Death of Street Basketball
I would come to “Baby Rucker” and see plenty of basketball players engaged in an intense game. You can feel the intensity in the air, from the focus of the players’ faces, to the trash talking to their opponent, the physical play between the players as offensive players try to score the basketball. This is how street ball should be played always, but unfortunately street ball is not the same as it once was. Not enough players play, or people just don’t take it seriously.
During my youth and even at my current age of 24 years old, I look forward to walking to a local playground to play some games against the talent New York has to offer. I can remember my friends and I would go to school and meet at “Baby Rucker” right after school to play until the sun went down then we would go home to do homework.
In New York, basketball on the streets –often known as “street ball” — has been a way of life for every child who loves playing the sport. Many of legendary basketball players have made their name through playgrounds such as Julius Erving, Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Rafer Alston, Stephon Marbury have grew up developing their skills and reputation in the playgrounds of New York and have made their name through them. But as the years have gone along, fewer people have been playing in the streets.
“Street ball was replaced by AAU basketball. A lot of ball players think they have a shot at going to the NBA and shouldn’t risk their chances by getting hurt by playing pick up,”, said Julian Faulkner, 24. He also plays street basketball in the streets of Harlem and sees the decline of the once populated courts. AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) is a program where young, promising basketball players can join a local team and travel to play against other teams in the country. Many of the professional basketball players have gone through the AAU to reach the level they are at now. Many of the coaches of the AAU have had some professional experience. They advise the players not to play games outside due to the risk of getting hurt and hurting the team. This is the biggest reason why the street courts are empty. The players have access to gyms to play and practice in. The rules of either the NBA, NCAA, AAU are not the only thing stopping these players. Players want a chance to make it, especially if they are very talented.
As a young player myself, I thought the same things when I was playing organized games. I wanted to play as hard as I can to be noticed. I would play more to work on my game, building confidence in my skills and also building a reputation as one of the best ball players in my local park. But now, with the AAU/tournaments around, players get to showcase their skills and build their name on a higher degree. But even the summer tournaments that occur on the outdoor courts needs to be certified by the NCAA for college athletes.
NCAA RULES
Under NCAA rules, in order for a summer league to be certified, it must:
apply online no later than 45 days before the start of the league
complete a background check
complete an educational course
purchase accident medical insurance
Certified leagues cannot:
charge admission
earn money via raffle tickets
earn money via over-the-air or cable television or radio rights
hire as a staff member anyone associated with a two-year or four-year college
sponsor all-star games of any kind
Under NCAA rules, Division I basketball players can participate in one league per summer, but only if:
the league is certified by the NCAA
play is between June 15 and Aug. 31
the athlete has received written permission from the school’s athletic director
the league is within 100 air miles of the athlete’s official residence at the end of the academic year, or within 100 air miles of the college or university the athlete attended
only two Division I athletes are on any single team’s roster
(via: http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11216972/playground-basketball-dying)
As well as the amateur players not being permitted to playing outside, NBA players have rules about where and when they can play. The NBA is a job and a business so team managers and coaches are very strict about where their players should play. Also when they can play pick-up games, because the NBA season is long and they are on the road often. Kobe Bryant once broke his wrist on the concrete at Venice Beach in California while playing. Gilbert Arenas, who was once a superstar in the NBA started to have knee troubles and locals swore that it was because he was playing at the Goodman League in Washington D.C.’s outdoor courts. Those same knee injuries could’ve ended his career professionally as he constantly had problems with his knees. This can be a reason why the NBA and NCAA has rules for their players when they want to participate in a summer tournament. For NCAA rules, the summer league needs to be certified by the NCAA. The league has to be between the dates June 15-August 31 and the athlete has to receive permission from their school’s athletic director. The league also has to be within 100 air miles from the athlete’s home or school.
Street ball is where you pick up your toughness, your grit, and where you develop your talent. It’s sad to see that many kids aren’t playing outside anymore but it is understandable why. The rules of the teams where these kids are getting exposure are playing a factor but sometimes you just have to let them have fun.
