I have
spent little time considering what becoming a sports fan entails.
Prioritizing sports over other recreational activities comes to mind. The way
you begin to discuss the games that are played. Before, she just cared about
who was winning and losing during the game, and after the game she cared about
the outcome. This time around, she started speaking in stats. “The Knicks are undefeated
at home”. Rather than talking about the team, she started discussing individual
players and how they contributed and failed to contribute. She started
discussing the pros and cons of Carmelo being there. Actually that was misleading.
There are no “cons”, because she loves Carmelo Anthony. As someone who has been a fan of sports for
as long as I can remember, I forgot what the progression from casual observer
to engaged fan is like. Still, she had some questions about the rules, like why
people took different amounts of foul shots after plays. Eventually those
questions will become even more nuanced. As someone who lives and breathes
sports, and blogs about it occasionally (meta), it was a fun week, and it
allowed me to bond with my little sister.
Normally, the first thing I write is about the games of the past
week, but I haven’t written anything serious in a month or so, so that will be
back next week. That and I’ve already done the pre-requisite Honey Nut Cheerios
joke.
Upcoming Games to Watch.
Tuesday
LAC @ HOU League Pass 6:00 PM
2 out of the 3 biggest trades were the Chris Paul trade and
the James Harden trade. Both teams went from middling fringe playoff contenders
to serious contenders. Both of these teams are fundamentally sound and
aesthetically pleasing to watch. Chris Paul is a consistent ball hawk which
should present problems for Houston. Houston likes to win games by scoring an
obscene amount of points which also makes them fun to watch.
POR @ DEN NBA TV 7:00 PM
I was worried about these teams before, but now I really
enjoy watching them play. This should be a fun contest. Both are teams who have
a recent history of great GM moves which will show up in the game.
Wednesday
MIA @ GSW ESPN 8:30 PM
Are the Warriors a really good team or are they just a 1st
round out squad that is playing a bit better than they should be. Playing
against the Heat is a good measuring stick for anyone involved.
MEM @ SAS LP 6:30 PM
Do you know what’s not aesthetically pleasing? Watching the
brawl between these two defensively talented squads isn’t. On the other hand
these two teams are talented and the game will hopefully be a playoff preview.
Mostly because I enjoy watching defense, but also because they are
fundamentally sound teams with solid head coaching.
BKN @ ATL LP 5:30 PM
Brook-lyn. Brook-lyn. The most important thing about this
game is that it is the return of Joe Johnson to Atlanta, where he collected one
of the best paychecks in basketball.
WAS @ SAC LP 8 PM
Both teams are terrible, yes. But these teams have turned
being terrible into an art form. They draft and trade for redundant players,
their head coached often appear to be dazed and confused, and the both are
where careers go to die. On a positive note, Bradley Beal has played well for
the Wizards and John Wall is back. On a
positive note for Sacramento, the Kings probably won’t be there for much
longer.
Thursday
NYK @ DET NBA TV 1 PM
Of course the week that I decide to talk about the Knicks
and how much my little sister loves them, they play one day in the week, and
they play in London at 3 PM EST. Even worse, they are playing against the sordid
Detroit Pistons. This isn’t exactly a game that I’d go home early for. London
deserves better.
Friday
CHI @ BOS ESPN 5 PM
There aren’t many good rivalries in the NBA, the Bulls and
Celtics have one of them. The point
guards hate one another. The Big Men are amongst the best agitators in the
entire league. The games are extremely chippy. Oh and it’s nationally
televised. Even without Derrick Rose, this still should be a great game.
Saturday
MIL @ POR LP 8 PM
Saturday has a generally weak slate of games, but I like
watching Milwaukee ’s band of just under the radar players play against Portland’s
band of just under the radar players.
Sunday
OKC @ DEN LP 8 PM
Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Serge Ibaka playing in
altitude would be enough for the recommendation. I think both teams will be
solid.
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