Jermaine Maybank knows a thing or two about streetball. Known simply as ‘Murder’ around the world-famous Rucker Park, Maybank was a member of Fat Joe’s Terror Squad and was ready to lace up for the notorious battle with Jay Z’s S. Carter Squad before a blackout shut the game down.
Never not puttin’ in work, Maybank’s skills took him around the world before he settled down in the suburbs of Melbourne, and vowed to bring the essence of streetball to the city’s already famous basketball talent. With the second chapter of Nike Battle Force, Melbourne’s biggest streetball event only weeks away, Jermaine broke down the five qualities you’re going to need to earn your place among streetball royalty.
“Style runs with everything. When you’re on the court, you've got to own your own style, people gravitate to that. Every time I lace up, both on and off the court, I’m thinking about style. I’ve got to have the socks matching the Nike sneakers, matching the uniform I’m wearing. Whether I’m playing in a summer pro league, the Rucker, or here in Melbourne, I’ve gotta have that style, gotta be tip-top head to toe.”
“You know who's done that so well is Jalen Rose, going back to the Michigan Wolverines. The black socks with the shorts, they set the tone. When you step on the court you've gotta have the style to match your game. It makes no sense to come out with all these arm bands and headbands and wristbands and compression gear, and then you ain't got no game. People look at your style first, then they look at your game.”
Trash Talk
Being Able to Back It Up
Having that flair for the dramatic is so important; when people come to the park, you're recognised as a somebody. For example, I'll go back to Future. What he does on the court, it translates into the crowd, cos he's giving them a show. He might not be having the best game that day, but he might put it through your legs, and that might be his signature move, or he'll throw it around your back or make you look the other way. He might have zero points, but that one move is what he's recognised for.”
“You're not just gonna come to the park and just gain a name by putting up 30 points and walking out, like just a quiet 30. You’ve gotta add some life to it. You can have 2 points, and the other guy might have 30, but your team won the game and you were trash talking, you had a little bit of flair, your head was in the game, there was a little bit of drama, then you got the biggest name in the park.“
“You want to build that excitement. Have the people talking; ‘we wanna see this guy out there killin it, we wanna see what he'll do today.’ The lines are packed, the game is at 5 o'clock, but the lines are packed at 2 o'clock, just cos they know you’re about to play. Something's about to happen, somebody's getting punished. And that's gonna be the chatter throughout the whole week! Just building that drama, building what your superpower is, people wanna come see that.”
Arrogance
I've been putting in work for years for streetball culture in Melbourne. Streetball Madness at Nike Battle Force took years for me to put together and I wanna make it bigger and better this year. With the work we put in, it's definitely gonna be much bigger and much better when we celebrate the Air Force 1 again. We encourage everyone to come out and support the game and the teams; make sure you register for free online quick and early, cos you know it's gonna be booked out quick.
Nike Battle Force hits Docklands on November 25. Attendance is FREE, but early registration is a must. Click here to get your name on the list now.
