Allan, 16, Beijing
The thing that has impressed me the most recently and has had a big impact on me was the ‘2009 CL Smooth Crew Open Run’ (the biggest street-ball event in Asia). I have to say that this game really caught the public’s attention, with lots of street-ball fans and hip-hop heads going kinda crazy for it…
Open Run
CL Smooth Crew stands for ‘Chinese Legendary Smooth Crew’ a well-known street-ball crew in China and Asia that was established in 2003. Over the years they have made a great deal of progress in the development of both the Chinese street-ball and hip-hop industries. Every team member of CL were trying their hardest to make their team the most influential street-ball team in the world. The captain of CL is a good friend of mine, as we both have a deep passion for hip-hop and street-ball and we both want to let the whole world know about the unique culture from a Chinese teenager’s stand point. The captain told me about his ‘spirit’, as well as his ‘truth’ from playing street-ball, he has said that every one in his crew all enjoy the satisfaction of achieving their goal, they not only get kicks out of playing street-ball but also due to their deep love for the game. The captain devotes his life to doing his best to develop the teenager’s culture industry in China – it means a lot to him. The reason why a lot of people admire him is his great truths:
“there must be both sunny days and raining days on the journey of life, but no matter what happens, we’re never gonna stop balling”
and
“giving it a shot might not make you a winner, but giving it up will definitely make you a loser.”
His words inspire me a lot. I think we should at least have a dream because when you cease to dream, you cease to live, once you have a dream, anything is possible!
And now let me show you guys the CL’s moments of glory. They were champions of 2009 Urban Legend Games in China；the captain of CL has been exclusively interviewed by New York Times also CL Smooth Crew have also been interviewed by the same publication. CL smooth crew have been invited to the 1 Street Ball Global Tour in Shanghai, China.
Here is my exclusive interview with the captain.
Q: what is your dream and your perspective of Chinese street ball and hip-hop culture?
A: I hope I can operate my hobby and make it more professional, I promise every friend of mine that I will devote my life to the game that give off all my respect and attitude.
Q: A lot of fans, particularly older folks, see you as a main reason that a lot of kids nowadays spend more time working on tricks than the fundamentals. Keeping that in mind, do you think your influence on the game of basketball has been positive or negative?
A: Both. I’m the first player to mess the game up in a good way and a bad way. They say I messed the game up, but it’s a compliment saying that in every city, I’ve got somebody playing like me, playing for a team or something. So when somebody like a coach for a high school sees me and talks to me, saying “You got my kids’ heads all messed-up”, that’s because I messed the game up in a positive way.
Q: What is the thing that make you go through all the tough time and make you become who you are today?
A: when my life and career hit the rock bottom, there is some words in my heart that my dream is truly belongs to the game, I have to step up and make my dream alive. I am what I am.
