Eddie, played by Whoopi Goldberg, is a die-hard fan of the New York Knicks and often attends their games with her best friend, Claudine. While driving her limo, she often shares her opinions on the team's performance with her passengers, including the team's star player, Stacey Patton.
When "Wild Bill" Burgess takes over as the team's owner, he comes up with the idea of an 'honorary coach' contest in an attempt to boost ticket sales and team morale. Eddie enters and impresses the judges with her knowledge and passion for the game, winning the contest and becoming the Knicks' new coach.
Eddie struggles to gain the respect of the team, who see her as a publicity stunt and do not take her seriously. She's even humiliated when the team's former coach, John Bailey, undermines her during a press conference.
However, Eddie perseveres and begins to implement some unconventional coaching methods, including having the team practice with a group of street basketball players and encouraging them to have fun and play with heart. The team starts to improve under her leadership, and the fans begin to rally behind her.
As the Knicks approach the playoffs, Eddie faces opposition from some of the team's higher-ups who want to go back to their old ways. In the end, Eddie's innovative coaching style pays off as the team pulls off a thrilling win in the playoffs, and Eddie becomes a beloved figure in the basketball world.
The film not only explores themes of gender and race in professional sports but also highlights the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and following your passions.