I'm not much of a sports fan. There are aspects to the game that I still don't quite understand. I was never involved in teams or leagues or any sort of organized athletic faction because my father didn't permit me. I was too small to get involved, my father would rationalize, and I'm too prone for injury. Its easy to become disinterest in things that you are not involved in. I would give off a sigh when kids stayed after school for practice or suit up while discussing plays, wishing I could've been there with them.
I sucked with a basketball. I still suck with a basketball. I can admit that because my heart isn't truly in the game; but I respect those whose hearts are. On all corners of my family lively debates would spawn, sometimes in full fledged arguments despite promising to be civil. Those are diehard fans. They are fanatics. But there are other groups as well.
These groups the haters and the bandwagon riders.
I don't think it would be dire for me to define these terms. Every season, no matter what sport, people are accused of being these terms when they are tossed around in living rooms, garages and bars around the world. I don't think the social ecosystem can exist without the need to label those we feel are not like us. We want to put blame on others to make ourselves feel more superior. It generates our trash talk and fuels rivalries to the point of generational hate.
But to bring it all back, I am happy that the LA Lakers won. I am a fan of their franchise, and though I don't sit around reading stats or tune into ESPN for the highlights, I don't think I am a a so-called bandwagon rider.
My partner in rhyme, Rocky, has it out for the Lakers. As to why? I'm not so sure. But you can read his tweets to get a better understanding of what I mean. Like many of my recents endevours in rhyme, he is what sparked this entry after such a long hiatus. He writes, "I don't hate the lakers or their fans. But laker banwagons at least TELL me where the lakers orginate from....... yea stfu."
Well aside from being founded in Detroit before moving to Minneapolis and ultimately to Los Angeles, I can say that that they are one of, if not the best teams in the league. So, why the hate? You can't talk about wrestling without mentioning Stone Cold Steve Austin or The Rock. You can't talk about baseball without the Yankees and you certainly can't talk hip hop without Alighieri. Okay, that last one was a joke, but you get the picture.
In a sense, I'm defending those who are perceived as bandwagon riders and argue the case as simply being noobs. Our interests start somewhere. The first game we attended, watched on TV or even played. You might have even had the difficult task of coaching. But it all starts somewhere. No one is instantaneously an expert on a particular subject, it takes time and interest. Since sport is all about competition, wouldn't the interest naturally fruition on someone successful? Say, Kobe Bryant?
I am a fan of LA because we don't have a home team. We have the Padres who are actually pretty good this season, but not World Series material... yet. We have the Chargers who seem to always trip at the finish line every year. We had the Rockets and the Clippers at one point in time, but we are currently vacant in the NBA. Sure I could cheer for either of those teams but they are not impressive enough. The Lakers are about the closest thing to a home team we've got and I speak truth for anyone loyal to all LA, Riverside, Orange and San Diego counties. Hell, Mexico can get their slice as well.
And Kobe is reputable because of his illustrious career. I'm not saying it was all good times for him, you know what I'm talking about. He's an impressive player. People gravitate to greatness and greatness is often exposed to the masses in the playoffs. Despite struggling with points in game 7, his rebounds kept LA afloat. He gets the glory because as a whole he's been the leader throughout. Judge me in my entirety lest you judge me at all.
In the end, its just a game. And what most are arguing about are its politics. Have your fun. Cheer, moped, congratulate, condemn. This is far from my intended explanation, but it'll have to do. I'll be over here when you're finished.
Oh and LA, stop rioting, you're known to do that. It hurts the city more than anything.
Yulster
Five for fighting.
