Asphalt Gods: An Oral History of the Rucker Tournament

By Vincent M. Mallozzi

Book Overview

The real basketball deal-the inside story of Harlem's legendary tournament and the pros and playground legends who have made it world famous.

Earl "The Goat" Manigault. Herman "Helicopter" Knowings. Joe "The Destroyer" Hammond. Richard "Pee Wee" Kirkland. These and dozens of other colorfully nicknamed men are the "Asphalt Gods," whose astounding exploits in the Rucker Tournament, often against multimillionaire NBA superstars, have made them playground divinity. First established in the 1950s by Holcombe Rucker, a New York City Parks Department employee, the tournament has grown to become a Harlem institution, an annual summer event of major proportions. On that fabled patch of concrete, unknown players have been lighting it up for decades as they express basketball as a freestyle art among their peers and against such pro immortals as Julius Erving and Wilt Chamberlain. X's and O's are exchanged for oohs and aahs in one of the great examples of street theater to be found in urban America.

Asphalt Gods is a streetwise, supremely entertaining oral history of a tournament that has influenced everything from NBA playing style to hip-hop culture. Now, legends transmitted by word of mouth find a home and the achievements of basketball's greatest unknowns a permanent place in the game's record.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385520999
• ISBN13: 9780385520997
• Release Date: June 2003
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

BALLERS

Asphalt Gods is the best book on the planet.If you love basketball you should read this book.It is a true story which took place at Rucker Park.Rucker Park is named after the brother named Holcombe Rucker.Who was born in Harlem on March 2,1926.He was raised by his grandmother.It is interesting because Mr.Rucker brought some of the best players ever to play there.

THE BEST

I've read Heaven is a Playground, City Game, and seen On Hallowed Ground, for anyone that is a "real" basketball fan this is by far the "BEST" story of the best streetball.

Great Storytelling

An interesting book describing the phenomenal basketballthat has been played in Rucker Park. The authorskillfully covers the play of both NBA legends and incredibly talented locals. A well writtengem that any fan of the game will enjoy!!

Mallozzi is the god of basketball!

This book is a first hand account of a magical time in New York City basketball history.The Rucker Tournament drew players from the professional leagues as well as street legends.I have to be honest, I couldn't put it down.Nice work from a guy who lived this life with these guys.