I know what you mean about just enjoying the games. As a Pacers’ fan I’ve had to get used to that; they’ve consistently had a solid team, but playoff promise always limited.

I think the hate-thing is an offshoot of fandom: If one’s team isn’t faring so well, one starts finding others to root for, if only temporarily, but it gets to the point that rooting against someone is a viable outlet for the related emotional attachment.

Take a race, for example (I know, they’re boring, but I’m from Indy): Once the driver you’re rooting for is knocked out of it, you root for the next guy (or girl) all the way until the end when you’re praying for racing’s equivalent to Duke U not to win.

Once, a while back, I was nursing an emotional loss of a team I held dear, and decided to go see a movie (the key being that it was one I knew I’d like). Anyway, I realized, you don’t need the character(s) in a film to “win” per se. It’s all about the enjoyment of it. My attitude changed back then; hell, I don’t even remember who it was who lost.

I do get caught up in it though. For instance, Indiana losing to the Celtics the other night affected my mood, if only just a tiny bit.

I can’t decide if I would rather see the Lakers make the playoffs or not. I guess I’m indifferent. But when it gets to the last day of the regular season and, if they win, they’re in–who knows, I might find myself rooting for or against them.

Now that’s a sickness.

Cool, you want a cookie or something?

You, as a delusional Laker fan, think that if they make the playoffs will be a massive threat, probably so delusional you think they’ll win the title. I remember Shaq thouroughly dominated that Finals against a sad New Jersey front line (Jason Collins!). I also know that Kobe’s selfishness has cost him at least 2 more rings.

People like you who don’t watch basketball and just read stats are the type of people who discount kobe’s greatness because Shaq won the finals MVP those years. They played the Nets in the finals who were a very undersized team, so obviously the gameplan was give it to shaq.

What you fail to understand is that the finals was just one series, and the lakers never had any trouble in the finals those years. The teams that gave them the biggest trouble were the Blazers in 2000 and the Kings in 2002. I think Shaq was their MVP in 2000 but by 2002 Kobe was the team’s best player IMO.

Kobe was totally awesome during the comeback, he willed the team to victory despite the total lack of coaching from Dumbtoni that put the Lakers into such a deep hole. Jodie Meeks was awesome, he needs to have more playing time while Steve Flake and Trash Nash get less. As usual Trash Nash didn’t bother to play defense.

The Lakers are closing in on a playoff spot, looks like they’ll get to a 7 seed and with some luck a 6 seed if the lowly Warriors keep on folding. Looks like Kobe will have his guarantee validated for the playoffs.

Thanks Dr. Buss, Rest in Peace!!! Go Kobe, Greatest of all Time!!! Fire Dumbtoni!!!

Making the playoffs at this point might mean moral victory, or whatever, but it would also delay Howard’s rehabilitation, potentially even put him in more jeopardy. A back ain’ nuttin’ to play wit’.

Meanwhile, Bryant is on pace to pass Wilt the Stilt on the all-time scoring list at Golden State on the 25th of March.

well…i have Ohio connections. i want the Cavs to rebound. Irving is a solid center piece to help them bring it back.