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Kobe Bryant at Rucker Park
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New York City's Rucker Park hosts the most fun streetball imaginable. Thursday night, the Entertainer's Basketball Classic (EBC), the park's main summer league, presented a matchup of Murda Inc. against The Source, with some very special guests in action as well. On one team was Mr. Los Angeles himself, Kobe Bryant. He showed up early, and his squad was ready to go for the 6pm tipoff. Things were delayed, because the other team was late. It was worth the wait, because when they did arrive, Moochie Norris of the Houston Rockets, Jerome Williams of the Toronto Raptors and Maryland's Byron Mouton were with them. It was on, Harlem-style. Two non-NBA players who showed nice skills were "Prime Objective" and Greg Jones. All night, Moochie Norris kept firm control of the ball and threw some beautiful passes. As the game progressed, the showmanship he displayed increased. On fast breaks, "Muh-muh-muh-muh-Moochie" kept things fun, going behind the back, faking one way and throwing no-look passes the other. Norris unleashed showmanship we don't get to see him display on the Rockets. And, for those who keep score at home, Norris' famous afro was contained, and braided. Maybe he'll unleash it next time. Jerome Williams showed outside touch, and some surprising dribbling ability. The true star of the evening, Kobe Bryant, had a tense look on his face, but loosened up as the night progressed. Early on, his teammates were not taking full advantage of the fact that he was on their team. Fortunately, as the game progressed, he got the ball more often. Early on, when he did have the ball, and multiple defenders focused too tightly on him, the live announcer yelled "No double teams! No double teams!" - correctly pointing out that the crowd wants isolations, which open up the possibilities for crazy moves and penetration for dunks. Some of Kobe's highlights: - In one play, Kobe was isolated on the right side of the court for a while, put on a nasty dribbling exhibition while playing to the crowd, drives to the basket, got bumped, but in mid-air pulled the ball under the basket for a beautiful reverse layup. - The very next play, Kobe dribbled, swung the ball behind his back, but then extended further and threw a no-look pass to a teammate for a layup. - Lots of drives with serious hang-time for layups - mostly reverses, similar to the first play above. - Sweet passes, including alleyoops from Kobe to his teammates. - A three-pointer from far beyond the line. - Fun dribbling exhibitions, showing off a few tricks, and a sick handle. Kobe did blow one big play, an open fast break with no defenders back. He tried to go through the legs for the dunk, but blew it and missed. That drew some clowning from the sidelines. All game long, a heckler that was under the basket Kobe was defending was talking trash, yelling that Bryant is overrated and not stepping up to play. The heckler was loud, and even got Kobe's attention (though Kobe tried not to show it), at one point declaring that Bryant wasn't bringing it hard like he should. Hannibal, a Rucker announcer, went over to quiet the heckler down. When the second half began, and Kobe's team was now shooting at the basket near the heckler, Bryant began the half with the ball. A whistle stopped the action. The very next play, Kobe was working around the paint with the ball, cleared some room with an elbow, and then went up and threw down a dunk that looked much better in person than it did on television highlights you may have seen. He then glared straight at the heckler, who was almost directly behind that basket, and glared at him while backpeddling down the court. The crowd went nuts, pointing and talking trash at the heckler, who, at least for a few moments, seemed slightly humbled. Steve Francis showed up during the game, but he's busy healing and was just there to hang out and watch. The crowd went nuts upon his arrival, chanting "Suit up! Suit up!" over and over, but it wasn't going to happen tonight. "Three Rings," as the live announcer called Kobe (almost everyone at Rucker Park who really matters gets a nickname), got far more comfortable as the game progressed. He didn't bring it hard all night, but still put on a good show and produced some sweet plays that the crowd loved. Kobe Bryant had 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists when the game got called early in the second half on account of rain. |
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