Star Wars Day: Building a Star Wars expansion franchise for the NBA

Tatooine Jedi Knights Star Wars NBA franchise – Starting PG: Yoda

Found a starting point guard, we have. While the middle of the starting lineup will skew younger, we go with tenured veterans at point guard and center. In Yoda, we have the ultimate experienced floor general, one who was a literal general in the Clone Wars. He may talk out of order, but his command of a basketball court would be second to none.

His size could be an issue, but anyone who saw him fight Count Dooku in Episode II knows this small point guard has aged even better than Chris Paul. His height becomes an advantage in zipping passes into tight windows below opponents’ outstretched arms. His connection to the Force allows him to anticipate passes and leap over to steal the ball. If any of the opposing team tries to unleash Force lightning on him, he can simply absorb it into his palms.

Yoda will eventually need to retire, or the NBA will need to rewrite its over-38 rule to factor in this alien Jedi Master approaching 900. Maybe a few non-guaranteed seasons tacked on the end, just in case? However much he has left in the tank, Yoda can direct an offense that will certainly be the league’s best.

Tatooine Jedi Knights Star Wars NBA franchise – Starting SG: Obi-Wan Kenobi

Hello there! Obi-Wan Kenobi gives a thematic all-Jedi backcourt to the Jedi Knights, and he is a seamless fit beside Yoda. Kenobi is in prime physical condition, able to leap higher than any current NBA player with ease. Try to leap over him, however, and he might just chop off all of your limbs and leave you to burn in a river of lava. Or, you know, just foul you.

Obi-Wan is a fount of wisdom, and his affable demeanor will help glue together a team with some rough personalities. His premonition will allow him to predict when the opposing team is going to score, and he will tip his teammates off with a quick “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” He has the hops to throw down alley-oops from the venerable Yoda, and defensively he should be this team’s wing stopper. He does need to find a more exciting nickname than “Ben” however; “Air Kenobi”, perhaps?