I wasn't a fan at first, matter of fact I kinda hated the idea behind it but then the anime started, I was bored so I figured I'd just check it out...so right now and just like that, it got to the point where I couldn't wait for more episodes, so in just a really short time I went and read the whole thing and catch up with the guys who are scanlating it (btw thanks imangascans).
This show reminds me a lot of Eyeshield21 and Prince of Tennis and both were 2 series that I was really fond of and really enjoyed for what they were "ENTERTAINMENT" and this series did not fell short either...it is good entertainment, it's interesting, it's funny, it's not too over the top, the characters are all likeable, the art is not that great (the art in the anime on the other hand is awesome) but it doesn't bother me much, it is kinda cliche in the sense where each time, they have to play another team with a player who stands out a lot more and has some crazy ability that they will have to deal with and then in the end, they'll win by a close call...but what the heck, that has always been the formula and it has work so far so leave it be, nothing wrong with that...
With that said, I've read some comments about the author supposedly "dumbing down basketball" or that the author has only being talking about characters and not the actual game or the love of the game...seriously people, It's a manga and I believe that everything that the author has done with it so far has made it really interesting and a lot more enjoyable to read. Also keep in mind the title of the manga is THE BASKETBALL WHICH KUROKO PLAYS. If I were a smartass and a know-it-all, I'd say that title is saying that this manga is talking about a certain "character" and how that "character" is playing "basketball" and explain what kind of "basketball" it is. In Kuroko's case, it involves a player who stays in the shadows of others allowing everybody else to shine but himself all the while making sure that they stay and play as a team and not just having each and every one of them going after their own fame like the generation of miracle did. Obviously there is more to it but that's basically the gist of it...in any case, since I'm not a smartass nor am i a know-it-all, I'll just let anybody and everybody come up with their own analysis and explanation of the title...Plus reading a sport manga that just talks about the "sport in itself" with nothing else is kinda boring to me. I play basketball and watch it all the time on tv, if I'm gonna read a manga about it (or any other kind of sport manga for that matter), it better has some fantasy or some supernatural but cool stuff going on in there to keep me watching, if not, I'll just go back and hit the court or sit on my couch and watch a damn game. So, if it is real basketball that you are looking for then go watch the nba or something, cause you ain't gonna find it here!!!
Overall really good show...it's got a 10 in my book 🙂