HBO’s Ballers Season 5 Episode 2 recap: Luck monologue steals show

Dwayne Johnson’s luck monologue narration juxtaposing those who got unlucky was an early Season 5 highlight of tonight’s Ballers on HBO.

This recap contains spoilers for HBO’s Ballers Season 5 Episode 2 (“Must Be the Shoes”).

HBO’s Ballers opened strong tonight with a late night takeout with the boys at Jack in the box ending in a two sided drive-by shooting. But it was Spencer Strasmore’s overlaying narration of the moment that captured the attention by subtly pulling from reality. Strasmore’s luck monologue hit hard. Examining how there were others more talented than he was from his neighborhood that never made it out, so you don’t know their name… And never will. That maybe he just got lucky and they didn’t as shots were fired on-screen over flirting gone wrong. Later on, as Ricky Jerret lay in his hospital bed, wondering how his career might be done all over one single, stupid mistake… Walking into an open road after a big contract in the Season 5 premiere. Dwayne Johnson would tap into something within himself once again, something that felt real.

Spencer Strasmore spoke of how one time back in college he got into a fight in a bar and finished it though he didn’t start it. He was about to lose his whole scholarship, his life was about to come crashing down just as it began. All until one of his professors stepped in out of nowhere. “I was really f***** until one of my professors vouched for me. Luck comes in random ways.” That line “Luck comes in random ways,” will stay with viewers tonight. You never know when a chance meeting or good deed suddenly repays later in life right when you need it. Even if that fight never happened, you could tell the script meant something extra to Dwayne Johnson tonight in that monologue narration.

Speaking of Ricky Jerret, he’s deciding to call it a career and while his father and girlfriend are proud of him… He can’t help but feel disappointed in himself while telling others it’s time to move on. 

Odell Beckham Jr. Appearance on Sports X

Sports X saw Odell Beckham Jr welcomed to the fold on tonight’s episode as Joe was told to simmer down from cursing in the office. To adopt a new management philosophy. Lance unveiled an art piece of Odell to finish the deal in classic Russell Brand fashion, taking an extra look at Odell to make sure everything matched.

Meanwhile, Vernon wants to go all in as a pro-gamer playing League of Legends and leave his NFL career behind. Despite proving his talents to Reggie on the main stage, Reggie still couldn’t get behind the dream. Vernon made it clear if Reggie doesn’t support him, he’ll find someone that will.

Kansas City Chiefs deal on the rocks?

Spencer Strasmore might have been used to leverage a bidding war on the team after word got out he was interested in purchasing them. Suddenly, Candace has other offers on the team after convincing Strasmore to put his retirement on hold.

Charles receives video footage of shootout

Security handed Charles over video footage of the late night shootout with two of his guys and he was not pleased to say the least.  He confronted them but is keeping the matter private. Kisan told Charles he was just getting fast food with his boys, how was he supposed to know it would turn into The Unforgiven? Charles would place the USB stick of the footage in a locked drawer. Will police eventually come asking for the evidence? 

Check out how to catch a live stream of HBO’s Ballers over at HBOGO/HBONow!