Product Description

The most popular outdoor basketball court in New York City is half the regulation size, offers no seating, and has sidelines bounded by a chain-link fence. But the summer league on West 4th Street in Greenwich Village has developed its share of stars and has become known throughout the world for another reason: Here the only thing that matters is the game.

Inside the Cage follows the West 4th Street's summer league through a single season, chronicling its legendary history along the way. From 1970s playground legend Fly Williams to NBA veteran Anthony Mason and L.A. Lakers guard Smush Parker, three generations of players have mastered their game at West 4th Street. And the Cage itself -- located in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in America and frequented by men from the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Harlem -- proves that talent can flourish even in the most unlikely places.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #829177 in Books
• Published on: 2006-08-01
• Released on: 2006-08-01
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .72" h x 5.72" w x 8.70" l, .94 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Wedged into a corner of the intersection at West 4th Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan's Greenwich Village is a tiny basketball court surrounded by a 20-foot-high fence, known as the Cage. Although ramshackle in appearance, it's one of the world's best-known courts, attracting international scouts to scope out the talent who play there each summer in the intense, emotional West 4th Street Tournament. Martindale chronicles the competition's history and its 25th season (in 2002). It's an exciting though hardly dispassionate tale, as the former Wall Street moneyman is also one of the tournament's managing directors. While the book spends a good amount of time profiling the hotshots who come to play, it's far more engaging when discussing the stalwart old-timers—like Moneybags, the homeless scorekeeper, and the instant-nickname-bestowing announcer, Dee Foreman—who run the often rambunctious games. Chief among them is the event's founder, Kenny Graham, a limo driver with an entrepreneurial streak, a pillar of the community and the book's most fascinating character. Though Martindale has a preachy attitude and a penchant for inappropriate literary references, he is a vivid portraitist, bringing readers inside the pulsing heart of this urban phenomenon.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
For many, the most compelling street-hoops action in the Big Apple takes place in Greenwich Village, on a half-sized court on West 4th Street. The Cage attracts a very competitive group of city kids, many who do, did, or will play at major universities. The court's unique dimensions foster a unique style of play, and excellence in the standard game does not assure dominance. Martindale began handling some of the Cage Tournament's finances about 15 years ago, and in recounting the 2003 season, he also refers back to related moments from the Cage's 30-year history. But as much as he stresses the on-court action, he also analyzes the sociological implications of black men playing in a white neighborhood simply for the joy of competition. There are no contracts to be had or endorsement deals to be made; any fame is limited to one's opponents and teammates. A thoughtful examination of an urban tradition that touches on such issues as the meaning of manhood, family, and of playing just for fun. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"A summer at one of basketball's celebrated blacktops, where the characters are as captivating as the game." -- Sports Illustrated

"Employing colorful anecdotes and more than a few cautionary tales, Martindale introduces the characters -- from the NBA dreamers to the drug dealer turned coach to the scraggly scorekeeper called Moneybags -- who carry the story, and a good one it is." -- SI.com

"With muscled prose and a deft touch, Wight Martindale takes us into the heart of the Cage, the West 4th Street courts where basketball dreams and reputations are won and lost one trip down the floor at a time, where stirring human dramas play out beyond the roar of the big-time. Just a wonderful, heartfelt book." -- Adrian Wojnarowski, author of the New York Times bestselling The Miracle of St. Anthony: A Season with Coach Bob Hurley and Basketball's Most Improbable Dynasty

"Inside the Cage is fascinating. It has the ring of authenticity and the stamp of authority. Anyone interested in any sports or in the sociology of the city [who reads it] will be moved and entertained. Officials of the National Basketball Association could learn a great deal [about personality management] from reading this book." -- Peter Gent, author of North Dallas Forty and former all-American basketball player at Michigan State University

"West 4th Street has been a terrific place to develop many, many youngsters. [The] true sportsmanship displayed there is terrific. Playground basketball has been the backbone of our game throughout the years. Hopefully, Inside the Cage will generate greater playground play." -- Mike Krzyzewski, Duke Basketball Head Coach and New York Times bestselling author

"The depth of reporting, along with Martindale's obvious love for the tournament, makes Inside the Cage an enjoyable read. For Kenny Graham and the players of West 4th Street, it provides some well-earned recognition. They'd keep playing without it, but it's about time someone gave them their due." -- John Matson, Dime Magazine

"Fascinating." -- Adam Zagoria, Passaic County Herald News

"A well-written tome on the very competitive basketball played at the [West 4th Street] playground." -- Lloyd Carroll, Queens Chronicle