Basketball

Do you know Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant or perhaps LeBron James? Did the names Mark Caguioa, Danny Seigle and James Yap ever cross your mind? They have one thing in common, they love and play basketball.

Today, basketball is the most popular sport in the Philippines. I always see basketball courts at every place (even in the streets) where men of all ages play against each other. I also observed that many boys are wearing stylish basketball jerseys at malls and school. Some men would even get irked if they missed to watch an exciting basketball game on television. In every barangay fiesta, there is always an amateur basketball league for the youth. These only prove that basketball is the second “religion” of most men in the country nowadays.

But what really makes basketball so famous? Why do some men can’t sleep at night when their favorite team loses? Or why do boys go home early after school just to watch PBA games?

Apparently, you can not answer these questions unless you became one of the millions of basketball fanatics. The feeling is unexplainable.

I am a proud fan and player of basketball at the same time. My idols are Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Michael Jordan because they are athletic, aggressive and high-leaping shooting guards. They are also the masterminds of the popularity of basketball.

I play basketball a lot especially when there are no home works and projects to be done. My mother always scolds me whenever I go home late after school because she knows that I played basketball again.

I can not stop playing basketball; I am so addicted to it even though I got several injuries already. Playing basketball is my most favorite hobby because it is a good form of exercise. (A normal person loses about 465 calories when playing basketball for an hour.) You can also meet and gain new friends in the court. The sport is also exciting and can be easily played since the rules are not complicated. Teenagers also enjoy playing basketball rather than taking vices or doing pesky crimes. Most of all, girls are impressed with you especially if you are the ace player in your neighborhood.

Basketball brings many advantages, but despite of these positive effects, there are also bad ones.

In basketball, arguments can not be avoided (especially if the game is very physical) that can lead to fists fights. One very good example of these fights is the Detroit brawl where some players went amok and punched several fans in the arena. In basketball games, there are also thrash talking and bad mouthing. Some players talk harshly to their opponents so that they can not concentrate on the game.

Basketball needs physical and mental concentration, one must also avoid getting hurt on the hard court. Despite the disadvantages of playing basketball, many people still enjoy playing it. No matter what happens, basketball is here to stay.

Life is like basketball, one must never miss any opportunity that comes and everyone must rely on teamwork. There is one thing on my mind right now, “Let’s play ball.”