Ayrton Oneill
Basketball is a popular sport with a growing fan base. If you're new to the game and want to get into it, there are several ways to start following basketball. You could pick a favourite player and support the team they play for, or simply choose a team to follow. It's recommended to pick a good team as they are usually more fun to watch. You can watch basketball games on TV or live, and there are also video games available for consoles and phones that can help you get familiar with the players and the game. If you want to get more involved, you can keep track of stats and learn about the different rules and penalties. There are also online communities, such as r/NBA and r/Basketball on Reddit, where fans discuss playing and watching the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pick a team to follow | Pick a winning team, or a team with exciting players, or a team you would want to play for |
| Pick a favourite player | This will help you stay engaged and enjoy watching |
| Learn the rules | Learn about fouls and penalties |
| Learn the positions | There are five main positions |
| Learn the stats | Keep your own stats or rely on TV statisticians |
| Watch games on TV | Anticipate the next pass, follow the action away from the ball, watch the other players on the court |
| Watch YouTube videos | Watch condensed games on the NBA's YouTube channel |
| Play video games | Get to know the players by playing NBA video games |
| Follow communities | Join communities such as r/Basketball on Reddit |
| Follow social media | Follow coaches and analysts on Twitter |
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What You'll Learn
Pick a team to follow
Picking a team to follow is a big decision, and you want to get it right. You are picking a team not just for this season, but possibly for life. So, it's worth putting some thought into it.
First, you should watch as many games as you can. You might be drawn to a team with a fast-paced offense or one that plays tight defense. You might prefer an underdog story or a team that is already dominating. You might want to follow a team with a star player, or a young team with potential.
Consider the team's history and track record. Do they have a reputation for thrilling comebacks? Have they been consistently making the playoffs? Are they on the way up? You might want to get in on the ground floor and follow a team that is about to be great.
You could also think about the team's brand and identity. Do you like their logo and colours? Are they engaged in social issues that are important to you? Do they have a passionate fanbase? Do they have a strong social media presence?
Finally, you might want to consider geographical connections. Is there a team in your city or state? Or perhaps you have a connection to a particular city or state?
Some teams that have been recommended as good options for new fans include the Raptors, Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Cleveland Cavaliers, and San Antonio Spurs.
Remember, there is no right or wrong choice. It's about finding a team that resonates with you and that you can be passionate about.
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Learn the rules
Basketball is a team sport with five players on each team on the court at one time. The teams compete to shoot a ball through a hoop, scoring points for each successful shot. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Fouls and Penalties
Knowing what penalties and fouls are called is one of the hardest aspects of learning basketball. Here are some of the major penalties and infractions you’ll notice during a game:
- Travelling: When a player moves with the ball without dribbling
- Double-dribble: When a player picks up their dribble, then resumes dribbling
- Blocking foul: When a defensive player blocks the opponent with forcible body contact
- Charging foul: When an offensive player charges into the defender with forcible body contact
- Goaltending: When a defender blocks a shot attempt that is coming down near the basket
Scoring
A field goal is scored when the ball is successfully put through the hoop during play. A field goal scores two points. If the shot is taken outside the three-point line, it scores three points. Free throws score one point.
Divisions and Seasons
The NBA consists of 30 teams across the US and Canada. There are two conferences, the Eastern and Western conferences, each containing 15 teams. There are three divisions in each conference, making six in total. The Atlantic, Central, and Southeast Divisions make up the Eastern Conference, and the Southwest, Northwest, and Pacific Divisions make up the Western Conference. One regular season consists of 82 games, and the top eight teams from each conference advance to the postseason.
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Understand penalties and fouls
Fouls and penalties are an important part of basketball, affecting the game's pace and energy and making it challenging for players to build momentum. They are designed to keep the game safe and fair.
Types of Fouls
There are several types of fouls in basketball:
- Offensive fouls: These are committed by offensive players when their team possesses the ball. Charging and illegal ball screens are two common types of offensive fouls. Charging occurs when an offensive player makes contact with a defensive player who has their feet planted in a locked position. An illegal screen is when a non-ball-handling offensive player moves while setting a screen to prevent the defender from moving freely around the court.
- Loose ball fouls: When neither team has established possession of the ball, it is considered "loose." A loose ball foul involves illegal physical contact when players scramble for the uncontrolled ball. The penalty for this type of foul is free throws or loss of possession.
- Team fouls: Each team is allotted a certain number of fouls per quarter (in the NBA, it is five fouls per quarter). Once a team exceeds this allotment, they go "into the bonus," and the opposing team is awarded free throws for each additional foul committed.
- Technical fouls: These are penalties for violating the game's administrative rules, such as fighting, verbal abuse, or unsportsmanlike conduct. Technical fouls can be assessed to players or coaches and can result in fines, free throws, and changes in possession. Repeated technical fouls can lead to ejection from the game and even suspension from future games.
- Flagrant fouls: These are fouls that referees deem unnecessary or excessive and are often called on contact likely to cause injuries, such as swinging an elbow or body-checking a player in midair. Flagrant fouls can also result in fines and ejection from the game.
Penalties
Penalties for fouls can vary depending on the type of foul and the league rules. Common penalties include:
- Free throws: The fouled player is awarded unguarded free throws from the foul line. Each successful free throw counts as one point.
- Change of possession: The team committing the foul loses possession of the ball, giving the advantage to the opposing team.
- Fines: In professional leagues, players or coaches may be fined for certain types of fouls, such as flagrant or technical fouls.
- Ejection: In some cases, such as repeated technical fouls or flagrant fouls, a player may be ejected from the game and required to leave the court.
Understanding Incidental Contact
It is important to note that not all contact between players is considered a foul. Incidental contact, which is unintentional and common due to the fast pace of the game, is not considered a foul. Referees must judge whether contact between players is incidental or a foul, as this can significantly impact the outcome of the game.
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Familiarise yourself with players
One of the best ways to get into basketball is to familiarise yourself with the players. Picking a favourite player and following their team is a great way to get started. This will help keep you engaged and is a good way to get to know the league.
Watching the NBA All-Star game is a great way to see all the big names in one place. The game takes place during a one-week break in early February, and the players are decided through fan voting. Usually, these are the best players in the league, so it's a great way to learn about the league's superstars.
Video games are another excellent way to get to know the players in the NBA. You can download games for consoles and phones, and it's a fun way to get familiar with players while also enjoying yourself. The 2k series, in particular, features retired players, so you can learn about past superstars of the league.
If you want to watch games, the NBA's YouTube channel is a great resource. They condense every game into ten-minute videos, showing every shot made. This is a great way to keep up with the league and stay engaged, especially if you don't have time to watch full games.
Fantasy basketball is another option to get familiar with players. It keeps track of nine categories, including points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. You can play for free on various platforms, and it's a fun way to learn about players while also staying engaged with the league.
Watching film or game highlights is another great way to learn about players and the game itself. It can help you train your perception to recognize different situations and patterns in games, which can be very useful if you ever want to play yourself.
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Watch games on TV
Watching basketball games on TV is a great way to follow the sport. There are several streaming services that allow you to watch live games and keep up with the NBA season.
NBA League Pass
NBA League Pass is a subscription service that gives you access to live games, on-demand content, and select Summer League games on NBA TV. It offers live game access through the regular season and on-demand access throughout the playoffs. You can stream NBA League Pass on various devices, including iOS, Android, Apple TV, Xbox, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and more. Additionally, with a DIRECTV subscription, you can add NBA League Pass as an add-on to watch up to 40 out-of-market games live and on-demand each week.
Hulu
Hulu + Live TV offers access to live NBA games and on-demand content. You can select the NBA teams you want to follow, and Hulu will recommend games for you to watch throughout the season. Hulu also provides regional sports networks in your area and allows you to stream games live on the Hulu app. The Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV plan is priced at $82.99/month after a 3-day free trial and can be cancelled anytime.
DIRECTV
DIRECTV offers a variety of channels to watch NBA games live, including ESPN, ABC, TNT, NBA TV, and regional sports networks (RSNs). With the CHOICE™ TV Package or above, you can get NBA TV and follow your favourite teams. DIRECTV also offers the Sports Pack add-on for more NBA coverage on out-of-market RSNs.
ESPN
ESPN provides coverage of NBA games, and you can stream them live through the ESPN app or on TV depending on your region. Check your local listings to find out if ESPN is available in your area.
It's important to note that some games may have blackout restrictions or not be available in your area due to local broadcasting rights. Be sure to check the specific terms and conditions of each streaming service to understand the availability of games in your region.
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Frequently asked questions
The fundamentals of basketball are often referred to as the "core four": shooting, passing, dribbling, and defense. Passing and dribbling are ways of moving the ball, shooting is how you score, and defense is about preventing the other team from scoring.
There are many ways to improve your basketball skills. Joining a local team or league is a great way to gain experience and practice with others. You can also do drills and exercises that focus on repetition and correct technique so that good form becomes muscle memory. It's also important to be self-aware and objectively critical of your strengths and weaknesses.
Basketball is a physically demanding sport that requires a high level of athleticism and conditioning. Some common injuries include sprained ankles and mallet finger. To prevent injuries, it's important to have a strong foundation of physical fitness, including cardiovascular health and strength. Using sports tapes can also help provide extra support for your joints.
