Venice Beach looks real good to the East Coast playground fiend. With the weather going cold and Bounce/Dime running open gym’s around the country, I’m feeling the West Coast and a possible winter outdoor USA pro-playground All-Star Game. Who would play? How bout Pro-Am vs Streetball. We’ve been seeing it around the NYC for a few years. Mousey’s Terror Squad came downtown with Adrian “A-Butter” Walton and played at Nike Pro-City a few years ago. An outdoor Pro-Am West Coast CALI/CHI team vs East Coast NYC/PHIL team in the first game. The second would be the streetball matchup of AND 1 VS BALL 4 REAL.

Venice Courts, Cali – Streetball vs Pro Am All-Star Game site? Photo Money Mike

Then finish it with a Pro-Am vs Streetball Championship.

I would let New York’s Pro-City commish Ray Diaz run it with Cecil Watkins – National Pro Am City-League’s blessing. Let it run on modified Dyckman Playground Rules where zones aren’t allowed for maximum chop. It would be a lot of fun.

During the weekend I’d sneak off to see to USC’s OJ Mayo and Brooklyn’s Taj Gibson. Gibson started his career at Telecommunication HS in the BK before moving west. As a college freshman, he set records for blocked shots (69) and rebounds (321). Then I slide over and see National Championship runner-up UCLA Coach Ben “Set a Screen and Defend” Howland and freshman Kevin “Elite 24 alumni” Love. Love has led his team in scoring the first three games of the season. Perfect weekend for those who love the outdoor game.