During the scene after the bachelor party when Harper (Taye Diggs) was at Jordan's (Nia Long) apartment, Jordan slaps Harper. The slap was unscripted. Nia Long improvised because she felt "something was missing." Taye Diggs', "Whoo," reaction was real and he was angry at Nia for hitting him so hard. Once he saw it on screen, he liked the scene.
Three cast members from "The Best Man" also appeared in "Love & Basketball" one year later in 2000. Sanaa Lathan, Regina Hall, and Monica Calhoun have parts in both movies.
Regina Hall's debut.
Larenz Tate was offered the lead role of Harper Stewart but turned it down as he felt it was too similar to his character in Love Jones with them both being writers.
Nia Long and Morris Chestnut both starred in the critically acclaimed movie by John Singleton
Boyz N the Hood.