As the spring season comes into full bloom, so too does that venerable institution known as playground basketball. And with the popularity of the pick-up game growing by leaps and bounds, more and more of you are no doubt flocking to the courts to be part of the action. And, no doubt, more and more of you are becoming hopelessly confused.
With that in mind, here follows The Chronicle's exclusive guide to playground hoops at Duke. Read it. Know it. Live it.
We'll start with a clarification of some simple rules.
Each basket counts as one point, whether it's a lay-up, a jumper from downtown or a reverse-over-the-head-in-your-face dunk. First team to 12 wins. Victors stay on the court. Losers walk.
Defense calls the walks, carries and out-of-bounds. Offense calls the fouls, but no one calls offensive fouls. Every player must argue every call, and the disputes must be of such magnitude and duration to make the Supreme Court look like a mock trial.
Next, a brief word on proper vocabulary.
The ball is not called a ball, but a "rock," as in "give me the rock" or "shoot the rock." By contrast, someone who can "ball" is a good player, and when someone asks if you "ball," they are inquiring about your basketball abilities. The term "ball" can be used in phrases like "ball's in" or "ball game," meaning that play has begun, or it may be spoken alone by an offensive player in the act of shooting to indicate a foul. The proper response for a defensive player in the latter situation is "Get the f-- out of here," a phrase which maintains the spirit of open debate that pervades the court.
Similar confusion arises from the fact that a game is not called a game but a "run." A player who "has game," on the other hand, is one who can ball. The term "game," shouted as the winning shot drops through the hoop, designates the end of a "run." For added effect, a player who "has game" might yell "game" as he releases this last shot and watches the rock swish through the net.
If you're interested in sounding truly advanced, you may want to try a few more technical terms. A player who makes most of his jumpers does not shoot them, he "rains" them. An especially skilled dribbler has a good "handle." Someone who skies above the rim for spectacular dunks on offense or spectacular blocks on defense has "crazy hops" or "nice ups." When such a player executes a thunderous slam, he does not dunk the ball, he "throws" it; when he rejects a shot, he does not block it, he "caps" it.
All such compliments should, of course, be reserved for players on your own team, or for yourself. Insults directed at opponents may be limited to a simple yet effective "Yo' mama."
Now that you've got the vocabulary, you're ready to head out to the court.
If you're looking for a few outdoor runs, your first option is West Campus' pride and joy, The Bubble. To the untrained eye, it's a first class outdoor facility, with three courts, a full lighting system and a smooth and well-maintained playing surface.
Discerning players, however, will notice that the rims at The Bubble are often loose from their fittings, while shooters who like to kiss the ball off the glass will not appreciate the thin wooden backboards. Those with game will likewise not appreciate the lack of game to be found at The Bubble.
The next stop on the outdoor circuit is Central Campus, which offers only two courts, but a lot more game. Gone are the days of summer, when 100-plus Durham residents and Duke students would line the fences waiting for a late evening run, but Central still maintains some of that classic mystique.
A diverse mix of students and non-students adds flavor to this location. It's not a rare sight to see players here stop a run each time down the court to dispute a call. Gravel and uneven surfaces on the court itself only add to the fun.
For a real taste of excitement, however, you'll need to head indoors to Card Gym. This is where the true players ball. This is where you'll see players with crazy hops throwing down the rock and capping their opponents almost at will. This is where you'll get a chance to run with guys who have some serious game.
It's also the only place where you might see Tony Moore dribble up court through traffic, pull up at the three-point line and rain jumpers all afternoon--all the while singing the latest in his ever-growing repertoire of hip hop hits. Most often it's something by Method Man or the Notorious B.I.G. If you're lucky, he'll bust out some Barry White.
Other facilities offer the occasional run, but are more often used for casual one-on-one games or lonely practice sessions. But elsewhere on the courts of Card, Central and sometimes even The Bubble, playground basketball is much more than practice, and much more than casual.
It's competition in its purest form. It's a game played for pride and honor. It's some of the best basketball you'll see played at Duke.
And now, it can include you.
See you on the court.
Ball's in.
Abe Wehmiller is a Trinity senior and assistant sports editor of The Chronicle.
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