Some of it stems from growing up in a family that watches it. Some played it themselves growing up and then kept watching even after they quit playing. For me, I always loved playing basketball when I was younger. Always watched highlights and got into watching full games around high school time. It’s just a nice little escape from the shit that is my/our life. It’s fun to get so into a specific team and always keep up with injury updates and offseason moves. Also gives you something to talk about if some cookiecutter comes up to you in the gym and wants to shoot the shit. “HOW AM I DOING??”