Bryan Greenberg, the star of the hot new HBO original series How to Make It in America, might have the sport of basketball to thank for his latest success. He met the show’s creator/producer/writer Ian Edelman on the court. Although a wrist injury is currently keeping Greenberg on the sidelines, he is anxious to get back in the action. In the meantime, please give him some courtside tickets to the Los Angles Clippers. He loves to root for the underdog.

You met the creator of How to Make It in America playing basketball.
We have a mutual friend. We were invited to play ball in Hollywood. We were playing and he said, “I’m a big fan of yours from Prime (a movie in which Greenberg co-starred with Uma Thurman and Meryl Streep).” I said, “Oh cool.” I had no idea he was a writer. We ended up being on the same team. It’s funny, because we kind of look alike. We had the exact same ball game. We both play in the paint. We have that kind of scrappy game. We would both run to the exact same place on the court. It was a little weird. We were undefeated that day, so we had instant chemistry.
Then a couple of months later I read in the trades that he sold a script to HBO, so I asked my agent to read it. Did some reads and here we are.

Your show seems to be a big hit with NBA players.
I’d love to know who’s watching it because I’m a huge NBA fan.

What do you think draws them to it?
We speak to that sneaker culture. Basketball is heavy into that. It’s definitely a street-minded show. A lot of basketball comes from the playground and that world. My character, we get into the clubs because I play ball with this bouncer. This show stays on that street, that hustle. It can speak to a lot of people who came from that world. These characters are definitely on the grind trying to pay the rent.

Did you grow up playing basketball?
I never played in high school. I got into it late. I didn’t start playing until I was about 14 years old. In high school I tried out for the freshman basketball team, but I had no idea how to play, so I couldn’t even figure out the five-man weave. I didn’t make the cut.
I’m one of those people who play outside. I play pick-up games constantly. I’ve played in leagues, but I always do it for fun. I never really played it competitively, but it’s one of the sports I constantly do. I play in LA a lot. I’ve got a regular game.

Have you played in the Entertainment League when you are living in Los Angeles?
I get invited, but a lot of my jobs I shoot on location so I’m never around.

You were born in Nebraska. There’s some great college basketball there. Did you follow that as a little kid?
I saw Creighton games. Then I moved to St. Louis. St. Louis isn’t really a basketball town. They had the Hawks (the franchise now in Atlanta called St. Louis home from 1957-68). Growing up the closest town to us that had an NBA team was Chicago and Jordan was playing. Basically, everyone in St. Louis was a Jordan fan and a Bulls fan.
I know it’s March Madness, but I’m not one of those people who get into college basketball more than NBA. I like the NBA better. I’ve always been an NBA guy.

In addition to the Bulls and Jordan, who were the teams and players you liked growing up?
Growing up, I really liked Charlotte when they had Muggsy Bogues, Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning. I loved them for some reason. I always love the Knicks even in these tough times. I live in LA, but I like Clippers. I like the underdogs.

It’s great to hear from a Clippers fan.
They always have really good young talent. Every year it’s a new year. You’re like, “OK, they’ve got Blake Griffin. It’s going to be the year.” Then he gets injured in the preseason. They have a tough go at it. We have Baron Davis, Chris Kaman. There’s some talent there. I’d like to see what happens with the Knicks next year, really.

So it’s the Knicks and the Clippers?
And LeBron. I love him.

What’s the difference between New York basketball fans and Los Angeles basketball fans?
I feel the basketball fans in LA are kind of spoiled because the Lakers are a dynasty and they have been for so long. I think the Clippers fans are like Knicks fans because they stick with them no matter what. The Lakers are like the Yankees. Of course, you like the Yankees, it’s the best team. They’ve got all the best players. It’s easy.

What is the energy like doing a TV show in New York?
It’s great. We’re shooting completely on location. We’re capturing the city and the characters in it. Like no other movie or show I’ve ever been a part of or ever seen. New York is very much a character in the show. We’re working on like three locations a day. We use real people who are walking on the streets. We get them in the shots. It’s not a cleaned up version of New York. This is a real down and dirty version of New York.

HBO has created such amazing original series. How is this experience different than previous TV and movie experiences?
This is my second time working on HBO. I did a show called Unscripted five years ago. That show was a totally different experience. It was all improv. What I love about working at HBO is that they do what they want to do. That’s why the shows are so quality because they’re not answering to advertisers and what not. They’re making decisions not based on ratings, but based on quality and what they think works for them. That’s why they’ve been able to pump out such original and great programming.

You got to share the movie screen with Uma Thurman. Could Uma hold her own on a basketball court?
She’s definitely got the arms and the height. If you saw Kill Bill you know she’s got some athleticism.

Last question, please forgive me, but what’s it like to play Meryl Streep’s son?
It was amazing. During shooting she really took me under her wing. I got a chance to be around one of the greats. She was very generous with her time and knowledge. Just being in her presence you learn so much.

(Source)