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August 14th, 2013, 8:45 PM
#1
NBA for the outsider (FAO The Americans)
I'm throwing myself on your mercy here Americans.
I used to follow the NBA massively...not ridiculously so, but rather like your average American mate who LOVES soccer... that sort of level. The days of Karl Malone, John Stockton, Charles Barkley, Scotty Pippen. Back when LeBron was at the Cavs. Anyway, that kinda brings me to my point.
The NBA really confuses me now. I don't understand how teams have changed cities. I don't understand how the draft works anymore. I don't, apart from my affinity and number of friends from Dallas, even know who to support anymore.'
Don;t ask me why, but for years I supported the Cavs. Then LeBron came and went, so I decided, well, I like Rondo, so I'll give the Celtics a year. Didn't float my boat, so I decided to go to the ol' faithful, the Mavs. I even toyed with Chicago because I love the city so much. But never The Knicks. Fuck The Knicks... But anyway. Now? I'm stuck.
I'm a massive Americaphile. I spent 4 weeks of my life driving 4 and a half thousand miles across your fair country, but I need your help. I need this season explaining to me. I need to understand where Brooklyn came from, why Seattle don't have the Sonics anymore but Oklahoma now have the Thunder, why The Celtics have gone to shit, why one team don't just dominate the league for years and years because they have the money or the manager (see Man Utd. Chelsea etc in the EPL). Who do I need to watch? Who are the underdogs? The threats? Who made great trades? And if so, why?
In short, I want to enjoy the NBA again, but I feel so out of touch with it, I thought asking your help would ultimately help me do that.
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August 14th, 2013, 9:36 PM
#2
I'm from Canada, but I love basketball. Nothing beats the 4th quarter of a playoff basketball game. Like you, I grew up on John Stockton... all the other kids cheered for Jordan and the Bulls but I had to be different and cheers for the Jazz.
I missed most of this last season since I was in Asia and it is all manu and soccer shit all the time, but I support teams that don't have Lebron James on them. I also hate the knicks. For the past ten years or so I have supported whatever team Steve Nash is on since he is a class individual. Bit tough these days since he is part of the lakeshow.
I realize this post doesn't help you much, but I'm interested in this thread, hopefully some American diehards will answer some of your questions. 30 for 30 has some amazing docs on basketball, look up the Allen Iverson one, and reggie miller vs. the knicks. Both are interesting.
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August 14th, 2013, 9:37 PM
#3