About The Book
KING TOWERS 116th Street
The Iceman Experience is as much about social dynamics, life choices and living circumstances in 1970’s Harlem, as it is about who did what on the basketball courts, playgrounds and streets of New York City. This story depicts the lifestyles, urban dynamics and contemporary black culture that parallel the dreams and aspirations of young urban athletes in the world’s most famous ghetto, while providing a testimony for many of the choices, challenges and obstacles confronted on a daily basis.
​
The Iceman Experience is about black migration, life in public housing and its many contrast with deep traditional, southern Christian values. It is an experience of conflicting realities and contrast that drive a compulsive search for meaning and relevance through basketball and competition.
JULIUS "Dr. J" ERVING on Harlem's playgrounds.
THE ATHLETES and THE TIMES
​
The 1970's was a glorious time to be introduced to the sport of basketball. It not only symbolized the emergence of playground basketball, it was also an era of freedom and expression that brought excitement to the sport. This book delves into the great folklore and life stories of some of playground basketball's most prominent talents and personalities.
​
From NBA Hall of Famers like Julius Erving, Nate Archibald and Earl Monroe, to street ball legends Joe Hammond and Pee Wee Kirkland, Harlem was the meeting place, the common ground these great icons took to battle. Harlem was the Mecca of playground basketball and players of my generation were its direct benefactors. We watched and learned from the legends in the most uncompromising and unapologetic environment imaginable. The Iceman Experience provides an up close and personal account of the times, players and Harlem's complicated yet vibrant environment of the day.
ORDERS
Orders for The Iceman Experience are available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indie book distributors.
Why The Iceman Experience as a title? Almost from the moment I picked up a basketball and had any level of success, I was tagged as"Ice" by friends, opponents, teammates and fans. From my neighborhood, throughout Harlem, college and into the professional ranks, the homage to the original Iceman, George Gervin, followed me throughout my playing days like a shadow. It was definitely an Iceman Experience.
SUGAR RAY ROBINSON posing in Harlem with his pink Cadillac in 1950.
THE LIFESTYLE and the DREAM
​
This book is about Harlem's history and provides a historical analysis and perspective that can only be provided by one of its natives. Many of the historical sports figures, entertainers and activist who called Harlem home are highlighted in the book for historical perspective.
​
The culture of basketball in Harlem did not evolve in a bubble. The living dynamics and demographics of life in Harlem are interwoven into the fabric of this literary account to provide perspective that serves as a window to its readers. This is a book about the dreams and aspirations of one person's attempt to cope, understand and overcome the obstacles in his path in search of a better future as many Harlemites before me have. The path I chose was basketball.