The Curse of the Dragon Cast is a phenomenon that has plagued many actors who have portrayed characters in dragon-centric films or TV shows. This curse is believed to bring bad luck and misfortune to those involved in these productions. It is said that the curse began in the 1970s with the release of the film "Enter the Dragon," which starred Bruce Lee. Lee, who played the lead role in the film, tragically died just weeks before its release. This incident was seen as the start of the curse, as it was the first dragon-related film to experience such a tragic event. Since then, many actors who have portrayed dragons or dragon-related characters have faced various misfortunes.
Since then, many actors who have portrayed dragons or dragon-related characters have faced various misfortunes. Some have suffered from career setbacks, while others have experienced personal tragedies such as accidents or even death. These instances have fueled the belief in the curse and made it a topic of discussion within the entertainment industry.
Three of a kind: Proud UConn coach Dan Hurley thrilled to see his trio of stars officially moving onto the next level
Jordan Hawkins greets NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 14th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 22, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
By Joe Arruda | [email protected] | Hartford Courant PUBLISHED: June 23, 2023 at 4:33 p.m. | UPDATED: June 23, 2023 at 4:41 p.m.Thursday was quite a day for Dan Hurley and the UConn men’s basketball program.
It started with the announcement of Hurley’s new, six-year, $32.1 million contract, and continued with the rewarded national champion head coach sitting with the second lottery pick of his UConn tenure at the NBA Draft.
After sitting on the ESPN set in Brooklyn, beaming with pride for Jordan Hawkins, the 14th overall pick to the New Orleans Pelicans, Hurley and associate head coach Kimani Young made their way to Manhattan where Andre Jackson Jr. held a watch party at a local restaurant.
Jackson, who grew extremely close with Hurley through his three years in Storrs, got the call that he would be selected 36th overall by the Orlando Magic and immediately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. After saying “I can’t wait” and hanging up the phone, Jackson immediately went for an embrace with Hurley. Young stood off to the side with the smile of a proud uncle taking in the moment.
Adama Sanogo, who was in Indianapolis during the draft, was not selected, though he signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls shortly after the final pick was made. Hurley took to Twitter for his response of that news, reposting a graphic from the team account and adding “The MVP. ”
Thursday marked the first time UConn has had two players selected in the NBA Draft since Shabazz Napier and DeAndre Daniels were picked after winning the 2014 national championship.
The trio joins Tyrese Martin (picked 51st overall in 2022) and James Bouknight (picked No. 11 overall in 2021) as Hurley products in the NBA. Andre Drummond (who recently said he plans on returning to the Bulls next season) and Rudy Gay, who each played for Jim Calhoun, are the only other former Huskies in the league, both on the backend of long careers.
So how will UConn’s newest pros fit on their new teams?
Jordan Hawkins
It’s safe to assume the Pelicans are happy with their lottery selection. The team changed the bio on its Twitter account to remain in that moment: “With the 14th pick in the NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans select Jordan Hawkins from UConn!” it reads.
In his first press conference with New Orleans media, Hawkins explained that he’s developed a good relationship with UConn women’s basketball legend Swin Cash, the Pelicans’ vice president of basketball operations, who had her jersey retired by the program last season after being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
“I told her I’m gonna need her autograph, so I’m really gonna need her autograph now for wherever I live down there,” Hawkins said. Cash responded on Twitter with a picture of the two captioned, “Guess I need your signed jersey instead Hawk.”
Hawkins, as he noted, will be a valuable addition almost immediately in terms of floor spacing with frontcourt players like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. The Pelicans were attracted by the leap in production Hawkins made in his second year at UConn and a workout that went “really, really well,” according to General Manager Trajan Langdon.
“(Hawkins’ skill set) compliments our group of guys on the roster right now and I think a lot of our players are excited about his skill set and what he’ll bring. The shooting component is huge and will be a huge addition for our team this year, but I think he’s a high basketball IQ player, obviously a winner, and a big time competitor, so he’ll be a really good fit with our group,” Langdon told Pelicans’ media.
“When you have a Brandon, you have a CJ (McCollum), you have a Zion, you have a Jonas (Valanciunas) and then you have this guy who can really shoot coming off of a lot of stuff that players have to stay connected to and they can’t help on those elite-type players, it opens up the floor for either our players to get something or if somebody helps, than a player like (Hawkins) is wide open for a wide open shot, which will help our offense.”
Andre Jackson Jr.
Jackson has a UConn connection of his own at his next stop in Milwaukee. He’ll be coached by newly hired Adrian Griffin, the father of current UConn women’s basketball player Aubrey Griffin.
Aubrey reacted to the news on Instagram, reposting the UConn announcement with a simple, but excited, “ayeee!!” as the caption.
The Bucks posted a behind-the-scenes video of the initial phone call to Jackson letting him know he got picked. “Dre, we’re gonna take you, man, so excited,” General Manager Jon Horst said before passing the phone to Griffin. “Congratulations, excited about having you on board, man. Hey, the magic is in the work, right?” Griffin said.
The Bucks made a trade with the Orlando Magic for the selection that was used on Jackson, sending away a 2030 second-round pick and cash considerations in exchange.
“We had really specific targets in mind and kind of an idea of what we wanted go for, and were able to get the pick, and get the player that we wanted at that pick,” Horst said in a press conference after the draft. “Andre Jackson Jr. is a national champion and an experienced player in a big-time program. A winner, a guy that was on really on the award ballots and kind of on the watch list for the defensive player of the year in college basketball, kind of a Swiss Army Knife guy.
“Just a top-level athlete, great in the open floor, really knows how to play great pace, great decision-making, high character and just a winner. So we’re really excited to be able to have him on our team and to be able to draft him.”
Horst said he thinks Jackson has the ability to defend every position on the floor and, as far as shooting goes, that he doesn’t think it’s that Jackson can’t or won’t shoot, but “he just knows how to play” and picks his spots. “It’s a teachable skill,” Horst said.
Jackson brings a uniquely athletic and competitive presence to the team that is centered around Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the most uniquely athletic and competitive superstars in the league.
“I don’t want to downplay what (Jackson) can do offensively. Just because he doesn’t have these eye-popping stats,” Horst said. “This is a connector, this is a guy that makes ball plays that can help people get shots, can finish out in transition.
“He’s a second-round pick and he’s a rookie, so he’s gonna have to grow and develop. But I think he’s got the right makeup to do that and he’ll have the right opportunity to get what he earns here in Milwaukee.”
Adama Sanogo
Sanogo will have to compete for a roster spot with the Bulls while also spending time with their G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, based about 25 miles outside of Chicago.
On a two-way contract, Sanogo will only be eligible to be active in a maximum of 50 games with the NBA team, the rest of his games will have to be played in the G League. The first sighting of Sanogo in a Bulls uniform could come in just over a week as the summer league schedule begins July 3.
While Drummond plans on accepting his player option for next season, the Bulls’ roster is full of free agents including center Nikola Vucevic and power forward Derrick Jones Jr. Sanogo’s role will become clearer as the roster settles, though he will likely spend most of his time next season developing in the G League.
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Two years later, it has become obvious that the scouts were right about Hawkins --- he has been just the kind of top-notch linebacker they projected he would be.
One of the most notable cases of the curse is that of Brandon Lee, the son of Bruce Lee, who also fell victim to the curse while filming "The Crow." Brandon Lee was accidentally shot and killed on set during the production of the film, further cementing the belief in the curse. While there have been several instances of misfortune and tragedy surrounding actors involved in dragon-related projects, it is important to note that these occurrences could be coincidental. The belief in the curse may simply be a result of the human tendency to find patterns and meaning in random events. Despite the skepticism surrounding the curse, it continues to be a topic of fascination and intrigue for many. Some actors even go to great lengths to avoid taking on roles related to dragons in order to avoid any potential bad luck. However, others choose to embrace these roles, dismissing the curse as mere superstition. In conclusion, the Curse of the Dragon Cast is a phenomenon that has plagued actors involved in dragon-related films or TV shows. While the curse is believed to bring bad luck and misfortune, it may just be a coincidence or a product of human perception. The fascination and speculation around this curse continue to capture the attention of many in the entertainment industry..
Reviews for "Magical Ports of Call on a Dragon Cast Cruise"
1. Jessica - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Curse of the Dragon Cast". The storyline was predictable and lacked any depth or originality. The characters were extremely one-dimensional and felt like cliché stereotypes. The dialogue was cheesy and poorly written, making it difficult to connect with any of the characters. Overall, the film felt like a cheap imitation of other fantasy adventure movies without bringing anything new or exciting to the table. I would not recommend wasting your time on this mediocre film.
2. Jonathan - 1 star - "Curse of the Dragon Cast" was a complete waste of time. The special effects were poorly executed and looked incredibly fake. The acting was wooden and unconvincing, making it difficult to become invested in the story or care about the characters. The pacing was also off, with the film dragging on in some parts and rushing through others. I found myself bored and disinterested throughout the entire movie. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this lackluster fantasy film.
3. Emily - 3 stars - While "Curse of the Dragon Cast" had potential, it ultimately fell flat for me. The plot had interesting elements but failed to develop them fully, leaving many unanswered questions. The action sequences were mediocre and lacked excitement. The main protagonist was underwhelming and lacked charisma. Overall, the film had glimmers of promise but ultimately failed to deliver a captivating and memorable experience. I wouldn't consider it a complete waste of time, but there are definitely better fantasy films out there.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "Curse of the Dragon Cast" tried to be an epic fantasy adventure, but it failed to live up to its ambitions. The writing was weak, filled with clichéd dialogue and predictable plot twists. The characters were forgettable and lacked any depth or development. The visual effects also felt outdated and unimpressive. It's a shame because with a stronger script and better execution, this film could have been something enjoyable. As it stands, "Curse of the Dragon Cast" is a forgettable and unremarkable addition to the fantasy genre.
5. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "Curse of the Dragon Cast" to be an underwhelming film. The plot was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow along. The acting was subpar, with the cast delivering uninspired performances. The film also suffered from poor editing, as there were many jarring cuts and transitions that took away from the viewing experience. Overall, "Curse of the Dragon Cast" failed to engage or captivate me, and I would not recommend it to fellow movie enthusiasts.