Quote:
Originally Posted by professor  That said, sports are also for those whose main or even sole priority is championships. I imagine they are getting a different sort of enjoyment out of the whole affair (and not just the enjoyment of winning the championship, even the enjoyment of kvetching at all the little things that seem to be in the way of that). It might be hard for me fully understand, but I wouldn't want to go so far as to begrudge them their enjoyment.
When I get frustrated -- slight digression -- with the forum is not with the different opinions or ways of enjoying (or not enjoying) the team, and not even with the attempts to convince others to see (and enjoy or not enjoy) the team the way we do, but when it polarizes into right and wrong. That right and wrong thinking just seems goofy to me when it comes to what is, essentially, an art.
Part of my hope for this thread was that it would foment a specific and elaborate presentation of viewpoints on how the regular season relates to the post-season without degenerating into a right/wrong, black/white thing. |
Hopefully you weren't referring to my post Prof, because that wasn't my intent. I don't think people who
only enjoy winning championships are wrong. It's one of the most fulfilling moments I enjoy most.
I was just trying to get across that not
all people
only care about winning the championship. I have found this to be a common misconception when people question why some of us can remain mostly content while losing a few games, or not joining them in nitpicking/criticising every element of the team when they lack in a certain area/s.
I was trying to relate this to the fact that a realistic person should understand that it's very hard to be very successful all the time, and that those of us who have seen darker days with the team, can still remain content and keep our expectations in check when we encounter a few bumps in the road.
As for whether the regular season has any effect on the post-season, of course it does. Simply put, you have to get there first! But as DBA said, timing is everything and how you are playing at that particular month of the year is half the challenge. Just look at what Golden State did to Dallas last season for evidence of that. One team may be dominant against the league as a whole, but against one particular team it may be weak. Matchups, emotions, psychological effects, tactics and many more things can all play a part.
Sure we could change the league into whoever has the best regular season wins the 'ship. This happens in soccer leagues all over the world. They still mean a lot, but I would wager most fans get more enjoyment/excitement out of the unpredictableness and do-or-die of the playoffs where 1 loss may mean the end of your season.