[deleted]

Interesting take but I have to disagree

The movie wasn't building simply to any one of those climaxes, but rather set them all up as interconnected payoffs

The tournament showed us how effective they could be together, and showed us how easily Billy messes up his life

The Jeopardy appearance justifies what were, up to that point, Gloria's silly dreams (like her silly habit of staying with Billy). She gets both validated and empowered enough to leave Billy when he messes up yet again.

And of course the final game shows that Billy can, in fact, jam.

As for the ridiculous mobsters, that's just typical Ron Shelton. His characters get into situations that are comical when they should theoretically be serious. The interrogation scene in "Hollywood Homicide" is typical of that sort of thing. You don't have to like it, but it's one of the director's trademarks.

(For example, I hate hate HATE Spike Lee's "double dolly" shot where people are supposedly walking when they're obviously being dragged - but it's one of his trademarks and a Spike Lee Joint would look funny without them)

agreed - I feel the movie should end after the 2 on 2 tournament - the credits should start rolling when they've won the money but are still arguing like crazy with each other.