Free Agent Fan Needs Help Picking Team

[kmsmith5]

I need your help in deciding on a favorite NBA team. I have been a huge basketball fan all of my life. I have never had a hometown team growing up in Buffalo, NY. I used to root against the Bulls when I was a kid because they were so dominant. I like underdogs because I am a Bills and Sabres fan. I don’t want to be bandwagon so I am disqualifying all teams that have won a championship in my lifetime. I have narrowed it down to Minnesota, LA Clippers, Golden State, New Jersey, Dallas, OKC, and Toronto, These are the criteria I am considering when deciding on a team I will follow for the rest of my life

1. Location: I want to be able to watch the team that I choose. Toronto is a short drive into Canada so the Raptors get points there. However, I can watch all Nets and Knicks games on YES and MSG respectively, and I plan on moving to NYC in about a year. I also plan on moving to LA eventually (5+ years from now) but of course that could change. So the Clippers are in the mix and get extra points for being the former Buffalo Braves.

2. Future Outlook: As long as I have the power to choose I might as well pick a team headed in the right direction. Again, I would prefer to not be bandwagon, so a young team with a lot of potential is preferred over an older current contender. The Clippers get points for their core of Griffin/Gorgon and Minnesota’s 2012 unprotected draft pick. I’m also a Syracuse fan so if the Nets get Carmelo without giving up too much they will get major points.

3. Owner/GM: This is part of the future outlook, but a team like the Clippers loses points here for obvious reasons. Good owners get more points than a good GM because they are more permanent.

A few notes on each potential team:
Minnesota
Pros: Kevin Love (huge fan of him since HS), Jonny Flynn and Wes Johnson (‘Cuse fan even though they may be busts) Rubio(maybe?)

Cons: Don’t like most moves their GM has made and their location doesn’t get them any points. Don’t have their 2012 draft pick (Clippers unprotected) and it should be a very deep draft considering the potential lockout.

LA Clippers
Pros: Griffin, Gordon, Davis’ very recent resurgence, the aforementioned Min. 2012 unprotected pick. Location. Former Buffalo Braves

Cons: It’s the Clippers, Donald Sterling. Bills, Sabres, Clippers combination might kill me in the long run.

Oklahoma City
Pros: Durant (been a huge fan since college), already a contender, Good GM.

Cons: Location, Don’t like team nickname, colors, or that they left Seattle the way they did.

Golden State
Pros: Stephen Curry, location gets some points; I like the team nickname, great fans

Cons: new unproven ownership/GM

Nets
Pros: With or Without Carmelo I like the roster going forward (if they don’t give up too much for him), Owner (even though he’s unproven), Location, move to Brooklyn would be a plus, TV availability (YES network)

Cons: Carmelo deal could handcuff building of team. Billy King. New Owner might not be as good as he seems. Lopez’s slump might be permanent.

Dallas
Pros: Already a contender, Cuban will keep them competitive; Dirk probably has a few good years left in him considering his style of play

Cons: Location, since I don’t see myself living near Dallas anytime soon.

Toronto
Pros: Location (nearby currently), They’re fairly new so I haven’t missed as much of their history. Great fans

Cons: Location (they’re Canadian and hard to catch on TV), Ownership is cheap, GM Colangelo has made some bad moves in Toronto since helping build Suns.

Thank you for any input. I don't expect fans of these teams to care about adding one more loyal fan, but I thought it could be an interesting discussion while helping to make my decision.

[RiversideClips]

KMSMITH5--- Come to Clipper Nation
As a kid growing up in Eastern Ontario Canada, I followed the Bills,Expos, Celtics & my beloved "CUSE," I have gone to about 30 games at the Carrier Dome.Since moving to SoCal 16 years ago, there was only one team to ROOT for. I have only changed my alligence in the NBA to The L.A. Clippers!!
Here is why:
#1There is NO better stadium on Game Day, than the RED/WHITE/BLUE of Clipper Nation @ Staples. There is no such thing as a BANDWAGON, you are part of Clipper Nation or you like the other team.
#2 Clipper Darryl will PUMP up the crowd
#3 The Clipper Organization is one of the busiest NBA clubs for Community Service
#4 CLIPPER NATION is like "FAMILY"
#5 8 years as a Season Ticket HOLDER, best PERKS in the NBA!!
#6 CLIPPER NATION has No Love for the team in Purple & Gold, who share OUR stadium.
#7 We can't go anywhere, but UP!!
#8 Cheaper parking than the other L.A. team
#9 You can always get a ticket at a decent price
#10 Blake, DeAndre, Eric(x2) /// Can you Say Parade in L.A. by 2014 & its for CLIPPER NATION!!!

[mkwest]

You don't choose the Clippers. Nobody does. The Clippers choose you.

The easiest thing would be to root for the team that is in your local area. You can catch all of their games without having to buy LP or going link hunting. If you want to see them live, then it's not really a hassle. The Raptors (for as long as you are in Buffalo) or one of the other New York teams will probably be the easiest to fit in with. You'll have more people around you to socialize about the team with.

Think of your health (psychological and physical). I am a fan of both the Clippers and the Raiders. That's a lot of headaches and heartaches.

You may move here in 5 years, and that's when the Clippers could be hitting their stride with Gordon and Griffin both being around 27 and in their primes. That's also a lot of time and the franchise track record cannot be used as an indicator for impending success.


Why you should consider becoming a Clipper fan:

We have a loyal fanbase that are by no means bandwagoners. Will we get bandwagoners if we become a good team? Sure, but they'll be very easy to spot. It would be better to jump on the bandwagon on the way up than at the peak, because you've put in time and it is more rewarding. If you get in early, you are not going to be considered a bandwagoner or frontrunner. We have some very loyal long-term season ticket holders that support the team like no other. They're not there to see the other teams. They are there for the Clippers. Our owner sucks, but the fans are great people.

Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon are great building blocks that are arguably top 5 at their position right now. Both have the right attitudes and work ethics to become even greater. They're easy to root for and are not going to embarrass or frustrate you with their off the court antics. We're going to have capspace in 2012 along with a likely lottery pick from Minnesota. We could very well be in the running of adding Dwight Howard, Chris Paul or Deron Williams (who has supposedly mentioned the Clippers as a team he is thinking about playing for) and a potential franchise player from the draft all in the same year.

The team is on an upward swing and is in a great position playing in a league where some of the best young players have moved east and the teams in the west are either rebuilding or are getting long in the tooth and will be rebuilding soon themselves.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

kmsmith5, I don't see why you could root for more than one team. I think you can choose between the Nets and Raptors since you are close and can easily watch one on TV. I also think you can root for the Clippers, I always welcome people to support our team. We have a bright future and if you'll be here in a few years you can easily go to games. That is just my personal opinion

[Sofia]

I love me some clips. I've only ever been to one clips game, back in 04, and I live i'm 17 hours ahead. Don't matter, they're my team and I get in up to 20 clips games a year.

[donemilio21]

Clippers can only promise you neverending Hope, Blood, Sweat, Toil and Tears...