Two and a half stars (R)

Will Ferrell stars as the owner-coach-player of a 1976 ABA basketball team trying to make the cut as the league merges with the NBA. As far as Ferrell sports comedies go, this is one of his lesser ones, but the ever-sturdy underdog sports team storyline holds up even when the rude and crude antics falter. Woody Harrelson and Maura Tierney pretty much play it straight in a romantic subplot. 90 minutes. DVD INFO: The two-disc special edition (a regular version is also available) includes deleted and alternate scenes, six behind-the-scenes featurettes and promo materials.