The Death of Pick-Up Basketball

What happened to pick-up basketball? I see a game every now and again as I drive around Berkeley. Usually it is a 3 on 3 game; or a group of homogenous young men who appear to have arranged in advance to meet at the court.

These are pictures from Live Oak in 1980 from a book called "Take it to the Hoop".

In the 1970s and 80s, there would be 3 or 4 games on a weekend afternoon–Live Oak, Ohlone, several courts at Cal (not People's Park which does not have a comfortable vibe most days), Willard, Marin School in Albany.

There were always games at Live Oak Park in N. Berkeley. Usually there were at least two games. One was a full-court game dominated by black men of great skill. There were also secondary games that seemed to be dominated (verbally, at least) by middle-aged men who grew up in New York. I usually played with the middle-aged men.

Playing in these games across Berkeley transformed many a lonely day into afternoons filled with shared jokes, camaraderie, a few arguments and a good workout. And respect for myself and the people I played with.

Once in a while I would get summoned to fill out a side in the big game at Live Oak. I would run around and try not to assert myself. I lacked confidence and, perhaps, the skill for the game. But I was happy to be there.

Now, games are rare at Live Oak's four hoops. This is a picture on Sunday, April 22 at 2:30 p.m.–the Warriors are in the playoffs, the sun is out, and there is one guy shooting!

The unique process of creating a small little culture on the fly was wonderful. Better than the illusions created by drugs or alchohol and without the hangovers.

Sharing a pass to a cutting teammate was a rare act of unselfishness for adolescents or an gesture of trust for an older man to a younger one. Race was always an issue, but if you could play it was a minimal one. For the good of the run, people worked things out.

So what happened? Is it video games? Did kids get to violent to call their own fouls and play without adult supervision? Did grownups just get out of shape? Do we not want to socialize and interact with people who are different than we are?

Now, players join leagues, fitness clubs or rent out gyms to get a good game. As with many pursuits in 2007, there are barriers to the poor and disaffected to participate and spontaneity is difficult.