20th September 2008, Here I am, landing in JFK for the third time of my life. Same spot, the Mecca of basketball: New York City and of course the same excitement to put my sneakers on this legendary asphalt.
One month before I was already sending some emails to the few people I know in the big apple, it’s always a mission to find a place to be lodged because you don’t want to annoy working people for 2 weeks. So I found a guest House in Spanish Harlem held by a Puerto Rican lady on Lexington & 128th st , I succeeded to get a room with a single bed, fridge and TV for 40 $ per night. I travelled with my boy Romain from Paris, a tall and skinny baller with some crazy moves. He lived in NYC 2 years and came back in France in 2001 with some Freestyle tricks in his game; he was a pioneer in Paris.
As usual I caught a cold in the plane, and after a first bad night, my trip really started on Sunday afternoon at West 4th.
So we first stopped around The Cage to watch the games and it was real dirty, lots of trash-talking, lots of missiles destroying the backboard and a few people around the fence links. So we started to shoot on the right side hoop, after a few minutes we obviously got drafted to play next. It was my first game in The Cage, I played well hitting some jump shots and lay-ups. We won all our games and I started to realise I was in West 4th when I saw more and more people behind the fence. It was a good sensation, especially when we did the best action on a fastbreak, Romain took a defensive rebound and threw a long, low and lifted pass in my direction, a guy tried to steal it but the bounce effect changed the path of the ball so it arrives directly in my hands for the easy lay-up. We got our West 4th highlight! And you know what, Smush saw it!
To be continued…
November 6th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Antonio Gil says:
Hey!
Looking for next posts of your trip. I ramind my last time in NYC when I read your words.
Good job Kev.
November 6th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
ali says:
i look forward to reading more of your nyc basketball diaries.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Casey Lee says:
aYo, send some diaries from France!
November 6th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Alex from AZ says:
Nice post, I hope you enjoy your trip here.
Quick question: What courts are considered “legendary asphalt” in France?
I’ve spent sometime in Paris have really only played at Le Centre Sportif Émile Anthoine next to the Eiffel Tower (which I was told was a relatively famous court). Competition there, when I am able to go, has been kinda on and off. Do you know of any famous courts in any of the major cities that have consistently good competition?
?
November 6th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
kev–
you gotta mention our runs at the 14th St. Y! or maybe not since you and romain both think that gym is jinxed! hahaha!
great stuff, man. chasson pomme and a high five to you brother!
November 7th, 2008 at 5:02 am
Kevin Couliau says:
Alex : We’ve some famous courts in Paris like the one you played on. We call this court Tolbiac cause of the subway stop near by.
The we have Porte de Charenton where a majority of ballers are playing each summer, Stalingrad & Glacière which are under the subway, then depending your style of playing you go on a specific court.
Then outside of Paris you got some good courts in Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes…don’t hesitate if you need the good spots in Europe for your next travel.
Bob : Of course I will mention 14th st. I’m doing it day by day
November 7th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Alex from AZ says:
Thanks a lot for the info Kevin.
November 8th, 2008 at 3:06 am
Seldom Seen says:
14st Y jinxed?