The Real: Rucker Park Legends (2006)

More than five decades ago a New York City Parks employee named Holcombe Rucker encouraged Harlem kids to stay in school with a basketball tournament and league that would develop into an international phenomenon. Upon his death two of his pupils continued his work by drawing from the league's Pro Division to start the famous "Each One Teach One" program pairing up basketball's greats with disadvantaged youth. The innovative idea attracted such legends as Wilt Chamberlin Julius "Dr. J" Erving Kareem Abdul-Jabaar and streetball heroes such as Earl "The Goat" Manigault and Joe "The Destroyer" Hammond. Rucker Park's reputation quickly grew becoming a virtual training ground for the NBA influencing the playing style of the game and transforming Hip-Hop culture. Told by the legends themselves this is The Real: the incredible true story behind Rucker Park from its unpolished beginnings through its heyday in the '60s and '70s to its more commercial present-day. But most of all it's an amazing tale of how one man's dream and his pupils' gratitude explosively transformed an ordinary neighborhood basketball court into the world's most famous streetball arena.System Requirements:Running Time 76 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 014381293920 Manufacturer No: PLA2939DVD Product Description

Don't expect Highlights!

As a straight forward, no frills documentary offering historical insight into the importance of Rucker Park and its namesake, I give this title 5 stars. However, this video is virtually devoid of highlights. If you are interested in hearing stories of how great these players were (without video proof), this is the video for you. I expected to see video footage. I didn't see one "helicopter" move, Ron Artest is shown talking to one of the legends (after he hangs up his cell phone), and Julius Erving is only shown in an interview, not in action. Again, if you are interested in hearing the recalled oral history of the park, you will simply adore this DVD. If you want some footage interlaced with the proclatmations of how great a player was, skip this title! Moreover, this title should not be in the category of sports documentary - it should STRICTLLY be listed as oral history. I once knew a guy who could jump from the free throw line, do 3 360's and dunk the ball with his elbow - believe it - although I can't seem to make this computer upload the video proof! May 31, 2008

Unfortunately Boring and Unwatchable

I Love Hoops! Usually anything basketball satisfies me, but I expected SOME action here and there was none! Respect for the legends of the game and for the Ruckers history, but it's impossible to not sleep through this one. December 7, 2007

Excellent Documentary

This documentary might very well be the best work ever done on inner city basketball. From former pro legends like Kareem Jabbar, Dr J, and Connie Hawkins to underground legends such as Earl (the Goat) Manigault & Joe (the Destroyer) Hammond.

I met "The Goat" in the late 70s when I was playing with the Bronx Gaucho's in the "Goat" tournament. The "Goat" was refing at the time. Meeting the Goat was like meeting royalty; like meeting the King of a Nation (honestly).

I remember seeing Joe play in a tournament where he hit 30ft bank shots all day and tapped dunked sitting on someones back. This documentary not only introduces the Holcombe Rucker story but it tells the story of the Harlem Rens and other basketball icons of the 1930s Harlem Renaissance. Interviews with Hammond, Hawthorne Wingo, Dr J, Kareem and the old timers were superb. I can't say enough about this DVD, it far exceeded my expectations. I know major cities like Chitown and LA also have an inner city underground lore, but N.Y.C. is the Mecca and this DVD represents this to the fullest. Many thanks to the producers and everyone that made this DVD possible. It will give all viewers an education on inner city basketball on the East Coast. April 19, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...