The worst pick up players.

[Blue_Monkey]

Re: The worst pick up players.

I wonder how many people in this thread are actually like some of the guys we are talking about in this thread lol.

Yeah . And I wonder how many guys that are talked about here are actually that bad. In my experience these kinda games generally play out pretty much without problems.

Still a fun thread, cause I've seen some of these guys irl. And the cable guy/office videos are hilarious. I know in high school pick up games me and my friend never passed it to anyone else cause we thought we'd just win on our own (we mostly did, lol). So I hate high school me as a pick up player!

[Yrogergj24]

Re: The worst pick up players.

I had probably the worst one ever on my team yesterday, he would body slam anybody on the other team who went up for a layup.

[Outcast]

Re: The worst pick up players.

I am the worst pickup player

[Weeks]

I had probably the worst one ever on my team yesterday, he would body slam anybody on the other team who went up for a layup.

That's the funniest thing I've heard in a while

[VDusen04]

Re: The worst pick up players.

Yeah . And I wonder how many guys that are talked about here are actually that bad. In my experience these kinda games generally play out pretty much without problems.

Yeah for the most part I don't think these people are game-stoppers or anything. They're typically just "Wait, are you serious?" types of situations. Like I've been on a couple courts where the next game is delayed so a guy can finish his cigarette. I don't get super upset, but it's like, "Wait. . .what? You guys. . .are fine with. . .waiting for him to finish smoking?"

Also, I totally acknowledge that I fit the mold of some of the things mentioned here. Though, I do feel like I've matured over the years. Just like you said you didn't like the high school version of yourself, I've got a couple versions I look back and scoff at as well.

1. For starters, I've definitely had moments where an open gym has ground to a complete halt because I argued a call to the death with someone else. Obviously dumb and not worth it. Conversely, I don't often argue calls in the streets. I live in a relatively nice spot, but I still don't like getting involved with folks I'm not familiar with. Strangely, again, I live in a relatively crime-free area but I recall three weapons incidents at the courts (knife, crowbar, gun - though the guy came back a day later and told everyone it was just a pellet gun). So I feel safe and respected, but I still don't believe in ruffling feathers unnecessarily with people I don't know well.

2. I guarantee I've called a weak foul on one end then disputed a weak call on the other end.

3. I know I've been the ball-hog guy.

4. Just last night, I was in a shooting funk but kept firing away anyhow (thinking of this thread the whole time). I actually honestly think this thread psyched me out. I kept thinking, "I'm THAT guy right now. I need to step up. Maybe I'll shoot another three. Dangit! I'm that guy again." It ended up working out though, through the influence on this board, I made myself attack the rim and finish or create for others. I had to stop settling for the first look. Crisis averted.

5. I try really hard not to be the coach guy, and I'm 99.9% certain I'm not, but there are times where I just want to be like, "Felllllllas, pleaaaaaaaaaase, move without the ball a little. Set a screen. Sommmething." I can't remember if it was this thread here or not, but I mentioned having a problem with people who don't set screens or move without the ball, and another poster called me out on it, saying something like, "What? C'mon, you don't set screens in pick-up ball." That's insane, right? Or have I just been living on a different planet from the rest of us? Because sometimes I'll come down the floor with the ball, and I want to share the rock, but my four teammates are just stationed at a standstill across the court. What'd be the point of passing? What's worse is when I don't have the ball and a down screen would be perfect, but my teammate doesn't understand the concept. Frussssssstrating.

[jeebs9]

Re: The worst pick up players.

I actually will get in anyone face about a call. I don't care if you know or not. I never let it get to fighting. Maybe some light hearted **** talking but never let it go on pass that. After every game I always say good game.

[wwharton]

Re: The worst pick up players.

I can't remember if it was this thread here or not, but I mentioned having a problem with people who don't set screens or move without the ball, and another poster called me out on it, saying something like, "What? C'mon, you don't set screens in pick-up ball." That's insane, right? Or have I just been living on a different planet from the rest of us? Because sometimes I'll come down the floor with the ball, and I want to share the rock, but my four teammates are just stationed at a standstill across the court. What'd be the point of passing? What's worse is when I don't have the ball and a down screen would be perfect, but my teammate doesn't understand the concept. Frussssssstrating.

Yes, that is insane. I've always found it funny how many "talented" teams you can beat in a pick up game by doing things like setting screens, boxing out, getting back on defense and passing the ball well. A lot of times I'll sacrifice offense to set screens just to get some movement. The best is when you set screens and the guy always runs away from it. Absolutely love when that happens... especially multiple times.

[clipperfan811]

Re: The worst pick up players.

Yes, that is insane. I've always found it funny how many "talented" teams you can beat in a pick up game by doing things like setting screens, boxing out, getting back on defense and passing the ball well. A lot of times I'll sacrifice offense to set screens just to get some movement. The best is when you set screens and the guy always runs away from it. Absolutely love when that happens... especially multiple times.

I understand people have different levels of basketball experience but when I see that going on in a game I really start to worry.

[jfsolo]

Re: The worst pick up players.

I play with people who are competitive, but everyone gets along, and all the game are in gyms, invite only, so everyone know not to bring any of the bad citizens/prima donnas that they know.

I've played at the same 3 gyms for at least 10 years, so everyone has become like brothers. Its good because we can call each other out when we don't get back on D or take poor shots, or do any of the bonehead stuff that one might do. We'll yell at each other during the game, but when its over, its all instantly forgotten.

[VDusen04]

Re: The worst pick up players.

I understand people have different levels of basketball experience but when I see that going on in a game I really start to worry.

You'd be surprised, man. I've had that same thing happen to me. I've now begun to preface my screens with "C'mon, man. This way" because I've noticed it's not necessarily players not knowing what to do with screens, they're often just too lazy to use them. But I've found telling to them to "come this way" kind of guilts them into having to use it.

And isn't it just the darndest thing when you actually get your team to move around a little on offense and then a chest pass and bounce pass later, you have a backdoor layup? I'm not a super fundamentals nut either. I love dunking and swatting shots and crossovers and whatnot, but I can sure as hell appreciate when the ball movement is crisp and the offball movement efficient, and the backdoor pass on the money.

[Yrogergj24]

Re: The worst pick up players.

I must be going to the dumb*** gym, got another one for ya

Spoiler

The other day, I head up to the gym to play BBall, there is this newb who started coming there who is 6'5" at least, so I picked him first for my team. He thinks he is Shaq, Wilt and Dikembe Mutombo. Every shot was either a failed dunk, and the one time he actually makes it, he thinks he is god, or a hook shot that bricks of front iron. Also, every time someone shot other than him (that includes the rest of his and my team), he would go and try to Dikembe-Style reject it into the next gym.

[Weeks]

Re: The worst pick up players.

^Haha, the stuff you've been posting is hilarious

[st0rmb11]

Re: The worst pick up players.

I must be going to the dumb*** gym, got another one for ya

The other day, I head up to the gym to play BBall, there is this newb who started coming there who is 6'5" at least, so I picked him first for my team. He thinks he is Shaq, Wilt and Dikembe Mutombo. Every shot was either a failed dunk, and the one time he actually makes it, he thinks he is god, or a hook shot that bricks of front iron. Also, every time someone shot other than him (that includes the rest of his and my team), he would go and try to Dikembe-Style reject it into the next gym.

That may be one of the most annoying things a pick up player can do (in my opinion). Try to block EVERY single shot. I would rather have the big guy that refuses to go near the paint than have the big guy that wants to block every shot, often leaving his man wide open for a put back. Then, to compound it, he'll bitch and moan to his teammates about not blocking out and covering for him.

The only thing I think I hate worse is what one of my friends does. he's a very good player when he plays the game right. but every single time we play, at least 5 or 6 times we have to get on him about trying to avoid contact and going up soft. when he goes up strong inside, he scores 9 out of 10 times. and the time he doesn't, the other guy usually calls a foul because he mugged him. but for some reason, he insists on changing his shot in mid-air, avoiding all contact, which 10 times out of 10, causes the ball to avoid making any contact with the rim. I understand that sometimes, that's the approach you'll have to take in order to get a shot off. believe me, I'm someone who can and will change my shot in mid-air if there is no way I can get the shot off without doing so. but to do it for no reason just urks me.



and this isn't really a single player, it's more of a product of 5 or 6 guys (3 per team, roughly). I hate when games turn into a no defense, streetball fest, where every possession turns into a 2 on 2 or 3 on 2 or whatever fast break, where guys end up cherry picking and not playing any defense. the game ultimately becomes a turnovers fest until I'm able to get my hands on the ball and slow the whole damn thing down and make it resemble a basketball game again. I guess you usually run into these kind of games with people that aren't serious basketball players.

[jeebs9]

Re: The worst pick up players.

I understand people have different levels of basketball experience but when I see that going on in a game I really start to worry.

I played with this Kid who would wave off picks. The first few times he made nice passes. But after that he just kept waving them off. I just stood there on defense as he went one on one.

But for the chuck wagons... I bring up the ball now. And pass it to anyone else not chucking.

[VDusen04]

Re: The worst pick up players.

The only thing I think I hate worse is what one of my friends does. he's a very good player when he plays the game right. but every single time we play, at least 5 or 6 times we have to get on him about trying to avoid contact and going up soft. when he goes up strong inside, he scores 9 out of 10 times. and the time he doesn't, the other guy usually calls a foul because he mugged him. but for some reason, he insists on changing his shot in mid-air, avoiding all contact, which 10 times out of 10, causes the ball to avoid making any contact with the rim. I understand that sometimes, that's the approach you'll have to take in order to get a shot off. believe me, I'm someone who can and will change my shot in mid-air if there is no way I can get the shot off without doing so. but to do it for no reason just urks me.

and this isn't really a single player, it's more of a product of 5 or 6 guys (3 per team, roughly). I hate when games turn into a no defense, streetball fest, where every possession turns into a 2 on 2 or 3 on 2 or whatever fast break, where guys end up cherry picking and not playing any defense. the game ultimately becomes a turnovers fest until I'm able to get my hands on the ball and slow the whole damn thing down and make it resemble a basketball game again. I guess you usually run into these kind of games with people that aren't serious basketball players.

In regards to your friend, I bet we all could relate that to someone we know. I know someone exactly like you described - he has this fear that someone, somewhere, is going to block his layup every play if he doesn't double clutch. And I have other acquaintances who knowingly double clutch just because I get the feeling they want their shot to look tight.

This is going to sound. . .funny. . .having me say this about myself, but in a couple of different regions, I've been accused of driving too hard at certain times. One of the more annoying phrases I hear a thousand times is something like, "Man, if this a real game I'd be drawing charges on you left and right." My feeling is, "Yeah, but it's not, you won't, and you didn't." Last year, I had a college player take a charge on me in a random open gym. I did the ol' "Whhhat? You. . .draw charges in streetball?" and another guy turned and reasoned, "Well, you do go to the rack kind of hard." What's that supposed to mean? Am I supposed to restrict myself from going to the rim too much (and when I do attack, maybe do it at half speed) because hypothetically someone might be there ready to take a charge if this were a real game?

And to your final paragraph, I've definitely been a part of that situation. It's the dreaded "We've been playing for two hours and we're all tired and therefore now lazy" maneuver. For years, in open gyms or at the courts, it's the tell-tale sign that the night is over. It seems we always push ourselves one game past what we should. And then that last game ends up being full of the antics you mentioned and often we recognize this and do not finish. Though, sometimes we recognize it, decide to restart and run a quick, hard one to seven.