Why You should Watch the NBA: Welcome Back Michael Jordan Lovers

Most of you used to watch.  As kids we pretended to be Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson or maybe even Larry Bird. Some of you that are younger pretended to be Allen Iverson, or perhaps even Lebron James. The NBA has always been around and impacted popular culture, music and our lives. I realize some of you may have left the NBA. You got older and time became more precious. You read all the press clippings of “they don’t play defense” and “they never call traveling” anymore. After football ends you really don’t follow anything until the NCAA tourney or maybe baseball starts. I get it I understand, but I want to take this opportunity to invite you back.

The NBA is the best run league and by far the most fun of all the four major sports. If there was ever a time to come back and get into watching and following the NBA, this is it. Why exactly should you come back? Why is it the best run and most fun league?

1. Players don’t get arrested anymore. There are almost zero off the court issues. Think about it, when was the last time you heard an NBA player getting into any trouble? The NFL and even baseball has a lot more off the field issues. The NBA has zero. Why? Players are brands from middle school on and have to protect that image. If the players want to protest or do something, they do it. The league doesn’t interfere and it is not an issue.
2. Positive rules changes. The Knicks and Heat slowed the game down and made physical basketball very important. Games were played in the 80’s and 90’s. If a team scored over 100 points it was a big deal. Now, the pace and speed of the game is insane. If a team scores under 100 points it is shocking. It is not because of a lack of defense. The NBA cracked down on clutching, holding, hand checking and bumping cutters coming off and around screens. The result, freedom of movement and more space. Teams are also playing much faster.
3. The skill level of the players is the highest that it has ever been. Everyone can shoot. EVERYONE. Defense is being played, at a higher level than it ever has. Conversely, the offensive skill of a majority of the players has outpaced the defensive improvements. Even with players playing defense at a very high level, the rule changes combined with exponential growth of offense skill has led to a scoring explosion. Part of the skill has to do with using the euro-step and when a player picks up their dribble. If a player has both feet off the ground when picking up their dribble, they can then land, then take two steps to score. It is not a travel, but an exploitation of the rules. This is very difficult to master and if done correctly is very difficult to defend. Yes, it may look awkward at first, but you get used to watching it and see how hard the players worked to perform this skill.
4. The best players play. Gone are the days of slow lumbering centers on the court because they are tall. If those centers can’t stretch the floor and shoot threes they won’t play many minutes. Teams routinely now, I know this seems weird to say, play their best five basketball players. Teams play very small lineups as their data proves they are their best lineups.
5. Teams are becoming smarter. There really aren’t many teams that are bad and have no chance to get better. The Knicks made a strange trade last week, but you can see what they are thinking. Some teams are still digging out of holes left by past regimes, but for the most part there is a path to relevancy for every team.
6. They lowered the tanking odds. Tanking to improve your lottery odds has been flattened out. This incentives teams to try and win more. Outside of winning the number one pick, no player can really change a franchise this year.
7. Who will win the lottery? Who will get traded where? Who will sign with the Lakers? Speculation and talking about what could happen has become so much fun. Not even a week ago it took the Knicks about five hours to meet with, discuss and then trade their best player. Things happen fast.
8. Why does it happen so fast? NBA twitter. NBA twitter is the best version of twitter. It’s highlights, discussion, speculation, WOJ, Shams, Memes and fun. Bad takes are roasted, but everyone loves the league and discussing it. Also, the players jump in and bash each other. It really is the best.
9. How can you see every team? Unlike the other major sports, the NBA allows their highlights and clips to be posted everywhere without issue. House of Highlights on Instagram is a must follow. Just being on twitter will allow you to see every major clip and highlight moments after it happens.
10. The most important part of the league today is the talent. The league has never collectively had more talent. Almost every team has at least one player worth seeing play. The best part is so many players are coming in from college or Europe ready to play. Next year we know Zion Williamson is going to step in and make a difference for a team right away. Imagine a team just missing the playoffs, but then winning the lottery.

All of this of course ignores the fact you can gamble and play daily fantasy for the NBA every single night. Unlike football there are always games. I didn’t even mention Steph Curry or the historically good Golden State Warriors. Between ESPN, TNT, ABC and NBATV there are games on for free every night. So welcome back. Take a chance and watch a game tonight or tomorrow. Tonight you can watch the Milwaukee Bucks and the Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo at 7:30 on NBATV. Tomorrow you can watch two of the best teams in the East on TNT at 8 when the Sixers play the Raptors. Feel free to tweet us your thoughts and follow along during the games! But most importantly, come back to something you loved when you were younger. Share it with your kids and your friends. I know I am.