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From Lansing to Flint to Detroit, courts around the state are litty with hoopers showing skills, and spectators clamoring to witness history.
May 2020 was, due to covid-19, mostly dormant around the courts of Michigan, except in Flint. Known already for legendary ballers and NBA standouts, The Fli was getting busy at McCallum Park; the westside.
Now real ballers know about Flint - from Roy Marble and Glen Rice, to Montee Morris and Miles Bridges, Flint has long been a hoops staple in the state. Let's give credit where it's due. So it's no surprise this (current) hoops movement sweeping Michigan started in the 810.
At McCallum Park in Flint though, the hoops had a different vibe. Due to coronavirus, there hasn't been any sports or entertainment, so local hoops filled the hole. Out of nowhere McCallum was bumping with 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 games and people were tuning in on facebook lives. It looked lit.
Where there's a lit situation, there's money. Where there's money and basketball, there's betting. When you have all these things together it's a recipe for all-out shit talking, cash flowing, entertaining hoops.
Now it's hard to tell where Cap City came in to the equation, or Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Battle Creek or any other city. But Michigan is small and a text or comment on a post can turn the entire state into a battleground for hoops - and money - supremacy.
$10,000 pot.. $20,000 pot... $60,000 pot!! This shit is heating up the summer.
But this is more than an Above The Rim movie scene. This is unity at it's finest. Shining through the art of basketball. And it couldn't come at a better time.
With a virus circulating and America in tough social times, hoops has woken up the people in a good way. How many events go smooth (ish) these days? How often do tens of thousands of dollars transfer hands on the street with no violence.
Now factor in the fact that cities are battling at the center of this with no violence. That's powerful. No police, no sweat. Muskegon, Saginaw, Flint, Lansing, Pontiac, and the list goes on. Getting ACTIVE!
As far as the hoops themselves go, it's lit. Pooder from Flint is the early-mvp of the sumer session. On Facebook live you can catch him, his hype man (s/o Brandon Hill), and the city of Flint traveling wherever, busting ass and taking cash. I've seen a DOG from Muskegon. Lansing itself has been represented by known killers like Boo Man (Frederic Edmonds) and Jamyrin Jackson. With more to come (where's Cam Sanchez?)
The summer has alot more hoops to offer though and it's only getting more interesting. This isn't the end of Above The 'Mit, just the opening trailer.
Just know if Buckets hits the court, the state is Lansing's. If you know you know.
More to come Theiceblog.com