25 reasons why Basketball is more fun than Cricket (Part 2)

21. Steals

There’s a kleptomaniac in all of us. Some steal balls, some steal hearts, some steal tv sets and what not. Basketball allows you to indulge that Kelpto in you to the fullest.

In cricket you can steal in a different way by match fixing, in basketball such instances are more transparent since you can’t throw a game as easily as you can in cricket.

22. Block

Not in my house! Swatting a shot away makes you feel like you just swatted away the opposition like a fly.

Imagine doing that in cricket, blocking a shot would be like saving a boundary. Now compare the excitement of the two.

23. Crossovers

Back to the point about crazy things you can do with a basketball. This is one of the most awesome, and the best part is that that the smaller you are, the better you can be at this.

Every time a player dribbles the ball in any direction, he is committed to that direction until the ball bounces high enough for him to regain control and change his direction. The taller the guy, the longer it takes for the ball to bounce back up to a controllable height.

If you are bigger you have an advantage, if you are smaller you have a different advantage.

Anytime two guys are matched up, the one with the ball always has the advantage. The advantage of being one step ahead. He makes his move; the other guy has to follow his lead. Always. Barring the case when the defender tries to steal the ball or pressure the ball handler. In which case the defense is left exposed, again advantage: ball handler. If a guy plays you tight, blow by him; if he backs off protecting the drive, shoot over him. He’s bigger? Drive past him. You have a lower center of gravity so you can change directions quicker. Get him off balance for a second and make your move. Same height or smaller? Shoot over him. Double teams? Pass it off to the open guy.

Basketball teaches you that you can make things happen regardless of the obstacles ahead.

24. Ankle breakers

When you make your defender fall down without touching them, that is magic. That happens with a quick change of direction and pace, when you anticipate their next move and unleash a vicious crossover that drops them down dead like someone chopped off their legs under them.