The reflected sunlight flickers from the hewn blades of grass as they fly aimlessly through the air like a luminescence drunk moth. The momentum is unavoidable. A goal driven marauder tears through the perfectly manicured lawn, targeting the majestic sphere that will perpetually giveth and taketh away. Foot is placed to ball, voices lower, stillness overcomes and anticipation rises, hope springs eternal. Is this the ball, the moment? The rubber composite meteor enters the goalkeepers atmosphere, is it to be absorbed by the dominant planet, or will the secondary or tertiary satellites deflect the sphere’s orbit glory-ward? The crowd stands perched, as the state of happiness for the upcoming weekend is to be decided. The perfect orb floats into enemy territory only to be guided, cranially, by the invading mercenary. Elation strikes, misery sets in. Upon which battle line you stand is determined by location of origin, however, one thing is certain… Blake Griffin has received Russell Westbrook’s flawless cross and the first blow has been struck for his side.
A few weeks ago a small, global tournament concluded, no I’m not talking about the last Kansas City Royals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks series, rather that one a little further south. Yes the largest competition in all of sports, the World Cup, has ended with our ever industrious and more than willing to imbibe, European friends departing ladened by an extra 8.4 pounds of golden trophy.
But this is a basketball blog you cry! Stop crying, your too old for it and it’s embarrassing. There are more than a few similarities between modern day, competitive “soccer” and basketball than are apparent at first glance.
Worldwide Popularity
Easily the most recognizable for all to see. The fact that soccer retains the number one spot for all the world’s attention is undoubtable. In the United States soccer’s popularity is rising, but the NFL is king. However, leave the friendly confines of your neighborhood Waffle House and you’ll quickly see that beyond our fruited plains, there is little concern for our brand of football. Baseball is continuing it’s slow death here, it’s a sport that simply is not viable worldwide and with younger generations. Hockey is hockey and NASCAR is dumb. Our number one global sporting export is our national basketball association.
Marketable Stars
Soccer and basketball both possess stars unencumbered by face shielding equipment. We so readily recognize NBA players simply because we see their faces all the time, the same can be said with soccer. Be honest, Mike Trout (one of the best players in baseball) could probably walk down most American streets unbeknownst to his fellow pedestrians.
A Free Flowing Game
Nothing will ever be as open as a soccer match, but basketball is probably as close as you’ll find in a major sport. When the world watches their favorite sport, which doesn’t break for commercials until 45 minutes has expired, the advertising onslaught that is the NFL is an impossible sell. Imagine trying to convince billions, that converting a game with roughly ten minutes of action into a 3-4 hour spectacle is the road best taken. The NBA does currently allow too many timeouts. Their current employment, typically hoarding them all until the end of a game, serves only to exacerbate the situation. Nevertheless, the NBA’s frequence of action and possibility of continuous play, is a far more familiar, welcoming sight to any soccer-loving interloper.
A Flopping/Diving Problem
This one’s not so much to brag about, but a topic unavoidable, nonetheless. There really is nothing like watching one of the greatest games of your life, coming down to the wire, only to see a dominant player take the game into his own hands, grit his teeth, pin his ears back and falling to the ground like a toddler taking their first steps. It’s no coincidence that the prevalence of flopping in the NBA directly coincides with emergence of European players. This one’s on you soccer.
Culturally Diverse Rosters
When the Spurs were winning a championship a few months ago, there were times when they ran a lineup with zero American born players on the court. You’d be lucky to find two players from the same country on most European soccer clubs. When selecting from the global talent pool, the quality of game expands, as does the interest.
Two All Time Greats That Everyone Wants To See Go Head To Head
These stars always sparkle on their own, but when juxtaposed directly against their rival, their brilliance can be blinding. There’s just something amazing about watching two players, who appear to possess once-in-a-lifetime talent, attempt to best each other on the largest stage. The similarities do not end there, Lebron is to Durant as Ronaldo is to Messi, meaning our perception of each is somewhat similar. Lebron/Ronaldo is the player more athletically gifted, the freaks of nature that have no weakness, Messi/Durant is the player with the magic touch, the one who time and time again mystifies you with their skill in the most high pressure of moment. Also, Messi/Durant = likable, Lebron/Ronaldo = insufferable.
There are more, oh yes there are more, but these are the strongest comparisons to draw. Whether you consider yourself an NBA fan, a soccer fan or both*(best option), you are a fan of the beautiful games and either is a slam dunk.
