When does the basketball season start please? We are coming to US from Australia and are DESPERATE to see games anything.
We will by in NYC 28 Sept till Oct 5, then to Orlando for 5 days then to Vegas.
What chance have we got of pre-season games and where would I go to get on top of it and get tickets? Thanks

If you go to NBA.com you can see schedule for this season. Unfortunately for you, preseason did not start for this season until 10/10 - and seasons usually follow aproximately the same time schedule.

While there is some excellent college basketball in US, I do not think their seasons start that early either. Time you are here is American football season and baseball playoff time. Tickets to either are very expensive to get - baseball schedules are current at MLB.com (would not have playoff schedule obviously since season has not even started yet).

Most football teams post their 2006 schedules sometime in early April

Unfortunately your only real opportuity to see basketball at that time of year is playground basketball - which is NYC can be very high quality. Rucker Playground has the best in the country - but I don;t know if there will be any league play then - or just unofficial games. If you check the New York City Parks Department web site closer to your arrival date you can see info.

Just be aware that Rucker is in a somewhat gritty area - fine if you're used to it - but perhaps not comfortable to people not used to inner big cities.

In the US, the Fall is all about NFL football! Games are played on Sundays, with the limited exception of one game on Thursday night and one on Monday night.

(Baseball wraps up in Sept/Oct as well.)

There will be no professional or college basketball in September or early October, I'm afraid. New York Mets baseball tickets should be easy to get at that time of year, however, since they will be out of the playoff picture in late September.

Mel1, you may be in luck. This year Orlando's NBA team (the Magic)had there first preseason game Oct. 11 in Atlanta and first home game was Oct. 15. I can tell you now you will have no problem getting tickets to a magic game. You will most likely be able to buy them at the box office the day of the game. I have not seen the schedule for the 2006/2007 season yet but just go to "www.nba.com/magic" to get information.

What about the women's teams? The Liberty play here in NYC at Madison Square Garden during the summer months, but don't know the exact schedule. You might try the Madison Square website.

October is the wrong time of year to see basketball.

It's really a waste of money to go to a pro or college game that early in the year. The teams are just learning to play together and the crowds have no buzz. In any event, the Knicks stink and Orlando is not much better. Going to preseason games is a total waste of money unless you get the tickets for free. It's silly to fly all the way here and go to see NYC playground basketball or the WNBA (I don't think they play in October anyhow).

However, if you really insist on seeing basketball, there will probably be training camps and preseason games around that time.

You should check to see whether the New Jersey Nets are playing any preseason games when you're in NYC. The Nets are a real good team and fun to watch, and you can get to the Meadowlands from NYC.

Well, not much we can do. What a shame we can't come later but we are restricted by school hols. Not interested in baseball or football, only basketball college or pro.
Oh well. But thanks for the magic tip, I will keep an eye out on the site.
cheers

To OP - any insight as to why people from outside US are so interested in US basketball? Just curious. Anytime we have had visitors from Europe, on the top of their list of things they want to do is see basketball.

It's not just US basketball Gail, we are a basketball family (hubby used to play, now coaches daughter's team). We attend all games at home, but don't have the numbers and crowds and money you guys throw at it, so it's exciting atmosphere that we don't experience. There you go! Cheers

Just had a thought how about the Harlem Globe Trotters, they play year round and although it's not a "real" game, those guys are pretty amazing handling a basketball. I'm sure they have a website with info on dates and games.

There is always action at the 4th Street cages in the West Village (near NYU). It's some of the best street ball in the nation - and what a scene.

yea, someone else mentioned some 'park' ball - i'll make a note and maybe that'll be fun too. thanks.
Harlem globe trotters too contrived, it's a 'show' isn't it, not a game. But thanks for the thought.