What's up with fans being fans of players first, franchises second?

[QUOTE=Gotterdammerung]Actually this is incorrect.

I suffered the highs and the lows of following the Rockets for about 5 years, from 1993 to 1998. I followed them during Hakeem's prime, and by extension the success/failure of the team. I went through the same ribbing and boasting vs friends who were fans of other teams, rivals of the Rockets, and when they won the title, it was the happiest I've ever been. Sure, I had zero ties to the city, but you gotta take my history in account. A frigging vagabond, with no basketball city until i moved to LA and Magic immediately retires. Yeah right. Gonna follow a suck-ass team who can't play.

On the other hand, you're partially right. I don't have that fan syndrome anymore. It doesn't hurt as much when the Spurs lose. At the same time, when they win, it doesn't hit home as much. That's fine with me, because I enjoy the game more than my own identity, or ego that happens to be linked to some random team of the city/area I happen to be born in. I know more about the game than almost every other Lakers fan I meet, and I don't suffer from their homerism.

There's another reason: gambling. Bottom line, you can't bet on your favorite team, but thanks to fans from LA, the Vegas line of every LA sports team is inflated and easy pickings. :oldlol:

Sorry if that comes off as condescending, which wasn't my intention, but just my personal view and a clear example of a different way of enjoying the game.


Actually I did get it. Then I stopped playing the game and graduated from the merry go around. There's a new ride called bumper cars - you can even change cars on your next ride! :hammerhead:

Basically: players are free agents. Fans can be, too, but I guess a long history of tradition and comfortable convention are roadblocks for most of us to get this. :confusedshrug:[/QUOTE]

Rooting for the Rockets from 93-98, and then the Spurs in the 2000's isnt exactly experiencing the lows. Both those teams were dominant and won multiple championships, made playoffs every year etc...

So would you root for France in the Olympics if you liked those players than those from the US team? According to you, you should because what's the point in random loyalty. Why don't you kill your dog every 3 years and get a new puppy because it's cuter? Sorry I understand that you like to just root for the best teams and players, but I just don't get how that's fulfilling. To each his own though. :cheers:

Thanks for the Shout-Out:cheers: :cheers:

[QUOTE=brandowas]Rooting for the Rockets from 93-98, and then the Spurs in the 2000's isnt exactly experiencing the lows. Both those teams were dominant and won multiple championships, made playoffs every year etc...[/quote]
At the same time Hakeem Olajuwon suffered difficult losses like that 7 game series vs the Sonics in 1993, where a iffy call favored the Sonics in overtime in Game 7. I was so mad. Then in 1995, I doubt anyone who had the luck to support a team that won the title went through as many highs and lows in [B]ONE [I]FRIGGING [/I]PLAYOFF RUN[/B]. If you don't know what happened, then shut yer trap.

The Spurs got wiped out by the Lakers in 2001, and 2002. Had to put up with the jeering and sneering Lakers fan for a long while, and got them good in 2003. 2004, had to eat crow after going up 2-0 again.

While there were wins, there were losses, blank outs, and first round eliminations just like any other team. :confusedshrug:

[quote]So would you root for France in the Olympics if you liked those players than those from the US team? [/quote]
Nah cuz the French suck. Although I was partial to Argentina in 2004. :hammerhead:

[QUOTE=Mr. Jabbar]Cant think of a laker/kobe fan that would switch teams if kobe is gone from the lakers.[/QUOTE]
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[QUOTE=Mr. Jabbar]Cant think of a laker/kobe fan that would switch teams if kobe is gone from the lakers.[/QUOTE]
Not sure if serious.

[QUOTE=Heat007]No, you're stupid. We are not sitting around a table at some american bar having a few drinks talking about basketball.

we're on the internet and that gets into the BILLIONS around the world.[/QUOTE]
Owned.

[QUOTE=Mr. Jabbar]Cant think of a laker/kobe fan that would switch teams if kobe is gone from the lakers.[/QUOTE]
I already counted more than 5. I won't name those stans.

I'm an Orlando Magic fan. If Howard leaves, I'll be an Orlando Magic fan, I dont follow players to other teams. Thats band wagon bullshit!

[QUOTE=Harion]ehh? the sport is international. not everyone lives in the US. so naturally, ppl living outside the US will have no "home team" to support. making these fans "player fans" first before "team fans."

i've been a kings fan, blazers, suns, cavs, and now miami fan.[/QUOTE]

i dont have a home team

obv i liked the players hawks had/hav but i wouldnt be changing if they left

i am a knicks fan
started watching the nba regularly in 2007 they sucked that year but that didn't matter because I loved watching them and it's crazy how much the team changed in 4years i don't think there is one player left from the 07roster but that's good because we are a playoff team and have a great future if we don't screw it up

i also understand guys who can't identify with a team and follow one player but i don't think it's as satisfying as being a franchise fan first

[QUOTE=Magic Vinsanity]I'm an Orlando Magic fan. If Howard leaves, I'll be an Orlando Magic fan, I dont follow players to other teams. Thats band wagon bullshit![/QUOTE]
While for me, I'm a Laker fan and my favorite player is Kobe so I'll still follow Kobe if he goes to a different team but my heart will belong to the Lakers if he retires. :">:lol

Quite frankly I understand what the OP is stating , but I am happy to have a forum with fans that appreciate the game , just by following a few players or player.

I stated yesterday , that more posters on this forum , need to follow about 5 players in a few game span and just watch them.

You can then see how versatile or out of balance they look to the game it's self or to their team.

Obviously it is great to follow a team or teams , but to thoroughly understand the game as well as SUPER STARS - watch them play with , without the ball , and defense , besides all transitions of the game.
(Including inbounds passes and free throws)

MJ was a thief at picking pockets during inbounds passes as well as free throws missed.. it helped me to see his genius.

I always put teams before players. Jumping from one player to another reeks of shiny new toy syndrome and just following the crowd when they all bandwagon some new player that comes in the league and is expected to be great. In the case of Lebron, its like a bunch of groupies following a rockstar all over the country and its rather pathetic.

It's easy for the player fans. They followed Jordan then he retired so they followed Kobe. Kobe bacame a b!tch so they followed Lebron, or if they were b!tches themselves they kept following Kobe. In 10 years they will switch to somebody else.

Begs the question, where will the Kobe b!tches be in 3 years?

[IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/al4shi.gif[/IMG]

the NBA is a players league