The fast-paced and vibrant city of New York has long been a hotbed for basketball, from the glory days of the Knicks and the Nets in the 70s to the rebirth of the Nets amidst the stadium-rebuilding of the early 21st century. Whether it’s the professional teams at the top of the city’s basketball scene or the thousands of amateur and collegiate teams making the city their home, basketball is at the heart of New York. But what does it take to bring the game of basketball to the real-life streets of New York, and how is that effort documented and celebrated? This article takes a look at basketball’s presence and coverage among the five boroughs, with particular attention to the stories, people, and struggles that make up the heart and soul of New York basketball.
History of NYC Basketball
Basketball in the city of New York has always been a part of the local identity, with various college and amateur teams peppering the courts throughout the five boroughs. But it wasn’t until the formation of the New York Knicks in 1946 that the game of basketball in New York officially began to be taken seriously. The Knicks quickly became an integral part of the New York City community, dominating the basketball conversation and garnering international attention in the process.
But the Knicks had an even greater impact than simply bringing the game of basketball to the courts of New York City. Along with their burgeoning popularity, the Knicks also brought attention to the many smaller and lesser-known basketball teams throughout the city. Suddenly, the teams on Greenwich Village courts, Chelsea playgrounds, and Harlem parks were thrust into the spotlight. The Knicks’ impact allowed for a full-fledged basketball culture to be cultivated by the city’s many grassroots teams.
Basketball Community in NYC
The 1970s saw the rise of legendary grassroots tournaments like the Rucker Tournament and Dyckman Tournament, which each attracted the best players throughout the five boroughs to compete in single-elimination tournaments. While these tournaments have been raging magnates for decades, the game of basketball in New York continues to evolve to this day.
Today, the game of basketball in New York is woven into the very fabric of the city’s culture. From the inner-city courts of Bed-Stuy and Williamsburg to the mecca of basketball in the ProCity League in Harlem, the city has become a collective battleground of talent and culture.
In addition to the city’s ever-growing tournament culture, the basketball community in New York has grown to include streetball leagues, after-school programs, volunteer coaches, and dedicated fans who make the five boroughs as diverse and vibrant in the world of basketball as it is in the world of art, entertainment, and culture.
Documentation and Celebration of Basketball in New York
For true basketball fans, the only way to really experience the game of basketball in New York is to actually come to the city, take in the sights and sounds of the court, and soak in all that the basketball culture of the five boroughs has to offer. Thankfully, there are many ways for fans to get a glimpse of this state of hoops, from films that capture streetball to the fascinating documentary series about professional teams.
Films Featuring Basketball in New York
There are a number of great films that capture the true spirit and culture of basketball in New York City. For example, the 1986 drama “Hoop Dreams” follows two high-school basketball players as they go from playgrounds to college, while the 2013 documentary “Doin’ It From The Park” chronicles the journey of a streetball league in Harlem. There are also films like the 2011 drama “Gimme The Rock” that explore the heights that New York City can take basketball players to, while offering a unique perspective on basketball culture.
Documentary Series About Professional Teams
In addition to films, there have been plenty of well-done documentary series about the professional teams in New York as well. Perhaps the most notable example is the 1994 HBO documentary “When the Garden Was Eden,” which follows the glorious golden age of the Knicks through the lens of former players, celebrities, and fans. Other offerings include the ESPN-produced series “Big City Hoops,” which provides spectators with a close-up look at the journeys of professional basketball players and teams in New York City; and the Epix-created “Team Brooklyn,” which focuses on the Brooklyn Nets from the beginning of their newly-built Barclays Center arena.
A Look Ahead
The future of basketball in New York looks to be just as vibrant and dynamic as it’s always been. With the city’s grand mix of celebrities, influencers, media personalities, and avid basketball fans, the five boroughs will continue to produce and celebrate a variety of brilliant basketball stories for years to come.
From the ever-growing grassroots tournaments and volunteer coaches to the larger-than-life professional teams and the plethora of films and documentaries, the basketball culture of New York City continues to be celebrated and documented in all of its forms. As long as the city itself remains a vivid and unparalleled basketball hub, the stories of the five boroughs will remain among the finest in the world.
