The Real Reasons People Like Basketball – Explained
Let’s face it, some people really like basketball. No, they don’t just like basketball, in fact, they love basketball. They not only follow their favorite team but all the basketball teams, whether in the NBA, WNBA, or NCAA divisions. They watch as many games as they can, they have the best basketball players as their phone’s wallpaper, they buy players jerseys, they really, really like basketball.
But why do so many people like basketball? Below, we’re going to go over the real reason people like basketball and explain how basketball transcends race, culture, ethnicity, and religion.
Basketball’s Popularity
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. With an estimated 2-3 billion fans worldwide, basketball has embedded itself into the cultural zeitgeist of many different nations. From China to America, Canada to the Philippines, Eastern Europe to South America, basketball is enjoyed throughout the world.
In fact, the NBA recently secured television rights deals for a staggering $24 billion over a nine-year period. If these broadcast companies are willing to shell out that kind of money, then you definitely know that they are not only able to recoup their initial investment but to also make a pretty penny off of it.
Similarly, in recent years, the NBA has secured multiple million dollar jersey sponsorship deals with sponsors looking to emblazon their logo on player’s jerseys.
Basketball is also one of the most popular sports on social media. With millions of hashtags utilizing the term basketball, typical NBA stars have tens of millions of followers and are oftentimes influential in their own right. Their popularity crosses borders and their devoted fans can be found on nearly every continent.
The Ease of the Game
One of the main reasons why basketball is so popular and why so many people like the game is due to the fact that the game, at its core, is quite simple.
Basketball doesn’t require much to get started. In fact, when James Naismith first introduced basketball to the world, he did so with two peach baskets as goals. For players around the world, the game of basketball only requires a sufficient enough hoop and a ball.
While many players look for the best basketball, the best basketball hoops, the best basketball shoes, and on and on, at its core, basketball is very simple and can be played with the most basic of equipment’s. All you really need is a ball and a hoop.
For this reason, it is easy to see why so many people would be introduced to the game and why so many would fall in love with it. The game is easy to begin and really doesn’t require much to get started and to continue to play.
Basketball is the Great Equalizer
While many people dismiss basketball as a tall man’s sport, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, basketball is really the great equalizer amongst athletes. While height does, certainly, play a role and can make certain positions easier to play, it is not a solely determining factor.
Rather, basketball allows for skill and individual experience to conquer. This is done by having the court spread-out and making differing shot attempts worth different points.
While being a big-man is helpful, most big-men do not have the shooting ability that their smaller teammates and counterparts do. This division of roles helps to have just about anyone be able to enjoy playing the sport and partaking in a game.
The NBA’s Dominance is Staggering
The National Basketball Association is, by far, the single greatest basketball league in the world. There are few comparisons worldwide to the dominance and the abilities of the players in the NBA and they are truly the best players in the world.
However, their dominance has been one of the biggest reasons for basketballs popularity. NBA players have, effectively, perfected the sport and provide a national stage where these skills can be showcased and shown-off. These players are seemingly able to pause gravity in midair, they are able to shoot efficiently from many feet away from the basket, and they are able to pass the ball fluidly and with such grace that it makes even the best ballerinas embarrassed.
While we’re, obviously, being a bit factitious with that last point, the matter still stands. Today’s NBA players are really the greatest at the game today and their dominance has helped bring over many new fans to the game.
A Great Workout and Exercise
Another reason why so many people like basketball is simply due to the fact that playing a game of basketball is one of the best and easiest ways to get in a daily exercise. In fact, it is estimated that a basketball player who plays basketball for one-hour can expect to burn upwards of 576 calories.
Basketball is a great sport to burn off calories and a great way to increase cardiovascular endurance. Similarly, it is a fun way to do both. While someone could opt to jump on the treadmill or a Stairmaster machine, neither one of those is as fun nor as enjoyable as playing a rigorous game of basketball.
Similarly, basketball has a plethora of both physical and emotional benefits. Not only will you burn calories during a game, but playing basketball can relieve stress, build friendships, and boost the immune system.
It Can be Played Individually or with a Team
Really, the issue with so many sports is that they require a set number of players ready and available to play. You can’t really play a game of baseball or hockey by yourself, but you can with basketball. And, even if you don’t have a full team, you can play 1×1 or 2×2 or 3×3 or a quick pick-up game.
The fact that basketball can be played so easily and without the need for a full team not only makes it more accessible, but it also makes it easy to get started and continue playing. Really, anytime you want to play a game or practice or shoot around, you can easily do so.