Streetball Mecca - Rucker Park Harlem

Holcombe Rucker Basketball Courts - 155th St Harlem, NY

5 backboard slaps - first court that's given me the tingles when I walked on it!

Pros - check the wiki and see who else has played on this court - pick from Kareem, Vince Carter, Dr J, and if you want to imagine playing someone a little kooky - RonRon Artest has hit the court at Rucker Park.  The court has a soft, tennis court like surface with glass backboards and proper nets at both ends.  Markings - only basketball with both the college, and NBA, three point lines.  Located near the 155th and 8th Ave subway stop it's easy to get to.  Jump on to the 3 line to 128th and you will be in fried chicken and soul food heaven!

Cons - well it's in Harlem, but Harlem's not what it used to be.  The actual area is pretty quiet, and the subway station was eerily empty and rundown.  Nobody was on the court today, but I'd imagine on the weekends and during better weather the court would be packed out and it might be impossible to get some court time - however there is a grandstand so you should be able to at least watch some quality ball.

Cheesesteaks and hoops - a match made in heaven

Capitolo Playground - Philadelphia - 9th Street, at the bottom of the Italian market - 4.5 backboard slaps.

Pros - next door to the world's home of Philadelphia cheesestakes, Pat's and Geno's. It's in Philadelphia, right on the Italian market.  Three full size, pebble mix paved, courts with markings and no nets. American Wit onions.

Cons - impending heart-attack due to being next door to the world's home of Philadelphia cheesestakes, Pat's and Geno's. It's in an interesting neighbourhood. Cheeze Wiz wit out.

What better place to play some ball in Philly than right next to the home of the cheeseteak.

WARNING:  This blog accepts no responsibility for what health effects a cheesesteak may induce.


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Elsternwick Park

Elsternwick Park - 1 backboard Slap

I venture out to Elsternwick park most Sundays, they have a thing called Pugwood there, which is basically a thing where 40 odd Pugs get together run around snorting and sniffing each others butts,  I had completely forgotten about the basketball court that I stare blanky at while I try to ignore the fact my dog is doing a dump - If I can't see it, it didn't happen (note: I'm usually a very responsible pooper scooper), While there on Sunday I decided to run back to the car, grab my ball out and throw a few at the ring.

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Pros: It's generally quiet, BBQ 15 meters way, leash free dog park, water bubbler
Cons: It's right next to a playground so lots of screaming kids, other side of the wall is a tennis hitting wall, so balls sometimes fly over, no lines, 1/3 court size, pretty poor ring

Preferred game: just shooting around

Court is a walkable distance from the 67 tram along with Elsternwick Station, Elsternwick pub aint too far either, and if a qtr pounder is your thing, McDonalds is just near there too