"The so-called streetball legends are all blown out. Playing in the street, and the attack and defense of the game are not counted, who knows what their real skills are? A bunch of excessive myths. " Jason Williams, the former Nets rebounding king, really hit the nail on the head-in the statistically dominant NBA, the gossip of neighborhood gangsters doesn't count.
Hey, is Jabbar a street thug? Is Chick Hearn's interview a gossip? When the voice of the Lakers asked Abdul-Jabbar, "Who is the best player you have ever played?"
"wilt chamberlain." Jabbar, who is extremely stingy with saliva, actually asked: "In the NBA?"
"Even outside the NBA?"
"That's Earl Minnie Kauert." "Jabbar" spit out a strange name.
The name Manny Kauert is too long, too difficult and too elegant for the streets of new york. Even his middle school teacher couldn't pronounce it correctly, so he was cut into "Kauert" and finally everyone simply wrote "goat". When the "goat" was omnipotent in new york, it was dismantled into "the greatest ever". When young people are bullfighting in the street, the word "goat" is a respectful name for dunking with both hands. "Can you dunk?" "Dunk? Hey, I can get angry! "
Middle-aged "goat"
"Goat" was born in 1944, grew up in a single-parent family in new york, lacked the control of his father, and set foot on the streets early. There, all kinds of terrible temptations devour the future of young people every day. Perhaps because there was no money in his pocket, the "goat" in his youth was lucky enough to be addicted to basketball without getting into bad habits. Almost every night, at the corner of 130 street, you can see a thin black child barely dunking. During the day, the stadium is occupied by players from high schools, universities and even professional teams. Children can only practice by street lamps in the morning and evening, hoping that their skills and height will grow rapidly and they will be able to challenge adults one day. Some passers-by stopped to laugh at "goat"' s clumsy dunk-they didn't know that "goat" still had two heavy sandbags tied in his socks.
When he joined Benjamin Franklin High School in 1962, the height of "goat" was unremarkable 1.85 meters, and his jumping height actually reached an incredible 50 inches-127 cm! Betting with others to catch the coins on the top of the backboard has always been his strong point. Until later, people in the whole block were afraid to gamble with him again, and "goat" came up with another trick-continuous reverse dunk. Up to now, some people in new york still remember the scene where "Goat" dunked for 36 consecutive times and won $60.
"Goat" was as magical as jumping, and was quickly selected for the high school team, and had several fierce battles with the Power Memorial High School where Jabbar (then named Lu-Arsind) was located. The two soon became golfers and swept the streets hand in hand. Off the court, Jabbar, who is famous all over the city but aloof, is always a loner, while the equally famous "goat" has made a large group of friends of various religions and habits and has contracted many bad habits. In the last year of high school, the school expelled the "goat" who smoked marijuana. Although "goat" was imprisoned for drug abuse and robbery, he finally repented and reformed, but he never admitted that he had smoked marijuana in high school until his death.
Scene 1: 1964 Locke all-star game. "Goat" made a quick breakthrough with the ball. Fan En Harper, the star of Syracuse University with a height of 2.03 meters, and Phil Reid, the center with a height of 2.03 meters, quickly returned to defense. They stood side by side in the basket, reaching for the lid. The "goat" with a height of 1.85 meters regarded them as nothing and took off. Harper and Reid jumped on the cover, only to see the "goat" rising higher and higher, and finally their hands were violently buckled on the heads of two opponents who were taller than themselves 15 cm. The audience was suddenly silent, and then burst into applause. Fans poured into the stadium and the game was interrupted.
Just when "Goat" almost got lost in the street, the founder of Locke Alliance, Hocamby Locke, found this young man and gave him a rare fatherly care and discipline. Finally, through his recommendation, Mr. Locke sent "Goat" to the famous basketball preparatory school-Laurenberg College in Charlotte, North Carolina. For the first time, the goat, who is far away from the metropolis, began to settle down to study. His grades reached the standards set by NCAA, followed by basketball scholarships from famous universities such as North Carolina, Duke and Indiana. Due to the pressure of homework, goat chose an unknown black university-John Smith College.
Unfortunately, "goat" didn't "survive" in college, and the coach took care of his starting position for senior students. Goat dropped out of school in a rage and returned to new york, only to learn that Mr Locke had passed away. Losing his life guide, he wandered the streets all day and soon became addicted to heroin. 1969, Jabbar became the No.1 pick in the NBA and signed a million-dollar contract, but "goat" was jailed and spent 16 months in Greenhaven prison in new york.
In the 69-70 season, the new york Knicks won the first NBA championship in the team's history. Writer Axel Lan mentioned the legend of "goat" in the streets of new york in his book Basketball City, which recorded the Knicks' championship, and NBA teams finally began to pay attention to him. 1970 after he was released from prison in the summer, "goat" got a trial training opportunity in Utah, and even had a chance to compete with his old friend Jabbar in a preseason game. Unfortunately, drugs and prison almost destroyed the "goat"' s body, and he was cut off by the jazz before the confrontation with Jabbar.
Scene 2:1In the summer of 967, "Goat" was selected as the best senior high school team in the United States, and was known as "fine steel Spring Man" as Edrich Webber. In a fast break, "goat" took the ball straight to the basket. When he saw Webber catching up from behind, he deliberately slowed down and reached out to say hello to Webber. When Weber jumped with him at the same time, the goat grabbed the ball with his right hand and lowered it over his waist, which was about to rise to the highest point. Suddenly, his arm flashed 270 degrees in the air and smashed the ball from Webber's head into the basket. Forgive me for not being able to reproduce a wonderful scene in simple words, but Hammond, the destroyer, said, "This is the most wonderful slam dunk I have ever seen in my life."
Dragging his broken body, "goat" returned to the street. At the age of 25, he stumbled on the court, panting, and completely lost his former style. Gradually, the king retired.
Soon after, "Goat" imitated the benefactor Hocamby-Locke, returned to the community and founded the "Goat Alliance" on 99th Street. Stars from all walks of life come here. Bernard king and Albert King, as well as mario elie, the champion of both Rockets and Spurs, all came from the Goat League.
Sadly, "goat" has never completely escaped the control of white powder. In the summer of 1977, he inexplicably canceled the opening day of his league and drove to the Bronx with a group of friends. A few hours later, he was handcuffed-trying to rob $6 million. This time, 24 months in prison.
After being released from prison, the "goat" seems to be really afraid of the dark street, and his family moved out of new york. It didn't take long for me to forget that his fans invited him back to new york to take charge of the Goat League again. This time, he did not let everyone down. The Alliance is still standing on the streets of new york.
1998 may 15, "goat" died of heart failure. To commemorate his efforts to promote basketball, new york named the basketball court at 99th Street and Amsterdam Avenue "Goat Park". [Text: 2003128 October]
Ouch! Forgot to mention the registered trademark of "goat", the legend in the legend of New York-"double dunk". Many old fans in new york have vowed that they have witnessed the double dunk technique of "Goat" with their own eyes, or in a formal street competition. Legend has it that the "goat" broke through the basket and took off when he was 3 points behind the team. After dunking, he caught the ball in the air and then dunked it, and then arrogantly said it was 4 points. Does anyone care what the double dunk score is? This kind of performance has completely surpassed the basketball category of the earth people and belongs to another time and space. The descendants of the NBA "flying man" are struggling with the new tricks of the slam dunk contest every year. It's not that no one thought of "double dunk", but that you want to say that the NBA net is too long and the ball falls slowly ...) @% $ # * $ (q @! ! !
Lenny cooke's fragment
Name: lenny cooke.
Position: defender
Height:1.98m.
Weight: 93 kg
Born:1April 29th, 982, Brooklyn, new york.
CNNSI reported on July 9, 2006 5438+0: A year ago, the unknown lenny cooke conquered the whole ABCD high school training camp in just four days and won the title of co-MVP in the all-star game of non-graduate group ... In this year's training camp, Cook, who has become famous all over the country, will become the target of other young players ... "I practice very hard because I know that everyone will come to me this year, and I don't want to ruin mine. North Carolina, Cincinnati, Miami, St. John and Ohio all joined the enrollment war against Cook, but the young man who once challenged Kobe said, "Kobe did it (high school went straight to the NBA), why can't I?" " ...
2006 07 09 54 38+0 North Carolina Insider Report: lenny cooke who set foot on the basketball court can meet any challenge. Today, his opponent is carmelo anthony. The two of them came and went in the game ... Anthony blocked Cook's success and made rude remarks. Cook immediately retaliated Anthony with a super aerial relay ... In the end, Cook scored 20 points and led the team to victory ... "It doesn't matter if I play the senior high school league next year, as long as the score is enough, they (North Carolina) will give me a scholarship." Cook said after the game ...
On June 28th, 2006, 5438+0, TheInsiders reported that lenny cooke watched this year's draft and cheered for omar cook, a fellow villager in new york (who used to be a talented high school player). In the end, omar cook fell to the second round and failed to get the guarantee contract. Lanny said: "I have to think about it after seeing this happen, but in fact I have thought about it ... I know I have to train hard." ... they were high school students the night before the draft and became millionaires the next day. ...
On September 27th, 2006, at 5438+0, TheInsiders reported that Cook planned to take the SAT to prepare for entering the university ... Many universities were worried that Cook would enter the NBA directly ... "Everyone said that he should go to the NBA, except himself ... he has this potential, but no one can guarantee anything ..." ...
In May 2002, the Clippers website reported that Cook talked about today's trial training in Clippers: "Unfortunately, I entered the trial training with a broken foot today, and I couldn't do many things ... In several trials, I voted accurately ... (I played like) Kobe Bryant, Mike Gerety and Darryl Myers ... (If I entered the NBA) I wouldn't be in a hurry to become a superstar.
PRNA reported on May 6th, 2002: lenny cooke, 20 years old, averaged 30 points and 15 rebounds in high school. Today, he announced in Junio restaurant in new york that he would give up his college entrance examination qualification and directly participate in the 2002 NBA draft. ...
ESPN reported in May 2002: Clippers star elton brand attended the press conference in lenny cooke. Cook said that he had obtained the opinions of Brand and Marbury: "I heard them say that NBA coaches and scouts like me very much." ...
After the 2002 draft, the internal user forum:
Post-"So, where is lenny cooke now?"
Reply-"11nbdl draft was selected by Glenn Bass."
Reply-"I also heard that he was selected by NBDL, but he has been fired. The coach said it would take too much time to train him. "
Reply-"He was at supersonic speed, and after he was fired, he went to the roadside to sell oranges. Every high school star should take a good look at him in the future! "
Reply-"Cook is in our Philippine League! I scored 49 points 17 rebounds in the first game! "
Reply-"Cook is great. I can't believe I watched his game in the Philippines. He is definitely NBA material. "
Reply-"He is now a 20/20/5 player, playing for Shanghai Oriental Sharks in CBA. He will cry when the Shanghai team signs it. "
June 5438+1October 7, 2004 hoopCHINA Forum: "Cook played Zhejiang in the first game for ten minutes 16 points and 6 rebounds, but he was a little short-tempered on the court. Less than a quarter of them were beaten, and six criminals graduated. Play Bayi in the second game, 4 1 point, and get back the feeling. After that, it was out of control, scoring, rebounding, mvp ... The next most impressive scene was that he faced the defender with a continuous speed change and knocked down his opponent, and then gave a very beautiful expressionless pass to his unguarded teammates under the basket ... But Cook played in China or other low-level leagues, which was a waste of his talent after all ... "
2002 ESPN Tom Farley's long article fragment:
Cook got a high score of "genius" in the "matrix thinking" in the intelligence test, but his current courses in high school are almost all for the underachievers. ...
Cook came from the corridor, wearing a leather jacket, a brand-new Yankee baseball cap and shiny new Nike shoes. ...
The Cooks live in the worst neighborhood of the worst city ... A big hole in the floor was covered with a piece of cloth, and the rain fell from here to the prostitute's house downstairs. ...
The phone rang. It was Joe Bryant, Kobe's father. ...
"I think about (entering the NBA) every day in class and imagine becoming a millionaire in two years ..."
"He (Cook) is a celebrity. Because of what? Because what did he do? He has done nothing so far. " Indeed, Cook is a poor man standing on the edge of great wealth and a rich man standing on the edge of extreme poverty. ...
20041October 9 titan sports: Indeed, Cook came to Shanghai for the first time as a secret weapon. After a burst of shooting, Cook did knock down many experts, including Bayi, but as time went on, his fatal weakness of being too independent became more and more obvious ... Liu Wei also expressed disgust at the performance of two foreigners. "Sometimes you are too independent, you know singles and how many balls you break!"
Hocamby Locke, the father of streetball in new york.
Hocamby Locke has never played professional basketball. "But if it weren't for him, let alone new york's streetball, even the NBA wouldn't be here today." Street superstar Peewee kirkland said.
1926 On March 2nd, Hocamby Locke was born in a poor black family in new york and was raised by his grandmother. He was a star defender of Benjamin Franklin High School in East Harlem, but dropped out of school to join the army and went to the front line of World War II. 1946 after the war, Locke was demobilized and returned to Harlem, where he was still poor.
Hocamby-Locke
Young Locke has strong ambitions. Less than a year after his demobilization, he got a high school diploma, and then began to attend night classes at City University of new york. In just three years, Locke completed the four-year undergraduate course and was awarded a bachelor's degree. After graduation, he found a job as a cultural instructor of the municipal government, teaching English in a junior high school in Harlem 139, and working as a basketball coach in a public sports center at the junction of 134 Street and Eighth Street. There, Locke organized a basketball league of different ages. His goal is to attract children and young people with basketball games and keep them away from street violence and all kinds of crimes. Most players, like Locke, come from poor families. Locke taught these children a lot about life through basketball and encouraged them to work hard and get rid of poverty.
Charles Turner is one of them. A game decades ago changed his life. "We laughed and laughed on the court that day and did some fancy moves. We were 30 points behind in the first half. " Turner recalled, "We were just children, and the game was just like playing a game." At halftime, Hocamby Locke walked up to the team and glanced at every player: "Every week, every day, I taught you how to train and how to play. But what do you do on the court? " Locke stared at his young players and tears of disappointment welled up in his eyes.
"We were all shocked." Turner recalled, "We are all bad boys wandering in the street, but no one has ever seen an adult cry." Locke didn't say another word. "He doesn't have to say anything," Turner said. "Since then, we have never forgotten the dignity of this sport, our own dignity."
Turner's team is back on the court, struggling with every rebound, and dare not relax defensively. In the end, they beat their opponents by 30 points.
Charles Turner still lives in Harlem, and he and his teammates have always respected Locke very much. "Earl Minnie Kauert, I really want to beat him up." Turner's old teammate, Moliis in his early 60s, has no respect for the great "goat". "Mr Locke is not a fat old man sweeping the streets. He is the instructor of the city government! He sent thousands of children to college and dragged more children back from the prison gate. "
A few years ago, HBO TV filmed a biographical film of Earl-Minnie Kauert, a streetball legend, which caused quite a stir in the United States. In this film, Hocamby Locke is portrayed as a potbellied but clever cleaner.
"Earl is a consultant for that film." Turner is also very dissatisfied. "We all like this Earl guy, but it's impossible for him to let Mr. Locke take that picture!" Maybe Turner's anger is necessary. As time goes by, Mr. Luo's image in the eyes of the public becomes more and more blurred. Many newspapers and magazines described him as a fat old man with low status.
"To play for Locke, you must learn to answer his questions with' yes sir' or' no sir'." Turner recalled, "Do you want to play? You have to show Mr. Locke your resume first. "
In the summer of 1946, Locke held an outdoor basketball championship at the junction of138th Street and Fifth Avenue. The original four teams, 1 referee-Locke himself. At the same time, Locke began to organize his own team to compete with youth teams in other parts of new york. Regrettably, the municipal government did not give Locke any support he needed. Cash-strapped Locke often has to pay for whistles himself, and sometimes he even borrows balls from children in the street to play games.
Later, Locke met a "street tycoon" named john hunter. Although most of Hunter's income comes from gambling, he did give Hocamby-Locke a lot of help. Hunter is willing to shed blood when the children have no money to buy sneakers or sweatshirts. He also paid money to help the players rent cars for away games, and carefully filled up the fuel tank before each departure.
A game in Locke Park in the 1970s.
In this way, more and more children began to like basketball under Locke's care. "In any case, Mr. Locke will take us to the game." Moliis recalled, "We competed with black children in the Bronx, Irish children in the city and Italian children. In fact, no matter who we are, we will go as long as we want to play. "
1947 65438+In February, Hocamby Locke married his girlfriend Mary Green. Two years later, the League moved to the St. Nicholas Palace Stadium at the junction of128th Street and 7th Street. Locke's office has also moved there, with green benches and steel lamps. Locke works there for more than ten hours every day. Hundreds of dark-skinned young people from poor families came to his office, some for basketball games, and more just wanted to hear some suggestions from Mr. Locke on their lives. Locke's mantra was "one person teaches one person", which later became the name of a youth group in Harlem.
In the 1940s and 1950s, black players were still treated unfairly. Locke used his persuasion and recommendation letters to help many young players get on the right track of basketball and stay away from the evil spirits on the street. New york's basketball has gradually formed its own unique style-strong, fierce and high self-esteem, which is in sharp contrast with Indiana's emphasis on accurate shooting and California's emphasis on skills. With Locke's help, a large number of black players entered the university, including the stars of Northern Illinois University, Thomas Sanders, Ralph Barkott and "Goat". At the same time, a number of universities in new york, such as Long Island University and St. John's College, benefited from the input of many excellent black players and began to occupy a dominant position in university leagues.
1949- 1950 college season, City University of new york won the NCAA and NIT championships, and MVP Ed Werner became a national basketball idol in one fell swoop, and the Celtics showed great interest in him. Just when Warner's future was bright, a sudden gambling scandal suddenly ruined his dream. Instead of taking part in the NBA draft, he was put in prison for six months. After he was released from prison, Warner became synonymous with neighborhood shame, and even the children who asked for his autograph refused to play ball with him. Just when Warner was desperate, Locke found him.
"Hocombe told me," Warner, who was in his 70s, recalled, "Ed, I also think you did a very bad thing. But everyone makes mistakes. I think I can give you another chance. You come back and tell your children that you made a mistake, tell them not to be like you, and tell them that you are trying to correct yourself. You see, I'm organizing an alliance. Will you help me? "
Warner listened to Locke's persuasion, joined his league, got a job in the Eastern Basketball League, and later became a counselor in the new york Primary School Sports League. "I'm not a guilty person. No one has ever taught me how to be a man. " Warner recalled, "If I had met Hocombe earlier, everything would have been different."
From 65438 to 0953, Locke's basketball league was divided into advanced, intermediate and university levels. At 1954, Locke's dream finally came true-his "professional" alliance was built. In summer, players from NBA and other leagues came one after another, and teams from New Jersey, Philadelphia and Washington made a special trip to new york to try their hand. But the city government still refused to help him, and even refused to build some seats beside the stadium for the fans. No matter how busy he is, Locke's alliance is becoming more and more famous. NBA scouts, college coaches ... all kinds of people flocked to Locke Stadium.
Locke League has become a carnival for new york fans, and even candy vendors know that Locke Stadium is the best place to do business. Every match day, people gather around the stadium. If people standing outside don't climb to the branches, they can only try to figure out the game by the shouts of the audience in front.
The game is getting more and more prosperous, but Hocamby Locke's creed has not changed-he wants to help the poor in the neighborhood through basketball. Locke League has never been a tool to make money, but a paradise for fans and a stage for players to display their talents. Locke's work attitude is consistent. "Mr. Locke thinks it is not enough to come to the stadium every day, spend more than ten hours taking care of the game, and then go home." Stanley Hill, a follower of Locke, said, "If one of us needs his help, he will definitely come. He taught us the truth and tried his best to help us. The last thing he wants to see is that someone is swallowed up by the sin in the street. "
1965, the municipal government finally agreed to move his alliance to the junction of155th Street and 8th Street, which is now the location of Locke Park. This stadium became the stage for the best basketball players in the world at that time, and the great Chamberlain was one of them. In the days when there is no competition, businessmen and politicians ... all kinds of people still gather in the park. For them, Biloch Stadium is the best place for communication. Still, there are no billboards in the park.
While the game is booming, years of hard work and bad habits of smoking are devouring Locke's health. 1965 In March, Hocamby Locke died of lung cancer at the age of 38, leaving his wife Mary and three children.
Now Locke park
"Hocamby Locke is a soldier. He devoted his life to bringing dignity and happiness to poor Harlem. " The Amsterdam newspaper mourned Locke's death like this.
1On July 3rd, 969, the venue of Rock League was officially named as Rock Park by new york Mayor John Lindsay. On July 26th, 1970, Locke Park was named Hocamby-Locke Square together with its surroundings.
-"Destroyer" Joe Hammond
(1) Introduction
/kloc-one afternoon in October, 1994, Harlem, new york. On the street opposite the dark and shabby Paul building, a slightly hunched old man was hobbling into the basketball court, wearing a baseball cap, a dirty turtle neck and a pair of tattered blue jeans. Obviously, he looks more like an old beggar than a streetball king now.
"Hey, old man! Are you blind or something? " The questioner is an angry young man. He put the basketball under his arm and pointed to the clear sky overhead with one hand and said, "We are playing ball! Get your poor ass away from me! "
Several other young people joined in and looked at the stranger-a tall and thin black man with fair skin and short beard. I saw him go to the sideline of the stadium, gently put down the plastic garbage bag on his back, turned and walked back to the center of the stadium, looking at the empty stands on both sides, as if drawing some strength-in his memory, fanatical fans shouted over and over again: "We want Joe! We want Joe! " ......
Once a street hero, it is hard to see the bully's anger now.
"I'm short of a few dollars." He said softly, "Which one of you will fight with me."
"Don't waste our time." A young man said. "Go and play somewhere else." Cried another young man.
The stranger looked at the ground of the stadium with tired eyes. "Nobody wants my money?" He asked.
"Then show your money!" A young man said.
"The losers make money." Said the stranger.
"Cut the crap." The young man with the ball said, "You don't want money, just give it to me."
"How about twenty dollars?" Asked the stranger.
"Ok, let's get started."
"Your ball." As he spoke, the stranger took the ball from the young man, grabbed it in one hand, shook it a few times and stuffed it back into his chest. "Trust me, little brother, this is my home court."
"Come on, Rob, fuck him!" Several other young people shouted.
"Yes, Rob, let me see what you can do." The stranger said that he leaned forward slightly over the free throw line and stuck to his opponent.
The people on the side stood together, the garbage began, and the game began. The young man pretended to jump shot and rushed to the basket quickly, which looked like a layup that was destined to happen. But at the moment of shooting, the stranger reached out and touched the basketball, then jumped high, grabbed the ball and landed near the right baseline for a short pause. He is still the same round head, just like when he fought with Dr. J more than 20 years ago At the first attack opportunity, the stranger leaned forward as if to start a layup. The young man's foot moved and lost his defensive position. The stranger looked at his opponent, smiled gently and raised his hand to shoot. Basketball with perfect arc seems to have stopped in the air for decades before crossing the net.
"fuck!" A young man on the sidelines shouted.
As the game continued, the stranger gradually opened the score. Reverse layup, small hook, left hand pick, and then three consecutive free throw line jumpers. After a while, 12 is 0. The young man watching the war seemed to smell the musty smell of which apartment, and his expression was very embarrassing. Finally, strangers can finish the game with only one point left. When he jumped up and threw the winning ball, a voice outside the fence shouted, "Hey! Joe Hammond! Don't be hard on the child, don't take his money. "
The destroyer is at Locke Stadium.
The young man stayed for a moment and realized that he had just been played by a basketball ghost. He lowered his head and put his hands on his knees. "Are you Joe Hammond?" The child asked. He reached into his right sock and pulled out a crumpled 20 yuan bill. "You won this. I didn't underestimate your meaning."
On the streets of new york, when the name Joe Hammond is mentioned, or the old man who often wanders around the old site with a garbage bag on his back, many people will smile on his face-people who saw him play in the 1970s ... dunk, accurate long-range shot and incredible scoring record. At that time, he sold all kinds of white powder and had money, leaving aside the 50 thousand annual salary and Zijin jersey sent by the Lakers.
"That was my good day." Hammond went to pick up his garbage bag. "I have everything and can do anything. I thought I could do this all my life ... Well, I should go and see my daughter today ... "Hammond recalled his past and looked a little trance.
(2) Teenagers become famous
1963 65438+ 10, a heavy winter snow covered the whole city of new york, and the streets were empty, so there was no competition.
Donna Adams, a teacher and basketball coach, is sitting behind her desk at Cooper Junior High School at the junction of120th Street and Madison Avenue, watching the students' nervous exams. There is only the sound of rustling pencils rubbing the manuscript paper in the classroom. Suddenly, a strange sound came from downstairs.
"Sip ... Sip ... Sip ..."
Adams stood up, told the students to continue the exam, and went to the window to have a look.
"I looked down from the window and it was him again." Adams recalled, "I was shoveling snow on the court."
That's/kloc-Joe Hammond, who dropped out of school at the age of 0/3. His mother died early, and his father ran around to make a living. Every night, he sleeps in the hall of his grandmother's house with many cousins. During the day, he slipped from one stadium to another, and after every game, his hands were covered with blisters. His Pro Keds sneakers (a kind of cheap basketball shoes popular among blacks in the 1960s and 1970s) were wrapped together with tape. Every day, Hammond didn't go home until long after sunset. When God tried to cover the stadium with heavy snow, he picked up a broom or shovel to confront him.
"Joe only stayed for 27 days in seventh grade. He is almost a homeless child. " Howie Evans, Sports director of the Wagner Center in Harlem, the mentor of Destroyer and now the sports editor of Amsterdam News, said, "When he was eleven or twelve years old, he was addicted to basketball and wandered around those courts all day. Whenever there was a place, he began to practice shooting for hours at a time. While watching the adults play ball and training by themselves, Joe soon learned a lot. "
"Thirteen-year-old Joe's understanding of games is beyond most adults. Before him, I trained thousands of children and never saw anyone play like him. " Evans recalled, "He has extraordinary ball control skills and soon opened the gap with children of his age. It's hard to see a child commanding four other teammates on the court, especially when he doesn't have the ball. But Joe can do it. He sometimes gets angry because his teammates should pass rather than cut. I had to pull him aside and tell him that those children couldn't understand what he already understood. "
Evans and other neighbors took turns taking Hammond home, giving him food, clothes and so on. Hammond never.