If you could make yourself a fan of another franchise (2 Viewers)

[Rastapopoulos]

which one would you pick?

The most rational choice would probably be the Lakers, because, even if they're on a downslide, it never lasts long, and as soon as they get some capspace some superstar or other will be begging to be signed by them.

I only ask because I'm considering it. (So tips on how to accomplish it are also helpful.) I'm not getting any younger, and the 20+ years of following the Blazers have brought very little but frustration and misery, and it's certainly not going to get any better in the foreseeable future.

 

[BlazerBeliever]

For some reason I have always been interested in the Magic. I also love Marc Cuban so I may go with the Mavs. I for sure would never go with the Lakers or Jazz. However until The Blazers leave town I will always be a BlazerBeliever!

 

[Mediocre Man]

My first tip would be to find a team with other fair weather fans because if you are ready to leave because of some down time then that's where you would fit best

 

[Rastapopoulos]

My first tip would be to find a team with other fair weather fans because if you are ready to leave because of some down time then that's where you would fit best

Explain to me exactly what's wrong with "fair weather fans". Isn't that like saying "people who go to see enjoyable movies instead of shitty movies are just fair weather movie-goers!!!!" Is it somehow more noble to support the team of the city you just happen to have been born in? Why?

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

My first tip would be to find a team with other fair weather fans because if you are ready to leave because of some down time then that's where you would fit best

 

[Nikolokolus]

Explain to me exactly what's wrong with "fair weather fans". Isn't that like saying "people who go to see enjoyable movies instead of shitty movies are just fair weather movie-goers!!!!" Is it somehow more noble to support the team of the city you just happen to have been born in? Why?

I'm a diehard and will probably be a Blazers fan until the day I die (god help me), but I certainly have softened my view of people that lose interest and get tired of the treadmill of mediocrity and disappointment.

I'm not saying I would change allegiances, but if I did I'd look at a team that has a long running track record of stability and savvy management/ownership and an enjoyable brand of basketball. Burn my eyes, but the Jazz would probably be close to the top of that list

 

[Mediocre Man]

Explain to me exactly what's wrong with "fair weather fans". Isn't that like saying "people who go to see enjoyable movies instead of shitty movies are just fair weather movie-goers!!!!" Is it somehow more noble to support the team of the city you just happen to have been born in? Why?

Not at all. I am a die hard Yankee and Raider fan, and have been since I was a child. It has nothing to do with where you were born, but to switch your love to another team after supposedly having it for someone else just because they frustrate you is chickenshit IMO

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Not at all. I am a die hard Yankee and Raider fan,

A Yankees fan has the temerity to call other fans "fairweather"? That's pretty rich! Maybe if you were a Cubs fan you might have some credibility.

It has nothing to do with where you were born,

Why not? What does it have to do with? Are there good or bad reasons? Are you saying you can pick your team because they're really good, but it's like a marriage - you can't bail when they go to shit?

but to switch your love to another team after supposedly having it for someone else just because they frustrate you is chickenshit IMO

Explain why. Why isn't sticking with a frustrating team just stupid? Isn't this like continuing to buy GM cars just because you liked them when you were a tiny tot? Presumably by your way of thinking the only truly admirable fans would be fans of teams like the Clippers, because their love is so pure that it persists despite the team owner's contempt for them and perpetual undercutting of management's attempt to improve.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Also: what is it that you pledge your loyalty to? The NAME of the team? The LOCATION of the team? The PLAYERS on the team? Must Vancouver Grizzlies fans be fans of the Memphis Grizzlies? Must Charlotte Hornets fans be Charlotte Bobcats fans? Are Washington Bullets fans released from their love-contract when the name is changed to the Wizards? (Particularly because that's such a dumbass name?)

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I've actually had to think about this myself--not in regard to the Blazers, but regarding my football allegiance to the Vikings, for whom I would no longer be able to root if they relocate to LA.

I think if I were to change my allegiance, it would have to be an organization with some integrity, that appears to do things "the right way". Or, perhaps, if there were a specific player who warranted fanship, I would perhaps migrate there.

As far as NBA franchises go, if I were to cease being a Blazer fan (which would require at the very least a concerted effort on management's part to intentionally alienate fans), I would probably go with the Spurs.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

As far as NBA franchises go, if I were to cease being a Blazer fan (which would require at the very least a concerted effort on management's part to intentionally alienate fans), I would probably go with the Spurs.

Agreed. They must be "second-favorite" team of just about everyone but Lakers and Suns fans. But you've got to think they're heading to a dark place by 3 or 4 years from now. If they manage to transition seamlessly to a post-Duncan era then Poppovich is a God.

 

[Masbee]

which one would you pick?

The most rational choice would probably be the Lakers, because, even if they're on a downslide, it never lasts long, and as soon as they get some capspace some superstar or other will be begging to be signed by them.

I only ask because I'm considering it. (So tips on how to accomplish it are also helpful.) I'm not getting any younger, and the 20+ years of following the Blazers have brought very little but frustration and misery, and it's certainly not going to get any better in the foreseeable future.

Considered Miami?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Considered Miami?

I never hated them like so many did, but I see them being a perpetual disappointment to their fans. I've had enough of that. (Besides, it's just not a franchise that inspires love. "The Heat"? Meh.)

 

[Mediocre Man]

A Yankees fan has the temerity to call other fans "fairweather"? That's pretty rich! Maybe if you were a Cubs fan you might have some credibility.





Why not? What does it have to do with? Are there good or bad reasons? Are you saying you can pick your team because they're really good, but it's like a marriage - you can't bail when they go to shit?



Explain why. Why isn't sticking with a frustrating team just stupid? Isn't this like continuing to buy GM cars just because you liked them when you were a tiny tot? Presumably by your way of thinking the only truly admirable fans would be fans of teams like the Clippers, because their love is so pure that it persists despite the team owner's contempt for them and perpetual undercutting of management's attempt to improve.

I have liked the Yankees since Thurmond Munson. There were many down years.

Bailing on a team is chickenshit.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I've actually had to think about this myself--not in regard to the Blazers, but regarding my football allegiance to the Vikings, for whom I would no longer be able to root if they relocate to LA.

I think if I were to change my allegiance, it would have to be an organization with some integrity, that appears to do things "the right way". Or, perhaps, if there were a specific player who warranted fanship, I would perhaps migrate there.

As far as NBA franchises go, if I were to cease being a Blazer fan (which would require at the very least a concerted effort on management's part to intentionally alienate fans), I would probably go with the Spurs.

Plenty of room left on the Packers bench

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Plenty of room left on the Packers bench

Never. Not in a million years. The notion nauseates me.

I'm about as likely to become a Cheesehead as I am to wear a Kobe jersey.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I used to be a fan of the Miami heat back in the day because my favorite player at the time (sherman douglas aka the original Raymond Felton) played there. so i'd probably say them. cool logo, miami is a cool city.

I've been a semifan of:

the celtics (when sherman douglas was there)
the heat (when sherman douglas was there)
the magic (i was a shaq fan until he went to the urine and violet)

I could never cheer for the urine and violet. ever.

but honestly, if i stopped cheering for the blazers, now I'd probably stop following the NBA and become a euro-soccer douchebag.

 

[PapaG]

Dallas. I actually like them.

Cuban and Dirk are each unique, but great, in what they do, and I've never had a reason to hate that team.

I'm also starting to accept OKC, just because Kevin Durant is such a freakishly fun player to watch.

 

[PapaG]

I used to be a fan of the Miami heat back in the day because my favorite player at the time (sherman douglas aka the original Raymond Felton) played there. so i'd probably say them. cool logo, miami is a cool city.

I've been a semifan of:

the celtics (when sherman douglas was there)
the heat (when sherman douglas was there)
the magic (i was a shaq fan until he went to the urine and violet)

I could never cheer for the urine and violet. ever.

Sherman Douglas. Nice. I actually think that of the Syracuse guards, Pearl Washington was the original Ray Felton, though.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I think it was all because of that Footlocker commercial where he did "The Sherman Shuffle"

 

[Mediocre Man]

I think it was all because of that Footlocker commercial where he did "The Sherman Shuffle"

Love the avatar

 

[crandc]

It's one thing to lose (some) interest in a team when they suck. I admit, I watched fewer Blazers games on TV than I had in some past years when the schedule was posted by my TV so I wouldn't miss a minute. But that's not the same as saying I'll just find someone else to root for.

I watch the playoffs when my teams aren't in it and usually have a rooting interest; if nothing else, the underdog. And whoever plays the Lakers (in baseball, Yankees). But I am still a Blazers fan first last and always.

If, may the basketball gods forbid, the Blazers ceased to exist, would I find another team? Probably root for Sacramento, lukewarm. Root for individual players I like.

But when the Portland Fire folded, I still watched WNBA games on TV but to this day I've never found another team I really love. Because love can't be commanded. You don't stop loving a sick spouse, do you? Or hell, even a spouse who ditches you, very often. I did not make a grand plan to fall in love with the Portland Trail Blazers. But I did. And I remain. And I will remain. And everyone else will always be "just a good friend" and never my true love. Never.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Bailing on a team is chickenshit.

Mindlessly repeating the word "chickenshit" because one doesn't have anything contentful to say is chickenshit.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Love the avatar

http://www.quickmeme.com/Successful-Black-Man/

:MARIS61:

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Because love can't be commanded. You don't stop loving a sick spouse, do you? Or hell, even a spouse who ditches you, very often. I did not make a grand plan to fall in love with the Portland Trail Blazers. But I did. And I remain. And I will remain. And everyone else will always be "just a good friend" and never my true love. Never.

Eloquently put. Although one way to end love is for the spouse to betray you. So if the Trail Blazers moved to Anaheim, it might be easier. Although then you just stay in love with the memory, like those sad, sad Seattle SuperSonics fans.

I think the analogy with romantic love is sadly apt. But I'm looking for an open relationship. I don't mind if the Blazers seek out other fans, I really don't.

 

[mook]

I'd start following your favorite players. I know Minstrel became a Blazer fan because of Pippen. (He seems to have been cured, judging by his posting frequency lately.)

Problem is that my favorite player to watch for the pure joy of the game is LeBron. He's just....man, we all know how amazing he is. It's just so unfortunate that he formed a superteam with Wade and Bosh. I can't bring myself to care about the Heat like I used to when he was carrying the Cavs.

I'd be might tempted to pick up the Bulls as my new favorite team. Exciting point guards are always a blast, and the inevitable epic battles with the Heat would make it worthwhile. Even if the Bulls are likely going to wind up on the losing side most years.

The Clippers could be fun to get behind. You've got until the end of this season to legitimately say, "I was a fan of them before everybody knew about them." But then you just know fate is going to yank out that football on Charlie Brown and they'll revert to being the Clippers. So maybe that's not such a hot idea.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I will always be a Blazer fan . . . but I admit that when they suck, I naturally lose interest and divert my attention to all the other things going on in my life.

This season I don't have a problem with letting go of the Blazers and the NBA (think I've seen 2 out of the last 5-7 games, which is something for a fan that usually attends and/or DVR and rewatches the games).

Next year will be tough for me. I do enjoy the NBA and if the Blazers next year are anything like this year (fighting for lottery seeding/tanking), I will probably pick up some team to follow and root for.

I usually go with a team I feel I have some connection with, either location, player on the team or personality of the team. I have found myself liking the Suns and Mavs as an organization, the rebellious side of me enjoys rooting for the villians in Kobe and Lebron and in general I root for west coast teams over east coast teams.

 

[Wheels]

Explain to me exactly what's wrong with "fair weather fans". Isn't that like saying "people who go to see enjoyable movies instead of shitty movies are just fair weather movie-goers!!!!" Is it somehow more noble to support the team of the city you just happen to have been born in? Why?

each to their own on changing teams. But jumping to a ship that wins a title after I become a fan would just feel empty and hollow to me. And personally I'll take 1 Championship in my lifetime that means the world to me, over 20 that meant very little to me personally.

 

[Wheels]

A Yankees fan has the temerity to call other fans "fairweather"? That's pretty rich! Maybe if you were a Cubs fan you might have some credibility.

Depends on when you became a Yankee fan IMO. As a kid I either had the Mariners shoved down my throat due to proximity, or Dodgers due to my dad lol. Don Mattingly was my absolute favorite player as a kid, and the Yankees sucked to there! I'm not Fairweather when a team wins!

 

[e_blazer]

I don't get the question. Did the Blazers relocate to another city and nobody bothered to tell us? Unless that were to happen, I don't think there's any way I could become an active fan of another NBA team. I'm an Oregonian through and through. I fell in love with the Blazers their first season and have followed them ever since that time. In the good years, it's great to follow a winner. The championship season was pure adrenalin here in Portland. The following year, when the team started out 50-10 was as close to basketball nirvana as it's possible to get. The dream of multiple titles for that team ended when Walton was injured and then abandoned ship. When the team has been down, I'm always excited about the prospect of moves to be made to get back into competition. The last thing I could ever envision myself doing is rooting for a team in another city simply because they're the favorites for a title. I see no thrill in jumping on to, say, the Heat bandwagon just so I can celebrate a title that I've not been invested in at all. There have been other teams that I've admired because of the way they play or because they have some classy players (the Spurs would be an example), and I may root for them when the Blazers are eliminated from contention, as they are this year, but I'm always going to be a Blazers fan until the day I die.

Does that make me a homer? Good.