I spent the weekend watching basketball as I attempt to broaden my sporting interests. As an American Studies graduate who spent 6 months at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign I took a keen interest in this sport during my time in the States.

I was lucky enough to watch the Chicago Bulls at the United Center during the Michael Jordan – Dennis Rodman glory years. The problem was that my stint across the Atlantic was all too short and my interest in this sport ended when I returned to the football obsessed UK.

There doesn’t seem to be an accessible highlights show on British television – unless I am missing something – to keep me up to date with the latest NBA action while allowing me to become educated in the language, rules, history, teams and venues. Anyone out there with any tips on how I can educate myself in this sporting field then please do let me know.

This weekend I watched the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves (118-106), the Detroit Pistons squeeze past the Denver Nuggets (128-123) and the Toronto Raptors destroy the Chicago Bulls (129-102). I really enjoyed all three games and now want to develop my interest in the sport. I am sure each club have official historians and statisticians but this is an area of the sport that I would be interested in as unfortunately there is little hope that I will be shooting a few hoops anytime soon.

I really enjoyed the whole spectacle of the games as it appeared to be a game that the whole family could enjoy on different levels. There seems to be something for everyone, as opposed to the other American sports that I find mind-numbingly boring.

I also want to adopt a team to support and follow religiously. Chicago Bulls are the favourites to fill this role, but I can’t rule out anyone else at the moment as my heart does not truly belong to anyone yet.

Anyway, I have prattled on for too long and if anyone with knowledge of the NBA is reading this then please do get in touch to provide me with some guidance as my long term support for the game is at stake…

In the meantime, I will have to have a look at when I can travel the short distance to enjoy Cheshire Phoenix at the Cheshire Oaks Arena in Ellesmere Port.

***

This post was inspired by the untimely death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter in a tragic helicopter crash last week.