What's everybody's ball experience?

[sly fly]

Just curious. What is everybody's basketball pedigree here?

It would be good to put some "faces" behind these posts. Did/does anyone play pro, college, high school? Or, has anybody coached?

I'll start. I played a couple years of JUCO ball (Glendale C.C.) in the early 90's. And, coached a few summer camps right after that.

6'1", 185 lb. point guard. Scorer, but not a classic pure shooter. Would rather hound someone defensively and make him make mistakes. I love to run. Get the rebound and go.

I lived for park ball. You could find me (and a buddy) at the parks 6-7 days a week. We would look for two-on-two from dusk until they turned the lights off at parks throughout the Valley. I could right a book about what went on.

Still playing in good city leagues. But, my knees and ankles are feeling the effects of those years on the hard stuff.
Thinking about "retiring", as a blown knee or ankle doesn't sound too appetizing at this point in my life!

 

[King A]

at 22 i played for about 9 years.
at 1st in school and then in a club but now just for keeping fit.
Sub leagues only. I think i'm far too young for choaching and in the leagues i'm playing at 6-1 i can play nearly every postion though i can't really play point against a pressing defense.

 

[Joe Mama]

I think I'm the epitome of the armchair basketball coach. I love to play basketball as a kid, especially in the neighborhood games. My organized basketball experiences next to nil. I've been an avid Phoenix Suns/ NBA watcher for the last 16-17 years. That's about it. I'm really not qualified to judge the Phoenix Suns, but I do it anyways.

Joe Mama

 

[arthurracoon]

I played lots of YMCA B-ball until I was 12. After that, I stopped playing organized b-ball, but I still play lots of other times.

 

[Ryanwb]

What's everybody's ball experience?

Well, I was taking a bath and I was about 9 and I happened to notice...

Oh you mean basketball? Played in high school but never got off the bench because I played at Mt. View

 

[PhiLLmattiC]

I started playing ball when i was about in the sxth grade. I became addicted an i started playing everyday after school, in the summer, pretty much anytime i had free time. I finally made my high schol team senior year but got kicked off because of grades (i played basketball rather than do my hw). I played one year of college ball at the Cooper Union. I'm more of a pure shooter. I'm a 5'10" 175 point guard was switched to a shooting guard position at cooper. i wasn't tall enuff to defend but im pretty strong in he post. Right now I'm transfering so I'll probably be playing for RISD next season.

 

[SirStefan32]

Played junior league back in Serbian all the time, played one year (9th grade) in England, and played two seasons in New York and Texas. (junior and senior year after skipping sophmore season due to knee injury.) 6'1 220 lb very undersized PF. Always averaged over 19, 12 and 5. Hook shot and 15 foot jumpers are my main weapons.

Not much of a defender though. (rebounding not included)

 

[Goldfield]

Allways watched NBA ball.

And I played ALOT of playground/street ball untill afew years out of highschool.

Bow I try to get the guy together when ever we can to play. (which isnt very ofter )

 

[Chaplin]

6'1", 165, lightning quick, but usually played more of a swingman/small forward position. Good emphasis on offense and defense, I use my long arms a lot more to get steals and blocks, which I never used to do. Passing is also a lot better, but I still tend to try to score more than pass. Working on a crossover move that gets better every day. I'm usually one of the better players on the court, but usually when I join pickup games I'm very hesitant. If I'm familiar with the guys I'm playing with, I'm much better. My jumpshot is much better in a game than it is in a shootaround.

As for experience, I used to hate the game of basketball as a freshman in high school, but then I started playing it a little in 10th grade, and got hooked. I'm 28 now and play basketball twice a week at lunch down from my work at a gym. Will probably up that to 3 or 4 times in a week or so if I can get out on the weekend. I'd play more, but I also play soccer twice a week.

 

[George O'Brien]

Just "Y" ball as a kid.

As a fan, I was mostly into the college game until the mid '80's. It took me a long time get a feeling for the pro game because it is so much different.

 

[schutd]

Band ***.

 

[sly fly]

Where are you errntnight? slinslin? sunsfan69? elindholm? jbeecham? anyone else?

 

[sly fly]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
I'm really not qualified to judge the Phoenix Suns, but I do it anyways.
Joe Mama

You do a great job. And, you're a good judge of talent. I know, because I've taken a couple of beatings against you in Fantasy ball. Bastard!

 

[Chaz]

No organized basketball experience.

Just an interested observer. I play from time to time at the park with friends or in pickup games. I started playing basketball pretty late (after HS).

I love basketball. It is a fun game to play and watch.

 

[BC867]

At 5'10" and 150 (at the time), I played fraternity intramural basketball in college.

The last thing I remember was being clear for a jump shot from the right side when, out of nowhere, someone not only blocked my shot but knocked me to the floor.

I've been a Suns fan since the early '70's. Before that I followed, from New Jersey, the smartest basketball team of all time -- Red Holtzman's New York Knicks led by Willis Reed, Dave Debusschere, Dollar Bill Bradley, and Walt "Clyde" Frazier, plus Dick Barnett, and a sub named Phil Jackson.

 

[BMF]

I started playing in my last year of highschool. I was on the 2nds team and that was really the only organised ball experience i have. I play about 3 times a week, im mabye 6 foot, not too sure. I can shoot a decent midrange shot, rebound well and play decent d. My handle isn't too good and i really wish i had time to work on that.

I would play more, but I don't have time.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

I played ball from middle school to high school and I play at the park a few times a week still.

 

[thirty-two]

I don't post a lot on the Suns board but I wanted to chime in anyway.

I played basketball for about 7 years (starting in 5th grade - played in junior high, then varsity the four years of highschool). During the summers starting in 6th grade I played club basketball - so for about 6 years.

It was some intense stuff, but I look back on it fondly.

I'm 5'8" - I played point guard/shooting guard. I didn't have the total speed/quickness a pure point should have, but I was smart. I shot the 3's, and dished out the passes. I was a good rebounder, too (for a guard).

I've worked b-ball camps and was a coach for a one year. I like the X's and O's of the game - watching tape, figuring out plays, defenses etc. Someday I'd like to coach for real, though - like high school or something.

 

[fordronken]

I played ball High School ball at Treadwell high and did pretty well there. I was Memphis player of the year twice, All Metro Pick three times and Mr. Tennessee basketball in my senior year. After that I got a scholarship to play at the University of Memphis, but was academically ineligible and missed my freshman year. Then I bumped my GPA up to 3.4 and started playing. I actually set the school's single season scoring record with 729 points. Then, in 1992 I was picked to play on the USA basketball developmental team and scrimmaged the 1992 Olympic USA basketball team. Then, at my last year at Memphis I earned Conference Player of the year and a First All-American. After that, I declared for the draft and was picked third bt the Golden State Warriors. Right away, though, I was traded to the Orlando Magic for Chris Webber. That year I made the All-Rookie First Team. The next season we made the finals, but got beaten badly by the Houston Rockets. Years later, I was traded to the Phoenix Suns for Pat Garrity, Danny Manning and two future first round draft picks.

 

[Chaplin]

Ford is Penny Hardaway??

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by Chaplin
Ford is Penny Hardaway??

Perhaps I'm stereotyping, but I don't see Penny Hardaway picking a screen name that's a reference to Chaucer.

Joe Mama

 

[fordronken]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
Perhaps I'm stereotyping, but I don't see Penny Hardaway picking a screen name that's a reference to Chaucer.

Joe Mama

Hey man, I had a 3.4 GPA. And 'Lil Penny was all about the Middle English.

 

[Beaver]

I played until middle school. School and intermerils(think that's what they're called) I went a combined 1-19 on both teams my last year and kind of gave up on basketball and turned to football. Being overweight didn't help as much in basketball as football. I always fouled out.

 

[Errntknght]

Started playing in pickup games with other kids about the fifth grade then intra-murals in junior high. In high school I tried for the school team but could only make the JV. Also played in church leagues and was usually the one who formed the team and was the coach. Built my own little cement court in HS and was tough to beat 'at home' especially at night - it wasn't lighted. Intramurals in college where I usually got the team together and acted as the coach. After that I played in pickup games for about 20 years. Typically played something like point SF since I couldn't dribble for **** but was a decent passer... was master of the 'ooops, shoudda looked' pass.

Started watching the pros in 1954 and liked the Celtics mainly because Gene Conley - the guy Bill Russel displaced at center - was from a town I lived in for 8 years or so. I followed Bill & KC Jones at USF so when they joined the Celtics I was an even bigger fan. Stayed with them until the Suns were formed... I was living in Phoenix by then.

BC, I remember that Holzman team... as a true Celtic fan for years I 'hated' the Knicks but you had to like that team... team basketball at it's best.

 

[Billythekid]

I played right through highschool. Then played for my uni's team RMIT then I played in a state league here in Australia called the VBL. Got paid to play... Not much at all. The travel was a bitch and in a mini bus. i'm 6'2 played mainly forward. Mostly played in the post. Tried to imulate a game and style like Jalen Rose's. I'm a lefty. Can shoot the 3 and dunk... just. Hey... i'm white! Can't play much D unless guarding post players.

Then I starting drinking beer and smoking weed. I became 'unfit'. Though i'm back in shape now... but rather just watch and play in the driveway or park.