Is Watching/Following the NBA considered a hobby?

BlockedbyEwing · Post #1 » by **BlockedbyEwing** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:23 am

I've always wondered this. I've been a HUGE Knick/NBA fan ever since I was a little kid. It literally has been taking up large portions of my days, watching games, reading news on the internet, discussing it with people. I like to play basketball casually as well but I watch way more than I play.

I ask this because for example when I go to job interviews and stuff, sometimes they ask what are my other hobbies/things I like to do? And I'm always hesitant to mention that I'm a big NBA fan for fear of them looking at me like I'm crazy. It's easy to say that playing ball is a hobby because that seems normal but if I say something like "I like to follow the NBA and read up on rumors/news everyday", it sounds a little weird.

Anyone feel the same way?

D.Brasco · Post #2 » by **D.Brasco** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:27 am

Welcome to the 21st century where watching TV is now a hobby.

Los Manos · Post #3 » by **Los Manos** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:28 am

D.Brasco wrote:Welcome to the 21st century where watching TV is now a hobby.

OOO · Post #4 » by **OOO** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:28 am

It's called entertainment.

springz · Post #5 » by **springz** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:32 am

Ball is life.

crosko42 · Post #6 » by **crosko42** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:50 am

I think if you take it to the level that a lot of us do here at RealGM aka spending whole nights waiting up to figure out if a 2nd rounder is included in a trade, then yes, it could be considered a hobby.

FlipTSO · Post #7 » by **FlipTSO** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:51 am

Its a hobby, but I wouldn't recommend listing it as a hobby in a job interview. You could mention it if they ask about stuff you like to do for fun, like saying you enjoy watching sports "occassionally". But don't come across like its your whole life and that you are just a lazy couch potato, giving them reason to think you might skip work to stay up late watching games, lol.

For hobbies on a job application/interview, you should come up with some that sound more productive, require some intelligence/work ethic, and use it as another way of showing them you are a productive/dedicated person. Thats kind of what they are looking for when they ask that, imo.

Like telling them you play piano or guitar as a hobby. Something that requires skill, dedication, intelligence, etc and is more prodictive than just sitting on the couch watching TV. It just looks better to them, and if they know you are willing to put the effort into a hobby like learning an instrument, better chance you'll put the same effort into your job. Don't make it seem like you're a robot and do nothing for fun and just work 24/7, but basically you just want to give them impression that you work more than play, and that you are a dedicated hard working person when it comes to things you care about.

elbowthrower · Post #8 » by **elbowthrower** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:56 am

Saying you're a sports fan isn't all that bad as a hobby. Hell the guy interviewing you might be too.

But if you wanted to put an intellectual spin on it you could say that you're fascinated by the business side of the NBA, the subtleties of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the development of advanced stats in evaluating talent.

StatLine · Post #9 » by **StatLine** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 3:12 am

Just say you're a basketball enthusiast.

OzThunder · Post #10 » by **OzThunder** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:16 am

Well in a interview they're likely to ask about hobbies or interests, and the NBA is certainly an interest. I see no harm in mentioning it, either they're an NBA fan as well and you'll have something relate-able, or they aren't and it will be a passing comment...