At least it's getting out and playing

I’m probably one of a handful of people in this region who doesn’t give a crap about Hoopfest. It’s hard for me to see the excitement over what is essentially a commercialized, expanded version of pickup basketball — the kind you use to play as a kid with other bored youth in the neighborhood.

Growing up in a small town, the only outdoor hoops were at the grade school/middle school/high school — metal backboards with chain link nets on sticky, hot asphalt. It was a way to kill time and have fun on a hot summer day or evening.

I never developed much skill in basketball, although I enjoy the spo...