Kyrie Irving returns as Uncle Drew, but Ray Allen steals the show

When the first “Uncle Drew” Pepsi commercial dropped in January 2013, the bit was simple: A bunch of otherwise unsuspecting pick-up players were caught off guard by an actual NBA star, dressed up as an old guy, who then proceeded to rock their worlds on the blacktop. The comedy came via the looks on the faces of the guys who simply could not believe what they were seeing.

As the ad campaign — featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving — gained popularity, introducing many to the term “pocket pass,” the story lines moved more toward old man comedy routines rather than actual gotcha basketball, though they were still quite funny. Kevin Love, Maya Moore and Nate Robinson joined the fun and after two years, Uncle Drew is back. This time in Miami.

Enlisting the help of comedian JB Smoove and former NBA baller Baron Davis, this seven-minute epic also features Ray Allen as “Skinny Walt,” Drew’s apparent archrival. The jokes are all pretty much the same, taking on a “Coming to America” feel, but what’s most remarkable about this is Allen. Of course, his acting chops are well-established from Spike Lee’s “He Got Game.” But his excitability on the court is not exactly his forte.

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But in this commercial, we see a side of the NBA’s all-time three-point shooter that we’ve never seen. Dancing and celebrating after shots, he somehow has more charisma dressed up like an old man on an outdoor court than he ever did in the actual league. And for the sake of the story, Walt has trouble with Drew, but come on. Ray Allen would never lose to Kyrie Irving in a shooting contest.

The whole video is worth a watch, and I imagine the next one will find a way to incorporate a hoverboard or two.

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