Photo Courtesy of NYC streetball photographer of the year Kevin Couliau

Kadour Ziani was here this Tuesday testing out the rims at the world famous streetball court, KINGDOME. As I made my way through Martin Luther King projects, I could see from a distance that he started his test runs by jamming the ball between the backboard and rim. Read More »

All photos by Kevin Couliau for www.asphalt-chronicles.com.

Yesterday, the West 4th St. Tournament staged their annual All-Star Game. As a member of the Gym Rats, myself and Rocco Rubino were selected.

I first played at the Cage in 1993 with coach Sid Jones’ United Brooklyn and saw limited time. I hit the hallowed ground again in 1997 with Panama’s crew and contributed a little more but no real highlights I can remember. This season, however, at the wonderful age of 42, I’ve connected on 50% of my threes (7 for 14) in the three games I’ve played, and have helped our squad to a record of 2-1 since I joined (we were winless before). I was amped when the tournament director Rick Johnson asked if I’d rock with them for the All-Star contest. No doubt!

I was hoping to see Mookie, Strick, Mike Campbell, etc. there yesterday. Read More »

Read first : A French in New York – City of New York, Parks & Recreation – Saved by the ball

25th September, I woke up excited like a kid buying his first pair of sneakers. In fact I was about to buy my first real Fish-eye lens for my Canon camera. Why this lens in particular ? Because I grew up watching skateboarding videos where the fisheye is a religion. A few basketball photographers are using it, to me it’s the best lens to capture action in the paint and dunks of course. So I went to B&H megastore, always funny to see all those jewish people selling high tech and handling lots of cash. I did a first stop near the Madison, maybe not the most beautiful building but I just needed to try my new toy.

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Read first : A French in New York – City of New York, Parks & Recreation

After our Columbus playground sessions, we went up on Lafayette Street to eat breakfast and taste again Eileen Cheesecakes , New York City’s best. Then, Times Square to meet a hometown friend who was in NYC at the same time. It was around 5 pm and we hadn’t played ball yet. Back in 2004, I went lucky to get in touch with Bobbito. He always helps me to find a run, to see games, to live my passion and explore NYC. On this 23rd September he told me he had a Basketball City league game in Trevor Day school on 87th St. off Central Park West, unfortunately the rosters were fixed so we couldn’t play. We watched Kool Bob Love doing his thing, he made 6 of his 7 threes in the first half and finished with 25 points. His young intern Andre Johnson was on the opposing team, the kid is quick, not afraid to drive in the paint and can kill you with his special crossover. That happened to Bobbito as he was guarding the 17 years old fella, however the mentor rarely misses an opportunity to teach Andre a new bball lesson. Bobbito’s squad won the game by 15 points, a good performance considering the level, some former D1 & overseas players usually compete in this winter league.

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