NBA teams play eight, or in some cases, seven pre-season games. I'm often asked for my take on pre-season play, and while I think there would be a consensus that there's no need to play that many practice games, a person's view on this might depend on who they are.
For example, if asked to come up with a list of things that are important this time of year, the following people might respond accordingly:
ESTABLISHED NBA PLAYER
- Not getting hurt
- How do I find more endorsement opportunities?
- 1,256. Pre-season games
NBA HEAD COACH
- How do I avoid getting fired?
- Pre-season games
- Getting a clothing deal
- 4 through 100. How do I avoid getting fired?
FRINGE PLAYER TRYING TO MAKE AN ASSOCIATION ROSTER
- Pre-season games
- Pre-season practice
- Badgering agent to find a job in Europe
- Stowing away per diem, just in case agent doesn't find a job in Europe
CASUAL NBA FAN
- THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE!!
- Fantasy Football
- Beer
- 275. Pre-season games
MJB
- Watching Family Guy and Teen Mom 2
- Cigars
- 13. Pre-season games
In other words, as the old idiom goes, “One man’s pain is another man’s pleasure”.
I prefer to phrase it another way.
Pre-season games may not be as enthralling as regular season games, but I’d rather to seven or eight of them (or 2,313 of them) than be forced to go out and get a real job.
Who wouldn’t?
Disclaimer: All opinions expressed by Mark Boyle are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Indiana Pacers, their partners, or sponsors.