Oct 28 2008
Five Ways to Know Which Games to Watch
Anyone can get ready for the playoffs. Fans need to know how to best utilize their regular-season sport watching time. The NHL season is a few weeks old. NBA action started tonight. The NFL is reaching mid-season.
A professional sports season is long. It spans months. Add off-season workouts, preseason exhibitions and the postseason tournament and players will be fatigued by the end of the campaign. Therefore, it’s good for fans to know which games should attend. You can circle them in advance. Just use the following five keys.
The season just started.
Every team has hope for the first week or two. The standings are even and anything is possible. The excitement of playing before crowds after a long hiatus is energizing in a short burst.
The champs are in town.
Every team gets motivated against the defending champions. Even the most listless sides will play hard against last year’s winners. Even the sloppiest squads will be inspired to show what they can do against the best. It’s difficult for a team to face the maximum effort from every opponent. That’s why repeating as champion is so tough.
The game’s on national television.
Every player wants to do well when everyone can see him. Games played in half-filled buildings often lead to unmotivated teams. Knowing the country is watching spurs hard-nosed play.
A key player is returning to his hometown.
Having to play 2,000 miles from home is hard. Being able to play an hour or two from family and friends inspires a better effort. Not to mention buying a lot of extra tickets to distribute to loved ones.
A key player is facing a former team.
Athletes can feel disrespected when one organization trades him, releases him, doesn’t pay him enough or won’t play him as much as another team will. Players relish the opportunity to prove to a past team it was wrong to let him go.
