The sound of rubber hitting the concrete. The smell of the hardwood floor. Squeaks. The tap that you hear when you touch the backboard for the first time. The sound of the perfect swish of the net. “Ooohhhhhh” Hearing imaginary crowds while you sink a three from the edge of the sidewalk. You know how it feels. 

Slides on the streets. Slides in school. Slides everywhere but on the court. Rappers that think they can hoop. Hoopers that think they can rap. Sneakers that never go out of style. Forces, Kobes, Dunks. You know how it goes. Lowering the driveway hoop and becoming LeBron for a day. The electric hum of a packed high school gym on your first freshman game. Packed arenas. Empty backyards. Dongdan, Rucker, Venice. Pick-and-poppers. Pick-and-rollers. Pick-pockets. Cookies. Hesis. Jellies. Dimes. Gimme that.

If you know, you know.

Kobe!

You better know.

You know only one game can make you feel like this. 

Only Basketball