[Other Sport] Anyone been to a basketball game in USA

[Weststander]

Done NFL, MLS, MLB, NHL (at the Garden) but never NBA. Enjoy

How was the NHL experience, I admire the sport?

 

[Easy 10]

Probably the worst spectator sport on the planet, anything that can end up 118-121 is not worth anyones time. Piece of piss to score, the major surprise is when they DON'T. No rarity value, absolutely dismal spectacle. After watching it for 105 seconds and its 3-3....nah. I'll go and check my tyre pressures.

 

[amexer]

As we thought it was thing to do we watched Basketball in NY. Maybe because dont understand the ins and outs didnt enjoy it. I even thought atmosphere was artificial with girls going around putting up placards telling us when to cheer.

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

Went to watch Miami Heat a few years back and can pretty much echo everything above, definitely a bucket list activity to do at least once, preferred the ice hockey as a sporting event though.

Ditto, also Orlando Magic. The sport itself does nothing for me at all - too many points - but they put on a show.

 

[Deportivo Seagull]

Portland Trail Blazers v Washington Wizards in Portland about 20 years ago.
plastic, false and apart from the last Couple of minutes was tedious. Not a fan.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

I have.

Celtics v Lakers in Boston.

Atmosphere was electric. When they got the Beat LA Chants going you could feel the floor under your feet moving from the thumping vibrations of the crowd.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Off to New York next week for a weeks visit, and got tickets for the New York Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets at Maddison Square Gardens.

Has anyone been to a Basketball game in America What should I expect, any do's or don'ts . any advice would be great

It's got 93-87 written all over it

 

[albionalex]

My main advice would be that if you need to go get a beer, use the loo etc., don't go in the final quarter.

The final quarter takes a lot longer than the first 3, especially if the game is tight as there are a lot of timeouts and fouls, plus the points actually mean something as there is some actual jeopardy with the game coming to a close.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Be careful of “Kiss Cam” depending on who you are taking to the game!

 

[Jeremiah]

Probably the worst spectator sport on the planet, anything that can end up 118-121 is not worth anyones time. Piece of piss to score, the major surprise is when they DON'T. No rarity value, absolutely dismal spectacle. After watching it for 105 seconds and its 3-3....nah. I'll go and check my tyre pressures.

Harsh but fair. I watched my one and only basketball game in Worthing (Durrington Sports Hall ?) about 35 years ago. It was the most boring evening watching sport ever. IMO

 

[Guinness Boy]

Never been to a game in the States but I played at school and that was enough to watch a few Bears games here, both at the Brighton Centre and in Durrington. Alan Cunningham anyone?

Since then I've never watched or played it again, mind you. But, in order of wanting to watch American sports, mine is NFL, NBA, NHL and then baseball. I've watched baseball live in the States, Tokyo and Taipei and it bores me senseless. Basically a ten day cricket match distilled into three hours with the skill removed.

 

[tronnogull]

Will be an interesting experience but as regards the game itself, little excitement and no need to pay any attention until the last 5 minutes or so. Like most sports, I'm sure that this is completely different for folks who have played the game themselves or who really understand the nuances.

 

[Easy 10]

Never been to a game in the States but I played at school and that was enough to watch a few Bears games here, both at the Brighton Centre and in Durrington. Alan Cunningham anyone?

Since then I've never watched or played it again, mind you. But, in order of wanting to watch American sports, mine is NFL, NBA, NHL and then baseball. I've watched baseball live in the States, Tokyo and Taipei and it bores me senseless. Basically a ten day cricket match distilled into three hours with the skill removed.

See I love baseball. Watched some games live in NYC (The Mets) and Minneapolis (Twins), and found it absorbing, with moments of manic action. At Target Field I watched one game sat facing across between 1st and 2nd base, so at a cross-section from the pitcher. The speed they hurl that ball is MINDBLOWING, and with no bounce. Literally blink and you miss it. How they get that (relatively narrow) bat on it is almost superhuman in its skill and timing. And the SLAP noise when they do, fantastic.

I have such admiration for anyone holding a baseball bat and getting a hit (unless they're robbing my house). Basketball though ? Pfff.

 

[Guinness Boy]

See I love baseball. Watched some games live in NYC (The Mets) and Minneapolis (Twins), and found it absorbing, with moments of manic action. At Target Field I watched one game sat facing across between 1st and 2nd base, so at a cross-section from the pitcher. The speed they hurl that ball is MINDBLOWING, and with no bounce. Literally blink and you miss it. How they get that (relatively narrow) bat on it is almost superhuman in its skill and timing. And the SLAP noise when they do, fantastic.

I have such admiration for anyone holding a baseball bat and getting a hit (unless they're robbing my house). Basketball though ? Pfff.

That either gets hit for six or called a no ball in cricket










(each to their own though, eh? I suspect, at the end of the day, these other sports are an excuse to eat junk food, drink beer and get away from the Doris)

 

[Easy 10]

That either gets hit for six or called a no ball in cricket










(each to their own though, eh? I suspect, at the end of the day, these other sports are an excuse to eat junk food, drink beer and get away from the Doris)

Indeed. Cue the Superbowl on Sunday.

An excuse for several hours of snacks, beer, gambling, and the next day off work. Glad you reminded me acshully. I need to get that booked.

 

[um bongo molongo]

Not in the US but I did go and watch basketball at the Olympics back in 2012 and it surprised me how much I enjoyed it. I found it much better live than on TV. It maybe helps I played it a little bit at school.

I have been to baseball in New York and the best bit was the hot dogs. It’s just a bit boring - and I’m a big cricket fan, but it has none of the interest of cricket.

But the worst live is rugby. Surrounded by hooray Henry’s, 75% of the time you can’t see the ball as it is buried under a mound of bodies, and most the points are scored after the ref blows for an infringement that no one in the ground has seen or knows what it is for.

 

[Iggle Piggle]

That either gets hit for six or called a no ball in cricket










(each to their own though, eh? I suspect, at the end of the day, these other sports are an excuse to eat junk food, drink beer and get away from the Doris)

Exactly. Whacking full tosses and catching with a glove. Rounders can absolutely do one.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Yes. Not my favourite US sport to watch live, but it has its attractions.

 

[Lenny Rider]

Off to New York next week for a weeks visit, and got tickets for the New York Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets at Maddison Square Gardens.

Has anyone been to a Basketball game in America What should I expect, any do's or don'ts . any advice would be great

Went to see the Bulls ironically against the Knicks just over three years ago in Chicago.

Its clearly not going to be like an Amex matchday, but embrace it, you will have a great time, I can only liken it to the Albion meets Billy Smarts Circus with a bit of Britain’s Got Talent thrown in, one thing is for certain you won’t get bored.

Regarding another posters comment about beer prices, ignore it, drink is expensive wherever you go, you’ve travelled half way across the world so don’t let paying a couple of dollars over the top for a beer put you off.

Enjoy

 

[PFW]

Thanks everyone, sounds like it should be a good evening. Can't say I am a great basketball fan but looking forward to the whole experience, going with the family. My eldest son played for Portsmouth University and is really excited about it.

One question are you allowed to take drinks (will remove lids!!!) and snacks in with us.

Will arrive in time for the Super Bowl on Sunday, any recommended bars to watching it, was thinking about Legends!!!