As the NBA Playoffs have forged into the Conference Semifinals, as an avid fan of the game I have found myself torn with potential Conference Finals matchups. Furthermore, many people have accused me of not being a true fan for the fact that I often like to root for different players or teams every season.
Well, this is only somewhat true. I have lived in Boston since I was just two years old, and naturally I am a fan of everything Boston/New England. You name it, I love it. Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, B.C. Eagles. I even root for those teams that few Americans probably even know exist. I'm talking about the Revolution (MLS) and the Cannons (MLL).
But back to the NBA Playoffs. As for the Celtics, I have lived in agony the past few years watching the Celtics go nowhere in the playoffs, get poor draft selections, and eventually post one of the most memorably awful seasons in recent memory in the 2006-2007 campaign.
All the while, I remained faithful to the Celtics and the lucky leprechaun that is rumored to reside beneath the parquet in the Boston Garden. This season, however, my patience has been rewarded after the Celtics' revamped star-studded lineup making the best turnaround in NBA history.
Needless to say, I love watching Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen collaborate and receive team success. I love watching the growth of PG Rajon Rondo, who by the way posted a terrific 20-point, 13-assist, 1-turnover game in a crucial Game Five against Cleveland. Clearly, the Celtics are a favorite to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals and my personal favorite (I'm hoping) to win the whole shebang.
Besides the Celtics, I also enjoy watching Deron Williams and Chris Paul emerge as the elite point guards in the NBA right before our eyes. I grimaced as I saw Chauncey Billups injure himself in the Orlando series, because he, too, is a personal favorite player of mine.
Finally, Kobe Bryant and Tony Parker round out my list of players who I find constantly delivering jaw-dropping plays that make me question the natural laws of physics. When watching regular season games, I cheer for all those players to have great games, and ultimately record a win when all is said and done.
However, as all of these players, and the Celtics, remain in the playoffs, I find it increasingly hard to decide who to root for. I have been accused of being an indecisive, bandwagon fan because I like players who are at the moment having great success.
I disagree. While it is true that the players who grace my list of personal favorites are all having extraordinary seasons, there are additional reasons I enjoy them. I like to look at athletes as people. Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul are one and one-A on my list of favorites because of their extraordinary play AND because of how they carry themselves. Demeanor and presence can go a long way in deciding which players or teams to follow.
So as the Conference Finals roll around, I once again find myself being an "indecisive fan," not knowing who to root for. Should the West come down to the Hornets and Lakers, I will be extremely torn, because I would love to see Paul get a title, but I would also love to see Bryant get a title without Shaq.
At the same time, I want the Celtics to win a championship and return to prominence atop the NBA's elite.
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2 months ago
You know what, I generally dislike bandwagon fans but there is no problem in loving to watch somebody play, I'm a Celtics fan first and foremost but it is such a pleasure to watch Dwight howard dominate on the low block that I catch a Magic game every so often for good measure, being a Celts fan and a (semi) Laker fan (even if only for Kobe) is a bit of a catch 22 in my view. I begrudgingly respect Kobe and admit that he is indeed the best player in the game today, yet I categorically refuse to root for him based on where my allegiances lie. To each his own I guess.
Also, sometimes, its not so much the team switching that bothers me about the typical bandwagoner (although it is somewhat annoying if the switch is done based only on success) its the fact that the typical bandwagon fan is ignorant, narrow minded, annoying, and generally not all that knowledgeable as a fan in general. Just by reading this, you don't seem to fit that bill so i don't have as big an issue with how you choose to follow sports, being "a fan of the game" (my words) is just fine. I have no problem with "bandwagoning" as a whole as long as it is not done too much or for bad reasons, the problem there though is that it usually is, so while it does sound like you are somewhat of a bandwagon fan from this article, even if you are, I wouldn't attack you for it.
from 2 months ago
those are valid points, thanks for the comment
2 months ago
An NBA team fan is one who will love his team no matter what...Its 4 life. At the same time you also become a basketball fan and enjoy the players and their skills, as a basketball fan you have to appreciate what Kobe does at the end of games, or just ho good Tim Duncan is..but that is temporary You like the players, and if they face your team you dislike the player..
For example, i am a DIE HARD LAKER AND KOBE FAN, but i live in Chicago and like the Illinois Fighting Illini college basketball team, so naturally i would like Dern Williams who led us to the final 4...but as soon as the Lakers player the Jazz in the playoffs I disliked him.
D-Will was just a layer...the Lakers are a team....and the team always comes first
2 months ago
I have a different viewpoint on this one...I tend to support individual players to a greater extent than teams... I have been a big fan of KG throughout his years in Minneapolis, but the team just sucked for 9 out of 12 years. Now he's moved to Boston and I couldnt be happier since I also love Paul Pierce's game (and supported the Celts all through their horrendous slump) and enjoy watching Rondo run the floor.
To izzy: Many of my friends are loud and passionate lakers fans...I've just one question: Would you enjoy watching the Lakers just as much if Kobe was traded to.....say the Knicks (however unlikely it may be ;-) ). Or if Shaq was traded at the start of the milennium?
I like the way a team plays - its philosophy, its approach to the game, its energy, the coach and most importantly - its players. So what happens when those players get traded tomorrow? I've lost everything I love in the team. Its not the legacy that counts for me...what happened in the past is irrelevant to me.
Note: This is my personal opinion. And anyone is free to disagree.
from 2 months ago
those are great points, i think for me if pierce or rondo (my two favorite celtics) were traded, i would have somewhat of a harder time loving the celtics, although im sure i could make it work. thanks for the comment
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