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OT: Portland area people, gyms to play basketball at?

Apologies if this is more appropriate in the "FanShots" area, but it seemed like this question more suited for the "FanPosts" format.

Anyway, a few people that I know and I, have been talking about wanting to play basketball together for a few weeks now. The problem is, we cannot seem to agree upon which gym to play at. The main reason being, is because we really don't know any gyms around the greater Portland area where you can just drop in, pay a fee, and play.

Most gyms that I have looked at had some weird schedule that they always adhere to, like basketball for anyone under 18 years of age is a certain time slot, then over 18 organized basketball is a certain time slot, volleyball another, something for kid's another time, etc.

So, are there any gyms out here that don't adhere to any "organized" stuff, and it's just show up, and if a court is available, then play? Pretty much like an outside court, except, indoors!

I know the big places like 24 Hour Fitness have that type of open format, but not all of us are members, and non-member fees for a day are ridiculously expensive.

Any suggestions would be welcome at this point.

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City League

I’d recommend playing in a league. I prefer www.recbasketball.com, but there’s also www.portlandbasketball.com. I haven’t played in the league for about a year, but we played for a solid decade before that. Dogg Pound for life.

As far as open gyms go, they always seem to be hit and miss. I’ll find one and play for a while, then they stop. It’s a vicious cycle…….

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Sep 30, 2008 10:59 AM PDT reply actions  

Hrmm

Don’t really want to play city league as all of us have hectic schedules. We just want to play some basketball.

by damir on Sep 30, 2008 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions  

I played on the city league last year and it was awesome

my buddies have since grown vagina’s and no longer come hang out so i play out in front of my house now, hit me up if you want a good game in beaverton, I get the 11 year old neighbor kid on my team though, he’s a killer with the leather rock, norman bates style

# 10 Top Charles Barkley Quote: On the Portland Trail Blazers (back when they were known as the Jail Blazers) serving Thanksgiving meals: "In between arrests they do community service."

by BlazermaniacAndy on Oct 1, 2008 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

You seem fairly informed on these things

are either of those leagues able to handle novice basketball players. I am trying to convince a few of my friends, who didn’t play much basketball as kids, to join but they don’t want to get dunked on and embarrased. Any suggestions? I am a decent baller but very rusty and could use some good practice as well.

by The Natural ala Mode on Oct 1, 2008 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

If the weather cooperates...

Laurelhurst park is good, only problem is, the weather won’t be nice for awhile. Most of the time though, the comp is pretty good.

by Grey Home on Sep 30, 2008 11:21 AM PDT reply actions  

Metro YMCA 5 bucks per day

good gym , ballers there too and its pretty close to everywhere.

Sophia

"i'll try to find 'em- an' i'll breeng um too yuh"- Sarah Palin
I detest that man who hides one thing in the depths of his heart, and speaks for another. - Homer

by BlazerFan1 on Sep 30, 2008 11:25 AM PDT reply actions  

I thought the gym was taken during afternoons for other activities.

Otherwise, I’ve had some decent games there. Was a member for a bit and it could be fun.

Sometimes there were too many immature players though…athletes just playing ball without any clue how to play or handle themselves on the court. Or teenagers, just trying to be a hotshot and losing every game for his team.

Oden and LaMarcus and Roy, oh my!

by Quik_Baller on Sep 30, 2008 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions  

LOL i just observe when I run around the track. And usually half the court is curtained off for the step class and the other half is for bball

"i'll try to find 'em- an' i'll breeng um too yuh"- Sarah Palin
I detest that man who hides one thing in the depths of his heart, and speaks for another. - Homer

by BlazerFan1 on Sep 30, 2008 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

Outdoor would be Laurelhurst Park

Sophia

"i'll try to find 'em- an' i'll breeng um too yuh"- Sarah Palin
I detest that man who hides one thing in the depths of his heart, and speaks for another. - Homer

by BlazerFan1 on Sep 30, 2008 11:25 AM PDT reply actions  

There isn't a flexible one...

I’ve tried for years. This is what I’ve found…

While at University of Portland, that was the best bet because it was flexible. Doubt they’ll let non-students get a membership or day pass, but you could try.

Community centers have the ridiculous schedules you mentioned. The nice thing is some have great games EVERY week. Other places can be real hit and miss.

There are places like 24 hr fitness, but as you mentioned there expensive.

You could look into The Hoop, or The Courts. These are full-time bball facilities, but I’m not sure you would get what you want there. Typically they have games, clinics (especially youth clinics), and other stuff… don’t see too many pick-up games there when I go for a rec league game.

Otherwise the best outdoor courts, which won’t be available for much longer are (no particular order):
Laurelhurst (caution: shouting matches will last longer than the games)
Colonel Summers (can be packed, competition is sometimes weak)
Edwards Elementary School (my favorite, good guys, hard games, decent skill level)
Irving Park (lots of kids, but three full courts, so plenty of room…good games when the ballers show up)
And on the weekends, some park on NE Dekum and 10th…caution, a few weeks ago I saw someone drop-step-dunk like it was no big deal… I laughed and was thankful I wasn’t guarding him…

Oden and LaMarcus and Roy, oh my!

by Quik_Baller on Sep 30, 2008 11:34 AM PDT reply actions  

If you're going to be paying these "drop in fees"

every time you wanna play basketball, just get a membership at 24 dude. they ALWAYS have some kind of deal going on, and if they don’t want to give you one, just wait a month or go to another one/salesperson. outdoor courts aren’t going to be available (weather) much longer anyway. I used to play at this catholic school downtown. like a dusty old middle school gym but nice backboards and good players who don’t argue every other call. it was invite only because they wanted to keep the numbers down but if you can find/organize something like that its awesome. shoot, you could start a blazersedge league.

Afew years ago, a broadcaster once said Pryzbilla's name is "Polish for 'personal foul.'" Ouch.

by chrischa on Sep 30, 2008 12:14 PM PDT reply actions  

I already have

I have a 24 hour membership. The other guys don’t.

by damir on Sep 30, 2008 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions  

Many area churches have gyms & free basketball nights

Since I stopped playing in city league that is what I’ve done. I’m not in Portland though.

by tweener on Sep 30, 2008 2:43 PM PDT reply actions  

PSU is good.

I played (okay, got repeatedly dunked on by) Freddie Jones many years ago.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Sep 30, 2008 8:21 PM PDT reply actions  

That's pretty cool

Grayson Boucher aka The Professor threw me a perfect lob …… that I missed at the 24 hour in Salem a few years ago.

by tweener on Oct 1, 2008 5:12 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah.

Those guys are the alpha males.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Oct 1, 2008 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

Shooting around

When I used to play pickup ball, there were some good options via community centers and such. Look at the Tualatin Hills Park and Rec District website if you live on the West side.

With a repaired shoulder, a new ACL, and second gimpy knee, I’ve gotten the memo that 5 vs. 5 isn’t so good for me. That said, I’ve love to find someplace indoors in Portland to shoot around and/or get into a game of low skill 3 vs 3. Geezers or gentleman’s rules preferred.

by Engineering Problem on Oct 1, 2008 10:32 AM PDT reply actions  

Southwest Community Center

SW Portland on 45th and Vermont, by Gabriel Park.
18 and over full court play on Mon and Wed 7 to 9pm
30 and over full court play on Sat 7:30 to 9:30am and Sun 4 to 6pm

You can find me there on the weekends. :-)

by david1978pdx on Oct 1, 2008 9:44 PM PDT reply actions  

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