pick-up ball at rec centers for the past 20 years because of all the testosterone, jawing, and crap I just got tired of. But at 50, I'm starting to do it a little again, just because its the most fun way to try to keep weight off.

I got to say, though, the feeling you get after beating the cocky, foul-mouthed 20 something's running full court who think they should trounce you is still a very very good one! I think the fact that there were two of us 50 yr olds on my team made it even harder for them.
But they were straight jerks from the get-go. By the end they were mostly being jerks to each other, though, so they had little time to direct it at us any more.

I much prefer playing with nice guys, even if it's a little lower skill level. But the satisfaction of beating the testosterone fueled jerks almost makes up for it.