what would be a "fireworks" off-season for you?

Nice post Sam, puts it in perspective.

The only non-game nba entertainment I like is the draft. But with youtube and dedicated draft web sites, it's pretty unbelievable the amount of information and multi-media we have about these prospects.

In general, I'd say the younger generation of Celtics fans is quite disappointing, if the regular commenters on celtics forums are any indication.

A distinct majority of young internet era Celtics fans support tanking any time the team is not a top contender for a title.

I blame fantasy basketball, which I don't play. But it glorifies individual stats, hero ball, and a high volume of trades. This influence has bled into regular fandom, and these young fans have no loyalty or attachment to any Celtic player who isn't a superstar.

Optimism, even with well explained reasoning, is met with derision. These young fans barely remember pre-2007 Celtic basketball, so they expect a championship every single year. And they will comment, all season long, about how the Celtics should be trying harder to lose games, and disrespecting every Celtic player as a "scrub", because the players aren't worshiped on ESPN.

The NBA itself plays a big role in promoting this vulgar form of fanhood, glorifying the individual star, featuring the individual rather than the team, and corrupting the game with special treatment from referees, aka "star calls".

I'm very glad that this forum, and all you guys are here. People who actually see the value in winning games in a non-championship year. It's a sad state of affairs.

Rambone,

You're preaching to the choir in your comments about fantasy basketball.  I don't talk much about it because I realize many board members enjoy it.  I guess the crux of my situation is that, coming from a background of feeling so fulfilled by championship after championship and respect for such exemplary players, I view team performance as enough of a reward that I don't need anything else to enhance the experience.  It's probably a very narrow viewpoint, but I come from a very primitive time in pro basketball terms.

Sam

Nothing primitive about it. Teamwork is (almost?) always less primitive than individual work.

Anyone watching the Rockets? Josh Smith is killing his team taking 3's and missing them - leading to easy Warriof buckets. So glad we don't have Smith.

Rambone,

I don't mean primitive basketball.  I still believe it was the best basketball that has ever been played—and the most fun to watch.  I mean the primitive surroundings—from the lack of media coverage to the rudimentary trappings of the game and the relative accessibility of the players.

Sam

I know Sam. I just mean it wasn't as primitive as today's game in some ways, like fans knowing the importance of teamwork and chemistry. And the refs calling the games fair and square without star calls.

And fan loyalty to the players and team.

Hopefully Brad and Danny can bring back some of that sophistication to the Celtics' fan base.