ABSTRACT:This thesis aims to investigate the development of the American society under the influence of NBA culture. Three aspects of the American culture are concerned, including racial equality, American dream and changes of the value of the American teenagers, and the third one is changes of the concept on tattoos. It’s clear that the NBA culture has extremely great effects on the American society, both in economy and in culture. The NBA culture has made itself an important part of American culture. It seems as if watching NBA games were a must to the local people, no matter they are adults or teenagers. So crazy are these fans about their favorite team that they often buy T-shirts, hats and shoes advertised by NBA stars. In one word, NBA has become one of the most popular sports in America; what’s more, it has great influences on American economy and culture.
Key worlds: Influence; NBA Culture; American Society
摘要:本文目的在于研究在NBA文化对美国社会的影响。在这，本文关注了美国社会三个方面，它们分别是种族平等，美国梦和价值观的改变。通过试析，能明显的看出NBA文化对美国社会的影响延伸到经济和文化等领域。NBA文化已经成为了美国文化重要的一部分。看球赛已经成为美国当地人们不可缺少的一部分，无论男女老少。球迷们通过购买他们喜欢球队的衣服，帽子，球鞋等商品来表达他们的热情。总的来说，NBA已经成为最受美国人喜欢的运动，并且，NBA对美国文化和经济的造成了不可估计的影响。
关键词：影响；NBA文化；美国社会
NBA has been founded for more than sixty years. Its successful operation has been a great motivation for other countries to imitate. Almost every teenager and basketball athlete wants to join NBA not only because it is the place where one can make much money, but also it’s an honor to be a NBA player. It is known that NBA is a big stage and it reflects the American society from every aspect. “The NBA culture is also known as American business culture, which is deeply rooted in the American culture. And the strong competition, as well as the business profit explains its popularity in America”(Yu Xiujin,2005:10). NBA has been so prosperous in America. What’s more, “I LOVE THIS GAME” has almost become the motto of NBA. Everyone is so crazy about this sport, which has become the source of strength to NBA. This is the main reason why the NBA can boom. Game is a state of mind, and it is happiness. All racial groups in the NBA enjoys team-work. Therefore, in NBA, the black are able to build up their own confidence and be respected by showing their talents.
In American, everyone strikes to realize their own dreams called American Dream. Therefore, the spirit of “American dream” is very good for us to learn from. And it is know to all that NBA is a shortcut of making heroes. In NBA, we can find such heroes as Chamberlain, who once scored 100 points in a single game; “Hundred Large bird” Byrd and “magic Johnson”, who ever played a trick called “basketball black-and-white”. In the early 1990s “flyers" Jordan was born without notice, whereas later he became the spirit of NBA. He is the hero of the young generation. Everyone knows about his glory past in NBA. In one world, the NBA culture is the unique culture which also has a strong relationship with America. They can not be separated.
In addition, culture is generated from human beings’ activities, so does the NBA culture. And “culture influences on people’s behavior are potential, without consciousness. Sometimes it will make our thoughts and actions mixed into cultural consciousness of ourselves.”(Liu Hua,2008:7). Thus under such atmosphere, people’s values and thoughts may be changed. As a result, it will gradually affect the whole American society. Therefore, understanding the NBA culture can help us to have a better understanding of the influence of the NBA spirit in the American society, especially pragmatism, individualism, and racial discrimination.
