Honestly, if you saw a 5'9" old man in a wheelchair suddenly stand up and drop a 360 dunk, you’d probably think you were hallucinating. But for anyone who watched the 2018 film or the viral Pepsi commercials, that was just another day at the office for Nate Robinson.
Most people know Nate as the only three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion. The guy who jumped over Dwight Howard. But his transformation into "Boots" for the Nate Robinson Uncle Drew collaboration is arguably one of the most underrated moments in sports marketing history. It wasn't just about the makeup. It was about a high-energy NBA star playing a catatonic, silent character who only "woke up" when he touched a basketball.
The Weird Way Nate Actually Got the Job
You’d think a big-budget project like this was planned out in a boardroom months in advance. Nope. It actually started because Nate Robinson is a fanboy.
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Back when Kyrie Irving was a rookie with the Cavs, he was shooting the first couple of "chapters" of the Uncle Drew digital series. During a game, Kyrie was standing at the free-throw line. Nate, who was playing for the Bulls at the time, literally walked up to him mid-game and said, "Yo, Kyrie. I love the Uncle Drew series. You’ve got to put me in the next chapter!"
Kyrie was stunned. He basically said "What?" and then went back to his free throw. But the seed was planted. Because Nate was so persistent and clearly loved the concept, they signed him up for Chapter 3 almost immediately. He originally appeared as a character named "Lights" in the commercials (which later became Reggie Miller’s name in the movie), but by the time the feature film rolled around, Nate had evolved into the character we all know as Boots.
Why the Character "Boots" Was a Total Curveball
In the movie, Boots is living in a nursing home. He doesn't talk. He’s in a wheelchair, staring blankly at nothing. For Nate Robinson—a guy whose entire NBA brand was built on being the loudest, most energetic person in the room—this was a massive acting challenge.
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- The Makeup: It took about three to four hours every single morning to turn Nate into Boots. He’s covered in "geriatric" prosthetics and a wig that people on set said made him look like Frederick Douglass.
- The Silence: Unlike Shaq or Reggie Miller, who have tons of dialogue, Nate had to communicate everything through his eyes and his body language.
- The Shoes: There's a plot point where Boots is obsessed with his old sneakers. Nate actually admitted that’s 100% him in real life. He’s the kind of guy who will wear a pair of shoes until they literally fall apart if he thinks they have "magic" in them.
That One Time Nate Jumped Over Shaq
If you want to know what the energy was like on the Nate Robinson Uncle Drew set, look no further than the "Posterize" incident. Between takes, while everyone was in full old-man makeup, Nate decided he hadn't had enough highlights for one day.
Shaquille O'Neal (who played Big Fella) was standing around, probably thinking about lunch. Nate, still in his full Boots costume—wrinkles, grey hair, and all—ran up and leaped completely over the 7'1" Shaq. There’s grainy behind-the-scenes footage of it. It’s insane. It reminds you that even though they were dressed as 70-year-olds, these were still some of the greatest athletes on the planet.
The Real Impact of the Boots Performance
A lot of critics expected the Uncle Drew movie to be a shallow cash grab. A 100-minute Pepsi commercial. But Nate’s performance added a weirdly emotional layer. When Boots finally stands out of that wheelchair and starts playing, it’s the "spark" the team needs.
Nate’s career in the NBA was always about being the underdog. At 5'9", he shouldn't have been able to do what he did. That same "never count me out" energy is exactly what Boots represents. It’s why the movie actually worked. It wasn't just about old people falling over; it was about the idea that the "game" never really leaves you, even when your body starts to fail.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Hoopers
If you're looking back at the Nate Robinson Uncle Drew era, there are a few things you can actually take away from it beyond just the laughs.
- Watch the "Chapter 3" Commercial First: If you’ve only seen the movie, go back to the original Pepsi Max YouTube videos. The chemistry between Nate and Kyrie in the Chicago jazz club scene is arguably better than some of the movie scenes.
- Study Nate’s Vertical: Even in his "old man" gear, Nate’s mechanics are perfect. If you're a shorter guard trying to increase your bounce, Nate is the blueprint. He used his football background (he played at Washington) to build that explosive power.
- Appreciate the Craft: Take a second to look at the prosthetic work by Ed French. It’s easy to forget that these guys were sweating under pounds of silicone while playing full-speed basketball in the Atlanta heat.
Nate Robinson might not be in the NBA anymore, but his role as Boots solidified his status as a legend of the "culture" of the game. He proved he could be more than just a dunker—he could be a character. And honestly? He’s probably still out there somewhere, ready to jump over a seven-footer just to prove a point.