Playing down at the University of Houston gym I got jumped by 3 dudes. It was a physical game the whole time and then after a block I yelled something like 'that's right'. Walking back to play defense I got grabbed from behind and two dudes pounded me. Anyway, that was the last time I played there. Not worth it.
Back when I was 23 or so, I had moved to NJ to teach school. One of my new colleagues and I went looking for a game. We couldn't find one but we found an empty playground so we starting shooting and playing 1-1. After a few minutes, these two locals show up and want to play 2-2. We start playing and in the first few minutes I block about 4 of this guy's shots. With the last block, this guy throws a roundhouse punch to the back of my head. The other two guys grabbed him and calmed him down. Game over, though. Another time, with this same friend, we went to the Community Center in Charlotte to play some hoops with some of his friends. We are chatting and shooting and warming up. When the game starts (and I mean within the first 10 seconds), the guy guarding me grabs me by the shoulder from behind and pulls me to the ground... and acts like nothing happened. I guess he was angling for the intimidation factor because he really didn't try to hurt or hurt me. I think he wanted me just to think that he was a psycho would could go off at any time....
this reminds me of the time I posted you up like a b*tch and made you my whipping boy (I couldn't decide on which smiley to convey my joking demeanor in this sentence, so pick one as you please) all joking aside, I have always thrived on people underestimating my game. they see fat out of shape kid with hair that hasn't been combed this decade and think "chump". Although they are dead on with the chump assessment, I definitely have some game. 6'4" wingspan on a 6'1" body doesn't hurt. I hit jumpers from everywhere, rebound consistently and have a good grasp on post defense. There is genuinely no better feeling than a turn around jumper in a six foot four black guy's face who thinks you are a clown. ps jamie I have a jump shot now. ya, i know.. ridiculous.
If I wern't 1200 miles away and with two bad wheels I'd play. I played 3-4 times a week into my mid-forties. Game over now though...
Back in HS one of my classmates was playing in a public court and some dudes joined him. Then they told him they wanted his truck. He thought they were joking and told them stop messing around. They eventually shot him dead for his truck. To this day I still don't know if the cops found those thugs. I don't have an urge to play with strangers in a public bball court since then.
Dunk and posterize his ass if you can dunk. If you cant, just play ball and call a technical on him. Jk, but seriously, just play balli ts part of the game
One time I got in a fight. My mom got scared. She said "you're moving with your auntie and uncle in Bel-air."
Its not worth it to get in a fight especially over something as stupid as trash talking on the bball court. My strategy is to be play well and be self-deprecating. About 5 years ago when I could still ball I was playing 21 with some kids at my neighborhood park. They were wannabe gangstas playing with their shorts halfway down their @sses and talking trash nonstop. At some point one of them says he was "gonna go Ron Artest on me." I replied I was going to go "Jeff Hornacek" on them. That got them laughing and I calmly proceeded to dominate them with an array of outside shots and underhanded layups. Now leaving taking the high road aside there still are ways to put a guy in his place without fighting. Once I was playing ball in college with a guy who wasn't very coordinated and a jerk to boot. He litterally tackled a guy on my team during the game. At one point I was going up for a rebound and he grabbed my arm and pulled me down. Next play when he went up for a rebound I footswept him and fell flat on his @ss hard. The best part was that he didn't realize that I had footswept him but seemed to get the message to tone down his play.
Same with me. The worst part is that I'm not yet in my 40's and I've got two bad wheels already. If I'm Houston next time there is a CF.net pickup game I'll try to make it but don't expect much from me.
Why do people have a need to talk trash? Just play the game, everyone can see who is trashing who on the court.
well, there is a difference between trash talking and a butthole. i can talk trash talking if it's related to basketball. but sometimes they bring your family in the coversation and insult you in ways that doesn't involve any basketball. that's when i get pissed off.
Trash talking is part of the game, a vital part at that, especially in pickup games. Playing with all the homies at the local park has made me realize that you almost HAVE to talk trash. It's a way to get into the player's head. Mess with his emotions. I still don't do it, as it isn't my thing. But man, at that park, they ALL talk mess. It's all psychological, man.
