Basketball fans tend to focus on one way of expressing their passion for the sport and their team, which is of course to watch games and cheer on their favorite players.

But what if you want to take your fandom to the next level? Well, there are a few ways to bolster your involvement as the new season gets underway this year.

Deck yourself out in merch

Whether you invest in official merchandise from your team of choice, or you snap up products that celebrate basketball more generally, you’ll feel much more attached to the NBA experience if you’re repping it in what you wear every day.

Keep up with the latest NBA news

Getting piping hot NBA rumors and news from a reputable source will ensure that you’re always in the loop on everything from transfer murmurings to injury updates.

With so many amazing writers working on coverage of the sport right now, it’s also an ideal way to immerse yourself in stunning prose related to something you care about, as well as to acquire facts and figures that you can trot out to impress friends.

Buy and play the most recent NBA video game

The newest installment in the long-running, officially licensed NBA gaming franchise has just arrived, and it’s a real monster of a game in terms of its scope and features.

New mechanics are often added with the annual updates, and NBA 2K23 innovates more than many of its predecessors by adding a new adrenaline bar that comes into play when attempting to execute the more high-octane elements of a real professional basketball match.

Ideally you’ll have a current gen console to play the game on, but if you’ve not managed to snag a PS5 or Xbox Series X due to the ongoing supply issues, it’s still available for last-gen systems, and even for the portable Switch.

Keep your wits about you during post-game analysis

There’s a reason that so much screen time is given to pundits in the aftermath of every NBA game; the commentators and former pros all have a lot to contribute, and can apply their expertise to interpret what went down with more depth and detail than any armchair amateur.

So rather than turning off the TV as soon as the last point is scored, stick around and really listen to what the people back in the studio have to say. You’ll learn a lot more about the strategic side of the game that way, which will deepen your appreciation for the plays you see in the future.

Volunteer in your community

Basketball is a sport which brings people together and unites us across social divides, so there are opportunities to take this aspect of the game and run with it in your own area.

Wherever you live, there will almost certainly be youth basketball programs which seek to teach young people the importance of playing as a team, and of competing to strive towards something better.

Many programs of this kind are in need of adult volunteers to assist in all sorts of ways, whether that’s coaching, providing transport, helping with keeping the kit clean, and so on. By getting involved yourself, you’ll be experiencing the deeper meaning of basketball, beyond the bright lights of the NBA.

Lastly, consider setting up your own NBA fantasy league, or getting involved in an existing league in your area.

This is a great way to meet like-minded people who love basketball just as much as you do, and will make you feel even more involved with the sport.