Humans have been putting spherical objects in hoops for centuries, but until the invention of the dunk, the fast break, and face dribbling, it wasn't an activity worth watching. See if "basketball" lives up to the hype with today's Groupon for a ticket to a Washington Wizards game. This Groupon is valid for any 2010–11 regular-season home game, excluding those against the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and Orlando Magic. Choose between two seating options:
- For $37, you get a ticket in the lower-level corner section (up to an $80 value)
- For $18, you get a ticket in the upper-level center section (up to a $35 value)
The Washington Wizards look to rebound after a disappointing 26-56 record last season, with the number one overall pick in the NBA draft, John Wall, leading the Beltway basketballers against a heap of hardwood opponents. Wall is joined on the floor by a crew of capable cagers, including three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas and offseason acquisition Kirk Hinrich, the Chicago Bulls' all-time three-point leader, much to the chagrin of Steve Kerr fans everywhere. The Wizards cast a spell on hoopheads from inside the Verizon Center, an electrifying 20,000-seat arena sure to be booming with dazzling dunks, dishes, and gravity-defying fundamentals. Check out the schedule to choose a game and quench your basketball jones.
Groupon Says
Basketball 101
Basketball is so fast-paced that if you aren't up on all the latest rules (issued each September by the American Basketball Councilary), you may not be able to follow the game. Here are the basics you need to know to enjoy all four basketball periods:
The Hoop: This circular disc is adorned with eye-catching netting designed to confuse the eye and trap wandering players. Players score "points" or "tributaries" by maneuvering the ball into the hoop. The game ends when the team with the most tributaries is able to seal the hoop with the traditional lambskin sheath.
The Court: Made from springy balsa wood and coated with a friction-reducing polymer glaze, the basketball court opens at the center to reveal a healing pool of geothermally heated water that players and fans can use during half-time (This is why basketball courts can only be built atop naturally occurring hot springs.).
The Refs: Basketball referees are widely praised as a model of our future workforce, as they are taken from their parents at birth and raised in training camps where they learn only the words that apply to basketball. During the off-season, basketball refs are kept in total seclusion except for a single mating week.
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