As King James and the Cavaliers prepare to go up against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in this year’s NBA Finals match up, people all over the country will be whipped into a frenzy over the next 4-7 championship games.
Game 1 kicks off on Thursday, and those of us who are not die hard basketball fans have a few days left to step up our NBA literacy. These 5 apps will help you learn the who, what, where, when, and how of the NBA.
1. Thuuz Sports
Operating System: Android and IOS
User: Basketball novice
Thuuz allows users to follow upcoming sports events and determine which events are most likely to be an exciting game. Games are rated on a scale from dull to great, based on an algorithm that monitors which games are currently trending. Users can personalize their app experience by selecting the teams and players that they are most interested in, allowing the app to notify them when a moment happens for the players and teams that they are most interested in. Thuuz also has a social media component that allows users to follow each other and view which games are being watched by friends. If you’re not big on basketball, it is easy to view what games your friends are into and get familiar from there. NBA aficionados can import existing fantasy league details into Thuuz as well.
ESPN App
Operating System: Android and IOS
User: Basketball novice
The ESPN app lets users view news, score updates, and alerts on your favorite teams, NBA or otherwise. But what really makes the ESPN app stand out is its ability to stream games and watch video highlights. There is no other app on the market that does everything the ESPN app does, all in one place. The ESPN app edged the NBA app off of our list due to its poor streaming/video reviews and too many ads.
NBA Jam
Operating System: Android and IOS
User: Anyone with a love of 90s nostalgia, or the Bulls in the 90s
NBA Jam has been going hard since 1993, and for $4.99 you can download the classic basketball game on your Android or iPhone for endless hours of virtual dunking on the competition. The multi-player app allows you to compete with friends, and users can also download their favorite old school players like Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman. Anyone who was a kid during the 90s will simply love being able to relive their youth through NBA Jam. It’s a must-have.
Yahoo Fantasy Sports
Operating System: Android and IOS
User: Basketball expert
The Yahoo Fantasy Sports App offers daily contests for a chance to win cash. Users can create mock drafts, talk trash with each other, compare teams via match ups, and manage rosters and players. The easy to use interface and player analysis are just some of what people love about this app. The app also incorporates live scoring updates, news, and stats, as well as expert draft advice from professionals to help better manage your fantasy team. The app was also voted “Best fantasy Mobile App” three years in a row from 2013-2015, and really, who are we to argue with the experts? If you’re planning on taking basketball fandom to the next level, this is where you should do it. The casual basketball fan may not be ready for this level of basketball knowledge.
Bleacher Report
Operating System: Android and IOS
User: Consistent fan with a desire to learn more
On the surface, this app seems to simply be another sports app that gives up-to-date game info, player stats, and highlights. Where this app really shines is in its content. Articles found in the Bleacher Report allows the user to gain a deeper understanding of a particular team or player. The Bleacher Report not only finds the most relevant content for users, but also employs its own writing staff. Despite the reported slowness, Bleacher Report’s top notch articles makes it a Top Five app for people wanting to learn more about their selected NBA team. Bleacher Reports quality content makes it worth the page load wait.
Elizabeth Aguirre is a technology professional with more than 8 years experience working in the software industry. Currently, Elizabeth is pursuing an M.S. in E-commerce at DePaul University and works as a consultant for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing in Chicago. She is on a one-woman mission to empower small business owners through the use of technology. When she’s not being a cool mom to her daughter Esther, she enjoys tweeting and meditation.
