“One Battle After Another” dominated the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, taking home six Oscars, including Best Picture, while Michael B. Jordan prevailed in the Best Actor race for “Sinners” after being an underdog for much of the awards season.
Following the ceremony, the NBA world had plenty to say, with many heaping praise on Jordan. However, “One Battle After Another’s” big win proved far more divisive.
‘One Battle After Another’ and Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar Success Spark Strong Opinions Across Basketball World
“One Battle After Another,” director Paul Thomas Anderson’s revolutionary action thriller, and “Sinners,” director Ryan Coogler’s vampire horror film, were widely considered the two main Best Picture contenders entering Sunday.
While the former claimed the evening’s top prize, Jordan’s emergence as one of four Oscar winners for “Sinners” after gaining late momentum as the Best Actor favorite was one of the biggest storylines.
Jordan beat out “Marty Supreme’s” Timothée Chalamet for his first Oscar, whose aggressive awards campaign, which saw Chalamet collab with Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James, ultimately missed the mark.
Basketball personalities were largely on board with Jordan’s victory for his dual role as twin brothers Smoke and Stack, as evidenced by the outpouring of support for the 39-year-old on X.
“Congrats to Michael B. Jordan, Best Actor. Doubly deserved,” veteran analyst Skip Bayless gushed.
“Disappointed that PTA didn’t say ‘I promise to keep rockin and rollin and making better movies’ during any of his speeches, but that was great to finally see him up there. Even better — MBJ!” The Ringer’s Bill Simmons reacted.
“Michael B. F***ing Jordan!” former NBA forward Patrick Patterson exclaimed.
“AAAYYYEEEEEEE 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽,” NFL legend Shannon Sharpe’s sports podcast “Nightcap” responded.
“Michael B! That’s awesome,” The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski celebrated.
As for “One Battle After Another’s” triumph, the NBA world had mixed feelings.
“‘Sinners’ got robbed. Ridiculous,” Bayless asserted, adding, “I tried to watch ‘One Battle After Another.’ I lasted maybe 45 minutes.”
“I liked ‘Sinners’ the most of the few nominees I saw. And I don’t even like horror or horror-adjacent movies. It was just a really great movie,” Spotrac’s Keith Smith weighed in.
“Happy for ‘One Battle After Another!’ That was my personal pick for Best Picture, couldn’t have gone wrong with that or ‘Sinners.’ Glad these two generational movies both cleaned up tonight. What a year of movies!” Phoenix Suns reporter Gerald Bourguet shared.
Meanwhile, some inevitably cracked jokes referencing NBA legend Michael Jordan.
“LeBron B. James gotta win an Oscar now,” NBA podcaster Josiah Johnson quipped.
Adding to the night’s memorability, after becoming just the sixth Black actor to take home Best Actor, Michael B. Jordan seized the opportunity to humbly shout out those who paved the way for him, making it difficult for anyone to take exception to his achievement.
