NBA Fan's Perspective: What I Learned About NBA, the Raptors and Blake Griffin

Part 1 - The NBA

This past weekend, I attended two Raptors games, Friday night vs. the Blazers and Sunday's matchup with the Clippers. 

While in attendance, I observed a few things which prompted me to want to come home and share my thoughts. This first part will cover things I learned about the NBA. 

Now some of these things are not learned, but simply things that were reinforced after watching two games in a three-day span.

NBA Referees Are Infuriating

I don't like to pick on the referees, I really don't.  Generally one bad call should not affect the outcome of a game, because there are so many possessions to correct that one error. 

It is, however, frustrating to watch a game and see such inconsistent calls.  I can accept that inconsistency from game to game, as certain referees may call games a tighter than others, but to see calls flip-flop throughout the span of a 48 minute game leaves you scratching your head.  

And don't even get me started on late whistles, because a ref decides, well he was fouled, but I thought it was going to go in, but since he missed, I should probably blow the whistle. 

This disrupts the flow and kills more fast breaks than the Celtics defense.

Coaches on the Court

This is something you cannot possibly notice without actually being at the game live, but the guys in suits spend more time on the court than the players. 

Players get subbed out on occasion, but these guys are constantly calling plays and working the refs, but rarely ever do they actually stay on the sideline to do so. 

Perhaps this isn't an important observation, but one I found more humorous than anything.  I was waiting for Vinny Del Negro to spot up at the three point line and drop a triple, just for old times sake.

The Game is More Physical Than You Think

Again this is something that you do not notice as much watching from the comfort of your own home, but these guys really beat on each other. 

Running into and through screens, taking charges, drawing blocks, fighting for rebounding position and contact on drives to the hoop, NBA players do not get enough credit for their toughness. 

It isn't hockey, but it's not golf either.  No wonder these guys are iced up on the bench.

The Live Experience Cannot Be Duplicated on Television 

People may stay away from the arena because the cost of tickets and concessions are outrageous, but those who claim that their 60" HDTV allows them to be feel like they are right at the game are either in denial, or simply not true fans of the game. 

Even on a small surface like a basketball court, you cannot see a play develop as well as when you are in attendance at the game.  And this is coming from a guy who attends the majority of his games in the upper bowl.  

You know when you are at home watching the game, and a power forward misses a hook-shot off glass and the the ball comes off the front rim, and while the big men are fighting for position to get the rebound, the two guard comes into the screen out of nowhere and throws down an incredible tip jam. 

At home on your crystal clear 60" Plasma, you are saying, "where the heck did that guy come from?"

At the arena I was standing on my feet in anticipation of the spectacular play I knew I was about to witness before the shot even came off the power forward's hand. 

Not to mention, you really cannot comprehend how athletically gifted these guys are until you see them in the flesh. 

Blake Griffin in warm ups was putting the ball off the glass and finishing it with one hand, using about the same amount of effort I do to scratch an itch on my arm.