Just a random thought about sports anime/manga.
I think that, when you get down to it, these titles go one of two ways. One, they focus more on the ins and outs of the sport in a (semi-)realistic way (Slam Dunk, Holyland, Chihayafuru, Daiya no Ace, etc.). Two, they treat it a bit more like a superhero battle series,focussing a lot on special skills and crazy abilities with a little sport technicalities mixed in (Hajime no Ippo, Prince of Tennis, Inazuma, Kuroko no Basuke, etc.). Regardless of the style (and, of course, whether or not you like any of these individual series is up to the person), they all convey that testosterone-filled passion, likable (if not always deep) personalities, camaraderie, and moments of desperation; just distinguished by that particular quality.
Main reason I was thinking about this is that I was trying to determine how it is that I can derive such a similar level of excitement from two series like Slam Dunk and Kuroko no Basuke, while also thinking about them in two completely different ways. Figured that it had to be this superpower quality that some sports series go for and others don't.
Oh, and the good animation helps. The good animation always helps.