Ballers recap: Season 4, episode 2, Obama

Don’t You Wanna Be Obama? is the Ballers’ entry into the personality differences of the surfing world.

What can’t Spencer Strasmore (Dwayne Johnson) do? He’s been a money manager, a real estate developer, and a superstar on the gridiron. He’s widening his net, however, and it may end up becoming a bit too much. Adding eccentric Lance Klians (Russell Brand) and his Sports X company into the mix could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Similarly, the west coast is also the new home for Ricky (John David Washington) and Charles Greane (Omar Benson Miller). Ricky pretends he doesn’t want to play any more, but that’s just to keep Amber (Brittany Hall) off his back. TTD (Carl McDowell), however, is urging a return to football, and conveniently enough Charles happens to be the new GM of the Los Angeles Rams.

Dealing with the prima donna(s)

Strasmore and Joe (Rob Corddry) don’t have a clue what they’ve done. There hasn’t been a single role where Russell Brand has been a well-balanced individual, and Lance Klians is no different. Spencer and Joe soon realize, there is a reason Lance’s business is $50 million in the hole. He’s kind of a loose cannon.

Speaking of that, Parker Jones (Mason Gooding), the black superstar surfer who Lance equates to Jackie Robinson, has an issue. His advertising campaign with Coke shows him as a much darker shade of brown. Lance is fine with it, and so are the lawyers representing Coke. Spencer is ticked off because he’s representing Parker’s desires.

Courting the mother or the son?

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Strasmore meets with a high school phenom’s mother, who went to law school with Jason. She’s trying to figure out how to get her son through the rigors of college, out of the legal traps, and still put in a great performance as a collegiate quarterback. The only thing is, he can’t meet with the kid because it goes against his NFL registration. Additionally, it breaks NCAA rules. But that doesn’t mean Spencer has to avoid contact with the mother (wink wink). Expect Spencer to either get involved with the mother soon, or maybe even break the rules and meet with the phenom.

Can the Los Angeles Rams succeed?

The owner already thinks Charles is spineless. Without a splash to start the season, there may be a swift opening for a new GM. In his first front office meeting, Charles lays out his plans to get two types of players. First, he wants a tight end security blank for quarterback Jared Goff. Second, he wants a slot receiver. As luck would have it, the first name his staff mentions is Ricky Jerret.

Controversy begins.

As Ballers ends, Parker arrives at the surf competition despite the differences he has with the advertising. After a subsequent victory, Parker takes the stand a few shades lighter than the marketing campaign would have him appear. Everyone appears happy until Parker emulates Gold medalist Tommie Smith from the 1968 Summer Olympics, as if to say, “Am I black enough now?’

Can Spencer get fully past the marketing controversy, or it cause ASM massive money? Despite the initial reluctance, will Charles ultimately be happy signing Ricky? Fireworks are coming.

Ballers airs at 9:00 CT on HBO.