I hate NBA League Pass.  Rather, I hate that most games each night are on NBA League Pass, because no one ever has it.  At least not the common bar.  No matter how many TVs a sports bar may have, chances are they don’t have it.  I’ve searched all around my neighborhood and have found only one bar to carry it.

Recently while down in Savannah (while someone else was puttin it on the Ritz, literally), I figured one of the bars downtown would have it, but no such luck.  First I went to World of Beer.  I asked the heavyset pissed off hipster bartender, who asked me what I said.  I slowly repeated N B A LEAUGE PASS, she then went and asked her fellow employee as if I had asked to borrow her car.  He said no, I left.

I then headed to Wild Wing.  I’ve been here before to watch a Bulls game, so figured this would be a safe bet.  I sit down, they tell me they have it.  They go to the 3 channels that says BULLS VS CELTICS, but no luck.  It won’t connect. I leave.

I pick up my pace and head to a bar on Bay Street.  I’ve been here before to watch a Giants game, so they miiiight have it.  But after this, there most likely won’t be anywhere that has it.  Go in, ask, denied.

I start to head back, but figured I’d head down Congress St. because there’s nothing but bars on it.  I stop in at one bar.  There’s outdoor seating in the front with 2 large TVs showing the Monday night NFL game.  I ask the guy behind the bar if they carry NBA League Pass.  He asks me what game I’d like to watch.  I point to his Celtics hat, and tell him ‘actually, the bulls and celtics.’ (He has no clue if they’re on.  White dudes with flat brim hats=not real fans).  Nice guy though, tells me he’s going to check.  Walks away for 2 minutes, and as he walks back I already know.

I wish NBA League Pass wasn’t so expensive.  But what bothers me even more is the reaction I get from people my generation (23-30, I guess) who act surprised when they find that I love basketball, rather, the NBA.  Since when did liking the NBA become equivalent to the Real Housewives?

I really don’t care who watches it as long as I’m able to, but I wish the overall population would understand that basketball is a MAJOR AMERICAN SPORT and that it’s not absurd for someone to be a fan.  It is not just for inner city kids, or black kids, or tall kids, or people who grew up watching the Chicago Bulls.  It’s the ultimate team sport that requires each player on the court to play both offense and defense.  Eli Manning could throw for 700 yards and they could still lose.  How is that his fault?  This is why basketball trumps all sports; each player is responsible for EVERYTHING that happens while they’re on the court.  You can’t blame the offense, or the defense.  You can only look at the people (players, coaches, and refs) who contributed.

Is it because we live in an era where everyone wants attention (look at Facebook, Twitter, etc.), therefore, gravitates to things (in this instance, sports) that focus on individual statistics rather than team?  Is it too much for people to support a group of people playing together?  Or is it just that most people are afraid to admit that they could never do what basketball players do and are just jealous?

It’s finally here.  The NBA trade deadline.  After 3 PM ET today, there can be no more trades for the rest of the season, which means that each team will have to continue with whoever they have, like it or not, for the rest of the year and hope for the best.  It also means that we can stop having to listen to “reports” and “talks” and “rumors” of “possible trades.”

Trading is a huge part of all sports, but unfortunately for some teams it has taken precedence over what’s really important, and that is winning with what you currently have.  Sure, making a trade to improve your team makes perfect sense, but when the focus around your team surrounds the possible trade of one (usually the best) player, it’s easy to get distracted, whether you’re one of the players, coaches, or the player.  Especially when this happens for months.

Two guys who’ve been talked about endlessly this season are the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard and the Los  Angeles Laker’s Andrew Bynum, both young and talented centers who have promising futures. I have never personally cared for either; they are both immature and I honestly doubt if they truly care about winning.  But I’ll admit that both are exceptional talents.  Bynum is very skilled, and Howard might be one of the best athletes on the planet.  But I wouldn’t want either on my team.

And neither would Magic Johnson.

Last night during halftime of the Bulls vs. Heat game, the ESPN guys were talking about these two in particular.  One of the analysts, former player Jon Barry, asked Magic who he’d rather play with.

“The dude who wants to win, and I’m not sure either one.  I’ll take Kareem.”  (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, all-time leading NBA scorer who Magic played with from ’79 to ’89, winning 5 championships together.)

I’d rather have Kareem too.

A few months back I found this artist, Richard Swarbrick.  He’s known for making videos of great British athletes, including Wayne Rooney, Stuart Broad, and Andy Murray (not very familiar with any of these guys; I’ve heard of Rooney before).  He recently made one of another British star, Chicago Bull Luol Deng.  I know I’m biased as a Bulls fan, but he’s become one of my favorite players.  Not flashy, but he’s gooood.  Not to mention he’s an amazing humanitarian.  Check out his foundation too.

By the way, those clips are from March 6, 2011, when the Bulls beat LeBron James and the rest of the Heat on a Sunday afternoon, solidifying their stance as championship contenders.  We had fun that day, Ashley even blogged about it.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich reacts to a referee’s call during the second quarter against the Utah Jazz the NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)

This is one of the better things I read so far this season.

In much the same way that I (and many others) have a hard time watching what’s become of life in American culture, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich feels the same.  Pop is one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, winning four championships and has had what many consider the best franchise this past decade.  Meanwhile, rather than signing big-name talents like other teams have done, he has done the non-conventional thing and found the right players to fit his system.  Team-first players instead of big egos with twitter accounts.

A big story this year has come from the play of Ricky Rubio, a twenty-year old from Spain whose style of play has been compared to legends like Pistol Pete and Larry Bird.  After years of skepticism, he’s proved his worth and is having a great rookie season.

So when Pop was asked (he has and still coaches many international players) how the young Spaniard would adjust to adopting American culture, this is what he said.

“These guys, they travel around the world,” Pop said of international players.  “They’re more cultured than we are.  Everyone acts like Americans are the ones…we have sort of an arrogance about us.  Like we’re the cultured ones?  Are you serious?

“Have you watched TV lately?  Have you seen what Americans do?  How many languages do you speak?  And you wonder how they’re going to adjust to our culture?  I hope they avoid it and keep their own!”

I wish I could have seen the reporter’s reaction to that response.

The NBA lockout has finally ended, and to top it off, they’re going to start the season on Christmas Day, with the Bulls being one of the games.  I love Christmas, but I haven’t been this excited for December 25th since I was 13 years old.