63. Passion on an old Ford
"Rucker Park? It seems you have some ideas. No one should be here so late."
Evelin started the car, and the old Ford made a gurgling sound, feeling like it was falling apart at any moment.
"You don't understand the spirit of Rucker Park, those guys, as long as the government doesn't take enforcement measures, street ball players will stay there forever."
As Lin Feng spoke, he held on to the handrail beside him tightly for fear of being ejected.
Those street heroes are never afraid of professional players, they are happy to compete with professional golfers on the court.
Imagine a multi-millionaire versus a car washer? It would be a wonderful sight.
Soon, the old Ford drove into the park, and hip-hop music could be heard far away. If it were a game day, the place would be hundreds of times more lively.
40 years ago, this place was still a huge garbage dump with a terrible smell. Mr. Holcomb Locke transformed it into a cultural holy place. Since then, New York has had a street basket totem.
Explosive hi-ho, restless boys, unknown people and thousands of spectators, this is the norm on game day.
But there weren't many people tonight, it was just a small scene of about a dozen people having sex together.
"Gary, you haven't fully recovered from your injury. I don't recommend you go down and play with them."
Parking the car outside the stadium, Evelin looked at him and said.
Of course, Lin Feng would not be too free-spirited. He only wanted to look back at the place where he once dominated the world.
Lin Feng pointed to the Southern Hemisphere and said: "Did you see that over there? I once played one-on-one with Larry Williams there."
"Larry? You mean the top street ball player nicknamed the Bone Collector?"
Evelin turned sideways and looked at him in disbelief.
Lin Feng smiled, feeling a little embarrassed to say it, because this was a moment of glory that belonged to Gary Smith, but now it exists in Lin Feng's memory, and he can recall "his" sense of power when he dunked the ball into the basket that day.
"You played ball with him? Why didn't you tell me?" Evelin asked.
Lin Feng rolled the seat to a semi-flat position to make it more comfortable. The car was too narrow for him.
"I'm afraid defeating a 37-year-old man is not something worth showing off. If he was only 20 years old, then I would send a tweet after winning."
Back in March 2015, Gary Smith was just a kid facing high school graduation.
A few days ago, he passed his application for admission to Syracuse University and can officially enroll in May.
One day, he carried a pair of basketball shoes to Rock Park, the holy land of streetball. The people playing there were all teenagers. Gary was only 16 years old, and no one took him seriously.
When Gary wanted to step onto the court to try out the surface, someone even asked him to stay away to avoid the basketball hitting him.
"Bone Collector" Larry Williams is playing with a group of masters. His one-on-one ability is so outstanding that no one can prevent his breakthrough.
Behind Williams, there will always be figures one after another. He is the god of basketball here.
"BC is a legend in Rucker Park. This kind of thing like becoming a superstar for the first time in Rucker Park has never happened, but he did it and killed Stephon Marbury and Larry Hughes."
BC is the English abbreviation of Bone Collector, and people like to call him that.
Lin Feng told Evelyn about the past in the car. In the past, Gary Smith was reticent and rarely shared stories on the court with his family.
Evelin listened with interest, half-leaning on the seat and acting like a kitten.
Perhaps at this moment, Evelin realized the charm of her brother, and she thought that her eccentric brother had become mature.
Gary Smith, who was only 16 years old, ran up to BC during halftime and loudly told him that he could beat him.
Everyone present at the time laughed, thinking that this was just the lofty words of a young man with a basketball dream.
Someone came up and stroked little Gary's head and told him word for word, "This is where adults play ball. Children should go to the field next to it."
Even bc himself thinks Gary is just a skinny kid.
But Gary didn't give up. He was determined to challenge BC. At this time, there were only three minutes left in BC's second half.
"I guess bc must have accepted your challenge, and the result surprised everyone." Evelin said with a smile.
Lin Feng nodded, "Of course, BC is a guy who really loves basketball, and he doesn't want to disappoint the children who also like basketball."
"I was very impressed. BC touched my head and asked what your name was."
While talking about this, Lin Feng kept looking at the court, which helped the memory to integrate into his consciousness.
"What's your name?" BC stood up and asked.
Little Gary's expression was very serious, "Gary Smith."
"Very well Gary, what are your dreams? About basketball?" BC asked again.
"King of New York!"
Lin Feng in the car almost jumped up and was very excited. This memory made him feel proud of himself.
"Evelyn, do you know? At that time, I told BC that I wanted to be the king of New York! Can you imagine that this was a bold statement from a 16-year-old boy?"
Evelin frowned. She felt a headache for Gary's way of ruining the atmosphere. The warm atmosphere created in the carriage was completely shattered by this voice.
Lin Feng's howl alarmed the young men on the court. They looked at the old Ford not far away in surprise, thinking that the two people inside might have been shaken by the car.
Lin Feng noticed this and the atmosphere became awkward.
“Evelin, don’t they think we are?”
Before Lin Feng could finish speaking, Evelin interrupted him, "Continue your basketball dream, you are still my good brother."
Lin Feng spread his hands and said, "Okay, I told BC that I want to be the King of New York and make a name for myself at the Madison Arena. Of course BC won't take it seriously and laughs at me thinking I'm very ambitious."
"King of New York? I like the look in your eyes, full of energy."
After bc finished speaking, he walked towards the three-point line in the south half. He planned to let little Gary attack first to see what the kid was capable of.
The idle spectators on the sidelines returned to the sidelines, thinking there was a major event, but found that the person standing opposite BC was a thin boy.
Although he seems to be 180 centimeters tall, he is too thin after all and feels unable to withstand any collision.
bc motioned to the DJ station to play some music and give the brave little boy some respect.
"Come on Gary, show me what the King of New York can do."
BC squatted down and knocked on the ground with both hands. At this time, he was already 37 and still dominated Rucker Park. No one could take advantage of him.
The audience looked at the venue with interest, a little boy?
Some people question why BC would accept such an invitation.
"Dude, please don't hurt him!"
"Stop! Junior high school students' ankles are very fragile!"
"Hahaha, let's see what you are going to do."
Little Gary held the basketball in his arms and started dribbling, his eyes showing a cold light.
Chapter completed!