Welcome OC. I post from Australia and find similar problems getting to see games. Mostly they are played while I am at work so I am generally sneaking a peek at the scores from my computer.
I wouldn't call myself an expert on all things basketball or Celtics but I have a reasonable knowledge through following the Celtics and playing when I was a lot younger. One of the great things about this board is that in amongst everything else there are plenty of posters knowledgeable about the game, the draft, free agency, contracts, stats (finding and using), players skills and so on. I don't post as much as others but I read lots, especially if there is a thread getting lots of responses from posters who know their stuff.
I would also say that unless you are being intentionally provocative, most posters give their opposing opinions in a civil and thoughtful way with explanation.
I hate losing so I get the Boston sports fan attitude, though that could be from having lived in Oz for so long or having been born a Yorkshireman.
