It's Basketball Season?

In a way, this may just be one of the most boring sports weekends of the year.  I know, some of you are saying, "but Mr. Sith, what about the great sport of basketball?!"  And I'll agree, basketball is a great sport that I love to watch and get passionate about.  In fact, it's getting into the meat of the season, but we're not there yet.  College basketball is in the part of the season where you might start paying attention, maybe.  

Here's the deal, nobody can argue that football is king.  College football is over with some great bowl games this year (GO UTES!).  The major problem with this time of year, every year, is that the three major sports that are still playing right now (NFL, NBA and NCAA Basketball) are in a down time for their season.  This is the only weekend in the NFL season that there is no football.  In the NBA, everyone is waiting for the All-Star Game.  In fact, all the sports radio, podcast's, blog's and print media can talk about right now is the All-Star Game.  Here locally, it's all about why Deron Williams is not an All-Star yet, and will he be by the time the game comes around.  In NCAA Basketball, you are starting to here the "bubble" (shiver) word.

In this world where football rules all sports, nothing gets any acknowledgement from the majority of fans until the King lays down his scepter for the year.  After the Superbowl, most fans scratch their heads and say "um...now what do I watch?  Who to route for?"  

I admit that I am one of those fans who watch the NBA with an attitude that it's not yet important.  And College Basketball?  How many wins does your favorite team have?  Don't look, just say it.  That's what I thought.  Nobody knows right now, nor do they care.  Next week, you are going to start hearing things like "must win for the Cougars" and "can the Utes pull off the upset and get in the tournament".  

But right now, everyone is calling their booky and putting their hard earned cash on whatever team they think might win, or at least cover the spread in the Superbowl.  On the radio today, I hear things like "can the Arizona Cardinals offense put up enough points against that amazing Pittsburgh Steel Curtain?"  People are asking themselves and others about the 'Cards and if they even stand a chance.  There is a full week before the game.  NBA has 14 games on the schedule this weekend.  NCAA Basketball has a slew of games every weekend.  Still, people are saying "Can Pittsburgh push the 'Cards around like they have everyone else this post season?"  So, to all you basketball fans, you can't yet talk about how the Jazz might not even make the playoffs at the water cooler yet.  Because Jim, the accounts manager in the next cubical, is thinking of how he can convince his wife that the Cardinals are a sure bet and that the hundreds of dollars he bet on them will net him thousands.  Just be patient with him, it will all be over in week.  And for all you live and die with Football guys, the NFL combine is Feb. 18-24 and will be broadcast on the NFL network, so you only have to wait two weeks for a fix.  Than you have to wait until April 25th for the draft.  After that is an even longer wait until the start of the College Football season in September.