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Writer's pictureMatt Elvy

Getting to Know the NBA UK Community - Part 3

Updated: Nov 27, 2020

Previous Parts:


One of the things I love about running an NBA fan account in the UK, is the fantastic NBA UK community that I get to be a part of.


Everyone is super supportive of each other's work and I wanted to show my support by helping you get to know the people behind the fan accounts.


So, without further ado, here is Getting to Know the NBA UK Community.


Part 3 - The 2020 NBA Finalists



What’s your name, where do you come from and who are you reppin?


My name is Matt too, there's a lot of us in the UK community! I'm from Leeds, UK but now live in Paris, France. I'm the founder of Lakers UK, which I started back in November 2018.


How did you discover basketball?


I was first exposed to basketball back in high school where I would regularly play in PE. I never played for the school team but I really enjoyed playing casually. Then in about 2009/10, I picked up NBA 2k for the PlayStation, I learned a lot of the basic fundamentals on that game. The players, how the game is played, etc. My interest grew from there, where I went onto watch games, documentaries, and read books on the NBA.


Who do you support?


Lakers, of course! The current NBA Champions may I add...


Why do you support your team?


So following on from the 2k story above. 2009-2010 was the time where the Lakers were in that championship window with Kobe and Pau, so I naturally levitated towards them. When I was younger I always wanted to go to Los Angeles and was just fascinated by the bright lights of the city. I read up on the franchise and educated myself on the history and it really drew me in. It was a slow burner at first though, I didn't start becoming a 'proper' fan since about 2012. I was really locked in on Kobe too, who I managed to see play, for the first and only time, 2 years later in 2014!


If you had to choose 1 game to convince a new basketball fan to support your team, what game would it be?


Probably Game 7 of the 2010 Finals against the Celtics. For a championship to hang in the balance right up until the final minute or so is incredible. The energy when the Lakers finally brushed Boston to one side was unbelievable, then of course the celebrations! I know it's cheating and you only wanted 1, but Game 7 of the 2000 WCF against the Trail Blazers would be a close second. Just for the 4th quarter, where the Lakers erased a 15-point deficit to advance to the finals.



You need to build a 3 x 3 team, choose your current favourite player and your all-time favourite player to join you.


My current favourite is Anthony Davis, I've been a huge fan since he entered the league. My all-time favourite is, of course, Kobe Bryant. So Kobe and AD, with me practically standing on the sidelines isn't too bad, is it?







Have you ever had the opportunity to go to a live NBA game, if so when & where? If you’ve been to more than one which was your favourite?


So with the Lakers, I've been to 2. My first was in Boston at the TD Garden back in 2014, we got blown out but I got to see Kobe play so I didn't care. The experience and atmosphere was mind-blowing. My second was this past February in Los Angeles at Staples, versus the Houston Rockets. It was that strange trade deadline game where the Rockets went small for the first time. It was another loss, close this time, but was great to see LeBron, AD, Harden, and Westbrook all at once.


Outside of the Lakers, I saw the Knicks vs Raptors back in 2014 too (I studied in NY for a bit in 2014). That was an OT Raptors win, it was a good game to watch. Then I was accredited at NBA Paris 2020 in January too for the Bucks vs Hornets, that was great fun!


What are your social media handles or websites where fans can find you? 


So with Lakers UK, we are over on Twitter and Instagram at @lalakersuk.


We also have a website www.lakersuk.com and we also do a live podcast called The Lake Lake Show.


With the podcast, we have cool guests from time-to-time, we've had Talen Horton-Tucker and Devontae Cacok from the Lakers, as well as Phil Handy too, along with many more.



 

What’s your name, where do you come from and who are you reppin? 

My name is Dan Healy and I run the @TheMiamiHeatUK twitter account across all socials.


How did you discover basketball?


My brother had loosely followed the NBA in previous years before me and as I'm a sports nut, he recommended I follow it. I gave it a shot and fell in love instantly!


Who do you support? 

My team is the Miami Heat

Why do you support your team?


As I said, my brother had loosely followed the sport before me and his team was Orlando Magic. So without any research of team history etc and based purely on a Floridian sibling rivalry, I choose the Heat!

If you had to choose 1 game to convince a new basketball fan to support your team, what game would it be? That's a tough one! There's been some great memories in Heat history, the Ray Allen corner 3 to force overtime was arguably the most recognisable moment but I'm going to bring it right up to date and go with the Game 1 victory against Boston Celtics in the ECF. The Bam Adebayo block will be spoken about for years and the game was so tight all the way through the entire game so it really was edge of your seat stuff!


You need to build a 3 x 3 team, choose your current favourite player and your all-time favourite player to join you.


Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade. Those two are best buddies off the court as well as All-Star calibre players on the court so I'd be in good company for sure!






Have you ever had the opportunity to go to a live NBA game, if so when & where? If you’ve been to more than one which was your favourite? I've been very fortunate to go see Miami a few times across the pond including trips to Toronto, New York, Philadelphia and of course Miami. The Toronto trip stands out as my favourite just don't because it was my first time experience seeing the boys and we picked up an unexpected W on the buzzer against a great team! It was a magical experience!  What are your social media handles or websites where fans can find you?


I'm available @TheMiamiHeatUK across all social media. I also have a website which is www.miamiheatuk.com and I run a weekly Miami Heat podcast called Heating Up The UK which can be found on all podcast platforms which has including some prominent members of the Heat media team previously.


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