This summer Fastbreak NYC is sponsoring the only–if not verifiably the first–Asian-American team to play in NYC’s Men’s Open summer league circuit, the NYC Fists of Fury (www.nycfury.blogspot.com). But I don’t have any delusions that this team is anything but a work in progress. It’s like Saturday NIght Live, not-yet-ready-for-prime-time players. This an expression of solidarity, love for the asphalt and faith that basketball is basketball across any cultural divide.

This blog will be, at least in the summer, a diary for the team. I also happen to be the coach. Very big ups to Bobbito and Bounce for giving us a place to document our exploits. It’s may very well be a two-way street, a nice way for Bounce to deepen a connection and relate to an increasing Asian audience as well as great exposure for the squad. But, that puts the pressure on us to come correct. Can’t get anyone to watch bad basketball for too long–even if it is our people.

This is, however, no doubt the best collective of Asian-American talent in the city but most would be role players on teams in leagues like West 4th, Rucker, Kingdome or H.I.T.S. (no disrespect to leagues I didn’t mention); they’re not ready for that yet. There is no star on this team, no one on that level, just a collection of team-first hard working ballplayers that will grind out every game. If you think you’re a star, though, or if you think we forgot you, hit me up.

So, being new to the scene, the Fury has joined a couple of new, young leagues to build with… the K1X Lower Manhattan Classic (2nd Ave. and Houston St.) and Heart for the Game (10th st. & Ave. D) down in the Lower East Side. The K1X LMC is already exceeding expectations, simply a beautiful, beautiful location and plenty of talent. Shout out to 40 Cal and Commish Isaac Daniels for all the love so far.

We’ve won our first two games in the LMC–well, depends on who you ask, that finish against Brownsville All-Stars coming back from down 16 pts to make the go-ahead FG at the buzzer sure looked good on the video but no word on the official outcome, OT might still be ahead–but they’re in the same boat we are, still trying to figure out which if they can hang in the top division. The second win came against a 2nd division team–also Asian-American–that wanted to challenge us. We won 67-44.

Tonight @ 6:30pm, we get our first real test at the K1X Lower Manhattan Classic (Houston St. and 2nd Ave). Isaac promises one of the league’s best. So, if you love an underdog, come out and give us a shout.