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Viewership for the N.B.A. in India has been rising quickly, but from such a low base that it remains minuscule, said Atul Pande, chief executive of Ten Sports, which broadcasts games mostly from the N.B.A.’s Eastern Conference. Pande said that he thought current audience for a live N.B.A. game would never exceed 200,000 households. The viewership for many I.P.L. cricket matches is in the tens of millions. “The problem is timing,” Pande said; live games can start anywhere from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in India. New York Times

India, Owners 

Cricket's position as India's most popular sport is beyond doubt, but an Indian TV channel is broadcasting live NBA matches in the cricket -mad country, convinced basketball can take the number two spot. Earlier this month, the National Basketball Association (NBA) signed multi-year deals with Taj Television and Multi Screen Media (MSM) to broadcast games in India. MoneyControl.com

India, Owners 

From the view of American basketball coach Troy Justice, now the NBA's director of basketball operations for India. What did tall athletes do before basketball was invented? The sport has given an identity to many of those born to exceptional height. Today there are children who pray to grow tall so they can play better basketball. What became of tall people before the 1891 invention of their sport? What would have become of Bill Russell or Larry Bird or Shaquille O'Neal in a world without basketball? Troy Justice is on the other side of the world investigating that question -- and he is influencing the answer. "It's the perfect fit for [all the tall boys and girls in India]. It gives them the platform in which they can be a part of a great game and use their height. I'm finding all of these boys who are coming to train, and every one of them I've met loves the game and is hungry to learn. But they just don't know anything. They've never seen the game." SI.com

India 

Yeah, that's Pau Gasol Michael Jordan-ing over some unlucky kid in New Delhi, India. Color me impressed that Pau can jump that high. Based on every single one of his NBA dunks which just barely make it over the rim, I'd have put money on that child getting a face full of legs. Surprisingly, this is part of an NBA Cares outreach trip that Gasol's on right now. Dubious that dunking on youngins would win over fans? Perhaps this account of Gasol's basketball wizardry from SLAM's Karen Madhok will convince you. Gasol again turned into a quiet crowd-pleaser in Delhi, speaking softly and letting his skills do the talking. He worked with the kids on dribbling drills, showed off his pivot, Hakeem-esque fadeaway, and of course, did a variety of dunks at the DPS basketball court, including doing a "jumpman" style dunk over a hapless kid in a ‘Starbury' t-shirt! Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, India 

Two-time National Basketball Association champion Pau Gasol, member of two-time defending champions Los Angeles Lakers and a three-time All-Star, is to visit Mumbai and Delhi from August 23 to 28. During his visit, the first time a reigning NBA champion is touring the country to conduct events on NBA's behalf, Gasol would make appearances with the Larry O?Brien Trophy and take photos with fans in the two cities, a media release said. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, India 

What tips did you give the Indian team when you interacted with them in Bangalore? Dwight Howard: I gather that most people in India are doctors and that’s because Indians study a lot, they study all the time and achieve whatever they want to academically — that’s how we treat basketball, we train all the time. I taught them guards — to block shots, get around the bigger guys, posed moves with them. If they train hard everyday, that’s the only way to do it, they can do well at the Asian Games. The Indian Express

Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, India 

NBA now has Koreans, Chinese, Latin Americans. When is it possible to see an Indian there? Dwight Howard: I’ve no idea when it can happen, it takes years to get there. Only 300 guys are part of NBA out of millions who play basketball. The average play life is four years or even lesser — its hard to get in or to survive. Lots of players who have played longer than I did, have never made it to the play-offs. It just depends on how hard the youngsters here are willing to work. The Indian Express

Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, India 

NBA player Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic gestures during a function in Bangalore on August 10, 2010. Four-time NBA All Star player Howard is in India to participate in a series of basketball events in Bangalore and Delhi to further the growth of basketball in the country. Howard will train with Indian's senior men's national basketball team, and conduct coaching and player clinics during his visit. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, India 

Four-time National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Dwight Howard, of the Orlando Magic, will travel to India from Aug. 10 to 14 to participate in a series of basketball events in Bangalore and Delhi to further the growth of basketball and the NBA in the world’s second-largest nation. Among his activities in India, Howard will train with India’s Senior Men’s National Basketball Team; conduct coaching and player clinics for Mahindra NBA Challenge participants, the NBA’s first community league in India; launch NBA Jam, an interactive fan basketball event; and attend the launch of the first two NBA shops opening within adidas stores in Bangalore and Delhi. “The game of basketball has been so good to me and I am excited to go to India on behalf of the NBA,” said Howard. “Basketball is a global game and I love that the NBA is bringing the fun and excitement to fans around the world and introducing young athletes to the sport.” NBA.com

Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, India