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Post by keithkr on Nov 14, 2023 15:05:07 GMT
Hi all, just got back from a holiday in America and I have to say basketball is a totally different animal over there, team shirts everywhere, including college sides, was great to see. If only we could get that level of interest over here. While I was over there I could not access this forum for some reason, guess it picks up location. Anyway some interesting and unexpected scored while I was away, good to see.
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Post by LTfan on Nov 14, 2023 16:20:39 GMT
I'm sure an American 'soccer' fan would say the exact same thing whilst holidaying (sorry, vacationing) here in the UK.
But yes, I've been fortunate to spend a lot of time in the US in recent years and I love the basketball culture over there. In fact, I love their general sporting culture over there.
Where in the US did you stay? Did you get to see any games whilst over there, or get any good merchandise?
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Post by spacejammer on Nov 14, 2023 16:33:17 GMT
I went to my first live NBA game 2 years ago when I went to watch New York Knicks play Orlando Magic at the Garden.
And they made a regular season NBA game feel like the BBL Trophy or Playoff Final with the quality of presentation.
They did have the national anthem playing before the game which I felt was a bit over the top for a regular season game. I respect the culture and patriotism but I couldn't imagine going to a game outside a National game or showcase final where they'd have god save the king playing before a match.
But it was a great show and an experience.
Even had celebrity cameos courtside as well.
Whilst the NBA is good and unique it at times for regular season games it feels hard to get excited though unless you are there in person and I think the BBL will take atleast a couple of decades before it reaches the same level and that's if it can ever reach that level.
As for the College side of ball I was told by someone one of the reasons it is so popular is because America is so big not everyone has an NBA team near to them as depending on where you are in the country your nearest team could be 6-8 hours away.
So in that case if you want live basketball then your more likely to go to watch a college game.
Plus when you think of it alot of the best college players then go on to the NBA.
Whereas in the UK alot of the best players go on to either the NBA or other top leagues in Europe or Australia etc...
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Post by LTfan on Nov 14, 2023 19:52:26 GMT
I went to my first live NBA game 2 years ago when I went to watch New York Knicks play Orlando Magic at the Garden. And they made a regular season NBA game feel like the BBL Trophy or Playoff Final with the quality of presentation. They did have the national anthem playing before the game which I felt was a bit over the top for a regular season game. I respect the culture and patriotism but I couldn't imagine going to a game outside a National game or showcase final where they'd have god save the king playing before a match. Under Vince’s reign ‘God Save the Queen’ was played before every London Lions home game. I’m all for some patriotism, but it did feel a bit excessive. |
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Post by dexter on Nov 14, 2023 20:11:05 GMT
I went to watch my local ice hockey team. They played God Save the Queen before the game. I wasn't expecting that. I guess they just transplanted everything from North America, and now (I assume) it's a tradition of British ice hockey too. I'm as patriotic as they next Brit but I'm glad it hasn't become a tradition of British basketball. I would rather keep it for the national team. Maybe for the Trophy final and the playoff final too. But no more than that.
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Post by keithkr on Nov 14, 2023 20:50:27 GMT
I'm sure an American 'soccer' fan would say the exact same thing whilst holidaying (sorry, vacationing) here in the UK. But yes, I've been fortunate to spend a lot of time in the US in recent years and I love the basketball culture over there. In fact, I love their general sporting culture over there. Where in the US did you stay? Did you get to see any games whilst over there, or get any good merchandise? Went to Florida, it was a family holiday with days already mapped out so didn't get to see any games, bar on TV. Bought a couple of tee shirts as souvenirs, they were everywhere. Got an Orlando Magic one and Utah Jazz, simply because the Jazz badge is great as I am a musician. |
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Post by SamH on Nov 15, 2023 0:23:38 GMT
Im off to Florida in March, I did look at tickets to see Orlando but its really expensive for even a not very good seat. I don't expect the Magic to be a playoff team either so chances are by that time in the season they won't even be playing for anything. Its a shame but the holiday is costing enough already. What I do like when going to the US is how accessible the action is, as games are on tv every night and not at 2am. Plus in the daytime you get the various talk shows and debates which are always entertaining.
I also love going into the sports shops and all the usual football stuff we get here is replaced with nba swag.
Oh and I love that you can go to a bar or even some restaurants and there'll likely be a game on to watch too.
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Post by SamH on Nov 15, 2023 0:25:45 GMT
We do have an NBA topic on here by the way, be good to see more people posting on it and discussing the new season!
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Post by almachizzit on Nov 15, 2023 0:52:20 GMT
When I was over in Tennessee we saw a college game and Scottie Pippen Jr was playing . He was good but definitely not NBA level.
The thing that got me most was all the enthusiasm from the stand was coming from students too young to drink. I always wanted to be that happy. Not managed it yet.
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Post by keithkr on Nov 15, 2023 7:11:10 GMT
Im off to Florida in March, I did look at tickets to see Orlando but its really expensive for even a not very good seat. I don't expect the Magic to be a playoff team either so chances are by that time in the season they won't even be playing for anything. Its a shame but the holiday is costing enough already. What I do like when going to the US is how accessible the action is, as games are on tv every night and not at 2am. Plus in the daytime you get the various talk shows and debates which are always entertaining. I also love going into the sports shops and all the usual football stuff we get here is replaced with nba swag. Oh and I love that you can go to a bar or even some restaurants and there'll likely be a game on to watch too. [br Your right it is now really expensive to holiday in Florida, prices are incredible. |
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