Why NBA Fans Should Turn to the NHL During the Lockout

Well NBA fans, it looks like you’ll be without your sport for the 2011-12 season.

We NHL fans feel your pain and are sorry you have to go through this, having had to go without our sport for the entire 2004-05 season.

We’re here to help you get through it.

No matter what, it’s going to suck not being able to watch your team for another year. But you can always turn to hockey to pass the time and maybe you'll even discover a new love.

Here’s why. 

The Two Sports Have a Lot in Common

Yes, they really do. The NBA and the NHL have a lot more in common than one might think.

In fact, if one is solely an NBA fan, the NHL might be the easiest sport to transition into. 

Here's why. 

Same Number of Games

Both the NBA and the NHL regular seasons consist of 82 games—41 home games and 41 played on the road.

That makes it perfect.

NBA fans were already prepared for an 82-game season, now they can take on the NHL's 82-game season. 

Same General Time Frame

The NBA season generally stretches from October to sometime in June, depending upon how the playoffs turn out.

It's the same for the NHL.

So, this season, while NBA fans are missing their teams, they can watch hockey to distract them from what they're missing. 

Nets on Both Ends of the Playing Surface

The playing surface is kind of similar in both NBA and NHL.

What? That sounds crazy, one is ice and the other is a hardwood floor.

However, on each ends of the playing surface is a net, where the team has to get the ball or puck into to score.

The general point of the game is similar and easy to follow. 

Gigantic Players

Basketball players are very tall and very large men.

While most NHL players are a little closer to being average sized, there are some gigantic hockey players too.

Players like Zdeno Chara and Tyler Myers will make you wonder what sport you're watching. 

Convenience

For many NBA teams, they have to share their home arena with an NHL franchise.

That makes it very convenient for NBA fans to have a home NHL team to cheer for during the NBA lockout. 

For Los Angeles fans, they have the Los Angeles Kings. For New York fans, there's the New York Rangers, New York Islanders and then even the New Jersey Devils close by.

For Dallas fans, there's the Dallas Stars. For Philadelphia fans, the Philadelphia Flyers. 

The list goes on. 

Never a Dull Moment in a Hockey Game

Hockey is such a fast-paced, physical sport that there is never a dull moment in an entire game. It's so easy to swept up in the entertainment of the game.

That's why it is the perfect game to distract NBA fans from the lockout. 

Fighting

Hockey is the only sport that somewhat condones fighting. You spend time in the penalty box, but you don't automatically get ejected from the game.

Fighting seems to be the one thing that intrigues non-hockey fans the most about the sport.

Who doesn't love a good hockey fight? 

Hockey's Superstars

You may miss Kobe, LeBron and Dwayne Wade this year, but hockey has its fair share of superstars too.

There's Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby (when he returns), Evgeni Malkin, Steven Stamkos, Pavel Datsyuk...the list goes on and on. 

Goal-Scoring

I'll leave you with a YouTube montage of NHL goals from last season. 

If that doesn't get you pumped and wanting to watch hockey, I don't know what will.