NBA Stars Simpsonized

The Simpsons movie officially opens across the land today in theaters. Over the years of this smash hit TV show, many guest star celebrities have been featured. In fact, Simpsons holds the Guinness World Record for "Most Celebrities Featured in an Animation series", according to Wikipedia.com.

Amongst the celebs who have been Simpsonized on the show, were several NBA superstars. Pictured above is an episode that aired after Superbowl XXXIX which featured ballers Yao Ming and Lebron James. Here's a look at three other episodes which featured NBA guest stars:

Season 3, Episode 8F04 - "Homer Defined", Magic Johnson appeared as Himself and the legendary Lakers announcer, Chick Hearn, also appeared as an Announcer. This was the first appearance by a professional athlete as a guest on the show. At the end of the episode, he slips and lands by the feet of several beautiful women who admire him. Shortly after this episode aired, Johnson went public with the fact he has HIV as the result of having had extramarital relationships with over 200 women. John Lovitz also appears in this show.

Season, 16, Episode GABF02 - Homer and Ned's Hail Mary Pass" featured Lebron James and Yao Ming as themselves. It was a Super Bowl themed episode of The Simpsons that aired after Super Bowl XXXIX. Other athletes on the show were figure skater Michelle Kwan, Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady, and NFL defensive player, Warren Sapp. Video game character Mario also makes a cameo in this episode, where a disgruntled Homer fights with him due to his annoyance

Season 17, Episode GABF17 - "Treehouse of Horror XVI" featured Dennis Rodman as Himself along with NFL legend Terry Bradshaw as Himself. In this 3 story episode for Halloween, Rodman appears in the "I've Grown a Costume on Your Face" story. Baby Maggie, dressed as a witch eventually turns all the townspeople, including guest star Dennis Rodman, into pacifiers with their normal heads.

Many other pro sports stars and famous celebrities have appeared on the Simpsons over its 19 seasons and there will likely be many more. The movie will feature the likes of Green Day, Tom Hanks and Albert Brooks.

Wikipedia's comprehensive list of Simpsons celebrity guests.

First 10 seasons of Simpsons on DVD at Amazon.com.