Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: My movie list is different from most people’s because I’m not just interested in the excitement of watching athletes compete but also in the insight into how the sport defines the character’s values. Sports are a crucible in which players are subjected to high pressure and heat that melt together their best and worst qualities. All emerge changed by the experience, hopefully for the better — but not always. For some, their best qualities are tempered into their character. For others, their worst qualities rise to the top and consume them until they’re willing to sacrifice any sense of morality to win.