It’s been a season of changes for sports in the Pacific NW:  a time of losing teams (goodbye, Sonics… sniff), opimistic rebuilding (Seahawks), exciting new ventures (Go Sounders!), and hoping (Go, Mariners!?).  During times of transition, people sometimes look around for teams other than their home team(s) to root on. 

Sometimes you only need to travel one state over (it’s nice having the Blazers as neighbors!).  Other might troll for teams with a winning record.

Many fans don’t need local teams at all; for them there will always be that team for whom they remain a long distance fan.  No matter where you live, you will run into Colts fans, old 49ers nuts, Steelers for-lifers, and Broncos fans.  I like die-hards; they do not need company.  They do not need their team to be at the top of their game every year.  They just keep plugging away, cheering their team on.  Love or hate the focus of their affections, you’ve got to admit: the loyalty is admirable.

And some fans are what I would call anti-fans.  You see clear examples of this when the Yankees play.  And every NBA finals, I get ready to start my tally of how many times I hear:  “I don’t really care who wins the NBA finals, as long as it’s not the Lakers.”

Ouch.  Really?  Are you saying that you won’t take a risk on rooting for a team, or just that you like seeing someone lose?  This has many forms, and I’m sure many reasons for it, but it made me think about one lil’ aspect of sports:

When we do not like a team, we pick apart their players.  When we are fans, we make excuses for our team.

This carries over into life all the time.  If I don’t like you, I see everything you do with a certain pair of glasses on.  A negative lens, if you will – it means I take things personal that I didn’t have to.  I judge things you say with a relational thesaurus (“What did he really mean?”).  And if I’m not careful, I become overly critical… an anti-fan.

Contrast this with how we often excuse ourselves.  You verbally assaulted me, but me?  No, I was just being authentic and open.  You have serious character flaws – but me?  I have a ”quirky personality.”

Of course, the greatest place to be:  Learning from other teams (even the rivals), honestly evaluating your own weaknesses, valuing loyalty and dedication, and not getting wrapped up in being overly critical.

So hey, Go Lakers!  I’m not devoted to their destruction – win or lose, it’s fun to watch them play.  Same with the Blazers, the Cavs, the Magic.  I just want to see a good game.