Do NBA teams and superstars really want to take the “win at all costs” to concept to the fullest? Even at the expense of antagonizing their fans?
Through the years of watching sports, I came to learn to accept the fact that my favorite teams or players cannot win games, conferences or tournaments all the time because they will be going up against other worthy opponents or some freakish injury might occur.
Besides, there are 30 teams in the NBA and only one can bring home a trophy every year. Logic tells us that some city might never experience a title during a fan’s lifetime.
But one thing I would hate as a fan is not seeing my favorite players on the floor even when he can.
I am a guy who loves both the action on the floor and the history of the game. It will always turns me off if I don’t see the player I’m rooting for performing on the hardcourt and he misses his opportunity to accumulate stats to vie for historical things like winning an award or a place in the league all-time rankings because of a healthy scratch.
How would you feel as a fan, especially paying, if you got the answer “Wala lang, gusto daw nyang makapaglaro sa finals.” to your “Bakit di naglalaro ung paborito ko?” question?
The premium that Lebron James, the San Antonio Spurs, and company on winning championships is, in my opinion, blown out of proportion.
I used to be an avid follower of the Jojo lastimosa led Alaska Aces during the ’90s and had this teasing going on with a close friend who undying rooted for his Ginebra Gin Kings.
I used to brag about the titles that the Aces won which the Gin Kings could not match.
But truth of the matter is, I could not admit to him that I really love watching both teams.
While I love the championships as a result of the methodical approach that triangle offense brought to
Alaska, the never-say-die, the full of three point shooting approach of Coach Sonny Jaworski was a different perspective that was fun to watch.
Championships are not the only “thing” in sports. Ginebra proves this. Their coaches, players, and fans came and have gone but they were then and still are followed because of this “never-say-die” spirit. Even now that Tim Cone has become their coach.
Baseball fans just saw three instances of decades-long title-less streak snapped. But the fans of the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs did not leave their teams during these losing streaks. These cities, in fact, have one of the most loyal fan bases in America even before ended their streaks.
NBA players, especially superstars, and teams should rethink this flipping the switch thing only during the playoffs, where things supposedly really matter.
Do they really want becoming a seasonal great player, who will only be watchable during the playoffs?
There are many things that glitter in sports aside from trophies. Like the constant love and admiration of the fans. It would be difficult to reclaim the admiration from a fan once that fan voluntary gives it up.
By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS
