Streetball is an urban form of basketball originating in the ghettoes① of the United States which has become popular worldwide. While the rules of streetball are essentially the same as those of normal basketball， streetball places more of an emphasis on one-on-one match-ups between the ball handler and defender. The ball handler will often perform numerous flashy moves while attempting to drive to the basket， including crossovers， jab steps and other fake-out tricks. Streetball often features spectacular dunks and alley-oops， flashy dribbling and trash talking. Many rule violations in traditional basketball do not apply in streetball. Style is often the determining factor in what is legal and what is not； if it looks good， then it’s not against the rules. In this context， streetball is as much about performance art as it is an athletic contest.
The most legendary② streetball venue in the world is Holcolme Rucker Playground on the corner of 155th Street and 8th Avenue in Harlem， New York City， better known in basketball circles as Rucker Park. Rucker Park was host to the original Rucker Tournament and the Rucker Pro League. It has hosted the Entertainer’s Basketball Classic (EBC) since the 1980’s. Rucker Park has always been considered the home of the best streetball around. NBA legends such as Wilt Chamberlain， Kareem Abdul Jabbar， Julius “Doctor J” Erving and Nate Archibald all displayed their skills on the hallowed black asphalt③.
NBA players such as Stephon Marbury， Ron Artest， Shawn Marion， Kobe Bryant， Vince Carter and Kevin Garnett have all showcased their talents at the entertainer’s Basketball Classic， which takes place every summer during the NBA off-season. The Entertainer’s Basketball Classic began in 1982 as games between rival rap groups， and bounced④ around a few parks before eventually finding a home at Rucker Park. Even today， rappers such as Jay-Z and Fat Joe have been involved with the tournament. The EBC is highly popular among New York’s basketball fans.
① ghetton. 少数民族居住区
② legendaryadj. 传说的，传奇的
③ asphaltn. 沥青，柏油
④ bouncev. (人)跳(起)，跃，蹦蹦跳跳
街头篮球
街头篮球是在都市开展篮球的一种形式，起源于美国少数民族聚居区，业已风靡全球。虽然街头篮球的规则在本质上与正规篮球的规则是相同的，但街头篮球更注重持球者和防守者之间的一对一对抗赛。持球者常常会在试图冲向球篮时施展无数花哨的动作，其中包括胯下运球、踮步和其它过人技巧。街头篮球的特色常常在于触目惊心的灌篮和空中接力、花哨的运球以及挑衅语言。传统篮球中的许多犯规在街头篮球中并不适用。花样性常常是违反规则与否的决定性因素；如果看起来不错，那么就没有违反规则。在这种情形下，街头篮球既是一项竞技比赛，也是一种表演艺术。
世界上最具传奇色彩的街球场地是位于纽约市哈莱姆区155号大街和8号大道拐角处的“豪尔康姆洛克运动场”，在篮球圈中更多地被称为“洛克公园”。“洛克公园”是最初的“洛克联赛”和“洛克职业联盟”的举办地。从20世纪80年代起，这里举办了“艺人经典篮球赛”（简称EBC）。“洛克公园”历来被当作最精彩的街球的发源地。NBA的传奇人物，如威尔特·张伯伦、卡里姆·阿布杜勒·贾巴尔、“J博士”朱利叶斯·欧文和奈特·阿奇博尔德，全都在这块神圣的黑色沥青场地上献过技。
NBA选手，如斯蒂芬·马布里、罗恩·阿泰斯特、肖恩·马里昂、科比·布莱恩特、文斯·卡特和凯文·加内特，全都在这个每年夏季于NBA休整期中举办的“艺人经典篮球赛”上展示过才艺。“艺人经典篮球赛”是作为说唱竞争团体间的比赛而始于1982年的，在辗转了几个公园后，最终落户“洛克公园”。即使是如今，这一联赛也有Jay-Z和Fat Joe等说唱歌手的参与。“艺人经典篮球赛”在纽约的篮球迷中十分受欢迎。