How to Be a Great Basketball Fan

The first professional game of basketball was played in 1946 in Toronto, Canada. The Toronto Huskies played the New York Knickerbockers and three years later, the popularity of the sport caused the formation of the National Basketball Association, or NBA. Today, fans can watch basketball at all levels, from high school to professional exhibitions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Choose Your Team

1. Select your favorite team based on your hometown or favorite player(s). There are currently 30 teams in the NBA, 29 based in U.S. cities and 1 from Canada. Most are based in large metropolitan areas like New York City, Miami, and Phoenix.
2. Pick a local high school, college, or CBA (Continental Basketball Association) team to support. These tickets are much more affordable than NBA tickets, and some of the best emerging talent can be seen at these games.
3. Live your ultimate fan dream and put together an online team of your favorite players in a Fantasy Basketball league (see Resources below). These leagues range in price from free to very expensive, but the prizes for winners vary accordingly as well. Play responsibly according to your skill level.

Show Your Support

4. Get involved and coach a local team. Many cities have junior leagues and pick up games that need coaches, and this can be a great way to show your support.
5. Buy a season pass to your favorite team's home games. For NBA tickets, the prices can skyrocket very quickly, so be prepared to spend a lot of money on prime seats to professional games.
6. Buy great fan gear at the NBA Shop to show your ultimate support with jerseys, hats, jackets, and more (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Save your money and join a free Fantasy Basketball league online. There is no risk and you can choose your favorite players, trade players at will, and compete for the ultimate bragging rights among your friends and fellow players.
• Fantasy Basketball leagues must be officially sanctioned by the NBA in order to be legal.
• You can pay to join certain leagues and become eligible to win prizes and cash online. However, gambling sites that offer money in return on game odds are illegal in most states, so exercise caution accordingly.