What's with the NBA

[ClementeFanOh]

Steve N- any value to the complaint actually being true? Trent King

[irv]

Originally Posted by Huysmans

Of course I'm biased as a Canadian.... but I truly believe if the majority of people were exposed to hockey, it would be the world's most popular sport, as it is arguably the hardest and most skilled team sport to play. Those who appreciate athletics at their highest level will love hockey. Of course, this popularity will never occur for a number of reasons.

I've seen reaction videos on Youtube where basketball and soccer fans watch hockey for the first time, and most are shocking by the skill and athleticism exhibited.

ESPN did a thorough study asking what sports are the hardest and most skilled to play.

The study featured a panel of experts from "a group made up of sports scientists from the United States Olympic Committee, of academicians who study the science of muscles and movement, of a star two-sport athlete, and of journalists who spend their professional lives watching athletes"

The analysis was based on 10 categories or skills, including:

ENDURANCE
STRENGTH
POWER
SPEED
AGILITY
FLEXIBILITY
NERVE
DURABILITY
HAND-EYE COORDINATION
ANALYTIC APTITUDE

HOCKEY was ranked the #1 team sport, scoring 71.750, second overall to boxing which scored 72.375.

Football was #3 with 68.375
Basketball was #4 with 67.875

https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/sportSkills


.... there was also a second study released in the spring I believe from a group that does unbiased studies, and they came to the same conclusion and rankings (can't remember the name of the organization or find the link to the article)

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

Steve N- any value to the complaint actually being true? Trent King

It's a different game played today than what I watched growing up. I'm not in love with it, and basketball was never my sport, but my boys and nephews love it. As do a lot of other people apparently. I'm amazed at the level of international interest. If there is one sport I could buy stock in it would undoubtedly be the NBA.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

If there is one sport I could buy stock in it would undoubtedly be the NBA.

I agree, Steve. It's hard to understate the popularity worldwide.

[BobC]

It doesn't require a 100 yard long field, a baseball diamond, or an ice rink. You don't need gloves, helmets, pads, skates, or any other special equipment other than a ball and a hoop. You can play in a gym on a wood floor, outside on a paved parking lot, playground, or driveway. Heck, you can even play on a bare dirt lot if need be. And you don't need teams to play. You can just as easily play 1-on-1 as 5-on-5. Probably a huge reason why kids in many countries, especially third world countries, are choosing to play. Kind of along the same lines as soccer where you just need a ball and to fashion some kind of goal. That is a huge reason why sports such as basketball and soccer are so big worldwide, and others not so much.

[tschock]

Uh, you don't need a 100 yard field to 'play' football either. Likewise a baseball diamond. Otherwise you need a full court for a basketball comparison. You need 2 items for basketball, 1 for football, and 2/3 for baseball. Hockey's a different story (needing special conditions like ice unless you are playing roller hockey, also skates and a stick and a ball or puck).

The key to basketball is it can be played without anyone else AND it can be played on most any kind of surface. Also basketball can be played as an individual sport when learning/training how to play. The other's cannot, at least as easily.

[BobbyStrawberry]

A fun "modern NBA" moment from last night's game, for those who might have missed it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ovf...ab_channel=NBA

[BobC]

Originally Posted by tschock

Uh, you don't need a 100 yard field to 'play' football either. Likewise a baseball diamond. Otherwise you need a full court for a basketball comparison. You need 2 items for basketball, 1 for football, and 2/3 for baseball. Hockey's a different story (needing special conditions like ice unless you are playing roller hockey, also skates and a stick and a ball or puck).

The key to basketball is it can be played without anyone else AND it can be played on most any kind of surface. Also basketball can be played as an individual sport when learning/training how to play. The other's cannot, at least as easily.

The idea is you need a lot more room (and people) for baseball and football, and an ice rink for hockey. The basketball hoop doesn't need much room and area to play. Plus you can play half court, inside or outside. You're basically repeating what I was saying about how it is easier for kids to play basketball than the other mentioned sports. So I assume you agree with my point that I made in the first place about basketball's worldwide popularity possibly being a function of the ease to get a game going and play?

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by BobC

The idea is you need a lot more room (and people) for baseball and football, and an ice rink for hockey. The basketball hoop doesn't need much room and area to play. Plus you can play half court, inside or outside. You're basically repeating what I was saying about how it is easier for kids to play basketball than the other mentioned sports. So I assume you agree with my point that I made in the first place about basketball's worldwide popularity possibly being a function of the ease to get a game going and play?

Can't the same argument be used for soccer. Kids are kicking their balls globally.