and 1 and Rucker Park

What is AND1?

Let me tell you:

1. An American private company registered as The basketball Marketing Co.Inc. It is an exclusive brand for professional basketball players and extreme enthusiasts. Its products include basketball shoes, basketball uniforms, warm-up suits, T-shirts and other accessories. Personalized design and aggressive language are its characteristics.

2. It is a basketball term that refers to offensive points, opponent fouls, and extra free throws.

The origin is: In 1993, at a sports goods show in Chicago, three college students in their 20s were wandering among the salesmen of NIKE, Reebok and Adids. Their names are Seth Berger, Tom Austin and Jay Gilbert. They are not happy at all because they have come to the conclusion that there is nothing cool enough in America anymore. So, these three college students decided to create a brand for [people who really play basketball] (they call them The Player).

On the way home, they wrote the earliest trash talk sentences on their napkin fingers (later developed into a series of trash talk T-shirts), and vowed to "kick NIKE's butt" ( Make NIKE look good). They said that 10 years from now, people will write a book about us (The Players), just like someone has written a Swooth for NIKE - that's how AND1 started.

[The left foot exists for the right foot]

While other brands invest a lot of money in market research, Seth and his partners took their sample shoes and visited one after another. A basketball court for those who actually play on the court. Once, at a golf course in Dallas, a young man saw the AND1 "Coordinator" sample in Seth's hand and wanted to buy it on the spot. Seth said: "But this is the only sample I have, and it only has my right foot." Guess what the young man said? With lust shining in his eyes, he said, "It doesn't matter, sell it to me, and I will find something to match your left foot!" However, he still failed to buy it. This story made Seth more firmly believe that there are many young people playing basketball in the United States who are like this guy and they need different Cool Stuff. - The world needs something like AND1.

Who——Who wears AND1?

[Popular is as stupid as uniforms]

The same organization also has American notic, and dime

and1 has now been released as a game on ps2 On the platform

Most players prefer him because he is freer, more interesting and faster than NBA.

Seth is not very interested in popular fashion. He designs and produces products for basketball players because he himself is a "player". He did not hesitate to scold consumers: "If you wear AND1 to the court but don't know how to play, you look really stupid!" He also warned dealers not to sell AND1 to vain people who do not play seriously and have no independent opinions. Cowardly guy. AND1 Don’t “look cool wearing it”, but “only those who are cool enough should wear it”. Seth and his friends eat, live, work, sleep, and breathe basketball. For example, during interviews, in addition to the normal procedures, they usually play a ball game with the candidates. They hope that everyone who works at AND1 can play basketball. If not, they will provide basketball courses and teach you until you become a master; because if not, how can you sell AND1 to masters.

[The person who exchanged souls with AND1]

Now, young people all over the United States have AND1’s “The Player” logo tattooed on their bodies. Once at an adidas basketball summer camp, Jay Gilbert saw several young men with "The Player" and his initials tattooed on their arms; another example was the McDonald's All-American High School Basketball Game one spring, at least six players had "The Player" tattooed on their arms. AND1 tattoo.

Young people want to be treated as a real player, which is why they want to "absorb" AND1's "The Player" as a part of themselves. Jay Gilbert also said: "You just can't find someone who doesn't work at NIKE. , but people who have that little hook tattooed on their bodies! "Everyone who wears AND1 has "The Player" in his soul

How——How did AND1 come to be?

[Even if you eat canned food, you still need AND1]

Let’s go back to the three young people who created AND1 in 1993. Ever since they vowed to give young people new and really cool things, the three of them ate canned fish for 2 years in a row, wondering when they would be able to eat truly fresh fish. By the end of 1998, AND1 had 55 employees, and its target revenue in 1999 was US$80 million. Seth said: "I don't want to eat disgusting canned fish anymore!" But now, almost no one thinks they still need it. eat.

[Players are just foil]

At that time, when the overall sales of the American sneaker industry were poor, AND1 achieved a growth of 400%! Other well-known brands, such as NIKE and REEBOK, have either terminated contracts with players early or significantly reduced contract amounts, except of course, Michael Jordan. Seth said: "What really makes AND1 popular is the unique style of the brand itself, not the contracted players. In fact, most of AND1's products are not designed for contracted players, and they do not need to endorse the products."

Where——Where is AND1 going?

[The goal is to subvert, and the means are also subversive]

In the past 40 years, sneakers have been one of the largest industries in the United States, with annual sales of nearly 1.5 billion US dollars. In 1998, Americans were expected to buy more than 350 million pairs of sneakers, compared with 40 million pairs in the 1950s. The American sneaker industry produces new leading brands approximately every 10 years: CONVERSE in the 1960s, ADIDAS in the 1970s, and REEBOK in the 1980s. In the 1990s, thanks to Jordan, the throne finally went to NIKE. Seth Berger wants AND1 to become the first king of the sneaker industry in the 21st century within 10 years. Looking at what was previously introduced, we can imagine that the approach he took was completely subversive.

[I love basketball]

While AND1 is making strides forward, it also wants the American basketball community to move forward with the infusion of new blood. AND1 knows that 98% of high school players will never get an athletic scholarship before entering the NBA, so they donate 5% of their annual profits for charity, with a special focus on basketball education programs for young people. AND1 currently sponsors Philadelphia Futures, Philadelphia Reads, The White Williams Scholars and The Penn VIPs Tutorial Program, etc. In addition, AND1 also provides other large and small basketball camps, competitions and team sponsorships. Wearing AND1, you have to get used to beating others

Who——Which players of AND1 are participating in the tour?

[Gangs of New York]

MixtapeVol.1 of the AND1 team is based on the game in New York's Rucker Park, and New York golfers make up the majority of the AND1 team. The earliest world-famous street ball king Skip To My Lou, the first and second invincible players in Harlem, Headache and Alimoe, the big brothers in the Bronx, one of the greatest street ball players in New York, Shane "The Dribbling Machine" ”, the Rucker Park master Main Event from New Jersey came to New York, the veteran 1/2 Man 1/2 Amazing from Brooklyn, New York’s number one center Escalade from Queensbridge, the New York legend Future, and the newly joined Pharmacist in 2004, etc. wait.

[East Coast DC-Philly Group]

The 3 major leagues in the United States, NYC, D.C., Philadelphia, except for a bunch of people from New York, AND1 also recruited practical capabilities Prime Objective, the super strong DC juggernaut, and the MVP of Barry Farm in 2003 and 2004, Baby Shack. Philadelphian A.O., as one of the old members of the AND1 team, is also loved by fans for his gorgeous playing style. He once led the team to win the championship in the NBDL and won the MVP!

[Pride of Atlanta]

Hot Sauce, 50, Spyda, anyone who has watched the AND1 tour will recognize these three people. One is a gorgeous and invincible dribbling skills, dazzling Colorful play, one is a violent and powerful dunker inside, and an NBA-level player with the ability to shoot from a distance, the other is a wild hanging basket, wild alley-oops, and the 1.78 meter 1m78 player who can score and assist at the same time. defender. Let us always remember Atlanta, the hometown of the great streetball player, and let AND1 thrive.

[Tough Guy on the West Coast]

Sik Wit It, the first player in the San Francisco Bay Area, has dominated the West Coast courts for nearly 15 years, a top dribbling monster, with super three-point ability, AND1 outstanding characters.

Bad Santa and Assasin, new members who joined AND1 in 2005, one is Skip's college teammate and the other is one of the top five dunkers in California. Bring new blood to AND1.

[Windy City Prodigal]

Chicago's greatest golfer Flash, a member of AND1, passed away in early 2004. Then, Chicago Pride Go Get It was added in 2003 to support AND1's aerial operations. Baltimore's Silk is one of the players signed by AND1 in 2005. His super smooth dribbling is amazing. AND1 launched his new sneakers on April 25, 2008.

From Baseball to Basketball

Walking through the heavy night in Harlem, New York, turn right from 153rd Street into 155th Street, where the former site of the Polo Baseball Stadium is. That stadium had been the home of the New York Giants since 1891. In 1911, its wooden bleachers caused a fire and the entire stadium was razed to the ground. Now there is a 17-story "slum building" that you can guess people call "Polo Stadium Apartments".

The rooftop terrace of the apartment building was deserted, save for a haphazard spread of clotheslines and TV antennas. Looking down from this former baseball mecca, you can see an asphalt basketball court painted with red and green paint. Some empty beer bottles in brown brown paper bags have nowhere to hide under the pale street lights. That's another holy place: Rucker Park.

Rucker Park has been the mecca of street ball since 60 years ago, and it has as long a history as the NBA. In 1946, New York Park Department employee Holcombe Locke was determined to find some entertainment for the idle children in Harlem on sweltering summer nights, so he founded a summer basketball league. What caused a headache for the park was that the nets in Locke Park always fell into pieces within two days. In the end, the park administrator simply stopped replacing the nets, so to this day the bare hoops are still the eye-catching symbol of the street court.

The function of the net is to slow down the falling speed of the basketball. It is also an eye-catching symbol when shooting from a long distance. The direct consequence of not having a basketball net is that there were very few long-range shots in early street ball. Players liked to score by dunking or layups. To do this, they had to get past their defenders first. The flashy style of street ball was born, but at that time there was no crotch dribbling, and the most skilled players were only good at changing directions.

In the 1960s, the political instability in the United States aroused a sense of despair in the hearts of many people, especially young people, and this mood was even more obvious in Rucker Park. It was an era when streetball heroes emerged in large numbers. Streetball legends such as "The Destroyer" Hammond, "The Goat" Manigat, and "Pee Wee" Kirkland were making waves in Rucker Park. They were called "streetball poets" or “Gods on Asphalt.”

The appearance of these legendary players made Rucker Park famous, and many people came here specifically to watch them play. The hoods of cars parked next to the stadium are the best courtside seats, the bridge over 155th Street is the second-floor boxes, and the rooftops of the high-rise buildings around the park are cheap seats. The best players in the NBA also come here to compete with street ball masters. Wilt Chamberlain, Irving, Knight Archibald, Cowens and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are all regular visitors to Locke Park.

"Those street heroes have never been afraid of professional players," said "Tango Duke" who has been a commentator in Rucker Park for many years. "That makes them even greater. They regard professional players as ordinary people, just lucky. Only those who are good enough can enter a professional league. Outside the NBA, those professional players are no different from the poor boys in the surrounding communities."

●Rock Park is a place that New Yorkers are proud of. It is located on 155th Street in Harlem, New York, adjacent to Frederick Douglass Boulevard. Locke is not a park in the ordinary sense. For those who are obsessed with black culture, New York culture and even American culture, this is a place that must be visited.

●Harlem has almost become synonymous with street basketball, but "Rock Basketball" is the most essential culture.

●This is the temple of street basketball. Even if an NBA superstar like Kobe Bryant comes to Rucker Park, he must remain humble.

Wearing a sleeveless gold T-shirt and knee-length shorts, R&B star Mary J. Billigi leaned comfortably in her courtside seat and cheered enthusiastically for her team. It feels great to be able to watch a top basketball game on a leisurely evening.

Is this the front row area of ??Madison Square Garden where Hollywood stars gather? NO, but it is no less famous than the Plaza Garden. When a friend asked where Billie Gigi was, Billie Gigi loudly said through the phone in a proud tone that she was watching the game at Holcoby Locke Memorial Park.

Biliji, like more than 500 other spectators, stood up and danced excitedly. Like a proud mother, she cheered loudly for their team’s center’s exquisite dunk. The "Marley All-Stars" named after her are already far ahead of another team called "Tyson Rickards."

Full of passion, for Billie Gee at this time, it is definitely not for the sake of sensationalism.

"When I was a kid, there was nothing fun and almost nothing to do." Bilig said emotionally about the reason why she sponsored this game, "But Rock Basketball changed everything. , it provides fun to children and gives them hope and confidence. If you like basketball, there is no doubt that this is your paradise."

She also went to the Square Garden to watch NBA games, but maybe. It's a preference, Bilig thinks Lock is more interesting: "The real basketball culture is shown here. It is now one of the most famous places in New York, and you can see many aspects of American culture here."

[Edit this paragraph] Rucker Park: Streetball Holy Land

From Baseball to Basketball

Walking through the heavy night in Harlem, New York, turn right from 153rd Street and walk in 155th Street, where the former Polo Ballpark was located. That stadium had been the home of the New York Giants since 1891. In 1911, its wooden bleachers caused a fire and the entire stadium was razed to the ground. Now there is a 17-story "slum building" that you can guess people call "Polo Stadium Apartments".

The rooftop terrace of the apartment building was deserted, save for a haphazard spread of clotheslines and TV antennas. Looking down from this former baseball mecca, you can see an asphalt basketball court painted with red and green paint. Some empty beer bottles in brown brown paper bags have nowhere to hide under the pale street lights. That's another holy place: Rucker Park.

Rucker Park has been the mecca of street ball since 60 years ago, and it has as long a history as the NBA. In 1946, New York Park Department employee Holcombe Locke was determined to find some entertainment for the idle children in Harlem on sweltering summer nights, so he founded a summer basketball league. What caused a headache for the park was that the nets in Locke Park always fell into pieces within two days. In the end, the park administrator simply stopped replacing the nets, so to this day the bare hoops are still the eye-catching symbol of the street court.

The role of the net is to slow down the falling speed of the basketball. It is also an eye-catching symbol when shooting from a long distance. The direct consequence of not having a basketball net is that there were very few long-range shots in early street ball. Players liked to score by dunking or layups. To do this, they had to get past their defenders first. The flashy style of street ball was born, but at that time there was no crotch dribbling, and the most skilled players were only good at changing directions.

In the 1960s, the political instability in the United States aroused a sense of despair in the hearts of many people, especially young people, and this mood was even more obvious in Rucker Park. It was an era when streetball heroes emerged in large numbers. Streetball legends such as "The Destroyer" Hammond, "The Goat" Manigat, and "Pee Wee" Kirkland were making waves in Rucker Park. They were called "streetball poets" or “Gods on Asphalt.”

The appearance of these legendary players made Rucker Park famous, and many people came here specifically to watch them play. The hoods of cars parked next to the stadium are the best courtside seats, the bridge over 155th Street is the second-floor boxes, and the rooftops of the high-rise buildings around the park are cheap seats. The best players in the NBA also come here to compete with street ball masters. Wilt Chamberlain, Irving, Knight Archibald, Cowens and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are all regular visitors to Locke Park.

"Those street heroes have never been afraid of professional players," said "Tango Duke" who has been a commentator in Rucker Park for many years. "That makes them even greater. They regard professional players as ordinary people, just lucky. Only those who are good enough can enter a professional league. Outside the NBA, those professional players are no different from the poor boys in the surrounding communities."

The difference between freestyle basketball and traditional basketball

Tradition. Basketball and streetball just interpret basketball and culture in different forms. Therefore, traditional basketball and streetball are both part of basketball. There is no formal or informal rule because the rules are different. Regular basketball: high-efficiency, high-speed, tactical coordination, and confrontational; while streetball is an extreme expression of personal ability. When attacking, you use large-scale feints to feint or pass NO LOOK PASS to your opponent to complete the final game. It also involves confrontation, but the focus is still on the various dribbling skills.

[Edit this paragraph] The Mecca of Street Basketball in the World

It’s a Monday night, and Rucker Park is brightly lit.

RBK's "Bone Collector" Williams used his amazing speed to get rid of defenders many times. He used a cross dribble between his legs to deceive defenders into staggering. His behind-the-back pass was as precise as if there were eyes on his back, making the fans scream desperately...

During the timeout, hot and exciting Hip-hop music sounded, and the DJ was just right to incite and rap. The performance of the music singer kept the fans' emotions in a high state. Several black young men couldn't contain their excitement and rushed to the court to perform the most popular "street dance" in New York. No security guard came to stop them. A lot of restless butts are already writhing with these kids.

Mr. Holcoby Locke, the founder of Rucker Park Street Basketball, may only have dreamed that his "work" would be so respected and sought after today.

Forty years ago, this park, which had not been renovated, was a huge garbage dump. When the wind blew, the surrounding residents could smell the stench of floating garbage. In 1965, Locke, the director of the New York City Parks Department, moved his long-loved street basketball league to the open space of this park. Although it has been renovated, it is still surrounded by abandoned buildings and the court is paved with asphalt. , if you fall hard during a collision, a blood stain will be left.

But now, it is a paradise for street kids to pursue their dreams of freedom. Rucker Park has gradually established itself as the world's street basketball Mecca from the best street basketball venue in New York and the temple of American street basketball. It has the best reputation, the best players, and the highest street culture, leaving famous street basketball locations such as Greenwich Village's "Street Cage", Coney Island Gardens, and Philadelphia Baker in the dust.

[Edit this paragraph] The coolest lifestyle

If Holcoby Locke were still alive, he would definitely receive the Medal of Honor from New York.

Rucker Park is now the beating heart of millions of young kids around the world who are crazy about street basketball, but the league was founded to prevent kids from going down a bad path.

He may not be a great player, but he is certainly an outstanding innovator and the best life mentor for children. Mr. Locke has always believed that the game in the park "is not a basketball league." What he wants to create is a new culture, telling children that basketball is a kind of life and is worth pursuing throughout their lives.

"He made us feel that life has meaning. We can have dreams and goals." Charles Turner said slowly. He is a loyal believer in Locke culture and also played in the park. League for many years. "He saved a lot of kids. They would have been hanging around with some bad guys on the street, robbing, taking drugs, and if they weren't hacked to death, they would have spent their lives in jail. But suddenly, they discovered the meaning of life on the basketball court. A new world. ”

In the past, the New York Police Department was troubled by the extremely high crime rate in this world metropolis, which has become one of the largest drug trafficking areas. However, after street basketball became popular in Rucker Park and other places, many children who would become delinquents tomorrow have become local basketball stars. More children talk about shooting skills, rather than channels for obtaining drugs. .

In 1974, 9 years after Mr. Locke's death, the local government named the park, originally known as "P.S.156 Playground", after him in recognition of his outstanding contributions. . One New York media even said, "If it weren't for Mr. Locke, New York might be a completely different city now."

Now, buy a bottle of soda and a pack of hot dogs at the retail stalls in the park , use the fastest speed to find a good seat in the open air, let your body completely sway and relax this night, which has become the coolest lifestyle for many New York teenagers. It is not uncommon to find a big celebrity coming to watch a game one night, such as Bill Clinton, Denzel Washington, etc.

The children all enjoyed this basketball life. The league here lasts from mid-June to mid-August and has been described by the New York Times as one of the most important events of the local summer.

[Edit this paragraph] Choose NBA? It's still Locke

Although some people in the NBA disdainfully call the Locke League "playground basketball", and the players are all playing basketball, but here the dazzling dribbling, finger-turning, and extremely destructive His slam dunks and perfect alley-oops have influenced the style of NBA play for many years.

Haniba Ward, a 31-year-old entrepreneur, is a staunch Rock fan. If he were given a choice between NBA games in the Plaza Garden and street basketball here, he would choose without hesitation. The latter, "I'm watching the game here and never dare to leave my seat, even if your bladder is about to burst, or you are starving or thirsty. Because as soon as you leave, you may miss a wonderful scene. , and people will probably be talking about this move for years."

Wally Dixon, a 6-foot-4 guard for the "Bad Boys" of the Rock League, believes that this place can provide the greatest basketball enjoyment. . "Many people who cannot afford to go to the Garden to watch NBA games will come here to watch the games. As long as I am on the court, I will provide them with the purest entertainment from beginning to end."

[Edit this paragraph] Like Playing like Locke

Week 1: The game begins and the players are mentally prepared to receive countless screams, cheers, boos and even curses.

Week 2: In addition to normal games, some NBA stars will be invited to play against league stars. Every player participating in the event will be given a nickname by the event organizers, but Richardson of the Warriors who was invited last year performed too poorly and did not receive any nickname.

Week 3: The competition enters its climax.

Week 4: The Harlem All-Star Game is held. The selected players are all street basketball players in this area, but they do not exclude NBA players, such as the Pacers' O'Neal and the Suns' Marino. and Marbury were both selected to the All-Star Game last year.

Week 5: At this time last year, Kobe Bryant came. Maybe there will be a big NBA star this year, but I wonder if he will be humiliated again?

Week 6: A week for guards, especially point guards. Many NBA scouts will come here to watch the game, hoping to find a good defender, but only with the latter's consent.

Week 7: Playoff time, also the climax of the "show".

Week 8: The finals are here. The two teams with the most basketball prowess and performance talent will compete for the annual championship. Last year's championship was "Team Terror."

When it comes to streetball, you have to mention the Harlem area of ??New York, and when it comes to Harlem, you have to talk about Rucker Park on 155th Avenue - a streetball venue known all over the world. The place where the hand is regarded as the temple of streetball. Rucker Park is not a park in the ordinary sense, but a Mecca for street basketball that combines American culture, black culture and basketball culture.

[Edit this paragraph] Rucker Park emerged from a garbage dump

Forty years ago, Rucker Park was a garbage dump, a smelly place that the surrounding residents kept away from. In 1965, Holcoby Locke, a worker at the New York City Parks Department, decided to make good use of this area, so he made a series of improvements to the garbage dump, paved the court surface with asphalt, and transformed his favorite streets into The basketball league moved to the open space in the park on 155th Street in Harlem.

Rucker Park not only provided a place for entertainment and sports for neighborhood children, but also saved many slum teenagers who were likely to go astray. This free park allows children who should have been fooling around in society to find another world on the court. Many delinquents have now become proud local stars.

In 1974, 9 years after Mr. Locke’s death, in recognition of his outstanding contributions, the local government named the park, originally known as the “P·S·156 Playground”, after him. . One New York media even said, "If it weren't for Mr. Locke, New York might be a completely different city now."

Now, Locke Park also has its own basketball league - "Classic Entertainment Basketball" (Entertainers Basketball Classic, referred to as EBC), they also have their own web page, LOGO, jersey, etc. Unlike the NBA, EBC is completely free. The playoffs start after the NBA ends, usually starting early in the evening. Fans who come here to watch the game can sit in the open-air seats or climb to nearby railings or trees. Got a better view.

[Edit this paragraph] Locke players make Kobe a joke

NBA stars will also visit Locke Park in their free time. If you heard about any NBA star and a certain street When golfers have met, 80% of them were at Rucker Park. "Skyhook" Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Chamberlain, Dr. J, etc. all played in Locke. Current NBA stars such as O'Neal, Steve Marbury, Iverson, Mashburn, Marion, Kobe, Garnett They all "showed off" their skills at Locke.

Rucker Park also has its own stars, all of whom are well-known street ball players, and their influence is no worse than any star in the NBA. To put it bluntly, the players and fans here are not even interested in stars like Kobe Bryant.

Some people compare Rucker Park to the Bermuda of the NBA, because many NBA stars will be "insulted" by the Rucker Park stars when they visit Rucker Park in the summer, but they will still enjoy it and still show up persistently. on the field at Rucker Park.

In the summer of 2003, Kobe came to Rucker Park and hinted that he wanted to break the 25-year-old street ball game created by Homond (the street fighter nicknamed "The Destroyer" in Rucker Park) in Rucker Park. Scored a record of 74 points, but after playing against local players, Kobe's wild words became a quickly "popular" joke in the park - he only scored 14 points in the first half, and the second half was forced to be canceled due to heavy rain. . To this day, looking back on his experience at Rucker Park that year, Kobe still has lingering fears: "The players there are really good. If you can't perform convincingly, they won't respect you at all. They will kill you on the court. you.

”

[Edit this paragraph] Rules of Rucker Park

Only when you stand under the green sign of Rucker Park can you truly feel that it is the holy land of street ball. When Before you plan to go, you will definitely receive various warnings, especially reminders for outsiders: don’t look at others easily, don’t talk to people standing on the roadside easily; don’t walk, be sure to drive. ; Bring a gun, don’t come empty-handed. It’s a bit scary, but it’s all true. Maybe your brand-name sneakers and camera will be taken away, or maybe you will accidentally take a look at those Harlem neighborhoods. But if you really come, it shows that you respect the legend of Locke. You are already worthy of respect, but you must be accompanied by guys who grew up in Harlem, and you will listen to them. This is the rule

A holy place is a holy place.