Sonny Parker is part of the section for Chicago.

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11216972/playground-basketball-dying

I play outdoor almost every weekend at the local park. It's mostly older players (45+) but they can shoot lights out and have size (most are 6'2+, 220+). I started bringing my son when he was 7 and at 10 almost 11 he can play with grownups (knows where to be, when to cut, how to space, when to get out of the way, passes well, hits the open shot and can defend on the ball). Its a blast and one of the things I look forward to the most in my week. We play when its 100 and when it's 35 out.



[This message has been edited by Bbdp (edited 7/27/2014 7:39p).]

The weather never bothered me either that much, but affordable air conditioning spread across the country and it got really popular in the late 90s / early 2000s to build air-conditioned gyms.

That pretty much sealed it. Plus inside there's never wind to contend with, less court conditions to deal with. And I know it talks about those things in the article.

In its early days though, basketball was almost exclusively an indoor game.

If you can play inside, why wouldn't you?

-A/C
-No wind
-Wood floors

I gotta watch Hoop Dreams again

Only reason's to play outdoors:

Convenience, cost, people that are there.
Some might enjoy the weather or want to work on their tan/need vitamin D.

I coach competitive youth sports and the cost for floor time is generally $45-75 per hour. We typically get one night per week in a gym and then we try at least one night at an outdoor court.

You have to know someone or be a part of an organization that provides gym time. We run our own team and play it's about 33% of the cost if we were to be a part of an org.

ISDs are the most expensive places to play. They spend our money to building these things (one in almost every neighborhood) but charge a premium to use it. If you know a coach, you can get in free but they have to be there.

Nowadays I am over 30 and don't play often enough to stay in game shape...plus hoops kinda conflicts with keeping my joints healthy enough for distance running. At least, that's my excuse.

But back in the day indoor courts were a rarity for my friends and I. Hooped outdoors every weekend, and many weekdays after school. Didn't matter how hot or cold it was. No refs, call your own fouls.

The park I spent the most time at had a single half-court hoop setup with hand-drawn free throw line, and chain-link fence on one side. No 3-point line so we just eyeballed it from one of the fence supports. That court wasn't wide enough to shoot a true corner 3, so they were pretty much all straight on. If you airballed a jumper, you'd have to chase it down. In high school we rarely even brought water with us; after 4 or 5 games we'd walk to a buddy's house in the neighborhood and hydrate over there. 100 degrees outside, didn't matter. You never knew who might show up at the parks. Lots of good memories over there.

I really didn't have much indoor exposure till getting to A&M, really. Definitely a very different experience. I liked it, but it wasn't quite the same thing. I was a big fan of the outdoor courts at the Rec, that's for sure. Games out there were a lot of fun. Same with the outdoor court on Northside of campus.

I've only really played with two or three guys who were good enough to play at a high level of organized ball. If I'm some major college prospect, or I'm associated with an NBA team in any way, I could definitely see why those guys are so averse to outdoor hoops. Injury risk is definitely higher, and there are more variables. Still, I think it's a great atmosphere and experience. Too bad it seems to be going away.

Honestly, I think wood floors are a more finicky playing surface. With concrete, unless it just got done raining, or it's extra dusty for some reason, you pretty much know how your shoes will react. I feel like wood courts are less predictable. Granted, if it's a well maintained court then it should be fine. Maybe just personal preference since I was so used to outdoor concrete courts. Outdoor definitely tears your shoes (and ball) up quicker.

[This message has been edited by madd_ag_05 (edited 7/28/2014 11:31a).]

quote:

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I've only really played with two or three guys who were good enough to play at a high level of organized ball. If I'm some major college prospect, or I'm associated with an NBA team in any way, I could definitely see why those guys are so averse to outdoor hoops. Injury risk is definitely higher, and there are more variables.

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I agree.
I have a cousin who is a head coach at a private school in Houston. Most of the native Houston NBA players use his gym to play pick up games in the off-season. My son went to his camp and as soon as the camp was over, the NBA guys showed up. He was pretty excited to see them that close. When you play outdoors, you play who's there. If you are very good, you often don't want to play with some random guy who can take your legs out from under you. Most of the "good" games are by invitation only.

My YMCA is ruined because one of the main guys that is always playing is horrible. He plays 3rd grade defense and doesn't understand what a foul is or isn't..... so therefore, good players don't want to play there. It's just not a good game and it only takes one or two bad players who don't know there bad.

At my neighborhood court, there are 2-3 guys who are not very good, but they know it and do what they do well. They can all hit an open 15'+ shot, know when to pass and know where they should be; so the court stays spread out and makes for a good competitive game for the better players.