OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

[bgeno]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

I'm 5'5'' and slow... can't shoot... can't jump... can't handle.

When I used to play a decent amount in my freshman year of college (just shoddy pick-up games at the intramural sports building), I just basically stuck to what I WAS good at: defense, slashing, passing.

I'll typically pick out the smallest guy on the other team, granted he's not too quick, and man him up. The thing I've noticed about the pick up games I played in is that most righties can't handle with their left hand. So I would just give the guy the left side, and he couldn't do anything with it because if he tried taking it with his right hand I had the wide open steal.

I liked to drive guys crazy away when playing defense away from the ball. I always have my fore-arm in their chest... always have them within arm's length... getting little tugs on their shirt just to piss them off... get them out of their game... hahaha... it's fun.

When I got the ball with some space, I took it. I loved driving to the hole, spotting the guy in the corner and dishing it out for the wide open J.

I get more satisfaction out of a nice pass that results in a bucket than I do out of scoring for myself. Nothing makes me feel better than controlling the ball at the point and throwing a rocket into the paint through three defenders and right into my big man's hands so he can turn and get the easy bucket... then just give the guy a little nod, turn around, and find my man.

I miss playing basketball. I suck at it, but I had so much fun.

[Marino]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

To be 100% honest I don't know. I'm sure they do daily things, it can't be too much.

They might make you take a tour or something though...so I'm not sure if it's worth it.

Is there a spot in Charlotte to play basketball? I might just go to a YMCA or something and I'm fairly certain you can pay for a day there.

I normally play at Winget Park. My friend said that they just opened up an indoor court which makes it only 5 bucks to play there. The outside courts are free. I use to play at the Y but I don't have a membership anymore. I don't know if they added courts to the new YMCA in that area near the movie theater.

[stewaat]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

I normally play at Winget Park. My friend said that they just opened up an indoor court which makes it only 5 bucks to play there. The outside courts are free. I use to play at the Y but I don't have a membership anymore. I don't know if they added courts to the new YMCA in that area near the movie theater.

Where is Winget Park?
Get a good crowd?

I'd pay $5 to play at some indoor courts. YMCA would probably be more expensive...because that's how they do.

[Marino]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

Where is Winget Park?
Get a good crowd?

I'd pay $5 to play at some indoor courts. YMCA would probably be more expensive...because that's how they do.

It is off of 160. Depending on the way you go. If you come from 49 you need will go past the library then veer off to the left. Then go down that street and take the first right. Then you stay on that street all the way until you see the park. If need be we could meet up at the harris teeter then you follow me.

There are good crowds on the weekend. Or at least it use to be. I havent played there in around 6 months but normally there will be people out there to play.

I haven't played inside yet but my friend that lives in that area said it is pretty nice.

[stewaat]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

Open Gym Basketball:
Mon, Wed, Fri 7pm - 9pm

Wow that's a terrible schedule!!!

[Marino]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

Open Gym Basketball:
Mon, Wed, Fri 7pm - 9pm

Wow that's a terrible schedule!!!

LOL that is why I play outside most of the time. But I do not mind paying 5-10 dollars to play at Peak Fitness or the Y.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

I'm short and out of shape.

When I'm on the court, though, I'm playing my *** off. If you play with 100% hustle and play defense, you'll be fine.

[stewaat]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

LOL that is why I play outside most of the time. But I do not mind paying 5-10 dollars to play at Peak Fitness or the Y.

Well I don't know how far you are from the Peak Fitness I was talking about but I'll be up there tonight. If you go I'm the 6-3 white guy...shouldn't be hard to miss...I'm one of two white guys who plays up there. I'll be there from 5:45-8ish hopefully...Tuesday night is usually a good crowd.

Take $5 up there and be like "Hey I just want to play basketball...I don't want a memberhip, take it or leave it"

[Marino]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

Well I don't know how far you are from the Peak Fitness I was talking about but I'll be up there tonight. If you go I'm the 6-3 white guy...shouldn't be hard to miss...I'm one of two white guys who plays up there. I'll be there from 5:45-8ish hopefully...Tuesday night is usually a good crowd.

Take $5 up there and be like "Hey I just want to play basketball...I don't want a memberhip, take it or leave it"

I am 10 minutes or so away from there. I may just go up there tonight.

[stewaat]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

I am 10 minutes or so away from there. I may just go up there tonight.

Cool I'm heading up there now.

Just a warning: If you suck I don't know you.

Just playing haha...kinda

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

I'm 6'4 and I definitely know what I can and can't do lol:

Can:
Grab Rebounds
Block Shots
Get Hustle Points
Great Defender(in the post or on the perimeter)
Good Offensive Post Game

Can't:
Shoot any jumpers 8 feet and back lol
Below Average Ball Handler(will bring the ball up the court and OCCASIONALY run the fast break)
Struggle against players 5'9 and under
Below Average Dunker(broke my ankle twice a few years back and haven't quite regained that spring and don't know if I ever will)

[WDOgF0reL1fe]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

Thing I do the most.

Jump Step.

Seriously, it helps so much. When you want to split two defenders in order to get a layup, jump hop right between them. Make sure not to take any steps BEFORE the jump hop though, cause that is very easy to see traveling.

However, a step or two after the jump hop is fine and makes you look BALLINNNN

[J.R. Locke]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

Another tip is get warmup shots in. If you play at the same place everyday it isn't so bad but if you are coming into a new gym get some shots up and warmup well before you just start playing. I know a lot of guys who don't warmup at all and it affects there game a lot.

I was at University of Illinois over the summer and I walked into the gym and guys had 9 and needed 1. So I jumped right into a game having never taken a shot. For the next hour I was airballing everything short. Shots were on line and perfect except my depth perception was completely skewed (dark gym) and everything was short.

Also confidence is key. I used to play with this 5'10 guy at Wright St. in Dayton. He was quick as all hell, nice handle and could finish with either hand well. But this dude was bipolar on the court. If his confidence was high he was unbelievable (better than WSU current PG's) but if he missed his first jumpers he was nonexistent on the court. Don't get too high and don't get too low.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

Good One JR.

If you haven't play any type of ball or haven't done any type of exercising in 2+ months or more, do NOT, I repeat do NOT expect to be able to hang around for more than one game.

I've made this mistake PLENTY of times where I'll play ball for like 4 months straight, take a break for like a month and then try to hop back on the court thinking I'll be alright. After about the 4th up/down on the court, I already got my hands on my knees gasping for air lol

[stewaat]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

Well Marino and I played tonight.

Marino, I'm sorry man. It's clear what happened tonight...the race card was played (there are very few white guys up there...that's just how it goes). Marino is 6-3 white guy who is lanky. He's a glue guy IMO. He'll play defense, hustle, pass the ball, and make open shots. The problem is he's almost too tall to match up against other people because he doesn't have enough weight on his frame.

He was matched up against me and it just wasn't fair. Not trying to be arrogant, but I had probably 40 lbs on him and we're the same height. He did score on me that bastard! He hustled on an offensive board and put it back. You got me!
*If this is inaccurate by any stretch come in here and correct me*

Next time if you go up there I'll do my best to get you on my team man.

Since it's human nature to talk about ourselves!

Can:
Stick with almost anyone on defense. I'll guard little guys who are pretty quick...and can body up guys who are a couple inches taller than me. If the little guy is too quick or the big is too strong down low I try my best to hold my own.
Shoot from anywhere. I have a quick release and I am not hesitant to shoot.
Anticipate. On defense I'll usually get steals when I jump passes.
Haha that's about all! But hey shooters are really important, especially when you play 1's & 2's.
I can run for days. I sweat a lot and might look tired but I'll run up and down the floor all day and not slow down...too much...
COMMUNICATOR...TALK IT UP FELLAS!
*Shooter who hustles on D and pretty athletic/strong.

Can't:
Dribble. I am not going to juke anybody out. Sometimes I try and look stupid and/or lose the ball.
Dunk consistently...YET! I'm gonna work on this...
Block shots. I don't know what happened to me. I've lost my ability here. I used to be a shot blocker. It kills me that I've lost this recently...I need to get it back!
Need to be better getting open. I get open often but I need to be more aggressive.