The Cage
| June 16, 2008
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The Cage (aka West 4th)
W. 4th Street and 6th Avenue
West Village, Manhattan
Level of Competition:
Pickup ball: 2 of 5
League play: 5 of 5 (Elite)
Court Status: Legendary
West 4th’s specs: 1 full enclosed court, 1 half court and handball courts
Surface: Asphalt, painted lines with 3-point arc
Backboard: Fiberglass
Rims: Breakaway/single
Nets: Mesh
Lights: No
Hours of Operation: 8AM-8PM
Pay to Play: No
League Play: During the summer, Kenny Graham runs the Nike W. 4th Street League. Following the league championship in mid-August, there is no League play until mid-April.
Best time to run: Weekend afternoons
The Deal:
West 4th, as it’s commonly known, is one of the most famous playground courts in the world. The play here is intense and physical, due in part to the smaller dimensions of the court. Shooters with range have no problem taking a step or two over half court and launching a J, and players who call The Cage home have also tailored their shots to account for slightly higher rims.
The league play here is top-notch. Dr. J played in the ‘60s, Anthony Mason won five championships here during the 1990s, and players like Omar Cook and Smush Parker are regulars.
The pickup run here can be a little more dicey. Games are often disjointed and sometimes a 5-on-5 game is hard to come by. That doesn’t stop observers though – fans hang on the fence to watch and take pictures no matter what’s happening on the court. They just want to be a part of playground basketball lore.
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Photos of LeClaire by Michael Wong for Nike
HOME SWEET HOME 2 OUT OF 5 Though, whoever wrote this review needs to personaly come with me to west 4, for 1 day.
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