World’s Best Sport

B asketball is played throughout the world. A proper game consists of two teams of five players competing to score the most points by throwing the ball through the hoop, though informal games can be played one-on-one with a single basket. The sport is enormously popular due to its fast pace and skillful players competing against one another, with player height being a major advantage. The most famous and popular professional league in the world is the American NBA (National Basketball Association) that attracts millions of viewers every week.

In all sports, the basic concept is to beat your opposition. You never want to lose a game to anyone, but when your rival beats you, there’s a different feel. The history of the NBA boasts many different player rivalries that stem from many different places. Some have started from childhood roots, some have started in college, and some have come about in the final years of a player’s career. Sometimes players don’t even know each other, but they grow to hate each other because of positions that are out of their control. When your rival beats you, there’s suddenly an endless second wind about you. When your rival beats you it feels like the whole world is laughing at you in shame.

Basketball is far and away the easiest team sport to play with friends. You can count on one hand how many times I have played unorganized baseball games. Finding a group of guys to play football is easier than baseball but, the