Fast Break

David Greene splits his days between running a Brooklyn deli and playing pickup basketball, while dreaming of a real career coaching. A former junior high coach, he relentlessly writes to colleges hoping for a chance to teach and coach at a higher level. His wife Jan longs for a stable home and family, which adds tension as his ambitions pull him away.

David is offered a coaching job at Cadwallader University that pays only $60 per win. The prize, however, is a lucrative contract if he can lead the team to victory over Nevada State, one of the top programs in the country. He weighs the risk against the dream of finally proving himself as a coach.

David accepts the assignment and heads west to start building a new team. He cannot persuade his wife Jan to join him, and the distance between them strains their marriage. The decision sets the stage for his solitary pursuit of the dream.

David teams up with Hustler, a talented player and pool ace, to assemble the core of the team. Hustler’s fortunes sour when his 'pigeons' realize they have been sharked, adding a layer of danger to the recruitment. The groundwork for Cadwallader's roster starts to take shape.

David and Hustler recruit Preacher, who has reasons to escape his own predicament, including a contract on him for impregnating a cult leader's daughter. Preacher's inclusion gives the team inside track and a unique skill set. The cast of misfits begins to form into a contender.

David and Hustler locate D.C., a former high-school star who now runs numbers after trading his basketball dream for a criminal life. D.C.'s speed and street savvy fill a crucial gap on the court. The team starts to take on a real identity.

The crew tracks down Swish, a finesse player with a lethal jump shot, and David convinces her to pose as a male to join the team. The decision to bend gender lines highlights the lengths he will go to assemble a winning roster. Swish brings a unique versatility to the lineup.

With the core four in place, David searches for a fifth and settles on Sam Newton, nicknamed 'Bull', whose muscle makes up for his limited raw skill. The team finally contains a complete roster and begins to gel despite cultural differences. The foundation for the Cadwallader run is set.

David and Hustler lead the newly formed team west to Cadwallader and begin the search for a suitable fifth man among Cadwallader athletes. Raiders of the roster look unpromising, but they settle on Bull to complete the lineup. Their mix of cultures begins to yield a surprising contender.

As the team readies to face Bo Winnegar's elite squad, the coach learns Winnegar enjoys billiards and arranges a sting operation to force him to agree to a game. Hustler orchestrates the plan to set up the challenge that could change everyone's lives. The schedule aligns with the improbable matchup everyone talks about.

Before tip-off, a hitman trails Preacher to Nevada, injecting danger into the tournament moment. Preacher fears for his life as he steps onto the court, adding a real edge to the stakes of the game. The episode underscores the film's theme of sacrifices and risk for the dream.

David makes a deal with a police officer to allow D.C. to participate in the big game before answering to the law for his illegal activities. The moral compromise is part of the pursuit and adds tension to the game's legitimacy. The decision tests the boundaries of right and wrong in the quest for success.

The game reaches its climax as David's wife Jan and his mother arrive at the arena to share in the realization of his lifelong dream. Their appearance forces him to confront the personal cost of his ambition. The moment ties his professional success to his family life.