To attend a game:

A ticket

To watch a basketball game on TV:

A TV

A comfortable couch

Optional:

A TV remote control (for turning down the volume on loud, obnoxious basketball announcers)

The uniform of your favorite team (fashion tip: never, never wear a basketball jersey over a collared shirt)

A basketball by your side (if you can afford it, buy a leather ball--but don't bounce it on cement, or it will wear down the skin!)

2torial #0543: Learn2 Understand Basketball What's all the hoop-la? Basketball is one of the most spectacular, fast-paced sports on the planet. Probably the best thing about basketball is its broad appeal. Its basic rules are easy to learn for a novice spectator, yet the movements of the players are intricate and complex enough to satisfy a seasoned fan. While it's likely you won't receive a lucrative shoe contract from simply reading this 2torial, you will understand a little more about why millions of people get so excited about a bouncing ball and a small metal hoop. To prepare for the action, find out a little information on the teams that are competing. Learn the names of the teams and some key players, and then evaluate their colors and mascots. At that point, you can pick a team to support, cheering at every move they make, and (if you wish) screaming at the opposing team for no reason whatsoever: these are the steps most fans follow anyway. Many find yelling at people they've never met to be a good stress release. Whether the participants are professional or amateur, the game demands participation from the players as well as the fans. If you take your eyes off the action, you may miss a move, a shot, an improvisation that you'll never see again--or not until you see the TV replay 45 times. Step 1