Basketball is notorious in the US and is a billion-dollar industry. Here we explore basketball in a few other countries and compare them to the mega-league in the US that is the NBA. If you are travelling and a basketball fan, keep an eye out for the local and professional games happening all around you.
Australia: Australia produces some fantastic athletes, and I believe that if the AFL was not around, more Australians will be dispersed across the world as professionals in many different sports. The ABA league proved to be a quick and physical game which had me in excellent physical state. Many indoor courts provide accessibility to take or become involved with open runs, along with the town, withits cosmopolitan set up, provided competition against a selection of players and skill levels from all over the world.
Philippines: Filipinos love basketball. In a state with over 7000 Islands and countless dialects, basketball has become a common ground for many. Regrettably, the principal pro-league only works around Manila, but it does not appear to have fazed fans. There is seen to be basketball courts in several the very remote places you may not imagine, with kids running around barefoot throwing up shots. While the children there lacked trendy expensive custom basketball uniforms and gear, they made up for in enthusiasm for the sport. The NBA is easily available on TV, which might explain why therefore many regional players mimic American celebrities.
England: Regrettably, England cut on the clear majority of funds to basketball following the 2012 Olympics, so the evolution of this sport will continue at an extremely slow pace. Basketball has always seemed to have a somewhat underground presence in the United Kingdom and the pro league follows similar principles regarding import players into a number of the leagues around the globe. The sport itself is not as physical as it is in the United States and Australia, focusing on skill development. But without a flourishing network of its gifted players are often encouraged to depart at the first opportunity, possibly for high school chances in the States or even academies in Europe.
Hong Kong: Hong Kong is obsessed with basketball sneaker culture such as nowhere else. Each corner has a Nike shop and you cannot go a few roads without running into a hint to get a collector’s shoe shop. Everyone has the latest sneakers and apparel from caps to jerseys and the trendiest international basketball singlets. Passion to get the game can be evident on the roads, with many outside courts scattered around town. During the evenings, floodlights proceed and folks play. The love for road ball is reflected in gamers’ flashy dribble strings and elaborate moves.
Spain: I believe Spain to be the number two country behind America in terms of basketball fanatics and popularity. It may not create the same number of amazing athletes, but the childhood development leagues are powerful, and the teaching of fundamentals and team play is superb.
USA: The home of basketball. Everyone who grows up enjoying basketball dreams about the US and fantasises about the opportunity to test themselves against the Americans. The style of play is exactly what you would expect: swift, physical and competitive. It is built around speed and attacking the basket. At times the game in lower levels is famous due to the absence of basic play, together with leagues such as the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) focussing more on making cash over developing player growth. From what I could tell, the US still produces the best Athletes on earth. In Asia and even Sydney, it is unlikely to see a person executing a falling step and dunking on you or flying beyond to an alley-oop. A soon as you get into the top high school degrees and outside, that becomes regular there. Defending that kind of athleticism becomes another job its own.
