IN A STATE OF FEAR

FEAR IS AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE to tangible and realistic dangers. Fear should be distinguished from anxiety, an emotion that often arises out of proportion to the actual threat or danger involved, and can be subjectively experienced without any specific attention to the threatening object (Wikipedia.com)

Since the summer of 2005, Darren Phillip has gone by one of the most famous monikers in NYC streetball, "Primal Fear". Just like Edward Norton was in the 1996 film "Primal Fear", Phillip has been an actual threat to New York City since the turn of the millennium. Whether its at the big man position or the guard position, there hasn't really been an answer to Phillip, and a plentiful championship resume' backs him up, and he's only 29 years old. Championships and MVP's in some of the elite tournaments in the city (Hoops in the Sun, West 4th, Nike Pro City) has Phillip up there as one of the most prominant big men in the game today.

Randy Cruz: What's the best thing about playing streetball?
Darren Phillip: The best thing about streetball is the competition. There is no better competition in the world then Streetball. It is where kids become boys and boys become men. Streetball is an attitude that can not be measured anywhere else but on the pavement especially in NYC. It is a way of life, the two words that are brought together and that’s what helps inner city kids grow and compete in any field they choose to get involved with and it’s because we wear our heart on our sleeve.

RC: What is it like playing in front of an NYC crowd? Different from the overseas crowd?
DP: It is hard playing in front of NYC crowd because you will hear it no matter how you play. I guess you can call them fair weather fans because you have to be doing well in order to be appreciated. NYC is a tough place to play sports but that is what makes us the best and what makes people strive for excellence here. The fans in Europe may hate you that day but all is forgiven unlike here.

RC: How would you explain the atmosphere and environment for someone who hasn't experienced it?
DP: The atmosphere is festive, as well just a little different where we are more laid back in ways they are more hostile there. But things are forgive fast over there, you are only as good as your last game. I also have been lucky playing in big arenas nothing less than 5,000 people so that has been special in itself.

RC: What were your feelings and emotions when you started out playing streetball in NYC?
DP: It was about being the best ball player I can be; the feeling of take no prisoners do that to remind you of something. I wanted to be one of the cities best while I represented Brooklyn, the home of the best.

RC: What was the first major tournament you played in? How was it?
DP: The First major tournament I played in was NIKE Pro City. It was something I have never experienced before because of the stiff competition as well as being in the grace of real life pro athletes. From NBA players to European players, the competition was on a high level.

RC: Do you feel you've become the type of streetball player you thought you were going to be when you first started?
DP: I never though I was going to be anything really. I used streetball to in order to better my skills but it was more of a pastime. I played alot of different sports growing up. It was just another thing to do at first.

RC: How has Darren Phillip as a player grown from day one until now?
DP: To be honest with you, I went from being an aggressive ball player to just being a straight monster and I have to thank NYC streetball for that. Trash talking was something that helped me want to get better or better said, need to get better. I did that In order to not fall victim and to be known as one of the players that can not hold his own. Now, I scare people to death when they know that I have to be an opponent.

Part 2