What’s good everyone? I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Christian Grant-Fields. I’m 25 years old and I assist with the Marketing, Editorial, and Fashion for both Dime and Bounce. I love what I do. It’s one of the things in this world that truly make me happy. Along with basketball that is…

Hoopin’ is my LIFE. I eat and sleep basketball. There isn’t a day that passes that I am not thinking about some aspect of the game.

As I write this I am on a plane coming from a wedding in Bonita Beach, Florida. It’s about 25 miles from Naples. While I was there I tried desperately to find a place to get some shots up, but to no avail the only available courts were for tennis. I know, I know…”How could he be thinking about ball when he’s chillin in Florida!?”

Basketball usually invades my mind daily, but as of late it has taken over. You see, I recently tried out for a squad that will be playing in Rucker Park’s Entertainer’s Basketball Classic. All you other ballers and basketball enthusiasts know that the E.B.C. is the real deal! So ya’ll see why every waking moment is spent thinking about hoopin’!

To tell you the truth, I don’t remember where I heard about the tryout but I was geeked to go anyway. I went there with every intention to make this squad.

I grew up in White Plains, New York. It’s about a half hour north of New York City. I attended middle school in Harlem for a minute and my school just happened to be a few blocks down from Rucker Park. I went to one game and was hooked ever since.

After I graduated from college I knew I was moving back to NY, so I told myself that I was going to make a name for myself in New York City as a basketball journalist, and more importantly, a basketball player.

An opportunity like this only comes once in a lifetime. This was my chance to get in…And I wasn’t going to fail. I walked into Harlem’s Kennedy Center nervous as fu*k! My stomach was turning over while a million thoughts ran through my head. I looked around for the nearest bench so I could sit and collect my thoughts.

My father told me a long time ago; “Why get nervous? It’s basketball, this is something you love. What is there to be nervous about? You’re just playing basketball and you’re a basketball player…THIS IS WHAT YOU DO!”

Those words always get me through the butterflies…

The gym was filled with all types of ballers. There were jumpers, shooters, big men, and carts who had that ball on a string. I tied up my kicks and started to warm up.

At a second glance, I notice that the gym was packed with spectators. I guess word travels fast in Harlem. Amongst the on-lookers were some of New York City’s Streetball Elite (Attention all swagger jackers, I coined that one myself). E.B.C. staple Future was there with his son. Bobbito Garcia and legendary coach Mousey were there too, chatting it up while we battled.

And believe me, tryouts were just that…A BATTLE.

With about 40 guys fighting for 12 spots did you really think it was going to be anything less?

Dudes were giving it their all. While scrimmaging I drove to the lane only to meet an elbow to the face. And that was child’s play to some of the other stuff that happened. I mean, the hard fouls weren’t intentional, heads just played like it was the last game they would ever play.

And for what was at stake, I wouldn’t have expected anything less…

We ran drills, scrimmaged, scrimmaged some more, then scrimmaged some more. After about 3 hours the Kennedy Center reminded me of a Roman coliseum with tired/injured gladiators nursing their wounds.

I left the gym with my head held high. I knew I gave it my all. I left everything I had out there.

FAST FORWARD

It’s Thursday, May 31st, the day before I leave for Florida. Jed, Dime and Bounce’s publisher, tells me that I made the team and practice was at 6pm! It turns out my dumba*s forgot to write my contact information down.

I couldn’t believe it. One of my dreams was unfolding…playing in the E.B.C.!

While I was at the tryout I overheard dudes saying that they; “Just wanted a jersey.” That made me think about what I wanted out of this…. I WANT A NAME.

I want recognition foe my skills. And I want it from the New York City streetball faithful.

I am a die hard Knicks fan. My favorite basketball player of all time is Stephon Marbury (F*ck ya’ll haters, he’s still the truth!), but my second favorite player is Mike Campbell.

I know it takes hard work to get on the level of a Mike Campbell, Raphael Edwards, or a Reggie Freeman (If you don’t know who they are look them up). I understand that, and I am willing to put that work in… but I needed a way in first. And now I’ve got that.

I believe my teammates feel the same way. The first practice we just scrimmaged. It was more of a display of our talents. From what I saw we’re very athletic. It is going to be interesting to see how we mesh. After practice a few of us stayed after and talked ball. It was comforting to find out a few of the dudes felt how I felt in regards to the E.B.C. and basketball and general. Ironically, one of my boys from school, Jason Mercer, made the team as well. I’m excited to get into the full swing of things. I believe opening night at the park June 18th.

The free time I had in Florida I spent working out in the pool and weight room. I’m currently 6’3” 215 pounds. I’d like to get to about 210 by opening night.

Before the tryout I was a gym rat. Now that I am playing I need to step it up some. Instead of alternating days for shooting and lifting, I need to go everyday …and that is between work and practice.

It’s about 11pm and the plane is landing shortly. I am wide awake so I probably will go to the gym in my building and get a light workout in while I watch Sopranos and Entourage.

Before I go, I just want to say congrats to Mr. and Mrs. George Goode, happy belated birthday to Reggie Freeman and Mike Campbell, and shouts out to the whole Dime and Bounce Crew.

I hope ya’ll enjoyed. I’ll holla!