My love affair with strange sport of tossing an orange ball into a tall hoop started when I was 8 yrs old. My mom had bought a ball, knowing that she has to expose me to different sports to find my niche. It was a cheap, rubber ones, painted in red, white and blue. When I touched the ball, at that age, I felt like it was a part of me, instantly merging, integrating into my very being. I couldn't wait to test out the new toy.
My mom drove me down to a neighbourhood court, and watched quietly as i attempted to throw the ball in. The hoops seemed so tall, an unattainable goal. But it only made me more determined. Again and again, the ball went up. Some missed the rim totally, and some clanged hard off. And there were those oh-so-close shots that just wont go in.
I've seen people hit shots like it was nothing and I knew I was weaker in skill and strength. But hey, the ball nearly went in didn't it? That means I was nearly as good as them, doesn't it? That was how i thought of my skills when I reflected on the small shoot around. I had only needed to practise a bit more, before I will enter the league of the pros such as those in secondary school.
However, that, of course, was not going to the the case. I played ball constantly by myself after the first encounter, but never really found myself a good basketball kaki until I was Primary 5 when I met up with Zhi Feng. He taught me the basics, and we played together with Li wei, another classmate of ours. We progressed steadily; Zhi Feng went to the basketball team at the Chinese High, now called Hwa Chong Institution; I practiced on my own, since my own basketball school team's training clashed with my swimming training.
We became competent in the game. I rose to the top of the hierarchy in the neighbourhood court, using superior speed and height to beat most people. I then travelled around with a ball, looking for more and more people to play with or against. My dismal defence start to pick up as I went to courts in Hougang, Buona Vista, Ulu Pandan, Marine Parade, Bedok, Tampines, Jurong, Clemnti and countless other courts I cant remember where.
The people I played with were the best part. I saw gangsters that play with each other. I saw that they can be honest and caring, yet malicious and brutal. I met noobs and taught them what I knew. I was awestruck by girls with skills a thousand times higher than mine. I was stunned guys towering 2 meters above me. I met up with foreigners that have no language platform similar to mine except for basketball. I played one-on-one with blacks from the US and got elbowed, kneed left, right and center for it.
My brother, influenced by me and the stylish aspect of the game, joined in the fun. We had characterized 'hood players into different categories: Noobs, godbies, peers, god-pros and pros.
Noobs would be those with limited or no experience in the game. The causual players that are just in it for fun. Win or lose, it doesn't matter.
Godbies have limited-to-average experience on the court, and think they can beat anyone. They clothes are always stylish, and they always try to be the leader on the court, either by barking instructions or by trying to score the most points, usually trying to score against multiple opponents. Then enjoy bullying noobs on the court, for it makes them feel good about themselves. They wont take a loss for an answer, and would almost surely will blame someone else for it. As you can see, I hate this group the most, and they are, unfortunately, the predominant group in most courts.
Peers are people with decent standard, and choose not to brag about it. My favourite group to play with by far as the games are usually competitive and fun. They are usually willing to share the basketball and are not above taking any advice.
God-pros are the same as godbies, except that they are much better in terms of skill. they are the people who layup, shoot or dunk over your head, and would make sure you remember it. And you cant do anything about it cos they are usually just that good. The worst kind in all the groups, and thankfully not many.
Pros same as peers, except they are much more skilled. If a god-pro rubs his skill in your face, call a pro friend to help you trash the guy's ass, so you can see the look on his face.
Looking back now, it seems laughable that a small rubber ball was able to propel me into the world of 'hood bball. It is quite remarkable actually.
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