NBA '08 Playoff Thread

I know there is one poster here that might have done so, but I can safely say that there is not widespread Hawks fan bashing in Boston today. I think most people moved on from in the days following Bibby's comments, which really never caused more of an uproar than him getting booed when he touched the ball.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't argue that. Would still say there are probably other cities that are more fair-weather than Boston. I think that sports in general are a bigger part of people's lives here than some parts of the country to begin with.

Anyways, I'm going to steer this conversation another way: why is not being a bandwagon fan such a badge of honor? I know many diehards took more pleasure in the Sox win in '04 because they had been there for the down years and they were upset about all of the "pink hats" who latched onto the team. But really what's the point? As I've gotten older I've found better things to do with my time than follow sports' teams religiously. I didn't watch a single Bruins game this season. That didn't stop me from getting into their playoff run. If that makes me a bandwagon fan, I'm fine with it. I just don't really see why loyal fans get so defensive about this type of thing. Sure there can be some drawbacks, but isn't it a good thing when the team you follow gets more attention and attracts more fans?

 

It's neck and neck between Boston and Pittsburgh, which piles all of its emotion behind the Stillers. I've got friends who live there, and they say the place feels like the afterparty at a goddamn Greek tragedy if the beloved Stillers lose a game.

 

In any event, let's do with the Hawks what Boston did to them on Sunday -- put them to bed. They've got a bigger test coming up and in the West, Chris Paul looks amazing -- have you seen a PG play better than this in the past 10 years?

 

Your post made me think about things from a different perspective, which is always a good thing.

I certainly don't want or need a badge of honor for not being a bandwagon fan. Honestly, watching sports is enjoyable to me and I guess I consider it one of my hobbies. But I will be the first to admit that I will never watch every Rockets or Astros game. I do have a life and other interests. There are simply too many games for me personally to watch them all. I do get online or read a (gasp!) newspaper to get results and a rundown of the game the next day or so.

There are plenty of bandwagon fans out there and that is fine. And yes, it is a good thing when the team I follow gets more attention and attracts more fans when they are winning.

For whatever reason I felt the need to defend my hometown and gave my opinion that we are not a bandwagon town (even though it had nothing to do with the bandwagon towns/teams that were being discussed.) However, statistics were given to prove me wrong. I stand corrected.

I did base my opinion on the fact that I personally don't know or interact with any bandwagon fans on a regular basis. That doesn't make my "circle" better fans. It's just that that's all I know.

EDIT: I stand corrected again. I DO know a fair-weather fan: my husband!

 

I never said that. That was Boobie's post.

 

Fixed. Sorry about that Doc & Boobie. There were lots of quotes in there that I wasn't wanting to quote. But since I'm still a Newbie, maybe everyone will forgive me :-[

 

No biggie. I just don't ever want to be mistaken for defending anything Boston.

 

Bill Simmons was on ESPN radio tonight, weaselly voice and all. Say this for him, his passion for the NBA has never waned, no matter how bad the Celtics have sometimes been in recent years.

He said he was convinced the Cavs will beat the Celtics, said he can't see how any Celtics fans could remain confident at this point. Sounded like doomsday predicitions, but it was interesting to hear Superfan Himself be so down on the supposed best team's chances.

I think he was right when he said LeBron will steal a close game or two, but I wonder how many of the games will be close, considering the talent gap.

 

We'll see what he says if the Celtics win. I wonder if he'll put that prediction in print.

 

Simmons is an idiot. His love affair with Isiah wears off and he acts as if he stumbled across some unfounded truth calling out the Suns FO for their wealth of mistakes I've called them out in since 06'.

Steve Nash has been tiring out during important stretches in the playoffs for the last three years, and while the Knicks and the most celebrated 20th pick in NBA history was getting all the scrutiny for passing up on Marcus Williams the Suns never addressed their back up PG issue, drinking from the same glass of Kool-Aid everyone else was sipping on as Steve Nash was handed questionable back to back MVP's. Now as the novelty has worn off, Simmons wants to open his eyes to things other than the idiot who ran the Knicks.

 

I want to pull up the old Garnett to the Celtics thread, and if I remember correctly, I think old legs and no depth were mentioned.

That said, the last thing the Celtics needed was a seven-game series to start the playoffs.

If the Celtics are pushed to seven by the Cavs and still somehow win, I think Detroit will Coup de grace in the next round.

The Celtics need a five-game win in the worst way.