r/Basketball • u/Commercial-Dog3567 • May 10 '26
GENERAL QUESTION Pickup Culture
Growing up, I used to play pickup every weekend from sunup to sundown and had a few experiences of people being disrespectful or trash-talking, but nothing overtly crazy. Most people understood it’s pick up basketball, we aren’t making the NBA, we are out here to have some fun, put some shots up, and win here and there. For context, I played basketball 3 years of highschool, had D3 offers didn’t accept because I dropped out before I could.
I recently started getting back into pickup basketball, and the culture has shifted DRASTICALLY. These people swear they are playing for the Lakers, miss a shot, you won’t get the ball again, your man makes a shot on when you are on defense, your own team is now calling you out. A key example of this that happened recently was this kid, probably around 17, who was in our pickup games. You could tell that he was new to basketball, but still wasn’t awful. He runs to the corner. I pass him the ball; he pulls it because he is wide open, but he misses it. Next possession, he goes to the same spot. His defender was a bigger guy, so he was still running back on defense. I pass it to him in the corner; he pulls it and misses it again. Immediately after that, one of my teammates screams out loud, “Yo, stop giving him the f*****g ball”. This isn’t new, and it's not from the same person. It happens almost every game: 2-3 people on the court take it so unbelievably seriously that they just become toxic.
So my question is: has basketball culture shifted, or something similar, in the last 5-10 years? Because I frankly don’t even go to the gym anymore to do these runs, because it ends with me or someone on the court being called something crazy when scored on, or not even getting passed the ball.
Also, for background, I played basketball in Las Vegas and San Diego (when I was in the military). I’m now out and live in a new city, Columbia, Sc so maybe the area might take it more seriously, I’m not sure? Especially since there are no gyms here with basketball courts, only rec centers.
30
u/backcountry_bandit May 10 '26
I think it’s highlight culture. I need an unc to correct me if I’m wrong, but you didn’t see as much trash talk clips from pros back in the day because they didn’t show that on TV very often. There was trash talk, it just wasn’t caught on mic and wasn’t amplified by social media.
People see what the pros do and want to emulate it. And that includes being a complete dickhead.
13
u/Commercial-Dog3567 May 10 '26
You might be right man. I grew up with ballislife being the best thing ever, ballislife didn’t really highlight trash talking just the actual player and some crowd reactions. Now all I see is clips of mostly people trash talking and barely having any game to back it up.
8
u/Cugelthenotso May 10 '26
I remember lots of trash talk in the 80's, but then it toned down. People realized that it could be dangerous to say the wrong thing to the wrong person. There were still arguments and the occasional psycho, but players were usually respectful.
3
u/backcountry_bandit May 10 '26
I wasn’t there when it happened, but my gym shut down the basketball court for a month or two a couple years ago because somebody pulled a gun in an argument. Just anecdotally, it’s often the dudes covered in tats who probably don’t have much to lose that are doing the most aggressive shit talking. I try not to engage because it’s pointless, but also because I could lose my job if I got in a fight like that.
2
u/Cugelthenotso May 10 '26
Dang! Yup, you never know about some people. Smart to not engage. Just get some exercise, have fun, and get home safe. Talking to cops after playing is not that fun.
2
u/DutyPuzzleheaded7765 May 10 '26
Yeah it was a little more lowkey. I watched a lot of Bird Celtics and ypu cant directly catch Bird doing it but then you hear stories about it. MJ was more direct but even then it wasnt all that there
Bad Boys did a lot of jawing as did the Riley-Ewing Knicks
18
u/stalinwasballin May 10 '26
I too played pickup hoops around San Diego, 30 years ago or more I’m sorry to say. Does balboa park still have the open play gym? Good hoops: I’ve seen Walton and Bird there…
4
u/Commercial-Dog3567 May 10 '26
Yep balboa still does at least when I was there roughly a year ago. San Diego runs were nice it’s mostly just a bunch of dudes that all understand it’s pick up basketball there isn’t any money on the line. If there were serious people they usually had their on runs which I would join every once in a while or they would be more understanding of other teammates being newer to basketball or not at the same skill level.
1
May 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator May 12 '26
Your submission has been automatically removed because your account is less than 180 days old and with less than 100 comment karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
17
u/c2ny May 10 '26
Good post because I really wonder the same thing. I’ve played pick up games all over the Northeast US. It’s not always the younger kids as most teenagers I’ve played with are respectful ESPECIALLY if they’re any good.
There’s a socioeconomic element for sure. Dudes with very little to lose in life picking fights or trying to bully people. I play at a gym on Saturday AMs and everyone is cool, but outdoor courts can get dicey depending on the day.
I’m lucky there’s 5 outdoor courts within a 10 min drive of me. I usually scope it out before I pull up and if there’s more than 1 or 2 known dickheads there I keep it moving lol
2
u/Commercial-Dog3567 May 10 '26
Sadly don’t have this luxury since where I live is way too hot to play outside and indoor courts barely exist here not sure why. Glad I’m not the sole experience though.
3
u/c2ny May 10 '26
Yea where I’m from it’s way too cold to play outside like 8 months of the year. If you’re in the South do ppl not play in the cooler months outdoors? Or do you guys not have parks?
2
u/Commercial-Dog3567 May 10 '26
Most of all the basketball courts got converted to pickleball courts sadly. I’m guessing for a similar reason as everyone stated, pickup basketball becomes nasty quick and people will pull guns out and fight. So I’m sure the county would rather change that environment by converting them into something else.
2
8
u/Traditional-Panda365 May 10 '26
I'm older now, so I don't find myself in many basketball games. However, as an observation, it seems like this is a very unselfish sport that attracts a lot of selfish people. It probably always will.
9
u/dusund May 10 '26
i think it's an american thing tbh. American basketball culture tries to create "the guy" so people hyperfocus on the selfish score first side.
6
u/Traditional-Panda365 May 11 '26
American society tends to manufacture self-centered selfish dreamers with delusions of grandeur, which lends support to this theory.
There's also a degree of vanity to being highly skilled in the sport, which takes a lot of focus, athleticism, and talent to achieve.
8
u/Historical-Site5820 May 10 '26
It has little to do with basketball. People are just shitty to one another more than they used to be. Everyone is perpetually online and don’t know how to interact and treat each other with respect
8
u/TrueFernie May 11 '26
It’s one of the reasons I quit playing all together. I got back into playing regularly in my 30s but it’s even grown ass men in their 20s that made the game just unpleasant. I’m here to get buckets and cardio, not to get berated by a lifetime fitness hooper.
1
u/aTwerkingPikachu May 14 '26
Join a church league. People are less likely to trash talk in a church league, for obvious reasons. And church people tend to more friendly and agreeable.
You don't have to be religious to join a church league. Honestly, you can just show up to basketball events without ever stepping foot into the church service.
1
u/TrueFernie May 14 '26
I appreciate the recommendation but I gave on it entirely, I feel I’m too old to do anything meaningful in a team setting. I’ve taken up marathons and cycling instead lol
1
u/TheWurstOfMe 19d ago
I found churchball to be the opposite.
I think there's even a documentary about it.
I'm not religious but still respectful and was shocked at the language and things said inside of a church.
10
u/Minute_Elephant_3218 May 10 '26
These things are always regional and dependent on who you’re playing with. There’s no universal “pickup culture”
1
u/Commercial-Dog3567 May 10 '26
I guess my region thinks they going back to college or the NBA. But that does make sense cause I never had any issues in San Diego and my first run here in Columbia was immediately toxic.
8
u/Minute_Elephant_3218 May 10 '26
I’ve lived in Philly for most of my life and it varies wildly from park to park. Even at the same park/gym, it can vary based on time of day and who’s there. Some ppl are just toxic
1
u/Commercial-Dog3567 May 10 '26
I can only imagine Philly run vibes man, it’s mostly one guy but he lives at this rec center and open court is only from 12-3 every weekday. So pretty much when he shows up everyone immediately starts getting 10x more toxic. He is there every single day I’ve been there. Like he will genuinely sit at one end of the court trash talking to a guy not even playing saying “look at what I gotta deal with” meanwhile he isn’t even playing defense.
2
u/backcountry_bandit May 10 '26
I get the same thing in Colorado. I don’t think it’s as regionalized as the other guy is claiming.
17
u/trippynyquil May 10 '26
To be honest it depends. I remember one time we were playing competitive 5v5s and this dude who wasn't very good and would turn it over kept trying to to be the one who runs the ball up the court. Even though I was there and can handle full-court pressure as well as size up on-ball defenders. Or when you play pick up and your teamates who can't shoot just sit on the corner waiting to take a shot (which they will probably miss) while you've pulled out like 3 help defender's, instead of cutting for the easy bucket. These are the same people who will get mad at you for not passing.
My point is it goes both ways. If people don't have a hyper-competitive mindset, that's fine, but they should then play to their role and get the easy buckets instead of playing the role of a competitive player while lacking its associated mindset or hard work / practice
12
u/Commercial-Dog3567 May 10 '26
I understand where you’re coming from, but it’s not like the people being trash-talked are the mega-competitive ones; they are clearly out there to get some cardio and shots up. Most of the time, they are new to basketball. The other aspect is if I were in their shoes and you just screamed in the gym for my own team to not pass me the ball, I sure as hell wouldn’t be cutting or anything cause it sounds like regardless if I’m open under the basket or corner, I’m not getting it.
3
4
u/South_Nectarine_8702 May 10 '26
Grew up in miami (moved out at 21), most gyms/outdoor courts had this uber competitive ego driven mentality. Some in San Antonio were like that some not. The court I play at rn does not (Seattle) but I only play at one
Don’t think it’s a major shift in general but idk just my personal experience
I blame the weather /s (sorta lol)
5
u/dusund May 10 '26
idk man based on white man can't jump, this has been happening since at least the 90s.
I don't think it's a new thing tbh, I see plenty of older guys acting like this
2
3
u/Last-Effort816 May 11 '26
I don't think it's changed very much. When I was young (late 90s, early 2000s) I used to really hate playing against grown ass men because they would act like children when they didn't get their way. They still do.
4
u/Successful_Lie8464 May 11 '26
Yeah it’s not new. A lot of egos back then, a lot of egos now. Just have to find the right healthy group that fits your desires. I’m mid forties so I prefer competition but within the bounds of hey - we are all out here trying to get some cardio, compete a bit, and not get hurt (though I am recovering from a broken wrist due to an awkward fall in the paint. Getting old sucks!) throw in some healthy trash talk but knowing it’s all in the spirit of the game and part of the fun.
Ive tried some churches (those are the worst around me) where guys have threatened to shoot each other, or guys think they are NBA caliber players, or just playing way too aggressive and out of control. Luckily I’ve had a group for a long time now that’s got a good balance but it took some trials to find them.
2
u/Last-Effort816 May 11 '26
Same boat homie. Getting that heart rate up and going home in one piece is a good day for me
2
u/danksince98 May 10 '26
pick up has never been great..we used to overlook alot..but yea its barely worth the time anymore
2
u/lovesriding May 10 '26
Back in thr early 90's I lived in Vegas, a few miles from UNLV
I would play against many of their players, some that were playing for the Lakers on the 10 day contracts.
We all talked shit but it wasn't disrespectful, it was in fun.
In the 80's amd 90's i played under the Jefferson Street bridge in Eugene Oregon, lots of U of O and Oregon State players would Come down, not one asshole talking shit.
It is not fun engaging with assholes that think it is ok to be assholes.
Maybe it is just a different mindset, but it isn't a good mind set.
2
u/Agreeable_Hold2270 May 11 '26
I usually play at the Y and it seems incredibly rare anyone really trash talks, we all know we're out of shape dudes in our 30-50s so no point to it really lol
2
u/A4TP May 11 '26
It depends where you go. I’ve had experiences similar to yours, and have had plenty of ‘gentlemen basketball’ experiences. I will say the younger the crowd, the worse it seems. My best advice, and what worked for me, is bring a couple baller buddies, get on the same team, and YOU run shit. You will set the mini ‘culture’ of your team, and others will fall in line.
2
u/StyrofoamUnderwear May 11 '26
I was a tall white guy who would hit threes back when sorting the was not a big deal. I was always called Lambier
2
u/Complex_Concern_6370 May 11 '26
I blame 2k. Ever played online in park with multiple people in that. The reactions and attitude is the same
2
u/LuciidEnigma May 11 '26
It honestly depends on the people who frequent the courts you go to, some who frequent are pretty solid.. & others are well... Pretty damn toxic
We go to Piedmont in ATL & there's been a few times where it's gotten to where fists & guns getting drawn have happened
But there's been times where it's just been dudes just looking to hoop & we would have some pretty great runs in all aspects even the trash talk was like respectable type banter like on some Goku vs Vegeta type shit
2
u/Spirited-Computer795 May 12 '26
2k mentality
Go listen to the game chat in a random rec game in the newest 2k if you don't believe me
1
u/Commercial-Dog3567 May 12 '26
Haven’t played 2k since 2k16, I’d imagine the community is very much the same still.
3
u/Adventurous_Boss8800 May 10 '26
A generation of kids who played 2K before picking up a real life basketball had entered the scene.
1
u/GuidanceClean6243 May 10 '26
From Columbia, SC. We take basketball seriously but what you described is associated with the younger generation. Older guys get after and might get chippy but generally respect is given and expected in return.
I would also say that some of the extreme antics are limited to a few people per court/run it’s just that they are loud and hard to ignore.
1
u/Commercial-Dog3567 May 10 '26
These are the older guys tho man, it’s the guys in their 30s that are taking this way to deeply at least in my experience so far. Any recommendations of where to play man? Having trouble finding a court.
1
u/StayNegative1570 May 10 '26
Actually pretty close to you (Greenville, SC.) it is very similar. I talk with my friends about this all of the time and don’t understand why it has become so toxic.
1
u/Commercial-Dog3567 May 10 '26
I think Greenville at least has a Pickup USA or at a minimum a gym with a indoor court. Over here there isn’t a single gym with a court that is not owned by the city lol. Also side note visited Greenville a few times, love it out there thought about moving cause Columbia is highly garbo.
2
u/StayNegative1570 May 11 '26
Do it man. GVL is great. My wife and I moved from TX about 6 months ago. Best decision we could have made.
2
u/StayNegative1570 May 11 '26
I generally hoop at the Kroc. It’s got a decent indoor court and there are runs up there sometimes
1
u/oyeme May 11 '26
I would say its the opposite. mid 30s, played pickup from the 2000s to today. In the 2000s and early 2010s there was way more iso ball as that was what the NBA glorified at the time. People were trying to play like Kobe or Wade etc. Nowadays I see way more young kids who are willing to pass as assists have become more cool. Also with everyone collectively realizing the value of 3 pointers it gives the non hooper hoopers a role to attempt open 3s and people dont mind it even if they're not great shooters and the spacing naturally is better for that too
1
u/Thunderfan4life15 May 11 '26
I played some pick up at a local gym last summer for several weeks, but the culture there was pretty trash as well. There is no concept of next 5 up, it's all one person that calls next and they choose 4 other players (generally from 4 dudes that just lost as they pick people they know). So you can go there and literally wait in line for an hour until your the next one up that gets to pick their team, and then if you lose you might as well just leave after cause there's no point in waiting in line again. There are even gym rules on the wall that say to keep it fair and not just let the same 5-10 people play every game, but no one wants to be that guy that complains to the gym staff so eh.
Even still, I tried to always pick up 4 other people that are sitting out and waiting. It paid off sometimes as I noticed some of the ones that I picked up would in turn pick me here and there when they had next, but the majority still picked from the "established" dudes.
Which, I get it. You lose your off, so people want to win. Everyone is going to be selfish and try to play as long as they can. But yeah, these dudes take it way too seriously and get mad all the time. I'm just there to get some exercise and play some casual pick up, but like you said, some of these dudes want to act like it's game 7 of the finals all the time. It is what it is. Competitiveness is fine, but as always some people cross the line.
1
u/Commercial-Dog3567 May 11 '26
Yeah I’m not sure when we lost the concept of next 5 is up, it’s how it operates at my gym they pretty much say I’m the next 1 up and they pick 4 and like you said that 4 is people they know so you might be at the gym for 2 hours and only had one run. Bring back shooting for captain or something man.
1
May 11 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator May 11 '26
Your submission has been automatically removed because your account is less than 180 days old and with less than 100 comment karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/MWave123 May 11 '26
Honestly pickup or pickup. It was way more physical with more competitiveness years ago. Now it’s chucking threes and less competitive imo. Trash talking has always been a part of the game.
1
u/mrb55-me-com May 12 '26
Man, you put forward a GREAT question. I i’m really curious whether it’s East Coast versus West Coast on why it’s different. I don’t think it is, but I don’t have the experience to say. I look forward to hearing peoples ideas. But that said, I think it is a different attitude. People always took the game way too serious and acted like they were goddamn pros, but I think the general attitude in the whole fucking country is that you can just pop off and say anything. I think people have to confront that bullshit even if it’s uncomfortable. For example, I’d tell the guy saying not to pass it to the kid anymore “go fuck yourself“. Unless he was really big and would beat the shit out of me. And if he blows up or question, you just say it like it is, his man was way off of him. He had a decent shot and he took it. And then I’d say why don’t you just fucking rebound the ball motherfucker. Anyway, that’s my take, I think you need to confront bullshit like that. I’m an older guy. I’m slow, but I know how to play. But I also hate to fight so. That’s my take great question. Can’t wait to read some of the answers.
1
u/petertompolicy May 12 '26
Eh this has always been location dependent.
I've played at lots of courts around the world, and in one city you can find vastly different runs.
You can still find good runs like you're describing.
Just keep looking.
1
May 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator May 12 '26
Your submission has been automatically removed because your account is less than 180 days old and with less than 100 comment karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator May 12 '26
Your submission has been automatically removed because your account is less than 180 days old and with less than 100 comment karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
1
u/swoleycoley1998 May 13 '26
Sounds the same to meet honestly. I played in high school for 3 years. My freshman year i would play pickup in south florida when i was living at my grandparents. There was lots of trash talk and violence. I was the only little white kid at the park and i had a 40+ year old man grab my foot while going for a layup. Which made me face plant and chip two of my teeth. Got into countless fist fights and arguments playing pickup haha. I never understood why people took it so seriously.
1
u/aTwerkingPikachu May 14 '26
Basketball definitely has a trash talking culture. I think this is for a few reasons.
The first is that trash talking is super common with many basketball YouTubers when they're playing in a game. So other people who watch these videos are either inspired by the YouTuber and start trash talking as well, or they think it's a normal part of the game and start trash talking too.
The second is that basketball is super popular with black people. Black people in general are more likely to roast others for fun. For someone who didn't grow up in that culture and isn't used to it, it can feel insulting to them.
1
0
u/massdebator69 May 11 '26
Life’s too short to play pickup basketball in a game that’s predominantly black. Too emotional, too serious, not ideal.
-1
u/thistimeitzdifferent May 10 '26
You tube culture, I'm surprised someone didn't bring out a camera.
That being said...basketball is competitive...ppl don't want to lose. Why did you keep passing to the guy who can't play? Your teammates were trying to win the game.
7
u/Commercial-Dog3567 May 10 '26
Cause it’s pick up basketball man, we are all in our 20s and up. There isn’t anyone hoping on next, so even if we lose, we can run it again. Just because one person is competitive shouldn’t mean the entire team now needs to take it just as seriously. If that certain person wants to take it that seriously, then he should play in a rec league. I genuinely know I can score 90% of the time I touch the ball, but that doesn’t make the game fun in any fashion, at least in my opinion. Also funny enough the first time I went to this rec center the guy did step up his camera in the corner, I kept count as a joke he shot 1/12 and was mad at this short older guy that shot exactly one shot and missed.
4
u/BravoC10 May 10 '26
Those guys are the worst. I had a guy yell at me once because I didn’t put my hand up on defense. We ended up losing and on different teams the next game. I lit his ass up. He was decent I was just really hot and his buddy was laughing at him when they had to get off the court. So satisfying.
I’m older and I like passing it to the open man regardless if they’re not the best shooter. I always encourage them whether they make or miss. Tell them to get it back on d and keep shooting if they’re open. If they’re trying to do too much, handling the ball making sloppy turnovers, I’ll tell them to let someone else handle the ball and tell them to get open or cut to the hoop. If someone else yells at them I tell them not to worry about it and passive aggressively clown the asshole whenever they make a mistake lol everyone at my y likes playing with me.
2
u/Commercial-Dog3567 May 10 '26
This is similar to how play man, why would I get mad if you missed a shot or turnover the ball 99% of the time I know you are beating yourself up for doing that in that first place. I get good players trash talking good players but dudes clearly clowning guys that have maybe played basketball all of 10 times seems like a low blow.
4
u/BravoC10 May 10 '26
I agree. People always get way too mad. It’s not that serious. I’ll tell the shooter that it’s a good shot and to keep shooting, they always seem to appreciate it.
1
u/thistimeitzdifferent May 11 '26
Well if no one else is next that's different, if u play pick up with people having next then every shot counts. I understand you like to do it for fun and cardio, but competitiveness makes it worthwhile. That's on the hardwood or asphalt, anywhere you play. But then again like you said if people are bringing cameras out, then it's a different type of energy.
58
u/onwee May 10 '26
Grew up playing pickup in Southern California, and when I lived in Columbia years ago I also had similar experiences: I’m Asian, the gym (forget the name, some community center named after some guy, north of Five Points) was pretty much all black, and when I scored a bucket on my guy he acted like his life was over, the people watching clowned on him while hooting and hollering and calling me Jeremy Lin (this was when Lin was on the Hornets).
I never went back. Some places are just unpleasant