curiosity about fans of bad teams..

[HarlemHeat37]

what do y'all do when you watch games? I'm curious..because I see a lot of fans on many teams boards hoping to tank more games and get a better pick..so how do you specifically cheer during a game you're watching? do you cheer for the other team to score? do you cheer for your team the entire game until it's crunch time? or do you just not mind if your team wins the game?..strange question, but I'm curious..

[theGreatRC]

I want the wolves to win every game, but at the same time, if there is a loss; I wouldn't be as mad if we lost and we were going for the playoffs.

I watch the Celtics a lot because I want KG to succeed, so that usually eases the pain of losing.

[_SRV_]

Kings were out of the POs by the end of last season, still when I watched games against good teams I loved seeing them competing, the PHX game was great, we got win that had we not got it, we would've ended with the same record as Portland, if I don't want them to win, watching the game is pretty much pointless, I'd rather watch top teams play.

[Bit's]

I always want to see the Pacers wins, even if we are terrible like this season.

And when we lose a game, it makes me angry, but I'll cheer for the teams that have worse record than us to win theirs games for the Pacers get a better pick.

[Det the Threat]

I watch those games, cause even though my head tells me that losing this game would be better for those ping pong balls, my heart tells me that there's nothing more refreshing and exciting then seeing our young guys on the Sonics being rewarded for their hard work, by winning a game.

[thamadkant]

this is a weird question...

I am a suns fan... but when my team plays a team with players on my fantasy team... i want those players to to explode... doesnt even matter sometimes if the suns lose... as my fantasy leagues have money wagers on them


but it depends sometimes...

[D1SGRUNTL3D]

I cheer for wolves wins.

Losses dont hurt totally but close losses suck

But also focusing alot more on progression this year then actual wins

[Bucky O'Hare]

I want the players to play well, particularly the young players who will be a big part of the future, while the team loses, preferably due to bad coaching and inexperience.

[CanadianKnicksFan]

I'm a Knicks fan, and I want them to lose every single game. Except I want them to beat certain teams like the nets, raptors, etc

[Basti]

I cheer for wolves wins.

Losses dont hurt totally but close losses suck

But also focusing alot more on progression this year then actual wins

pretty much the same for me here. I hate to lose but this season I got used to it. seeing the wolves win more often lately is a nice feeling though

but games when we lose by stupid mistakes (i.e. the 1st boston game) I'm really pissed

but since there's often a light at the end of a tunnel, by the time the wolves will win again and make it into PO or into finals, seeing them winning is even more joyful to watch

[magee]

NBa-holes want what is best for their team, both now and in the future. A loss doesn't equal a higher draft pick, just better odds for one. But bad teams in small markets are dreadful for the NBA because teams like the Timberwolves are losing mills upon mills. Fans are a tricky bunch because each have their own opinion on what's best for the team, even though the ultimate goal is the same: win.

[fluffernutter]

As a Bobcats fan I look at player development, team development, and potential for the future.

Obviously the Bobcats suck right now. But it's interesting to see how the drafts go, how players develop (or not), how the coach is developing (gag!) - or not.

And they sometimes play well and win nice games (i.e. vs. the Celtics, etc.). So it's never completely hopeless.

[revprodeji]

Seeing the wolves improve as a team, and individual players improve is what makes the games interesting. I guess that is the difference between a rebuilding team that is progressing and improving compared to a team that is in basketball purgatory.

[MagicMadness]

I remember the season the Magic went 21-61; I wouldn't necessarily root for opposing teams, but I wasn't particularly ecstatic about Magic wins either.

When watching games, I'd try to determine who I thought the Magic should keep, and who the Magic should try to get rid of. I believe the Magic board here at RealGM actually grew that season, with people signing up to weigh in on the situation and give their two cents on the future direction of the team.

Like fluffernutter said, fans of bad teams usually look at development and potential - not to mention the possibility of a high draft pick and also the dreams of landing a big-time free agent.

[treis]

There are moral victories too. If one of your young players goes head to head with a star and matches him, or if your team stays within 8 of a good team, thats just as good as a victory. Its a lot easier when you know your team is going to be bad too. This years Bulls are much harder to watch than any of the post-dynasty crapfests.

[PlinkingPanda]

(hurray for first post)

I've been a Clipper fan nearly all of my life. It all started when my brother/sister and I were watching some Clipper/Laker games. We use to bet like a quarter to see which team won, and for some reason I always chose the Clippers. Of course i'd always lose that quarter lol, but I've stuck with them ever since.

I can't really say why it is I always cheered for them. I actually do prefer rooting for the underdogs, but even the playoff run a couple years back I hoped the best for the Clippers. It was quite an exciting year. I always just try to look for the positives of each game. If we lose I look to see who did well, and what can be done to improve the team. This year its pretty much all about Chris Kaman and Al Thornton. Maggette is having a good year, but its expected so its really no surprise there for me. But just thinking of next year with our starting five. I have higher hopes than ever.

[SherronShabazz]

bulls fan

always cheer for a win

always hope that the young players develop

but in the back of your head its like.... why root to make the playoffs to get swept by boston when you can get beasly, gordon, jordan, or rose?

you realize the team isnt good enough to win it all and you know the lottery could help.. but you still want to win games.

[RUN T M C]

what do y'all do when you watch games? I'm curious..because I see a lot of fans on many teams boards hoping to tank more games and get a better pick..so how do you specifically cheer during a game you're watching? do you cheer for the other team to score? do you cheer for your team the entire game until it's crunch time? or do you just not mind if your team wins the game?..strange question, but I'm curious..

Ive been a GSW fan my whole life! From the Bottom, you can come to appreciate the game itself these days, and also acknowledge the opposing teams rising stars/stars. Don't necessisarilly want to tank. I still want an enjoyable game. The worst part about having a sucky team is the no respect aspect we get from the REFS.

[RobertGlory]

when you start 2-29, you'll take every win when you can get it. i know from experience.

when you barely miss the playoffs, that's when losses, especially close ones, hurt.

when you're good, losses are meaningless (if you don't lose many) until the final few games when you may want to avoid or play a certain team in the playoffs

[BrooklynBulls]

As a fan, I understand that the likely best scenario for my team is for us to lose in order to increase our chances of a premiere draft pick.

But I also realize that cheering for one outcome does not make the possibility of that outcome any higher.

Why root to lose, when you like the team? Root for them to win, yet still be happy when they lose. The curse of being a fan of a bad team isn't the losing; its that every loss, and every win, are bittersweet. The wins hurt your draft pick, a loss is a loss.

So the joy of watching your "bad" team, is in watching it get better. Whether through chemistry, personnel changes, or internal growth.