15 Things You’ll Hear Non-Basketball Fans Say During A Game

By Brian Brennan

15 Things You’ll Hear Non-Basketball Fans Say During a Game

TNT broadcaster Shaquille O'Neal (left) and Charles Barkley talk during the 2013 NBA All-Star slam dunk contest at the Toyota Center. Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports — If you're an NBA fan I'm sure you have run into this situation before. You're watching the game with some friends and there's that person who isn't a basketball fan. Often times he'll be saying what he feels is wrong with the game, why he isn't a fan, etc. Here are the top 15 things non-basketball fans saying during a game.

15. LeBron James Sucks

LeBron James - Cleveland Cavaliers

15. LeBron James Sucks

LeBron James - Cleveland Cavaliers — One of the first things you hear a non-fan say is LeBron James isn't that good. He is nowhere near as good as Michael Jordan, he isn't clutch and he's just an arrogant jerk. What these people don't realize is not only how good James is but how much he has helped the league grow and how well respected he is among his peers. We've all gotten over The Decision years ago.

14. I'm Better Than That Guy

Miami Heat Pic 2a

14. I'm Better Than That Guy

Miami Heat Pic 2b — Most non-fans watch the game and are surprised when anything less than perfection occurs. You'll often hear "that player sucks," "I could score on him" or "he isn't that good." Listen, all these players are in the NBA for a reason; they're all good to great basketball players. So when a player misses an open jumper, hold your tongue when you say he sucks.

13. The Hoop Should Be Raised

Dwight Howard - Houston Rockets

13. The Hoop Should Be Raised

Dwight Howard - Houston Rockets — A lot of non-fans say the hoop should be raised because it's too easy to dunk. Just because players are gifted with jumping ability and athleticism doesn't mean the rules should be changed. Hey, quarterbacks throw the ball further now; should the field be extended?

12. Why Don't They Dunk All The Time?

Vince Carter Drive

12. Why Don't They Dunk All The Time?

Vince Carter Drive — Some non-fans want the hoop raised, but there are others who want to see more dunks. These people watched Vince Carter highlights when they were younger and think it's boring when there isn't dunking every time. You'll often hear "why didn't he just dunk that?" Dunking isn't as easy as it looks. You should know; you can barely touch net.

11. Too Much Traveling

January 27, 2015; Gary A. Vasquez; Dwyane Wade

11. Too Much Traveling

January 27, 2015; Gary A. Vasquez; Dwyane Wade — Yes I will agree, the referees do miss traveling calls at times, but most of the time what these people refer to as traveling is incorrect. The introduction of the legal Euro Step and the increase in flexibility to the travel rule has gone under the radar to most non-fans. Before you criticize the calls, please see the rule book, section 10, violations and penalties.

10. There Are No Offensive Plays

Los Angeles Clippers v Cleveland Cavaliers

10. There Are No Offensive Plays

Los Angeles Clippers v Cleveland Cavaliers — A lot of these people will watch a game and say all these teams do is give the ball to their best player and let him play one-on-one. That is just simply not true, unless you're watching Carmelo Anthony. Every coach draws up offensive plays and these teams run them almost every half-court possession. This is another case of not understanding the game.

9. Why Can't He Shoot?

Philadelphia 76ers v Miami Heat

9. Why Can't He Shoot?

Philadelphia 76ers v Miami Heat — A lot of non-NBA fans assume that since you're in the NBA you should be able to shoot jump shots easily. That's not how it works. Some of these players, mostly the forwards and centers, never practice jump shooting. They work on their strengths. You don't see me sitting there asking why Tom Brady can't play linebacker.

8. He's Not Even Hurt

Nov 9, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) falls to the floor with an apparent injury during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Heat defeated the Mavericks 105-96. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

8. He's Not Even Hurt

Nov 9, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) falls to the floor with an apparent injury during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Heat defeated the Mavericks 105-96. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports — This is common in all sports but it pertains the NBA just as well. Most of these non-basketball fans haven't played basketball in their lives and never experienced a twisted ankle. When it happens to you and you claim you can't walk ever again, remember all those times you said someone was faking it.

7. He Flopped!

Reggie Evans

7. He Flopped!

Reggie Evans — Aside from the one in a hundred occasion, flopping is virtually non-existent now. They've added rules that fine players when they flop, and this virtually has eliminated it from the game. When a player gets run into and fall overs and you scream flop, just remember this person who ran into him is a pretty big guy who's been doing strength training his whole life.

6. Too Many Fouls

James Harden - Houston Rockets

6. Too Many Fouls

James Harden - Houston Rockets — A lot of people criticize the amount of foul calls in NBA games. The fact is, if they really called what these pick-up basketball heroes think is a foul, there would be a whistle every time down court. Just like any sport there are incorrect calls, but these players get hit every time down court. So when you say there are too many fouls, it's likely there are actually not enough.

5. Not Physical Enough

Chicago Bulls v Houston Rockets

5. Not Physical Enough

Chicago Bulls v Houston Rockets — Most non-basketball fans claim the game isn't that physical because players aren't allowed to hit each other like in football. If you watch a game closely, there is physical play every single time under the hoop. Just because a player isn't tackling someone else doesn't mean it's not physical.

4. The Game Is Too Long

Atlanta Hawks

4. The Game Is Too Long

Atlanta Hawks — When you get down to the last few minutes of a close NBA game, there tends to be fouling and timeout calling. This is strategy but tends to take a little longer than desired. Now I do think there are too many timeouts available, but the fact is, you're complaining about a few extra minutes when basketball games on average take way less time than sports such as baseball and football.

3. College Basketball Is Better Than The NBA

California-Irvine v Arizona

3. College Basketball Is Better Than The NBA

California-Irvine v Arizona — Non-basketball fans tend to say college basketball is better than the NBA without even thinking. They might be the same sport, but they are completely different. There isn't even an accurate comparison to make between the two vastly different styles of basketball. Yes you can have an opinion, but be ready to back it up.

2. Nobody Cares About The NBA

Garrett W. Ellwood - Getty Images

2. Nobody Cares About The NBA

Garrett W. Ellwood - Getty Images

No sport has come close to the ratings of the Super Bowl, but most non-basketball fans like to say that nobody "cares about the NBA." It's funny because this simply isn't true. The NBA actually has higher ratings than MLB and the NHL. Now some markets in those sports do better than some of the NBA, but relatively speaking the NBA is "cared about" more than two of the big four sports.

1. There Is No Defense

Dallas Mavericks v Memphis Grizzlies

1. There Is No Defense

Dallas Mavericks v Memphis Grizzlies — This is the main comment I hear when talking to non-NBA fans. I'd love to see these nobodies try and score a point in an NBA game. We'll see what they have to say then. It's a known thing that great offense always beats great defense, so to say there is no defense in the NBA you clearly haven't watched the game close enough.

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