Comments on: Reclaiming the Spirit of 66

By: Adam

Adam — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 04:43:05 +0000

#27: Good advise. I plan on skipping other articles by this author. If sentiments like those expressed here appear elsewhere on the site, I’ll skip the whole site. That’s feedback I’d expect the people involved with this site to want to hear. Whether you decide it matters or not is up to you. Your product is your product.

…but they do not take to the streets or start fights about it.

This is the/a standard for what is and isn’t a major sport?

I guess I just feel you need to think about some of the things you’re writing.

By: eplnfl

eplnfl — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 04:13:31 +0000

Gaffer & Kartik:

I would have to disagree on basketball not being a major international sport. After football/soccer basketball is the second most popular spot in the world. The number of international players in the NBA keeps growing. You did not say it but who says basketball is not popular in South America, well who won the gold medal in Athens in 2004. A team from South America. Spain a world champion. China loves the game.

I love soccer and the NBA has it’s issues, but do not discount b-ball.

By: Kartik Krishnaiyer

Kartik Krishnaiyer — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:51:47 +0000

I seriously doubt people in Greece cheered the FIBA World Championship in 2006 the way they did Euro 2004. The same for Spain in comparing Olympic Basketball in 2004 to Euro 2008.

I’m sorry I’ve struck the wrong chord with you. Americans I am sure we can all agree are peculiar in their sporting tastes. Australians the same way, with the isolation from inflicted by the sea being a main factor.

I do find it very revealing though when nations are passionate about sports Americans do poorly. I maintain what I said about Basketball. People in Europe and Latin America do not really care. So they produce some good players and watch the NBA occasionally, but they do not take to the streets or start fights about it.

Back to the original point of the article. Do people think the PL is helping or hurting England’s chances of winning a World Cup?

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 21:06:11 +0000

Gaffer and Kartik, you two are missing the boat here as far as the popularity of basketball. It is extremely prevalent in Spain, Germany, France, Greece, Lithuania, and Russia, as well as Italy. Look at the mass influx of foreign players to the NBA, and that tells you a lot about basketball and its growth overseas. Check jersey sales in those countries, and along with the soccer players and their own local basketball heroes, you’re going to find Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, both certifiable global superstars.

No, basketball is not as popular in those countries as soccer, but to say it isn’t a major international sport is inaccurate.

By: The Gaffer

The Gaffer — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:19:11 +0000

Adam,

Kartik is entitled to his opinion, as we all are (including the readers). If you don’t like his opinions, don’t read his articles.

For what it’s worth, basketball is not a major international sport. Outside of the US and Asia, very few countries care much about or watch it.

Cheers,
The Gaffer