Roger…”Fandom” is that part of a male psyche that wants to win or prevail over a worthy adversary. It “used to be” why men fought wars, or at the least watched men battle it out…part of why we see ultimate fighting gaining in popularity.
Of course, with team sports, we don’t need to feel so “brutalized” and messy. And with basketball, a fast moving and beautiful “ballet” if you will, we see unmatched skills on display, teamwork, passion, and desire all rolled into one…something nothing else offers us in our daily life in the same way.
Women wonder why men get so passionate about their team, so enamored with it’s players, so exhilarated when they win, and so depressed when they lose. Well, it’s in our genes…we just have so few places to express those feelings in modern life. And though business can be a big substitute for some…it lacks that “emotional ingredient” that team sports provide. Let’s face it, basketball can be crack cocaine for a sports junkie…
And yes, I feel the same about about the Lakers that you do…for the past 30+ years!
