I was noticing this the other day, as was my wife... that with the lowered expectations and all the crap that has happened, I dont get as stressed or tense in big situations. I.e. the Final shot against Golden State, Normally I would be up with my hands on my knees kind of in a Football Coaches position. Heart racing and all that. But during the last shot I just stood there with my arms folded in a passive style (a la Nate lol) and when Golden State missed it I did a few claps and stuff. Maybe its just cause I'm getting older, or it really is less stressful without the pressure of needing to win, and stay healthy... I can more just enjoy the game. The whole "Nothing to lose" attitude. I'm having alot of fun watching how Wes and Rudy, and Patty seem to be having a blast out there. And Aldridge pouring his heart out has been a lot of fun as well. Wondering if it has just been me, or if anyone else noticed this as well?
The only way it is fun to cheer for a team that plays as slow as Portland did prior to the last 3 games is if that team is a title contender. When that goes away then it's just boring and sad. The team has been a lot more fun to watch these last three games, even though I know full well they will never win a title with their current personel. I guess I am saying I agree with you as long as the team continues to play a brand of basketball that isn't like watching paint dry. If/when they return to that style I will find watching the games more stressful then not.
you have to root for them to make the playoffs. enjoy the season that way. with a healthy oden and roy... we werent winnng a title anyway.
I think a lot of portland fans are starting to realize what some of us others have known for a bit longer. This team is not built to win a title, and especially with the injuries. I have had vitually no stress this season because I don't think they will compete for a title, so what do i care? Just entertain me with the style of play we have had the last 3 games and I will be happy
well yes of course I root for them to win, I want them to go 82-0 and 16-0 every year, but it just seems less stressful right now if they dont.
My wife seems to enjoy the no stress as well lol. But I informed her that the BCS game will not be so pleasant.
Originally it was for me as well. But I guess I got through my stages of grief and mourning lol. Once I got past that and accepted what this team is and isnt anymore, I started having more fun.
I find myself watching with more "detachment" lately, half-way expecting to see them lose most nights, but like MM, the last few games have actually made the whole team fun to watch for the first time in many, many years -- the outcomes are still very much in doubt, but with Aldridge dominating in the paint and everybody else moving, cutting and screening and getting easier buckets the aesthetics are much easier to take. Don't get me wrong, I had plenty of fun watching Roy dominate games, marvelling at his ability to beat teams almost single-handedly at times, but it generates (generated) a different kind of reaction compared to what I feel when I see LMA throwing down a vicious tomahawk jam off of a pick-and-roll or an alleyoop.
I think thats part of it too. During the GS game I just expected the shot go in, because thats how this season has gone. I wouldnt have been mad had it gone in, I was actually surprised it didnt.
Ha! I noticed the EXACT same thing during the Golden State game. I enjoy not going through the stress. Being middle of the road isn't so bad. You're not set up year after year for disappointment, and you're not so crappy that your team us unwatchable.
I think I've gone into "Cleveland Indian fan mode" from the movie Major League. The quality of the team is not quite as bad as that, but I think the depression from the let down is the same. The history of this team gets worse as is goes. All I can do is inject some humor into it and try to be even crazier than before. Sit there with a foam finger and some face paint in a jersey and heckle the opponents (from my overseas living room). Maybe some Hollywood magic will work its way in somewhere and give us a glorious underdog moment. Enjoying the ride is great, even when it sometimes fizzles out, but enduring harder times are a way for accruing an even greater emotional payoff later (if it ever comes). At least that's what I tell myself so I can sleep at night.
