For the past few weeks all the talk has been about the start of the 2016 NFL season. Around this time the spotlight seems to be solely on football, the hype is real and people are starting to keep their schedules clear to watch all the big games. But what does that mean for the rest of us? Those that aren’t as into football, those who are into other sports, people who prefer to watch basketball, people like me, people like you?
Don’t get me wrong, I give credit when credit is due. Football has pretty much become America’s sport, and some of the games are incredible to watch. Personally, I only find watching the Super Bowl to be worth my time. Some games are a bust and others turn out to be a phenomenon.
Last year’s game turned out to be one that was worth watching. Super Bowl XLIX, between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks was a Super Bowl to remember. By the end of the game my common room floor was flooded with about 40 screaming college students. The second Seattle’s quarterback, Russell Wilson, threw an interception just 36 inches away from the goal line, all hell broke lose. At that moment, I just remember my entire floor going crazy, crazy to the point where my friend ended up punching a hole through the wall.
Football is already underway, so rather then getting overly excited about it, I’m counting down the days to the start of the 2016 NBA season. As a basketball fan, there’s a lot to look forward to this season. What has me the most excited for the upcoming season are all the new roster changes; finally getting to see how well these players cope with their new teammates and if they triumph or not.
Some of the big named free agents that took their talents elsewhere included LaMarcus Aldridge to the San Antonio Spurs, Rajon Rondo to the Sacramento Kings, Tyson Chandler to the Phoenix Suns and Paul Pierce and Josh Smith signing with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Some transactions that occurred were Goran Dragic resigning with the Miami Heat. LeBron James, Kevin Love and J.R. Smith re-signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers and, of course, the highly prospected top three draft picks, which include Karl-Anthony Towns, who was drafted first overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves, D’Angelo Russell, who was drafted second by the Los Angeles Lakers and Jahlil Okafor, drafted with the third pick to the Philadelphia 76ers. Although there were other transactions that occurred this off-season, these are the most notable.
On top of the new transactions, what’s got me on the edge of my seat the most is getting to watch the most electrifying and most talented basketball players in the world again. Getting to see a rematch of last years finals of LeBron James and Stephen Curry head to head, the rising star of the league Anthony Davis go against Kevin Durant, the battle of the boroughs featuring the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks and so many more exhilarating match ups.
What I miss most about the NBA are the ally-oops, half-court shots, energizing dunks and buzzer beaters. NBA games are packed with star players that are able to light up a crowd of tens of thousands and a fanbase of millions. To be honest, it's going to be hard to wait another month for the season to begin. But until then, while my friends watch football, I’ll be the one sitting in the background watching LeBron and Kobe dunk highlights.
