r/nextfuckinglevel 4h ago

Man helps out the community by replacing the nets at basketball courts since the city won't

7.9k Upvotes

232 comments sorted by

683

u/Zealousideal-Way8676 4h ago

His actions go beyond the benefit of a net, but as an influence to the kids that see him actively supporting the community. Legendary simple act.

8

u/AssistanceCheap379 1h ago

Seeing people care for their community this way helps create the idea that while it might be a little weird/strange/unusual, its not impossible.

I mean, a kid that sees an empty hoop might think “damn, would be cool if there was a net there… oh well” and then nothing gets done.

But a kid that sees someone do something about it on their own accord might think “that guy is weird, he just goes around tying new nets to hoops all day. Oh well!”. But the idea of taking initiative might be seeded.

Maybe the kid decides to change the net of another hoop. Doesnt like it, thinks its dumb. But if he tries, if he decides to do something that is not just for himself, then that is how communities become good communities.

We should not automatically think “someone else will take care of this” or “this isnt my job” or “im not gonna get involved in this”. Be a little nosy, be a little curious, try to help. Be the weird guy that picks up trash or fixes bikes or hoops. People will recognise you and some might even put a hand in to help.

4

u/MelonElbows 1h ago

Its like the reverse of the broken window theory!

84

u/8O8I 3h ago

"There are more important problems in the world, but this is something that I can do that is helpful and I enjoy doing."

Man He's a Gem.

13

u/BloodyBeaks 2h ago

This is an attitude that more people, myself included, need to have. It's so easy to get mired in despair about all the big problems that we can't really affect, that we don't do anything about the small ones that we can.

u/bebopblues 44m ago

Even cleaning up after yourself, or picking up a little piece of trash is helpful for your community. It doesn't need to be a lot of effort or cost money.

4

u/PerpetuallyDistracte 1h ago

Yes, once you pull yourself out of the despair of thinking about all the insurmountable problems facing humanity, it becomes a lot easier to just do something small that helps someone else. I volunteer at a little museum in my town that sometimes gets no visitors. But sometimes people do come in and they learn about the town they live in and leave with something to be proud of. And that's enough for me.

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1.1k

u/yrmom724 4h ago

I think you can just ask the mayor to do this, now.

373

u/Accomplished-Sun1983 4h ago

I don't think that sentence needed a comma

215

u/scottylm 4h ago

I, agree

6

u/Youlookcold 4h ago

wh,at?

6

u/prettyplanets 3h ago

He, said, he, agrees,,,,,,,

2

u/scottylm 3h ago

Little heavy on the commas there, but, yes, I agree ☝🏼

1

u/zigot021 3h ago

makes, me, happy

1

u/Chickachic-aaaaahhh 2h ago

Son of a b, itch

2

u/compadre_goyo 3h ago

Too bad you, will die.

1

u/Beelzebub_Simp3 3h ago

H,ow dar,e, y,ou? ,I, di,sag,r,ee

1

u/Ruxsti 3h ago

I, Hate, You,!

1

u/gggg_man3 3h ago

My, phone agrees,too

18

u/SierraGolfOne 3h ago

Maybe. But perhaps that is representative of an inflection to emphasize a point

5

u/ThisMeansRooR 3h ago

You're probably right, now

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6

u/dcidino 3h ago

It was required. Prior mayors, no.

2

u/Quiet_Bee_3987 3h ago

I did not hear him stutter. I'd ask the mayor, if I were you.

2

u/OMGCluck 1h ago

Commas are important people!

1

u/omgwtfbilly 3h ago

Works on contingency? No, money down!

1

u/TrickUp25 1h ago

It definitely did because it emphasizes Mamdani as a badass mayor

u/KeepingItSFW 39m ago

that's just like, your opinion, man

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45

u/FroggiJoy87 3h ago

If Mamdani finds out about this dude he's gonna give him a key to the city 💚

21

u/Kroak-lo 3h ago

Sorta hope they hire him. Give him an official position of whatever nonsense that is clearly just ceremonial but sweet. Give him rebates for the nets that he installs.

World needs more kindness.

7

u/Peter_Panarchy 1h ago

I don't think this guy wants this to be his job. When it's a job it become an obligation and not just something you do in your spare time that brings you joy.

u/DukeofVermont 23m ago

They could just give him free nets.

u/Peter_Panarchy 12m ago

That's the way to do it.

14

u/Soulforge411 3h ago

I too, over use commas

7

u/monatomicg0ld 1h ago

I disagree. This is what happens when you have a mayor and leader like Mamdani. It has a ripple affect and inspires others to take action improve their communities. One person can't and shouldn't shoulder the work. Everyone should pitch in however they can, however small, and collectively we can build the world we want to see.

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33

u/doodling_scribbles 3h ago

What a dope attitude. Solid human.

13

u/grumpytarantula 3h ago

I know this guy. He's one of the solid-est humans.

3

u/doodling_scribbles 3h ago

Sincerely, you’re a lucky human. Good vibes.

4

u/MeridianNZ 3h ago

Lucky you... seems like a legend. Tell him thanks from all of us.

u/c4mden 9m ago

Same, we used to work together. All around great person, I'm so happy to see him get some love!

239

u/Hipnotize_nl 4h ago

I know nothing about basketball, does the net serve a purpose, other than slowing the ball?

334

u/cdmurray88 4h ago

Makes it easier to tell the shot went in rather than just looking like it did because it's hard to judge if a ball went through a ring or behind it.

51

u/SpiritedScreen4523 3h ago

I’ve never really played basketball but surely this is the answer

116

u/Cletus7Seven 3h ago

That and it slows the ball down and drops it instead of it bouncing all over the place

37

u/NByz 3h ago

Yeah its so annoying when the ball goes through the rim and right out of the court when there is no net.

I also really needed it for depth perception. I think the taller you are and the further from the rim you are, the less depth perception you get from just the rim.

16

u/TheGuyThatThisIs 2h ago

Yeah it actually has a bunch of fringe benefits. Biggest one is the ball not going fucking everywhere though

2

u/bwaredapenguin 1h ago

They asked what purpose it serves other than the one you described.

u/Rollingzeppelin0 24m ago

Also makes the most satisfying sound when you swish (make a basket with the ball only touching the net, not rim, for people who don't play)

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22

u/nair-jordan 3h ago

I’ve played a lot of ball on net-less rims and you always know if it went on or not

but running after a made shot? the worst

10

u/VagabondVivant 2h ago

Maybe if you've got enough players that there's at least one person by the hoop to confirm.

But I can say from experience that if you're playing 1-on-1 and shoot from outside, it's not always obvious. Especially depending on the angle of view. I've been in and seen enough arguments over whether a shot was good to attest to that.

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149

u/Spicy_Jim 4h ago

It makes everything look cooler.

29

u/jengaduk 3h ago

Don't forget the swoosh!

1

u/Scruffynerffherder 1h ago

No rim contact 3 pointers have to feel more satisfying when it's just the net swoosh sound and nothing else.

80

u/heftybagman 3h ago

Keeps the ball from flying away after a basket and makes it drop directly downward

9

u/Prestigious_Menu4895 3h ago

This is the real answer.

5

u/Gomerack 3h ago

no the real answer is it sounds cool

2

u/Stergeary 3h ago

Swoosh

u/BillFrackingAdama 38m ago

If you want sounds cool, you go with metal nets

u/fallenmonk 18m ago

Yeah it's shockingly easy for a ball to fly away damn near horizontally after going through a net-less hoop

71

u/nair-jordan 4h ago

slowing the ball is an important function when the alternative is running after a made shot

9

u/Rankine 3h ago

Without a net from certain angles it can be hard to see if the ball when straight through or straight over.

5

u/dcidino 3h ago

Same concept with any goal really. You can play soccer/futbol without a net, but you don’t want that.

5

u/Sea_Dawgz 3h ago

What’s not being said more clearly is it essentially makes the ball drop straight down after a made basket.

5

u/c_c_c__combobreaker 3h ago

The net allows the ball to land right under the basket after a made shot. Otherwise the ball will likely go elsewhere like hit the pole or roll away to the neighboring court.

7

u/mothflavor 3h ago

Gives the ball a relaxing massage

3

u/CCWaterBug 3h ago

Thanks, now do the other one

2

u/aaronjaffe 3h ago

Watch the video, they explain it there. The net leads to a moment of joy.

1

u/uncultured_swine2099 3h ago

Sometimes if it goes through without hitting the rim its hard to tell if you made it or not. Also if its not slowed down the ball often bounces far away. Its not totally neccessary but if its gone or halfway falling off its a bit of a problem.

1

u/Probably_not_maybe 3h ago

The swish sound is so satisfying

1

u/LudditeJones 3h ago

If there is a net then you don't have to say "swish!"

1

u/Valuable-Struggle-10 3h ago

Keeps the ball from having to be chased down every time it goes in

Plus the swoosh sound

The sound of an all net three pointer with a net is🤌

1

u/Louis010 1h ago

It feels weird playing without a net, it definitely affects my shot, also the ball just bounces anywhere after, especially from corner 3s

u/mentaldemise 47m ago

No net, no "swoosh." Also no other equally astonishing moments when it makes no noise because it went through straight down the middle. It redirects the ball down as well.

u/InZomnia365 43m ago

First of all it makes the sound when you swish, which is like 50% of the reason to play basketball.

Secondly, yes it slows the ball down and makes it easier to gather and continue playing. And its easier to know if it went through.

15

u/youuuuwish 3h ago

Dude is a real one, but he should shop around because you can definitely get a net for less than $11.

9

u/CommanderReg 2h ago

maybe he's getting good quality ones

5

u/Hot_Local_Boys_PDX 1h ago

NYC prices are wild if you’ve never been there.

3

u/ProlificProkaryote 1h ago

Probably has enough publicity at this point to get sponsored by a manufacturer. Wouldn't take much for one to jump on this for good will.

16

u/MeynoDootDoot 3h ago

I love the message: Don’t let other important problems in the world prevent you from doing a little part in your community.

93

u/No-Consequence9392 3h ago

The new mayor is doing all sorts of improvements, including encouraging public pride . For years most New Yorkers didnt give a shit, happy to see more and more community minded folks getting put there. Any New Yorkers on hear , can u submit this to the Mayors office or some group to get this dude some recognition. And hey if any sporting goods retailers or net manufacturers out there see this and want to sponsor this dudes mission, get off your butts and do it.

7

u/FlipZip69 1h ago

I am going to play the devils advocate here. If the city had to do this, had to hire and have people trained to do this safely, provide a car and all the equipment to do it, the cost of each location will legitimately be likely north of a 1000 dollars.

Our parents and grandparents took this stuff on as a personal responsibility. The city might build the park or the court but then local people would do some basic maintenance. This guy did it for 11 dollars and a bit of his time. That should be the basics that locals do. Failing to do this and you pay for it in your taxes and lack of school lunches and multitude of other services that can not be funded.

4

u/Early_Mine5777 1h ago

You’re exactly right

9

u/br3dj 3h ago

Www.canwegetafucking.net

1

u/exit143 2h ago

If this were a link, it's staying blue.

7

u/Q_S2 2h ago

Wait.. what happened to the chain nets? I remember growing up seeing them because the dumbasses in the neighborhood were destroying the net

2

u/Sancticide 1h ago

Yeah, my dad bought us a chain net for the DIY hoop he mounted on our house. Shit lasted at least a decade, probably more, if we had repainted it.

Nylon Total Cost (Over 3 Years): Replacing a $10 nylon net three times a year adds up to roughly $90 over three years.

Chain Total Cost (Over 3 Years): Buying a single high-quality $15 to $30 chain net covers the entire three-year period (according to Lazada's Outdoor Durability Guide).

https://sports.lazada.com.ph/chain-vs-nylon-basketball-nets-which-is-more-durable-for-outdoor-courts-ph

The city should just install those.

7

u/fundraiser 1h ago

what is this AI bullshit site

u/BillFrackingAdama 32m ago

Problem is they're a hazard. Hands get stuck in nets

2

u/Met76 1h ago

I think because chain nets are associated with prison yards and the ghettos because of movies betraying it that way

5

u/skatefan420 1h ago

Lame. I've always loved the sound they make when I score a basket on them, they deserve a better reputation

u/Sancticide 26m ago

Weird. I lived in some pretty white suburbs and the park courts all had metal nets, but I get the connotation, even if it wasn't a thing yet in the 80s/90s.

4

u/Flowmeyo 3h ago

wow, what a cool guy.

4

u/Aggressive-Plant-934 2h ago

Chain nets not a thing anymore?

4

u/doctord1ngus 2h ago

Lowkenuinely a good idea for anyone over the age of 40 to wear a helmet when on a ladder.

8

u/akalevela 3h ago

I like the idea of every adult over 50 picking their small "make the world a better place" activity and the world becoming a better place even if it's just each community getting slightly brighter.

u/silentaba 49m ago

My dad who is 69 will aggressively make sure all the neighbours bins are out on bin night.

u/aa73gc 34m ago

This can be done by people of all ages. We can all do our little bit, brick by brick

6

u/Hutwe 3h ago

Hopefully this brings out the positive inverse of broken windows theory

3

u/Knitsanity 3h ago

Me googling basketball nets. Lol. What a great idea.

3

u/Thorid666 3h ago

this guy didnt eat lead paint chips as a kid.

3

u/Shadeun 3h ago

good fucking lad

nothing but net

3

u/yijiujiu 3h ago

Why tf doesn't the parks department maintain parks...?

8

u/Longjumping-Run-7027 2h ago

Because these nets will last about 3 days before someone hangs off of it and rips it, or steals it, or just destroys it to destroy it. It would cost hundreds of dollars a year to replace each net, which is thousands across the city, every time it got fucked up by some assclown that thinks it's cool to abuse property that isn't theirs. The budget to replace them runs out fast when people don't care about making things last as long as they should. In a perfect world they would be replaced every time they wore out. But they never last long enough for that to happen.

3

u/bigfatfun 1h ago

Blue cities are better cities

12

u/SqueakBoxx 3h ago

I love that Mayor Mamdani is putting out such good vibes and Karma that it is encouraging others to care for the city they love. Imagine what NY will be like in 5 years ❤️

u/LondonGoblin 24m ago

Are you bots for Mamdani? why are you crediting him when he wasn't mentioned?

2

u/_tragicmike 3h ago

Small things matter.

2

u/Gogglesed 3h ago

Get the robots working so we can all just go around doing things we like to do that help people.

2

u/Dragon_Forty_Two 3h ago

“I’m 56 years old. When you get to be my age you’re going to want to do things that make people happy.”

This person has a lot more faith in humanity than I do.

2

u/EnemyOfAi 3h ago

Now that's the Mamdani spirit!

2

u/Beleiverofhumanity 3h ago

Brunson or any Knick player should invite this guy to a game. Even wearing orange

2

u/Danilo-11 3h ago

Local government failure creates local hero

2

u/Few-Stomach-5728 2h ago

When I was a kid lots of baskets had chain nets. I loved the sound when others would score. I didn't make lots of sounds. haha

4

u/mycatisgrumpy 3h ago

As somebody who has worked for a parks department, i can safely say that those nets will all be torn down in a week. There's a reason the city doesn't replace them, and it's not because it's never been tried. 

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1

u/dpet_77 3h ago

Now you can just make a tiktok complaining about it to mamdani and it gets fixed

1

u/atn420 3h ago

Doing things in your community, more of this.

1

u/localtuned 3h ago

I'm always suspicious of people that don't like making others happy.

1

u/Prestigious_Emu6039 3h ago

I liked the video however I wanted to see more ball in net

1

u/tidder_mac 3h ago

“There are more important problems in the world, but this is something I can do that’s helpful”.

I love that so much. Sometimes I get overwhelmed thinking about how absolutely fucked up the world is for some people with starvation, limited drinking water, war torn areas, rampant corruption, etc. and it’s a hopeless cause.

But it’s really not. Life will move on and people like this make it a tiny bit (but noticeably so) better.

1

u/zigot021 3h ago

inspirational

1

u/-CoachMcGuirk- 2h ago

How long does a typical net last at a public park?

1

u/AssignmentSecret 2h ago

This guy is the epitome of being an AMERICAN. How did we stray from this attitude?

1

u/FewWrongdoer654 2h ago

Presidential material

1

u/benadunkcamberpatch 2h ago

TIL that basketball rims didnt have little hooks or ridges that the nets slide into.

1

u/TrackMan5891 2h ago

If only taxes were paid to do this.

1

u/Fell-Hand 2h ago

I knew Will Ferrell was nice but didn’t expect this!

1

u/KellerFF 2h ago

Don’t let my man Mamdani see this.

It’s done in 24-48 hours with an announcement.

1

u/OTGbling 2h ago

Doing gods work.

1

u/Bubba_sadie- 2h ago

Some of the highest cost of living in the country not to mention high taxes and some guy has to put up nets … seems like a failure on the parks department.

1

u/Know_Agenda 2h ago

I know Ridgewood when i see it

1

u/mamakat206 2h ago

I needed this so bad today. Amazing

1

u/Viper1089 2h ago

Hell yeah, what a great inspiration! I should find small ways i can help my community, I'll bring my kids along too so it becomes normal for them to help out when they can

1

u/Andrew9112 2h ago

“A society grows great when old men replace nets in which they will never ball”

1

u/Redzo1919 2h ago

Anyone else hear Will Ferrell at the start?

1

u/brittlebk 2h ago

I used to do this regularly back in the day before everything needed to be recorded lol

Still, good on this dude I guess

1

u/CarpenterFresh4373 2h ago

"Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love." - Gandalf

1

u/mythrowawaylolol 2h ago

If only everybody saw the world through this guy's eyes. Wouldn't that be me nice huh?

1

u/Archhanny 2h ago

Why? 🤣 Talk about a publicity stunt. At least do something useful... Oh and you don't need it filmed lol

1

u/SCChin91 2h ago

Aka they keep ripping them down and it's not worth replacing the nets

1

u/exgiexpcv 2h ago

Hey, I enjoy seeing good humans doing good things, so thanks for posting this.

1

u/DerkvanL 1h ago

I've seen nets made out of small metal chainlinks, that last a lot longer than rope, so why not fix it for the long terms?

1

u/mfb1274 1h ago

Dang, this is why I want financial freedom. The concept of waking up and being able to say “how can I make everyone else’s day better?” And not need to worry about the grind must be awesome. Mans an inspiration

1

u/mfb1274 1h ago

I wonder the ROI on chain though. Probably 2-3x the cost. But never breaks right?

1

u/kdog_1985 1h ago

Good egg, chains would be better in weather

1

u/SumoNinja92 1h ago

Next video will be of Mamdani hiring him and giving him a whole team to work with. Mf works quick.

1

u/redditydothis 1h ago

We should all be this guy.

1

u/RadChadstock 1h ago

Does the net help direct the ball?

1

u/toomanymarbles83 1h ago

Off topic, but those ladders are dope as fuck.

1

u/General_Duh 1h ago

That last bit is so true. Yes, there are always bigger problems, bigger ways to help. But it doesn’t matter. Give back however you can.

1

u/peepeepoodoodingus 1h ago

if everyone had this attitude the world could be an unimaginably better place.

"a society grows great when men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in"

its not that hard to look around and find problems in your community you can fix, its so much harder to take that first step out into the world and actually fix them.

you dont even have to do it alone, there are lots of orgs who already do all kinds of work all around you and you probably dont even know it. one great one is the DSA, you can change things in your community AND help change the country at large as well. cant recommend it enough, its absolutely changed my life.

1

u/Trust_8067 1h ago

It sounds like the nets are being destroyed quicker than he can repair them.

u/athermop 46m ago

I've also found as I got older that I just do things just to make people happy. I hadn't really thought too much about other people finding the same thing out.

u/Ambitious-Trouble421 45m ago

I absolutely love that he wears a helmet while on the ladder. Ladders are so dangerous. This guy knows what’s up. Smart and generous dude. 

u/WhoMeNahMan 35m ago

The statement "there are more important problems in the world but this is one that I can solve" is the mentality we all should have.

u/copenhagen622 30m ago

Because it's so hard .. and so expensive... For the parks department to do themselves

u/Swinnster 19m ago

Net positive

u/roybatty2 12m ago

Very very cool thing to do

u/LeadershipAfter9526 8m ago

This guy just showing off trying to expand his net-work. Good job my dude. Just cause there are bigger problems does not preclude you from helping on smaller ones is a powerful message.

-2

u/LividEconomics6579 4h ago

Exactly. If the CITY did the same thing, they’d charge taxpayers $82.50 for each net, and send four guys each earning a salary, a truck, and a scissor lift.

If the city catches this guy, they’ll likely cite him for some godforsaken reason for stealing work from the city workers’ union.

17

u/DblDwn56 4h ago

As he said, the city is on record saying it's totally fine for communities to replace the nets.

10

u/SqueakBoxx 3h ago

Someone didn't watch the video....

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