This is the must-see just-released trailer for Doin’ It In The Park: Pick-Up Basketball, NYC, the new beautifully filmed feature length documentary directed and produced by Bobbito García and Kevin Couliau.

This trailer alone is a classic. If that is any indication then the film itself will be beyond words, not only for New York City natives, but also for those outside of New York City as well as overseas. In fact, in many ways, possibly unintended, it goes beyond basketball, crossing over into sociology, anthropology, sports psychology, cultural studies, and more.

The film-making pair were painstaking in their efforts, visiting 180 (!) playground basketball courts throughout New York City to capture not only the players and their surroundings but also — more importantly — the emotion, the culture, the history, the legacy, the legends, and … the lifestyle of outdoor pick-up hoops in NYC, which is considered the “Mecca” of the sport.

In short, Doin’ It In The Park goes way over the top! It breaks new ground in basketball.

If that were not enough, the film is visually and emotionally stunning.

I had the privilege of seeing a few advance rough-cut scenes from the film that Bobbito shared with me several months ago, at which time I was already blown away and predicted that it would be considered an amazing work of art.

I’m also delighted that I had the opportunity to share several vintage Black Fives Era photographic images with Bobbito and Kevin, which they used in the film. Their nod to the history of hoops in New York City is a fitting and special touch.

Doin’ It In The Park features interviews with many famous New York City playground legends including Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, and “Pee Wee” Kirkland, to name a few.

This film is for anyone who plays, played, or ever will play basketball, as well as for those who simply appreciate the beauty of the game itself.

Doin’ It In The Park will be released this summer. Check the film’s Facebook page for additional details, including the dates and locations of several free screenings that are planned.

(Photo: Rey Robles)