Grantland: Decline of Basketball in NYC

[Chuck Everett]

NYC is now a playground for the rich. I grew up there in the 80's and 90's before they totally transformed the city. I went to/played for Bayside and I used to hate playing at schools like Newtown, Beach Channel or August Martin. Small gyms, not regulation. You go to Indiana and they have these huge arenas for high schools.

In many ways, it's a shock NYC stayed on top for as long as it did.

[sortpar]

The problem is weather and access to quality basketball courts for our youth.

If we take the logic that low-income neighborhoods are the top breeding grounds for basketball talent, then it should be known that these young kids practice outdoors in their local park. But due to the fact that New York's weather is horrible and we endure 5-6 months of winter every year, these bad weather conditions contribute as a deterrent to young low-income kids to play basketball during these months.

At the same time, players from other parts of the country who have more favorable weather conditions all year around gain a leg up. Let us not even mention the fact that the access to quality indoor basketball courts is a lot easier in the suburbs or in a city that most people have access to a car.

Also, when the article writes about Brampton, Ontario as being a better breeding ground for top 5 NBA draft talent, my only response is even the sun shines on a dog's ass some days as well.

Brampton produces NBA talent. Toronto does not. Toronto has 2.6 million people. Brampton has 500,000. Brampton has space and cheap access to good rec centres. Toronto has no space and a budget stretched to the breaking point. It's the same in every city centre. The athletes migrate to the suburbs.

I would be interested as to your source of information regarding space & budget issues for the city of Toronto.

[Call Saul]

This article sounds like it should be applied to hiphop in NY as well

Sent from my PantechP9060

Mainstream hip hop is weak though. On the battle seen NY is still holding it down.
DNA, and Hollow da Don reppin. Queenz!

[Call Saul]

NYC is now a playground for the rich. I grew up there in the 80's and 90's before they totally transformed the city. I went to/played for Bayside and I used to hate playing at schools like Newtown, Beach Channel or August Martin. Small gyms, not regulation. You go to Indiana and they have these huge arenas for high schools.

In many ways, it's a shock NYC stayed on top for as long as it did.

Yeah you got me thinking of " he got game" when Shuttlesworth goes to" Tech U" and you see that gym. lol!
A lot of native new yorkers left and relocated down south because new york left them, ( high prices for housing, no income tax, better quality of life....) St. johns used to be a power house and things declined and that's why I respect Melo. He went to cuse to do it NY and plays for the Knicks cause he ain't shook like some of his peers.

[Meat]

The problem is weather and access to quality basketball courts for our youth.

If we take the logic that low-income neighborhoods are the top breeding grounds for basketball talent, then it should be known that these young kids practice outdoors in their local park. But due to the fact that New York's weather is horrible and we endure 5-6 months of winter every year, these bad weather conditions contribute as a deterrent to young low-income kids to play basketball during these months.

At the same time, players from other parts of the country who have more favorable weather conditions all year around gain a leg up. Let us not even mention the fact that the access to quality indoor basketball courts is a lot easier in the suburbs or in a city that most people have access to a car.

Also, when the article writes about Brampton, Ontario as being a better breeding ground for top 5 NBA draft talent, my only response is even the sun shines on a dog's ass some days as well.

this is pretty much spot on. basketball is a sport that requires 1 thing a ball, it's a common man's game. same with football. how many kids in ny played basketball with a ball and a crate nailed to a lamp post. as the city gentrifies and the overall wealth does this becomes less and less prevalent. kids in ny just have a lot more options now when it comes to recreational sports

[prophet_of_rage]

The problem is weather and access to quality basketball courts for our youth.

If we take the logic that low-income neighborhoods are the top breeding grounds for basketball talent, then it should be known that these young kids practice outdoors in their local park. But due to the fact that New York's weather is horrible and we endure 5-6 months of winter every year, these bad weather conditions contribute as a deterrent to young low-income kids to play basketball during these months.

At the same time, players from other parts of the country who have more favorable weather conditions all year around gain a leg up. Let us not even mention the fact that the access to quality indoor basketball courts is a lot easier in the suburbs or in a city that most people have access to a car.

Also, when the article writes about Brampton, Ontario as being a better breeding ground for top 5 NBA draft talent, my only response is even the sun shines on a dog's ass some days as well.

Brampton produces NBA talent. Toronto does not. Toronto has 2.6 million people. Brampton has 500,000. Brampton has space and cheap access to good rec centres. Toronto has no space and a budget stretched to the breaking point. It's the same in every city centre. The athletes migrate to the suburbs.

I would be interested as to your source of information regarding space & budget issues for the city of Toronto.

I live and coach in Toronto. It is stuff I have to deal with all the time.Permits are rare and expensive for poor facilities whereas in Brampton they are relatively cheaper, much more modern and far more accessible. In Toronto you're a s likely to find a pilates class being held on a basketball court as not.

[MaseInYourFace]

The problem is weather and access to quality basketball courts for our youth.

If we take the logic that low-income neighborhoods are the top breeding grounds for basketball talent, then it should be known that these young kids practice outdoors in their local park. But due to the fact that New York's weather is horrible and we endure 5-6 months of winter every year, these bad weather conditions contribute as a deterrent to young low-income kids to play basketball during these months.

At the same time, players from other parts of the country who have more favorable weather conditions all year around gain a leg up. Let us not even mention the fact that the access to quality indoor basketball courts is a lot easier in the suburbs or in a city that most people have access to a car.

Also, when the article writes about Brampton, Ontario as being a better breeding ground for top 5 NBA draft talent, my only response is even the sun shines on a dog's ass some days as well.

Weather is a factor but I don't think it's the main one. Chicago for instance has a worse version of NYC weather and they seem to be producing a lot more players these days.

[j4remi]

Just replying to this to make sure I can find it later and read the article, edit in thoughts when I get the chance.

[blueNorange]

ny basketball players are notorious for being overhyped and disappointing