conduct; his father forces him to leave the Timberwolves and join their rival. The move reshapes the team's chemistry and opens space for a more cooperative style. The team starts relying more on Buddy and Chaney's leadership.

Norman Snively, Buddy's abusive former owner, sees the dog's fame on television and schemes to profit from it. He pressures Jackie to hand over Buddy by presenting ownership papers. The conflict pits a greedy owner against the Framm family.

Snively tracks Josh after a TV appearance, and Josh sneaks into Snively's backyard to free Buddy. A pursuit follows through a park before Snively crashes his pickup into a lake. Josh and Buddy escape to safety in the forest.

The Timberwolves face an uphill battle in the championship with injuries leaving them short-handed. Buddy arrives to the crowd's cheers, and the team discovers there is no rule barring a dog from playing. He is added to the roster and helps lead them to victory in the State Finals.

Snively sues for custody of Buddy, but Chaney suggests Buddy should choose his owner. Judge Cranfield moves the hearing outside to the courthouse lawn, where Buddy attacks Snively and chooses Josh. The judge awards custody to Josh as the crowd celebrates.

Snively is taken away by the police, and the Framm family welcomes Buddy back home. The community cheers as Buddy's bond with Josh is secured, and Buddy remains part of the Framms' life.