Pick-up basketball in the city sucks

[TheD0n]

Background I played in two different pick-up games in college - a game with fellow undergraduates, and one with University staff ages 25-60. Each game had its disadvantages, but it was always good-natured fun. I don't know what it is about Chicago, but people here take it way too seriously. I have played at two different gyms around my neighborhood; each experience sucked. Attempt 1 Location: X-Sport Gym The crowd: mostly African-American men ages 25-35, lower class The problems: -fouls committed on every play (I couldn't even make a pass without getting hacked across the arms) -fouls called even when there was none (I absorbed the impact of a 200-pound black man driving to the basket, and he called a foul on me after missing his shot) -at one point people yelled at each other for literally 5 minutes over a loose-ball call. This was common. -after my team won, one of my teammates said to the other team "Get the **** off the court!" These guys are friends who play together regularly

Attempt 2 Location: DePaul's Ray Meyer Fitness Center The crowd: mostly African-American men ages 18-30, middle class The problems: -a complete lack of passing (except for one sweet alley-oop, which was ironically dunked by a 6'1" white guy) -I was fighting for position against the guy I was guarding before the ball was even passed in, and he fuckin throws an elbow at my mid section. Luckily it hit my forearm, which started to cramp up as the game went on. Closing comments These guys are taking pick-up ball way too seriously. To me it's about having fun, getting exercise, and not getting injured (a goal resulting from a shattered knee cap last year). Instead these guys pet their egos with ridiculous shots that go in 20% of the time. Then they seem surprised and upset when their team loses. I'm about to give up on finding good basketball games in the city.

 

[thekunk07]

good pickup games are competitive. If you want to have fun, put a hoop in your yard.

 

[hendrix]

Originally Posted by TheD0n

Background


Attempt 1
Location: X-Sport Gym
The crowd: mostly African-American men ages 25-35, lower class

Attempt 2
Location: DePaul's Ray Meyer Fitness Center
The crowd: mostly African-American men ages 18-30, middle class

Is this information necessary?

How could you tell their "class"? and again, why is it necessary?

 

[db_ggmm]

Detailed post contains details.

 

[TheD0n]

Originally Posted by hendrix

Is this information necessary? How could you tell their "class"? and again, why is it necessary?
From year of playing unorganized basketball I can generalize the type of game that will be played based on the appearance of the players. The color of peoples' skin affects their appearance.

 

[TheD0n]

Originally Posted by thekunk07

good pickup games are competitive. If you want to have fun, put a hoop in your yard.

There is a distinction between good-natured competition and elbow-throwing, incessant-arguing competition. You must partake in the latter.

 

[Davidko19]

Originally Posted by hendrix

Is this information necessary?

How could you tell their "class"? and again, why is it necessary?

ha, the post of a guy who was clearly picked last in school.

No, but seriously... are you ******* with us or just trying to sound like a snob?

there is a HUGE difference between white & black / high & low socioeconomic games in the level of physicality, trash talking, athleticism, organization and acceptance.

 

[chenc]

Do you set up screens for others? Do you pass the ball? Do you step up and make a play (proving your worth)? Do you introduce yourself to others?
I would confront the guy who throws elbow around (it's called communication); otherwise walk away from that game.

 

[rjmaiorano]

You played inner city pick up ball and expected it to be a tea party?

 

[jpeirpont]

You need to toughen up. Be happy you weren't playing against me, I love delivering the properly deserved elbow.

 

[phoenixrecon]

 

[Sesame Seed]

You're lucky not to get your cap peeled back/wig split.

 

[DNW]

Maybe they were just ******* with you because you were a noob. You gotta spend a little time there before you get the respect you think you deserve. That's just street ball, IME.

 

[thekunk07]

you must be a walking vag. toughen up mary.

Originally Posted by TheD0n

There is a distinction between good-natured competition and elbow-throwing, incessant-arguing competition. You must partake in the latter.

 

[Nosu3]

Originally Posted by TheD0n

Closing comments
These guys are taking pick-up ball way too seriously. To me it's about having fun, getting exercise, and not getting injured (a goal resulting from a shattered knee cap last year). Instead these guys pet their egos with ridiculous shots that go in 20% of the time. Then they seem surprised and upset when their team loses. I'm about to give up on finding good basketball games in the city.

This is what most sports have become, sadly. I stopped playing for this reason, unless it's something no contact like volleyball. Even volleyball has become dangerous because people spike the ball every play. How do they expect me to win if I need to take cover?

I watched an episode of the world series and saw they've developed a technique called "checking". It's really just a nicer way of saying that they beat each other with hockey sticks.