You remember the first time you saw it. That grainy, handheld-style footage of an old man with a gray beard and a massive gut walking onto a playground in New Jersey. He looked like he’d get winded checking his mail. Then, he starts crossing up guys half his age. That was Pepsi Max’s lightning in a bottle. But honestly, it was Uncle Drew Chapter 2 that proved this wasn't just a one-hit wonder or a lucky viral fluke. It turned a funny commercial into a legitimate cultural phenomenon.
Kyrie Irving was already a star in 2012, but this was different. He wasn't just a Duke kid or a Cavs guard anymore. He was Uncle Drew. He was the guy who "gets buckets."
The Setup: Why Chapter 2 Hit Different
The first video was a surprise. Nobody knew the old man was a Rookie of the Year winner. By the time Uncle Drew Chapter 2 dropped, the secret was out, but the stakes were higher. People weren't just watching to see an old man play ball; they wanted to see the universe expand. They wanted a story.
This time, the production moved to Crenshaw District’s Jim Gilliam Park in Los Angeles. It wasn't just Kyrie solo anymore. We got the introduction of "Wes," played by Kevin Love. At the time, Love was the face of the Minnesota Timberwolves, a rebounding machine with a sweet stroke from deep. Seeing him in "old man" makeup—complete with the thick glasses and the awkward cardigan—added a layer of buddy-comedy energy that the original lacked.
Basketball is rarely about one person. It's about the chemistry.
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Kevin Love and the Art of the "Wes" Persona
Kevin Love’s involvement wasn't just a random cameo. Pepsi and the creative team needed someone who could contrast Kyrie’s flashy handles. They needed size. They needed someone who could look believable as a retired legend who "used to run these courts."
- The Look: Love underwent hours of prosthetic application to become Wes.
- The Skillset: While Drew was breaking ankles, Wes was cleaning the glass and hitting trail threes.
- The Dynamic: The banter between the two—talking about "the good old days" and "young bloods"—anchored the video in a sort of nostalgic humor that resonated with both Gen Z kids and actual old-timers at the park.
It’s kinda crazy looking back at it. Kevin Love was in the absolute prime of his physical career here. Watching him pretend to have a bad back while secretly being one of the best power forwards on the planet is still peak sports entertainment.
The Viral Logic Behind the Magic
Why did this specific sequel work so well? Most sequels suck. They try too hard. They get bloated. Uncle Drew Chapter 2 kept the formula lean.
The "prank" element remained the core. You have these local LA ballers who think they’re about to film a documentary about basketball culture. They see two old guys stumbling around. One of them (Wes) literally can't catch a pass early on. The crowd starts chirping. You can hear the "oh brother" sighs through the screen.
Then, the switch flips.
One crossover. One deep three. One rim-rattling dunk from an old man in a sweater. The transition from mockery to pure, unadulterated hype is why we watch. It’s the "Cinderella Story" trope but with better handles and more gray hair. Honestly, the reactions from the sidelines are just as important as the basketball. Those faces—the jaw-dropping, the screaming, the "who is this guy?"—that’s the real currency of viral content.
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Realism vs. Production: What People Get Wrong
A lot of people think the whole thing was staged with actors. It wasn't. While the "documentary crew" was part of the ruse, the players they played against were actual local hoopers who had no idea Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love were under those prosthetics.
That’s why the physicality is real. Guys were actually trying to block Kyrie's shots. They were trying to post up Love. You can’t fake the genuine frustration of a 22-year-old athlete getting schooled by someone who looks like his grandfather.
The makeup was handled by some of the best in the business. They didn't just slap on a beard. They used high-grade silicon pieces that moved with the face. This allowed Kyrie to be expressive—to talk trash and have his facial muscles actually reflect the "old man" persona. If the makeup had looked cheap, the "young bloods" would have spotted the ruse in five minutes.
Impact on the Kyrie Irving Brand
Before Uncle Drew Chapter 2, Kyrie was a "basketball player's basketball player." He was respected, but he wasn't necessarily a household name for people who didn't follow the NBA. This series changed that.
It gave him a character. It showed he had a sense of humor.
It also highlighted his specific style of play in a way a standard NBA broadcast couldn't. In the NBA, everything is fast. You don't always appreciate the nuance of a hesitation move. In the playground setting of Uncle Drew, the camera is closer. The stakes feel more personal. You see the ball-handling in high definition. It turned his "handles" into a mythical skill set.
The Cultural Legacy of "Get Buckets"
The catchphrase "I get buckets" became a staple of the basketball lexicon because of this chapter. It’s simple. It’s arrogant. It’s perfect.
Basketball culture is built on trash talk. But usually, it's aggressive. Uncle Drew brought a sort of "benevolent arrogance." He wasn't there to hurt feelings; he was there to teach a lesson. He was the grandfather of the game reminding the kids that the fundamentals—and a killer crossover—never go out of style.
We see this influence everywhere now. Every time a pro athlete goes undercover—whether it's an NFL QB playing flag football in disguise or a pro skater hitting a local park—they are chasing the high of Uncle Drew Chapter 2.
What to Take Away From the Chapter 2 Era
If you're looking to understand why certain things "go viral" while others die in obscurity, study this video. It wasn't just about the celebrity. It was about the contrast.
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High skill vs. Low expectation.
Old age vs. Youthful arrogance.
Authentic reactions vs. Scripted beats.
It’s a masterclass in brand storytelling that doesn't feel like an ad. Even though there's a Pepsi Max bottle visible, you don't care. You’re there for the show.
How to Apply the Uncle Drew Mindset Today
If you’re a creator, athlete, or just a fan, there are a few lessons here that still hold up in 2026:
- Master the "Pivot": The reason Chapter 2 worked was that it didn't just repeat Chapter 1. It added Kevin Love. It changed the city. If you have a winning formula, don't just copy-paste it; find a way to add a "Wes" to your "Drew."
- Focus on Reaction, Not Just Action: The best parts of the video are the faces of the people in the stands. In your own work or content, show the impact you have on others.
- Fundamentals Matter: As Drew says, "don't reach, young blood." In a world of flashy trends, the basics—whether in sports, business, or writing—are what actually win the game in the long run.
Go back and watch the footage. Ignore the 2012-era video quality for a second and just watch the footwork. Watch the way the crowd shifts from laughing at them to cheering for them. That’s the power of the game. That’s why Uncle Drew Chapter 2 remains the gold standard for sports content.
Next time you're at the park and you see an old guy with a knee brace and a vintage jersey, maybe don't talk too much trash. You never know who’s under the beard.
To really appreciate the evolution of this series, look at how the production values shifted from the raw, handheld feel of the New Jersey courts to the more cinematic LA vibes. It set the stage for the eventual full-length feature film, proving that a three-minute commercial could actually sustain a 90-minute narrative.
Stick to the basics. Get buckets.