The Office Vs. The Warehouse: Behind The Scenes Of The Famous Basketball Game

Inspired in part by actor John Krasinski’s new web show “Some Good News,” we decided to re-broadcast this story on our 4/25/20 episode. The story originally aired in June 2019. This web feature has been updated accordingly.

It’s been six years since the Emmy Award-winning show “The Office” ended its run. But more importantly for sports fans, it’s been 14 years since Michael Scott — the delusional regional manager of Dunder Mifflin, played by Steve Carell — challenged his warehouse crew to a friendly game of basketball.

Michael Scott: The last time I was down there, I noticed that they put up a couple of hoops. And I play basketball every weekend. So I thought, “This might be kind of fun.”

As part of the shows mockumentary style, characters often talk directly to the audience.

Michael Scott [cont]: And so I start messing around. And I’m sinking a few — you know, swish, swish, swish. Nothing but net. And their jaws just drop to the floor — African Americans. You know, it’s really just a g

ood friendly game. Reason for everyone to get together.

It was blue collar versus white collar. And the losing team had to work on Saturday.

But the episode had bigger stakes for the show’s main protagonist, Jim Halpert — played by John Krasinski. It was his chance to impress Pam, the office receptionist and the woman of his dreams — played by Jenna Fischer.

Jim Halpert: Basketball was kind of my thing in high school. And, yeah, I’m looking forward to playing. I think I’m going to impress a few people in here.

One problem: Pam was engaged to warehouse tough guy Roy Anderson — played by actor David Denman.

Michael Scott: Pam, you kind of have your foot in both camps here. Why don’t you do the jump ball?

Roy Anderson: Don’t listen to him Pam. Tip it my way, or you’re sleeping in the car.

Throughout the episode, Jim and Roy go head-to-head on the court.

Jim Halpert: Have a good game, man.

Roy Anderson: Yeah, you too. Should be fun.

‘Basketball’

I got in touch with David Denman, who plays Roy from the warehouse. He says Krasinski would have the edge in a game of one-on-one.

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“John, a hundred percent,” Denman says. “A hundred percent. His whole family, I mean, they’re giants. And they’re all a basketball family. I think they coach ball. No, I’m not even going to pretend to play opposite, that I would have a shot.”

Denman never considered himself an athlete. Basketball was just something he did for fun as a kid.

“All of my buddies were total jock heads,” Denman says. “We would play basketball and break into gyms and go play ball. But, you know, I never really played it that competitively.”