36 hours in NYC
How I lived my New York City hoop dreams through a 3-inch screen
My boss has a 7AM pickup basketball run in New York City.
Like the runs I play in, there’s a good mix of talent and vibes. Former college guys. Close friendships built on top of years of yelling at each other.
You know, dude stuff.
But this one’s different. It has its own Instagram page. To play, you gotta get on the list, reply to the invite emails, and be chosen to come that day. All in pursuit of the best possible games.
They play on Halloween in full costume.
Yearly awards are handed out at their Christmas party, including MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and… Biggest Psycho.
If this wasn’t enough to make me and all my pickup hooper friends jealous…
Every Memorial Day, they descend on a Brooklyn park for a 3-on-3 tournament for a cash prize. A bunch of different brands sponsor the teams and give out free pizza and drinks.
This time I was there, camera-in-hand and nose-to-camera-screen, to create a hero video of the day. I’m really proud of it.
Oh, I forgot to mention…
The stars pop out for the AMHOOPS Memorial Day Cookout.
I talked to Wilson Chandler about his recent trip to Northville, Michigan.
I talked to my friend Hezi God about Russian women.
I gave a head nod to David Jacoby. (He didn’t see me.)
6-year-old me would’ve killed my hamster to play basketball on the streets of NYC. Or even just watch a pickup game. I was nose-to-screen addicted to NBA Street Vol. 2 on the original Xbox, wishing I could jump through the TV and land at Rucker Park.
My dreams were literally of the hoop variety.
I don’t lose sight of just how awesome it is to be living that kid’s dream. Both times I’ve been to NYC have been for the exact same reason.
And I’ll judge each future trip by the same grading system.
Was I on a basketball court?