It is hard out here

March Madness

You have to love the NCAA Men’s college basketball tournament. Don’t you also love all of the cool street expressions that evolve into the game and make their way into the announcing? These are just a few of the cool expressions I heard back when I played street ball in NYC on Sixth Ave and West Third. Most of these terms have found their way into the lexicon of “hoops.”

Taking it to the rack.

Tote the rock

Hit the Tres

In the paint.

Posting up.

They have the numbers.

Put a body on him.

Playing big.

Talking trash.

Sick air.

Mad skilz.

Can’t buy a bucket from the Colonel.

Can’t throw it in the ocean.

Yo, white boy’s trippin’ if he thinks he can play.

Damn, why he got to be on our team?

Yo, Casper, you havin’ a heart attack?

Homey, you do know you’re supposed to try and stop him from scoring, right?

Hey, Opie, sit this one out.

Don’t worry, I’ll bring your ball back tomorrow.

Hey, Cindy Brady, make a Mickey D’s run for us.

Fifty bucks if you want to play. Thanks. Oh, you mean today? No, this fifty is for the game next week.

These are just some of the colorful expressions I was privileged to hear first hand, most of which have become standard terms in basketball.