BallUp Houston - Open Run

BallUp is a streetball tour with an official team that goes from city to city giving fans a show with high flying alley-oops and ankle breaking crossovers that often embarrass courageous defenders. In the morning, an open tryout is held for the locals to compile a team of ten to compete against the BallUp squad. In the evening, the ten locals try to hold their own and not get run out of the gym in their own city.

On a Sunday in early July, BallUp came to Houston and sought out talent at Root Memorial Park across the street from the Toyota Center. About 75-100 guys showed up, registered, went through drills and played games to show who was best. A handful of players showed how well they could shoot, how high they could jump and how terrible their game was right at the beginning of the tryout.

After a couple of hours, the final ten were chosen and a match up with the BallUp team was looming in the very near future. Here are a few of the highlights. Shout out to SwaggyP who coached the H-Tine team.

3 On 3 For All The Marbles: Part II

Since last years tournament for 'all the marbles', I've kept in touch with the car club that organizes the day of festivities. Usually at the beginning of the summer, they host the tournament, with no entry fee, and dole out a $600 cash prize to the last team standing. This day was no different.

A grueling afternoon of intense 3-on-3 action was both the fuel and the fatigue of each team. Competition was fierce and the players were clawing for not only respect, but also $600 for winning basketball games. It's ALMOST like being in the NBA, right?

Just like last year, the champion hailed from "The Heights" and they were very vocal about it (you probably even recognize some familiar faces). The defenders of the crown made it to the final game but lost to a younger version of themselves from the same neighborhood. Shout out to everyone who kept it civil in a game where at times it can be hard. Especially when you throw some greenbacks into the mix.

Blacktop Basketball

You've heard the term "blacktop" before. It generally refers to any outdoor basketball court in an urban environment and it includes this one. Roosevelt Park located at 10th and P St. is my home court here in Sacramento. But this "blacktop" has an actual blacktop surface that absorbs and retains a lot of heat during the summer days. It will also destroy the palms of your hands if you put them down catch yourself or break a fall. My advice? Maintain your balance.

I shot these back in July of some guys that I regularly play with, but they probably got lost in the shuffle of summer weddings and honeymoon travels. I could go on and on about how much I looooooooove this game, but I'll keep it short and just post some pictures. Shout out to outdoor basketball...there's nothing like it.

The Goodman League: Day 3

Day 3 of my Goodman League coverage and we take the basketball party inside to the hardwood. During the weekend the Goodman League oversees the Goodman Coalition which showcases 2 high school and 3 pro-am contests at Spingarn High School in Washington DC. Unlike in the outdoor games, the participants are a little more eager to hit the floor for loose balls and take a chance on the lightning quick passes that miss their mark under the darkness inside "da Gates".

So far I'm 3 for 3 in shooting on days where former and current NBA players show up. The first two times it was Kevin Durant. This time it was Ty Lawson and all time Big East leading scorer (who knew?) and Syracuse alum Lawrence Moten, scoring at will at 39 years of age. James Harden got major props for putting in 51 at The Drew League out in LA but Lawson came through with 47...that's gotta be good for something right? AND Old Man Moten poured in 33.

A few observations:

- Ty Lawson is quicker than I am

- Bobby Maze former Tennessee Volunteer (yellow Adidas) looks a lot like Allen Iverson

- Coaches were actually coaching

- Lawrence Moten (cornrows) was born to score

- ink, ink and more ink

Shout out once again to Miles and Mac for keeping the Goodman going.