Now the playoffs begin.
They began a week ago, but these 4 games represent the real of the playoff matchups. The Rockets are up against the Warriors in a battle that is only showing off how deep the Warriors squad truly is. With two starters (including Curry) down with injury they still are up by two games. I’ve been playing a bit of the 2k and let me say that having a wealth of shooters as they do is absolute gold. Try winning a game when the opposing team is scoring 3 points for every 2 you score. I’ve been on the benefiting side of that lately in youth football. We kick extra points, which is two points for the 1 you get by ‘going for it’ instead of the kick. It’s been the difference in every win so far this season. The Warriors know all about that life.
Meanwhile the eastern conference is giving everyone exactly what they asked for with Boston v. Bucks. Giannis is one of the key stars in the league and he is up against a team of young stars led by ‘Uncle Drew’.
Sports have always been about the storyline. In the battles I mentioned there are stories being told and as such we as viewers are engaged. We find our heroes and our villains in these stories and we align ourselves behind them. We wear the colors to show our allegiance and chant the cheers and boo the fouls and feel slighted if things don’t go our way. We form these distant tribes as a way of belonging. It is a way of belonging that is safe. It is a way of belonging where there is no chance of rejection. The team will never say we cannot be fans. There is always a place for us and those around us who where the same color and cheer the same team will support us. We will become a surging crowd and bolster our lead force and with our voices lift them towards victory.
Or pout and curse when they lose.
Being a fan is a common thing but is a very odd thing nonetheless. I have long been a fan and loved it. I have fewer team allegiances these days. In basketball I am largely rooting for a good game, and maybe a few heroes stepping up big.