Doin' it in the Park: Streetball photos all over the world

The 'Doin it in the Park' doco hosted by Brown Class Cinemas was an inspired night out. The Facebook page has been a great source of photos taken by hoopsheads around the world.

Find the Facebook page here - 'Doin' It In The Park' Facebook

Mombasa, Kenya is Doin' it in the Park... way past dark
Photo courtesy of Malik D

Philippines is Doin' it in the Park
Photo courtesy of Brian Smith

Philippines is Doin' it in the Park
Photo courtesy of Brian Smith

Kevin Couliau: Streetball photographer and co-director of 'Doin' It In The Park : Pick-Up Basketball, NYC'

via the 'Doin' It In The Park' Facebook page

I've been shooting forgotten basketball courts for a decade now. From NYC, the Carribean Islands, The Bahamas, Romania... and now the Greek Islands - it's always fascinating to see how global the game is. Greece might count more playgrounds than any other European country, basketball is a religion over here as well. I took this shot on the beautiful island of Santorini, in the city of Megalochori. I'll share more photos as soon as my 35mm film will be developed and my vacation over ;)
- Kevin Couliau

VIDEO: The Creative Journey ep.02 (DIY Filmmaking)

Kevin Couliau is the co-director of 'Doin' It In The Park' a documentary I'll have the privilege of seeing this Wednesday at a screening courtesy of Brown Class Cinemas. Kevin is a Frenchman with a brilliant portfolio of Photos and Video lovingly capturing the culture of Basketball.

Kevin's exploration of Basketball is an inspiration for my own journey. Whilst Kevin's work is technically and artistically brilliant, the aspect I'm most drawn to is how his documentation and interest in hoops has allowed him to access foreign experiences and connect with strangers who share a mutual love.

When I was traveling around Europe finding basketball experiences, the novelty of me being a curious Australian in a suburban court, coupled with Basketball being a niche interest was the only passport I needed to get accepted by the people. As basketball is more prevalent in America and there would be a lack of novelty being a largely multicultural Country I wonder if there is a higher emphasis on status or bringing "game". I'm looking forward to the documentary shedding some light on those questions.

Explore Kevin Couliau's work here:
- Official site
- Asphalt Chronicles blog
- Facebook page

The price of passion: The killer instincts of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant

Raging Bull and the Black Mamba. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant

Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are famed for their Second to none will to win, a killer instinct that has been known to alienate. Its in contrast with this generation of stars who value fun and camaraderie as they rise through the ranks together and social media bonds them.

Hall of Famer Larry Bird said of Kobe in an interview with Bill Simmons

Larry Bird praises Kobe Bryant
"... he wouldn't have been shooting as much as he does now ... but his desire to win, his dedication, to always get better, uh, and he's just, he's just tough. He's just a tough cat. But, if you want to have fun, like I did with Bill Walton, play with LeBron. It would have probably been more fun to play with LeBron, but if you want to win and win and win, it's Kobe. Not that LeBron's not a winner, just that [Kobe's] mindset is to go into every practice, every game, to get better."

After Kobe Bryant's unprompted ribbing of former teammate Smush Parker, questions resurfaced regarding Kobe's graciousness as a teammate. Smush Parker defended his reputation and shared his side of the story as a guest for 'Hard 2 Guard' radio

Smush Parker: Kobe was a bad teammate, and I stopped passing to him
"Basketball is a team sport. It is team-oriented. It is not an individual sport. It’s not tennis or golf, it is a team sport. When you are the star of the team, you have to make your teammates feel comfortable. You have to make them feel welcome. And he did not do that at all." Though Kobe said Parker didn’t deserve to be in the NBA, Parker says he earned a spot on the Lakers. That didn’t matter to Kobe, who he says completely disrespected him. "I had a workout with the Lakers, beat all the guards out for the starting position, earned a spot on the team. Midway through the first season, I tried to at least have a conversation with Kobe Bryant — he is my teammate, he is a co-worker of mine, I see his face every day I go in to work — and I tried to talk with him about football. He tells me I can’t talk to him. He tells me I need more accolades under my belt before I come talk to him. He was dead serious."

The G.O.A.T Michael Jordan had a similarly fiery reputation but little has surfaced from teammates regarding the harshness of Jordan as a teammate. Personal stories like rapper Chamillionaire's run in with his Airness offer a glimpse of what it might have been like

VIDEO: Michael Jordan's relationship with his teammates (ESPN)

As I've mentioned previously I feel the price of greatness is a stubborn refusal to lose, a skewed mindset that threatens to forsake happiness and harmony with others.

Brown Class Cinema presents Australian screenings of 'Doin' It In The Park: Pick-Up Basketball, NYC'

Doin' It In The Park: Pick-Up Basketball, NYC

Via MSF Facebook page

Attention: Melbourne and Sydney Hoop fans; AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE - Doin' It In The Park: Pick-Up Basketball, NYC...
Don't Miss out on tickets to this unique opportunity to see a new doco film on Street-Basketball, New York City! Limited Tickets Online for $16 through Brown Class Cinema (18+ event): www.brownclasscinema.eventbrite.com.au Get yours quick - Don't say you didn't know! 

Australian Premiere of 'Doin' it in the Park' presented by Brown Class Cinema

Relevant dates for Sydney and Melbourne Heads:
- Friday Oct 12 @ Rancho Notorious (1000 Pound Bend) Melbourne 9:30pm
- Saturday Oct 20 @ Long Play Melbourne 8pm
- Wednesday Oct 24 @ The Red Rattler Sydney 9:30pm

Go to the official 'Doin it in the Park' website
Make sure to leave a comment if you're going, it'll be good to see some of you kids there

VIDEO: DOIN' IT IN THE PARK: PICK-UP BASKETBALL, NYC - Trailer

Update: The 'Doin' It In The Park' Sydney Premiere at the Red Rattler

1UP FILM FESTIVAL, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 10/24/12.
Brown Class Cinema presents 'Doin' It In The Park' @ The Red Rattler, Marrickville

HalfSleeve 3 on 3 Basketball at Maybanke Courts, Pyrmont

Via the cool kids at Half Sleeve
To find video and galleries of their previous 3 on 3 events go here

HalfSleeve 3on3 Basketball 2012 - Registration Open

Its that time of year again!
Our annual 3on3 basketball comp is on again, boys. Bigger and badder in 2012! Get your teams together now and make sure you don’t miss out on your spot to win boatloads of amazing prizes and stake your claim as the supreme team in undoubtedly the dopest 3on3 ball comp in the world! ha. Get excited yo!

Date and Time: Saturday 3rd November. 11-4pm.
Venue: Maybanke Courts. 87 Harris St Pyrmont.
Registration Fee: $50 per team (maximum 5 players)
Download the registration form here: REGISTRATION FORM (download from blue sendspace box)
- Email registration forms back to info@halfsleeve.net (or you can drop it in to the shop).
- All registration forms and payments must be submitted by Saturday 27th October. Only 16 team spots available – first in first served.

Update: The poster is up and the teams have been settled

HalfSleeve 3on3 Basketball
Saturday, November 3, 2013

Other HalfSleeve posts
- HalfSleeve 3 on 3 Basketball at Maybanke Courts, Pyrmont
- HalfSleeve 3on3 Basketball Classic 2012 photos
- Home Game: Basketball in Sydney - HalfSleeve 3on3

Boston Celtics Antoine Walker and Chris Herren on the dark side of Hoop Dreams

Sometimes we forget that life isn't all Hoop Dreams, its a long road and sometimes people lose their way. Below are two examples of NBA players who've reached the mountain top of the NBA but have battled hardship even after getting there.

Chris Herren's confessional book about battling drug addiction whilst trying to make a name for himself in the NBA

Book Excerpt: B-Ball Junkie
People think that when you’re doing drugs you’re high all the time, out partying. They think you’re having fun. That’s not it at all. You’re not having fun. You’re in hell. Without the dope I would be “dope sick,” so sick that I couldn’t do anything, couldn’t even get up. I’d be in a fetal position. You have the sweats one minute, and you’re freezing cold the next. It’s like having the flu with restless legs, because you can’t control them. They’re kickin’ all over the place. You also can’t sleep more than 15 minutes at a time. You wake up in the morning and there’s no blanket, no sheets, the mattress is sideways. And when it gets bad, you want to ram your head into the headboard.

Antoine Walker clears some misconceptions with Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith about how he lost the $110 million fortune he amassed during his 13 year NBA Career.

VIDEO: ESPN 30 for 30 - Antoine Walker, From NBA To Broke