Just starting to become a basketball fan...

[Gronk4M13]

Alright, so I played NBA 2k12, and really like NBA 2k13. I'm deciding to try and become a legitimate basketball fan. I watched the Nets/Cavaliers game this past weekend and had a good time. But I still feel like I know nothing about the 2013 NBA. Can anyone "catch me up" with what's going on in the league? Who's good (The Thunder and Heat, I know, are near the top of the league) and who's bad?

[BringTheHeat]

Re: Just starting to become a basketball fan...

Alright, so I played NBA 2k12, and really like NBA 2k13. I'm deciding to try and become a legitimate basketball fan. I watched the Nets/Cavaliers game this past weekend and had a good time. But I still feel like I know nothing about the 2013 NBA. Can anyone "catch me up" with what's going on in the league? Who's good (The Thunder and Heat, I know, are near the top of the league) and who's bad?

Glad to see someone decide to watch the greatest sport on Earth!

As far as teams go, the true contenders (IMO) are:

Miami Heat
OKC Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
LA Clippers

The next tier, the almost contenders are:

New York Knicks
Brooklyn Nets
Memphis Grizzlies
Boston Celtics
Chicago Bulls with Rose, who is injured right now

Next tier are playoff teams, but not good enough to be in the second tier:

Indiana Pacers
Dallas Mavericks, with a healthy Dirk
Denver Nuggets
Atlanta Hawks
Philadelphia 76ers
LA Lakers
Golden State Warriors

The rest of the teams are either teams in rebuilding, young teams, or teams with no real identity yet. Worst team in the league is the Washington Wizards, to me.

So it really depends on what you like to watch, if you want to see star power then watch the Miami Heat, OKC Thunder, or LA Lakers. If you want great team basketball, watch the Spurs or Celtics. If you want exciting games watch the Knicks, Clippers, Grizzlies, or Nuggets.

If you like defense, watch the Bulls, the Pacers, or the Nets.

[Gronk4M13]

Re: Just starting to become a basketball fan...

Glad to see someone decide to watch the greatest sport on Earth!

As far as teams go, the true contenders (IMO) are:

Miami Heat
OKC Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
LA Clippers

The next tier, the almost contenders are:

New York Knicks
Brooklyn Nets
Memphis Grizzlies
Boston Celtics
Chicago Bulls with Rose, who is injured right now

Next tier are playoff teams, but not good enough to be in the second tier:

Indiana Pacers
Dallas Mavericks, with a healthy Dirk
Denver Nuggets
Atlanta Hawks
Philadelphia 76ers
LA Lakers
Golden State Warriors

The rest of the teams are either teams in rebuilding, young teams, or teams with no real identity yet. Worst team in the league is the Washington Wizards, to me.

So it really depends on what you like to watch, if you want to see star power then watch the Miami Heat, OKC Thunder, or LA Lakers. If you want great team basketball, watch the Spurs or Celtics. If you want exciting games watch the Knicks, Clippers, Grizzlies, or Nuggets.

If you like defense, watch the Bulls, the Pacers, or the Nets.

Thanks man! Think I'll root for the Knicks/Nets.

[d11king]

Re: Just starting to become a basketball fan...

May be a little biased but I don't think the Clippers are a true legitimate contender just yet, regardless of their record, I just don't see them beating San Antonio or Oklahoma City 4x. Everything else spot on.

Gronk, I'd recommend watching the Clippers. They play an exciting brand of basketball and are winning too.

[buickbeast]

Re: Just starting to become a basketball fan...

Wise choice on the Knicks! They started off red hot to start the season, but have cooled down a notch since then. They will be a serious threat to the Heat in the playoffs.
If Derrick Rose bounces back like his old self, Chicago will be a very dangerous team.

[CelticPride]

Re: Just starting to become a basketball fan...

Celtics. It hurts now but that the fun I basketball. Youll be watching everything they do because you'll care and there will be bad losses and great wins but by the time the playoffs roll around, that's when the bandwagon opens.

[DR Russell]

Re: Just starting to become a basketball fan...

I dont think Knicks and Nets are in the same level.

[Gronk4M13]

Re: Just starting to become a basketball fan...

I dont think Knicks and Nets are in the same level.

Exactly. A good team and not so good team.

[DutchMastah7]

Re: Just starting to become a basketball fan...

One of the best decisions you'll ever make is becoming a fan of the greatest sport on the planet.

[BringTheHeat]

Re: Just starting to become a basketball fan...

One of the best decisions you'll ever make is becoming a fan of the greatest sport on the planet.

Exactly, nothing more chilling than a tight playoff game, 4th quarter, crowd stands up as the clock is winding down..

Nothing.

[AllStarDaDon]

Re: Just starting to become a basketball fan...

If you want to get real in depth knowledge on the NBA I absolutely recommend you watch a good majority of coach nicks videos. These videos are very informative and in depth knowledge on what really goes on on a NBA court.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/z3TB_ZDZnHI?list=UUSpvjDk06HLxBaw8sZw7SkA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[noah1212]

Re: Just starting to become a basketball fan...

Alright, so I played NBA 2k12, and really like NBA 2k13. I'm deciding to try and become a legitimate basketball fan. I watched the Nets/Cavaliers game this past weekend and had a good time. But I still feel like I know nothing about the 2013 NBA. Can anyone "catch me up" with what's going on in the league? Who's good (The Thunder and Heat, I know, are near the top of the league) and who's bad?

honestly, if you want to know the rivalries id say the biggest one (at least to me) is the heat/celtics. or celtics/lakers.

if the lakers win the championship this year Kobe will tie michael jordan for 6 rings.....

wikipedia does a good job with basketball history.

[Bobhead]

Re: Just starting to become a basketball fan...

Glad to see someone decide to watch the greatest sport on Earth!

As far as teams go, the true contenders (IMO) are:

Miami Heat
OKC Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
LA Clippers

The next tier, the almost contenders are:

New York Knicks
Brooklyn Nets
Memphis Grizzlies
Boston Celtics
Chicago Bulls with Rose, who is injured right now

Next tier are playoff teams, but not good enough to be in the second tier:

Indiana Pacers
Dallas Mavericks, with a healthy Dirk
Denver Nuggets
Atlanta Hawks
Philadelphia 76ers
LA Lakers
Golden State Warriors

The rest of the teams are either teams in rebuilding, young teams, or teams with no real identity yet. Worst team in the league is the Washington Wizards, to me.

So it really depends on what you like to watch, if you want to see star power then watch the Miami Heat, OKC Thunder, or LA Lakers. If you want great team basketball, watch the Spurs or Celtics. If you want exciting games watch the Knicks, Clippers, Grizzlies, or Nuggets.

If you like defense, watch the Bulls, the Pacers, or the Nets.

This is actually a really great and unbiased list.

[noah1212]

Re: Just starting to become a basketball fan...

This is actually a really great and unbiased list.

i would have put the bulls on par with the other top teams there. 19-13 without rose...... rose is supposed to be back pretty soon..... and honestly joakhim noah is playing like the defensive player of the year right now.

[BringTheHeat]

Re: Just starting to become a basketball fan...

i would have put the bulls on par with the other top teams there. 19-13 without rose...... rose is supposed to be back pretty soon..... and honestly joakhim noah is playing like the defensive player of the year right now.

Reason they're not contenders to me is because nobody knows how D Rose will come back from injury, even when he's "100%" he won't be 100% until next year more than likely. I agree with Joakim playing like an All Star at least, he's one of the more overlooked Centers in the game.