OT-ish: Does historical/legacy stakes affect your enjoyment of the playoffs?

[Goudelock]

I thought this would get more thoughtful discussion on the PC board so I'm posting this here

There's a thread going on the General Board about people's preference for dominance vs. parity, with good points on both sides. There's at least one post arguing that the playoffs are most enjoyable when it feels like players/teams legacy is going to be affected by the outcome.

I know that on this board, most of the posts are devoted to debating one player's historical merits vs. another's. But, and this is what I want to know from you all, is that something you're thinking about in real time as the games or series are happening?

Is anyone watching the Pacers vs. Celtics series thinking "I enjoy this more knowing that Jayson Tatum's legacy is going to be changed by the outcome?"

I think it's a strange way to approach the sport, but also explains why, for as much crap as people give ESPN and other media outlets for caring about narratives over the game, that those media entities are really just giving people what they want.

I enjoy this new era of parity because at least half of the teams in the playoffs could realistically win a title if things broke their way, instead of two or just one. More competitive basketball is a good thing.

But maybe I'm just not seeing what everyone else sees, so if I'm full of it, let me know.

[tsherkin]

I don't particularly care about legacy stuff most of the time. I just want to see good basketball, good teams going at it. Sometimes, the desperation involved in legacy-related things can create some drive, but I find that tends to orbit first titles and contention late in a player's career. Makes for a nice subplot sometimes, I suppose.

I don't think there is real parity in the league, and I heavily contest the idea that half the league could win a title if things broke their way. The top teams are still the thing, we just don't have anyone in a great situation for extended dominance right now. That will eventually change, so this is more a breather than a new paradigm, IMHO.

[Special_Puppy]

Legacy only really matters for players who have a good chance of retiring top 20 All time. Not sure any of the remaining players in the playoffs are there yet unless you are very high on Luka

[penbeast0]

It might make it more palatable for Dallas to beat Minnesota who I am rooting for if I can see it as a legacy step for Luka to become one of the NBA greats, yes. It will make me more likely to root for Dallas in the finals too. Still hoping for T-Wolves to win title for all of the traditionally miserable franchises out there (Clippers, Wizards, etc).

[tsherkin]

Still hoping for T-Wolves to win title for all of the traditionally miserable franchises out there (Clippers, Wizards, etc).

Such a romantic xD

[One_and_Done]

Yes, because fans and commentators who don't understand basketball will use it to create bogus narratives to hype certain players. I think we all enjoy the narratives to some degree, but boy do they make it tough to root for guys sometimes.

I should be rooting for Jokic to win. He's a high character player from a small market team who plays the right way. Unfortunately it became impossible for me to do so, because of the out of control hype train that was depicting him as the GOAT.

[parsnips33]

I think Warriors winning in 2022 freed me from this lol

Probably at it's worst for me during the last 2 seasons of the KD era, I thought a lot more about how other people saw the team/players than how I saw them

It's all much more enjoyable without that element hanging over head

[Tim Lehrbach]

I think it's a strange way to approach the sport, but also explains why, for as much crap as people give ESPN and other media outlets for caring about narratives over the game, that those media entities are really just giving people what they want.

Two questions:

Why is it interesting to spectate people contesting a game in which you play no part?

What does "narrative" mean to you?

[Statlanta]

yes, tbh it's the only reason I watch, to see where these guys rank before I die and to see if anybody surpasses the greats I've known all my life.

NBC does a great job of hyping these up before they play Roundball Rock in their intros.

[LukaTheGOAT]

Yes, because I see how my grandfather Jerry West, my father Reggie Miller, and my brother Chris Paul have been treated and want better for my son Luka.

Suppose a Boston vs Dallas NBA Finals would be traumatic too.

[OhayoKD]

I think it's a strange way to approach the sport, but also explains why, for as much crap as people give ESPN and other media outlets for caring about narratives over the game, that those media entities are really just giving people what they want.

Two questions:

Why is it interesting to spectate people contesting a game in which you play no part?

What does "narrative" mean to you?

The game is inofitself a narrative. Being invested in the context surrounding it is perfectly normal

[Colbinii]

It might make it more palatable for Dallas to beat Minnesota who I am rooting for if I can see it as a legacy step for Luka to become one of the NBA greats, yes. It will make me more likely to root for Dallas in the finals too. Still hoping for T-Wolves to win title for all of the traditionally miserable franchises out there (Clippers, Wizards, etc).

Yeah the Clippers, Wizards, Kings and Timberwolves seemingly are in a class of their own for...as Chuck would say "turrubleness"

[penbeast0]

Maybe Hornets too, Cleveland except in the brief LeBron period. Clippers have been meh in 21st century but had the Donald Sterling years to possibly drag them to the bottom of any all-time NBA franchise ranking. Knicks deserve a mention; not the bottom feeders all the others were but as a NY franchise with the advantage of that over every other NBA team (except maybe the Lakers), they have managed an incredible record of mediocrity since the mid 70s.

[Texas Chuck]

I follow my leader, Dirk, who said he'd worry about his legacy when he was done playing. I don't think about it at all when watching the games.

[Special_Puppy]

I will say that IF the Mavs beat the Timberwolves and the Celtics that would automically become one of the most celebrated rings in NBA history.