June 10, 2009
So while I’ve long since abandoned the idea of being a Laker fan (going back on that and jumping on the band wagon would against all I stand for), I am not necessarily cheering for the Magic to beat them in the finals this year. I think that being impartial certainly has its benefits, and I believe the Lakers are going to win the finals in 5 or 6 games. The Magic have nothing but perimeter shooting and the inside presence of Howard, a big man whose offensive game makes Shaq look like Hakeem Olajuwon. The Lakers have the match up problems to take out the Magic, especially given the length of their defenders. For the Magic to have shot 63.5% and still only win by 4 points is an indicator for me, that this series should be over in 5 unless the Lakers get lazy again and let another game slip. I’m sure there are still some nervous Laker fans out there, but your nuts. Nothing about the Magic coming back to win makes any sense to me from a basketball standpoint, and basketball logic is right 97% of the time. I think the Lakers should try to get Lebron when he becomes a free agent, all you have to do is start up the rumor mill. But anyway, this series has really gotten me to think about who and why people root for teams and individuals. To a lesser degree, I believe other than diehard fans, most people root for teams, but are really rooting for individuals. But why we root for those individuals is usually more complex than something we take at first glance. Take for instance, Dwight Howard. I’ve heard him speak on numerous talk radio shows and the media and he seems like a very nice kid, funny, and doesn’t take himself too seriously. Good lord is it difficult to be a fan of his from a basketball prospective, his game is just terrible and ugly to watch. He has no moves, no skillset, if Yao Ming was blessed with his athletic ability and body type, he would be the greatest player since Wilt. Howard will be lucky if he becomes the next David Robinson. His lack of game makes it very difficult to root for the Magic, which conflicts with the idea that I root for good people to do well. Kobe isn’t what I would call someone who is easy to root for from a personal vantage point, but when you watch him, you can’t help but respect his game. You can see the sheer determination to win in his game (even without that stupid scowl he did in game 1), and I can’t help but respect that. It makes me see him want to win because he deserves it. I find one of the stupidest and most common criticisms of Kobe is that he cheated on his wife and they have kids.First off, it makes no difference to me whether or not you have kids with a woman, that doesn’t make you cheating on her any better or worse, its the same damn thing. And what I find really stupid about this is that most people who say this rooted for Jordan, who btw also cheated on his wife. Many of whom still like Bill Clinton, who again, did the same damn thing. Just be consistent with criticism is all I ask. The most honest way to look at it is that you probably didn’t like the person to begin with, and them having a particular flaw or public indiscretion has somehow given you the opportunity to tear them down in your mind. This isn’t always the case, but seems to me to be accurate 9 out of 10 times. I believe you have in your head who you want to root for, and the things you hear are going to reinforce that because you’ve already made up your mind. Thats the real reason that David Robinson doing a charity event is a prime example of good citizenship while Terrel Owens doing one is something of self promotion and egotism. In a case of the 1 out of 10 times where public information actually changed my opinion of people, I did genuinely like John and Kate before they both went insane. I consider myself a decent judge of character, no apologies for that sounding conceited.

So while I’ve long since abandoned the idea of being a Laker fan (going back on that and jumping on the band wagon would against all I stand for), I am not necessarily cheering for the Magic to beat them in the finals this year. I think that being impartial certainly has its benefits, and I believe the Lakers are going to win the finals in 5 or 6 games.

The Magic have nothing but perimeter shooting and the inside presence of Howard, a big man whose offensive game makes Shaq look like Hakeem Olajuwon. The Lakers have the match up problems to take out the Magic, especially given the length of their defenders. For the Magic to have shot 63.5% and still only win by 4 points is an indicator for me, that this series should be over in 5 unless the Lakers get lazy again and let another game slip. I’m sure there are still some nervous Laker fans out there, but your nuts. Nothing about the Magic coming back to win makes any sense to me from a basketball standpoint, and basketball logic is right 97% of the time.

I think the Lakers should try to get Lebron when he becomes a free agent, all you have to do is start up the rumor mill.

But anyway, this series has really gotten me to think about who and why people root for teams and individuals. To a lesser degree, I believe other than diehard fans, most people root for teams, but are really rooting for individuals. But why we root for those individuals is usually more complex than something we take at first glance. Take for instance, Dwight Howard. I’ve heard him speak on numerous talk radio shows and the media and he seems like a very nice kid, funny, and doesn’t take himself too seriously. Good lord is it difficult to be a fan of his from a basketball prospective, his game is just terrible and ugly to watch. He has no moves, no skillset, if Yao Ming was blessed with his athletic ability and body type, he would be the greatest player since Wilt. Howard will be lucky if he becomes the next David Robinson. His lack of game makes it very difficult to root for the Magic, which conflicts with the idea that I root for good people to do well. Kobe isn’t what I would call someone who is easy to root for from a personal vantage point, but when you watch him, you can’t help but respect his game. You can see the sheer determination to win in his game (even without that stupid scowl he did in game 1), and I can’t help but respect that. It makes me see him want to win because he deserves it. I find one of the stupidest and most common criticisms of Kobe is that he cheated on his wife and they have kids.First off, it makes no difference to me whether or not you have kids with a woman, that doesn’t make you cheating on her any better or worse, its the same damn thing. And what I find really stupid about this is that most people who say this rooted for Jordan, who btw also cheated on his wife. Many of whom still like Bill Clinton, who again, did the same damn thing. Just be consistent with criticism is all I ask. The most honest way to look at it is that you probably didn’t like the person to begin with, and them having a particular flaw or public indiscretion has somehow given you the opportunity to tear them down in your mind. This isn’t always the case, but seems to me to be accurate 9 out of 10 times. I believe you have in your head who you want to root for, and the things you hear are going to reinforce that because you’ve already made up your mind. Thats the real reason that David Robinson doing a charity event is a prime example of good citizenship while Terrel Owens doing one is something of self promotion and egotism.

In a case of the 1 out of 10 times where public information actually changed my opinion of people, I did genuinely like John and Kate before they both went insane. I consider myself a decent judge of character, no apologies for that sounding conceited.

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