Sports: Are you a homer?

[China Rider]

I've grew up outside of the Scranton, Pennsylvania area and we really don't have a local team, both NYC and Philly are 100-125 miles away, but that doesn't stop most people from being homers.

I hate all Philly and Pittsburgh teams(besides the Pirates) Also don't really care for Penn State.

I find sports patriotism really annoying for some reason, it just creates so many know-it-all-know-nothing fans out there to the point that i'd rather NOT talk about sports with these people(then again Philly fans are notorious for being assholes to begin with). Having a predetermined favorite team based on location just seems silly. It probably does has something to do with me not growing up close to a major city.

Anybody else out there that hates the local teams?

 

[axl blaze]

I think most everyone who doesn't get paid for their opinion (sports journalists) isn't going to be perfectly objective. on this site, I try to hide my homerism, but it shows in the fact that I mostly like to report news about my teams.

I think picking a team based on location is probably the easiest and best way to go about it. my pops was from Pittsburgh, so I like all Pittsburgh teams. I live in Central Ohio; so it's a battlefield for Cinci, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh (all are essentially equidistant). I think picking teams based on location is a far better option than just picking teams out of a hat, or just picking a team because you like them... but that's just my opinion. I don't think any less of fans who pick this way or that way, unlike most sports fans.

although blind sports patriotism does get annoying with the "insert local team here" mentality. thankfully, I commend the posters of S&G for not being annoying idiots.

so you like the Pirates but you don't like the Steelers? damn, I think you chose the wrong Pittsburgh franchise, buddy

 

[ChickenScratch]

<<<big time homer.

 

[China Rider]

My mother is a hardcore Steelers fan, and well growing up she made Sundays in the house almost unbearable.

When I was a youngin' I just attached my self to certain teams for reasons that are unclear and I just stuck with them, win or lose. The best part about liking a team that consistently struggles is that when that break through season comes along its extremely rewarding.

 

[Infinite Jest]

I think picking a team based on location is probably the easiest and best way to go about it.

Heh, it's interesting to see the differences in sports culture . I literally can't imagine picking a team any other way (except when I follow leagues in other countries, obviously ). But in New Zealand, every province has a team, so it's easy and obvious to pick your own one. It's not like I could live somewhere with no local team. Mostly the same in the UK, although if I picked the absolute closest (soccer) team to me I'd be supporting a team who gets crowds of 200-300. On the other hand, I could walk to their ground...

In sum: I'll always and only support teams from Wellington (NZ not Florida), but in other leagues I'll support teams that my friends support (e.g. BLers once took me to see the Phillies, so I'll cheer for them).

 

[undead]

I'm a MAJOR homer. You have to understand though... that I'm an avid fan of most sports regardless of my love for my teams so I'll always prefer to watch MY teams... but I'll watch football, soccer, baseball, hockey, basketball, etc. ANY time. I just love competition at it's pinnacle level.

I should also mention that my love for my teams based on location is in part due to the accessibility of the teams. Why would I develop a love for a team across the country who I can never (or RARELY) go see? Or why would I be a fan of a team who I don't get full coverage of on my television (though I understand with satellite and digital cable this isn't as much a factor nowadays)?

There's a vibe around here. I LOVE the Cleveland Browns... I LOVE the Cleveland Indians... I LOVE the Cleveland Cavaliers... I LOVE the Columbus Blue Jackets... there's a buzz around here that you don't get for all the other teams. Why not get caught up in it? I'm up and I'm down with my teams.

Like IJ mentioned though... leagues outside of my country are a little different. I have no local team. I follow the EPL and am a big Chelsea fan. Primarily because they and Man U get the most coverage of any teams on American TV so I developed an affinity for them because I didn't want to "follow the grain" so to speak of the American protagonists who all seem to LOVE Man U. Little did I know when I began watching and getting into Chelsea that they were a premier team. Aston Villa was coincidentally one of the first two teams that I really started getting into as well... I say coincidentally because Randy Lerner would later become the majority owner of the team... giving me a valid 'excuse' to get into Villa haha.

 

[34-dihydroxyphen]

If you haven't figured it out already, I am a homer on the highest level. Hurricanes, Dolphins, Heat. I can give a shit about baseball or hockey, however, the Marlins need to leave town and the Panthers are an Ice Hockey team in South Florida (something isn't right about that).

I inherited my teams from my dad, and I hope to pass it down to my children one day if I have them. If my kids grow up to be Gator and Jets fans I will kill them in their sleep.

 

[Kenickie]

I'm a "homer" in that I support the college football teams from my "home" states of Louisiana(LSU) and Arkansas, and support the Saints for the NFL and my post Katrina adopted home bball team of the Denver Nuggets(my little sisters fanaticism for them helped too.) I support teams from places that treated me well. I guess I have room to support the Braves hahahah..

 

[Busty St Clare]

I support two teams, New Zealand and anyone who is playing Australia.

As Infinate Jest said we tend to support the province we are born in so I am a solid Horowhenua/Wellington boy, despite playing for North Harbour when I was older.

Now I live in Australia I am even more staunch when it comes to supporting my teams. It helps that most leagues here have a New Zealand team playing for them. Yet I'm not restricted to just local sports. I am an avid Steelers fan in the NFL (mostly because I always admired hard defence when I was playing rugby, and they played the game how it should be played ), have supported the Pistons since of was a little tike playing as Isiah Thomas in the yard and have had a Chelsea jumper given to me when I was a toddler.

 

[axl blaze]

Busty I always admired your selection for sports that are on a different continent from you.

I am also interested in sports like the EPL and the World and Euro cups. it presents a sort of sociological question - which sports team should you support? since one has no geographical ball and chain holding your fandom in certain regions... I usually ask myself: "which team's style is the most attractive to me?"

I usually support Liverpool or Chelsea for football across the pond. Chelsea and Manchester U get most of the TV coverage, and it seems like out of the Big 2 I would just go with the lesser of the two football evils. I like Liverpool because they remind me of the cities of Pittsburgh and Cleveland, a bunch of hardworking blue collar fans who actually know some of the ins and outs on the game.

so in short, if you're supporting a foreign team it's best to choose the clubs that grab your attention in the way they play the game

 

[Wolfy90]

I'm a MAJOR homer. You have to understand though... that I'm an avid fan of most sports regardless of my love for my teams so I'll always prefer to watch MY teams... but I'll watch football, soccer, baseball, hockey, basketball, etc. ANY time. I just love competition at it's pinnacle level.

I should also mention that my love for my teams based on location is in part due to the accessibility of the teams. Why would I develop a love for a team across the country who I can never (or RARELY) go see? Or why would I be a fan of a team who I don't get full coverage of on my television (though I understand with satellite and digital cable this isn't as much a factor nowadays)?

There's a vibe around here. I LOVE the Cleveland Browns... I LOVE the Cleveland Indians... I LOVE the Cleveland Cavaliers... I LOVE the Columbus Blue Jackets... there's a buzz around here that you don't get for all the other teams. Why not get caught up in it? I'm up and I'm down with my teams.

Like IJ mentioned though... leagues outside of my country are a little different. I have no local team. I follow the EPL and am a big Chelsea fan. Primarily because they and Man U get the most coverage of any teams on American TV so I developed an affinity for them because I didn't want to "follow the grain" so to speak of the American protagonists who all seem to LOVE Man U. Little did I know when I began watching and getting into Chelsea that they were a premier team. Aston Villa was coincidentally one of the first two teams that I really started getting into as well... I say coincidentally because Randy Lerner would later become the majority owner of the team... giving me a valid 'excuse' to get into Villa haha.

Howd you like how King James played the Cavs?

 

[axl blaze]

what are you trying to accomplish with that statement? I'm a Cavs fan too.

oh man! it was the best day of my life. I really loved seeing LBJ give up in the playoffs and then bounce when he thought he could win some easy championships?

I don't know... it sucked?

 

[undead]

^ One thing we agree on.

Though I'll say... in wolfy's defense, I think that may have been a legit question (no maliciousness intended) rather than a rubbing it in statement. As in... what effect did it have on me. If that's the case... then in all honesty... even after having months to let it settle in, I'll say this: I still think he's a piece of shit and get worked up every time I see him on the TV.

Also... for the record, I don't think he intentionally threw the series last year by any means... but anyone who thinks I'm full of shit when I say he gave up or just didn't show... didn't watch the series. He was god awful. In 7 years with the Cavs and 3 years prior to that with St V's I've NEVER seen him look so uncoordinated.

The way the whole thing went down really soured me.

 

[34-dihydroxyphen]

^ One thing we agree on.

Though I'll say... in wolfy's defense, I think that may have been a legit question (no maliciousness intended) rather than a rubbing it in statement. As in... what effect did it have on me. If that's the case... then in all honesty... even after having months to let it settle in, I'll say this: I still think he's a piece of shit and get worked up every time I see him on the TV.

Also... for the record, I don't think he intentionally threw the series last year by any means... but anyone who thinks I'm full of shit when I say he gave up or just didn't show... didn't watch the series. He was god awful. In 7 years with the Cavs and 3 years prior to that with St V's I've NEVER seen him look so uncoordinated.

The way the whole thing went down really soured me.

There are times where Wade and Kobe have looked bad in playoff series too. Remember that nobody started saying this bullshit before he left Cleveland. The fact of the matter is he was the team, and he played one of the only defenses in basketball that can shut him down. The Celtics did it to Wade earlier in the playoffs. Did anybody accuse him of giving up?

Even if I were not a Miami homer I would not think LeBron is a bad person. He did what everybody does when they leave their hometown in a recruiting situation, he broke a bunch of people's hearts and now they want to vilify him. The fact of the matter is he is no better or worse a person than Kobe and Jordan. He just decided to skip town.

 

[undead]

I respect your opinion, but I disagree. Not so much on the first part, because you make a good point, but still... in 7 years, I've never seen him look THAT bad. He's had bad games before... but I mean... the energy wasn't there, he wouldn't crash the boards, he just wasn't playing Lebron James basketball. In the seven years he was a Cavalier, he's never ONCE looked THAT lackluster.

But about the second statement. I'm not concerned with the broken hearts or the fact that he left etc. It was his charade. His "bigger than the game" attitude. The fact that he played it up for two years while still letting Cleveland THINK there was a chance. Played the fanbase (despite what non-Cleveland fans say... he PLAYED the fans in giving false hope saying "Cleveland has the edge" all that stuff clear up until the last minute. Used the children's charity as a smokescreen to have an hour show devoted to his "decision." The fact is... he may be an incredible basketball player, but he's a complete idiot about life. People aren't as stupid as he seems to think they are.

Btw... I mean no offense to you, there are legitimate Heat fans, but there are a WHOLE lot of bandwagoners now (to which I apologize for!). I sincerely hope you enjoy watching your team, but forgive me for saying that I'd take solace in seeing them NOT win a single championship while he's on the team.

 

[axl blaze]

there's no doubt in my mind that LBJ's heart ran out at the end of the playoffs two or three years in a row. I know in the NBA deep in the post-season is when teams finally start to D up, but he was missing wide open shots he usually makes, and he was dragging himself around.

people are just pissed at the WAY LeBron left. if he would have just signed a contract quietly, a la Kevin Durant, I doubt he would have half as many haters. but he had to do it on public television. when have you ever seen that type of showmanship type shit before??

also, has anybody heard the ridiculous comments LBJ has been making as to why some people dislike him? for some reason, he is sure that the majority of NBA fans hate him because they are all racist. why would a racist watch the predominantly black NBA in the first place?! just doesn't make any sense...

 

[34-dihydroxyphen]

there's no doubt in my mind that LBJ's heart ran out at the end of the playoffs two or three years in a row. I know in the NBA deep in the post-season is when teams finally start to D up, but he was missing wide open shots he usually makes, and he was dragging himself around.

people are just pissed at the WAY LeBron left. if he would have just signed a contract quietly, a la Kevin Durant, I doubt he would have half as many haters. but he had to do it on public television. when have you ever seen that type of showmanship type shit before??

also, has anybody heard the ridiculous comments LBJ has been making as to why some people dislike him? for some reason, he is sure that the majority of NBA fans hate him because they are all racist. why would a racist watch the predominantly black NBA in the first place?! just doesn't make any sense...

Maybe he felt defeated by a better team, which happens in all sports, to all players, and at all levels. That is as much as I will concede. It happened to the Canes vs. FSU this fucking weekend (I'm still pissed about that one).

As to the race thing, he said race played a factor, not that his critics are all racists. The reporter baited him into the question and he answered how he really felt. I think that he is right to an extent. I also hope he would not have said that unprompted.

Watch the Army or UnderArmor All-American high school football games this year as the college football season is ending if you want to see where he learned it from. You will see kids pretending to commit to one school, then throw the hat aside, and pick another one. LeBron is not that much older or more mature than these kids, in fact like all star athletes he has been entitled for quite a while. Pro athletes are not a model for us to emulate or use as role models for our children, they are entertainers. Personality doesn't matter for shit, it is all about what you do on the court/field. And LeBron is a monster on the court. As long as he is not raping women or killing people or dogs or cats, I am OK with whatever he decides to do.

 

[undead]

I can never understand why people refuse to recognize pro athletes as role models? You have to work extremely hard to get to that level of competition let alone to STAY there. I get that sports are a form of entertainment, but you mean to tell me that that kind of work ethic isn't worthy of admiration? They make a living just like anyone else. And yes I recognize that some people are just naturally gifted and don't have to put in as much work, but that's beside the point.

That said... why shouldn't people look up to someone who single-handedly instills success and a sense of validity to a large conglomeration (be it in this case... sports fans)? And why shouldn't they take it personally when that person alienates every one of them?

Lebron James leaving Cleveland isn't gonna kill me. Watching him play basketball in a Heat uniform isn't gonna ruin my day. But as a sports fan... Lebron James can lick my balls.

 

[China Rider]

hey rant, what's up?

You have to work extremely hard to get to that level of competition let alone to STAY there.

So many people are blind to this and those who are vocal about it piss me off....and chances are these same people have probably never competed in at least the high school level, which completely nullifies their opinion.

But i'm not just talking about professional athletes....
Although I do strongly feel that superior athletes are born with the natural talent, but 99% of the time you can't just get by with raw talent and in order to earn a scholarship to a big time university you essentially have to dedicate your life to training, which sounds like fun but in reality is a pretty big risk.

Another peeve of mine is people who bitch about the money professional athletes make, ironically, these cries usually come from non sports fans...sorry, but the money they make is easily justified.
Sports entertainment is the KING of entertainment across most of the globe, so considering the extreme revenues being brought in by organizations and the fans continue to dish out the dollars, who else besides the athletes should cash-in?
The money comes in easy, now consider the masterminds within the sport business/advertising/marketing/sales/management departments allowing organizations to reach maximum profit.

Do I think they deserve that much money? No.
But from a business view point, I completely understand why they make the money they do.
Earning a degree in sport management didn't work out career wise for me, but I do appreciate it for opening up my mind about sports off of the field.

And I do think NCAA athletes deserve to be paid, I wrote a paper on it in college, but I won't go there

 

[axl blaze]

Earning a degree in sport management didn't work out career wise for me, but I do appreciate it for opening up my mind about sports off of the field.

that's awesome! I've always fantasized about obtaining a degree of that type...

And I do think NCAA athletes deserve to be paid, I wrote a paper on it in college, but I won't go there

I agree as well. just today a big time NFL agent came out of the closet (so to speak) and told the world that he gave some big name athletes, ripe outta college football, lots and lots of money. might as well pay the athletes to dilute the shady business of these kinds of agents. BUT this thread is already getting extremely off-topic, so I am not going to say another word!