Believe me, ''die-hard'' fans in US are like kids fighting on the school compared to hardest gang gun fights. Latin America is similar. I am not saying that is good, i dont like people getting murdered, but the atmosphere that has a classic derby in soccer is something that the average US fan cant even imagine...In Spain we have Barcelona vs Real Madrid, in Greece Panathinaikos vs Olympiacos, Argentina River against Boca etc.
And yes i prefer 1980-hand checking rules NBA. Now NBA became so soft compared to that legendary years...Anyone who has speed and quickness can penetrate easily, thats why the back to basket big men now are role players.