When it comes to the playoffs, for any sport, the true fans begin to surface. This is not always a good thing as some fans tend to make the playoffs an enjoyable event for all and some tend to make the playoffs very stressful for anyone that is near them.
This is certainly the case for the fans of the NBA playoffs. Currently, the conference finals are in progress and three distinct types of fans are making their mark. In the Western Conference Finals a battle is ensuing between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers. In the Eastern Conference Finals the Orlando Magic is battling the Boston Celtics to prevent elimination. What these four teams have in common is that all four of these teams have had a great season so far and all four have earned their current position.
Another thing these four teams have in common is 3 different types of fans.
1) The first group is the committed fans. The definition of commit is to, “pledge or obligate oneself.” The committed fan is in support of their favorite team no matter what. Win or lose the committed fan can regularly be heard singing the praises of individual team members, the coach, and the team as a whole.
The committed fan does not mean any harm to any other team but will not be swayed against the team they love. The committed fan simply enjoys watching their favorite team play. The committed fan either grew up in a household where the family supported that particular team or the committed fan simply grew their own attachment to the team.
Either way, the committed fan will never disappoint the team and will always support them.
2) The second group is the obnoxious fans. The definition of obnoxious is, “annoying or objectionable due to being a showoff or attracting undue attention to oneself.”
This group can also be termed the “bar fight” group. This group also loves their team but their support is extreme. The obnoxious fan regularly speaks ill of other teams even when those teams are performing well. The obnoxious fan will never admit their team is having a bad game even if the team is down by 40 points.
The obnoxious fan is loud and overbearing and often makes watching the game a miserable time for everyone. The obnoxious sports fan always thinks it is unfair when their team loses. It is either the refs fault, the other team’s fault, or their team threw the game on purpose to extend the series and sell more tickets.
The obnoxious fan also typically speaks of the team as if they personally know everyone on the team and as if they own stock in the team. This type of fan sucks the fun out of any sporting event in a relatively short amount of time.
3) The third group is the bandwagon fans. The definition of bandwagon is, “a party, cause, or movement, that by its mass appeal, or strength, readily attracts many followers.” This group can also be termed the “fairweather” group. This group of fans likes whatever team is doing well that season.
This group of fans may have spoken quite ill of a team the season before but if that same team is doing well in the subsequent season, the bandwagon fan is now the team’s biggest supporter. The bandwagon fan wants everyone to believe that the team they currently support is the team they have always supported. However, one look through the bandwagon fan’s closet will show you how many team jerseys they have worn over the years.
Do you know someone in each of these categories? Now, be honest with yourself…..which type of fan are you? Whichever type of fan you choose to be, remember that playoffs are an exciting time for a lot of people. Celebrate and have fun! No stress and no worries.
May the best team win!
**Definitions from www.dictionary.reference.com***
