For a sport with such a carefree name, this is one fierce subculture. In “Doin’ It in the Park: Pick-Up Basketball, NYC,” co-directors Bobbito Garcia and Kevin Couliau — both first-time feature documentarians with roots in the scene — harness the infectious energy of the players who do battle on the city’s public courts, of which there are more than 700.
From attire (no official rules, but don’t be overly matchy) to nicknames (you can’t come up with your own) to trash talk (de rigueur), this cheerful slice of city life is broken down by a wide range of local legends, including a few who’ve gone on to NBA careers.
Interesting sub-subcultures include a Rikers Island inmate game, a deaf-only court and what it’s like to be the rare female or white-guy player. Daunting though it may be for the aspiring pick-up entrant, this is a fun and worthwhile ode to one of New York’s greatest summer pastimes.