America's Most Hated
by Jeff Clark on Oct 12, 2009 12:51 PM EDT
in Boston Celtics Articles
Email
PrintGet ready for it. It is gathering like a sandstorm in the desert. Its so thick you can feel it. You and I may love this team with all our hearts, but the rest of the world certainly does not. This will be, hands down, the most hated NBA team in recent memory.
Fans of other teams have a long list of reasons why they are going to hate this team. Some of them are more reasonable than others. But really, how can you explain hate? It is what it is without reason. And let me pause here for a moment for a disclaimer. I am only using the word "hate" within the context of the sporting world. I hate the Lakers, but I'm sure most of them are very nice people. I just want those nice people to lose basketball games in the most embarrassing fashion possible so I can laugh and point at them.
And that is what the rest of the league's fans will want for the Celtics. Here are just a few general reasons why the Celtics will be hated.
Success: Everyone loves a winner... until they win too much. And when the winner is stepping on your team's neck, it makes it awfully hard to continue loving them. Step on enough necks and you become a bully. Everyone loves knocking a bully down a few pegs, even if it is only in their daydreams (or on anonymous message boards).
Jealousy: Similar to the previous point. Everyone hates Duke but everyone wishes their team had the kind of sustained success that Duke had over the last couple decades.
Northeast Bias Backlash: Everyone hates that the Yankees and Red Sox dominate the news. The Patriots (now the epitome of hated teams) don't help matters either. The Celtics, once they won their 16th banner, got lumped right in with all those teams that the rest of the country hates to hear about over and over again.
Ok, enough generalities. Lets talk specific people here. There are plenty of personalities for other fans to hate on this team. From the top, right on down the list.
Kevin Garnett - Somehow, KG went from being a lovable loser to despised bully. A few years back, everyone was pulling for to get a good team around him. Now that he has one, he is reviled. I've been a fan of his for many years, and honestly I don't see the difference. He's always howled, growled, stared down opponents, talked incessantly, goaltended dead ball shots, and crawled on all fours. He just did it in Minnesota on teams that couldn't get out of the first round. I can see how he would be hated, I just wish people were a little more consistent (or at least honest about why they hate him). By the way, it is nice to see that KG is already in mid-season hatable form, messing around with Yi in the 3rd preseason game.
Paul Pierce - He's a trash talker who had some maturity issues earlier in his career and was blamed for everything that went wrong with the first Team USA failure. He also had the nerve to hear a pop in his knee, take precautions by being taken to the locker room, and when he was cleared to play, come back on the court and knock down a couple of 3 pointers. Nobody's ever properly explained to me what he would have gained by "faking" an injury like that, but whatever.
Ray Allen - What's that you say? Everyone loves Raymond? Not so fast. The Elbow incident kinda speaks for itself.
Rajon Rondo - At first he was a rookie in over his head. Then he was actually really fun to watch. Then the Bulls series happened. A tomahawk chop to a guy twice his size and a pro-wrestler move on Hinrich later, and all of a sudden he's the poster boy for the short-man's complex.
Kendrick Perkins - Perk has come a long way. He was a wide eyed rookie that the Pacers picked off the end of the bench to brick a couple of key free throws. Now he's using those same eyes to stare down Dwight Howard and scowl at refs. He's one of the team's most outspoken proponent for "team ego," which makes some other players and fans take exception with what he says and does. They see him as the Ringo Starr of this team and they wonder why he wasn't talking so tough when the team was losing.
Rasheed Wallace - Honestly, does this really need any explanation? Sheed was at the top of my hate list. I have a feeling that he's going to be one of my favorites by the 2nd week of the season.
And the list goes on:
- Glen "Big Baby" Davis - Between his nickname, weight, and the crying incident, he's an open target.
- Bill Walker - Got scrappy with LeBron, McGrady and others as a rookie.
- Eddie House - Over the top emotional, especially when we're ahead.
- Brian Scalabrine - Nobody likes getting beat by a guy that looks like him.
If you want, you could even throw in Doc Rivers (longtime target of Bill Simmons) and Danny Ainge (once called a "snake" by Antoine Walker).
The bottom line is that this team isn't going to win many sportsmanship awards or popularity contests. They are going to swagger onto the court, stare the other team down, get in their ears, get in their heads, feed off the home crowd, feed off the boos on the road, and most importantly ....win.
Kinda reminds me of another guy that was actively hated around the league. His name: Red Auerbach.
83 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
*dances*
Sorry, no words, just dancing.
Let’s get scrappy and get them all pissed off. Rough games are good. I like us. Spirit.
(Gief regular season. ITS TAKING LONG!!!)
- Dirk 'DaarisDirk' van Boxtel
good post
I am a proud Celtics hater (in the same sense you explained) but your team will be light years behind the 2004 Lakers, with Payton and K. Malone: no way the 2010 Celtics will get so much hatred, I’m sorry. Also, you won’t make it to the Finals :-)
Ouh, and Eddie House is #1 in my Hate list: the kind of player that hits a last second three in a 30 pt win (vs Sixers, a couple of yrs ago). He’s your Rick Fox, a mediocre role player that thinks he’s the man because he plays in a winning team. I really wish him the worst.
http://sixers4guidos.wordpress.com/
by Ricky - Sixers4guidos on Oct 12, 2009 5:38 AM EDT reply actions
?!?!?confused?!?!?!
1) “Success: Everyone loves a winner… until they win too much. And when the winner is stepping on your team’s neck, it makes it awfully hard to continue loving them. Step on enough necks and you become a bully. Everyone loves knocking a bully down a few pegs, even if it is only in their daydreams (or on anonymous message boards).”
I’m sorry, but the celtics have won ONCE, yes, 1 time, during 90% of basketball fans memories. I mean before 07-08, you have to go back to the 1980’s for another Celtic championship. I’m not sure how this is considered as “winning too much.” If you want “winning too much” you should probably look at the Lakers or the Spurs who both have won 8 championships together in the last 11 years. Yes, that is winning too much. The Celtics 1 in 20+ years, no, does not equate to “winning too much.”
2)“Jealousy: Similar to the previous point. Everyone hates Duke but everyone wishes their team had the kind of sustained success that Duke had over the last couple decades.”
Similar to my previous point. How is Duke’s success in any way similar to the Celtics winning…uh, yes, to my last point, 1 championship in recent history. Yes, you would need to go back to the Lakers 4 rings or the Spurs 4 rings for any semblence of dominance or other fans/teams being jealous. Talk about D-E-L-U-S-I-O-N-A-L!!!
3) “Northeast Bias Backlash: Everyone hates that the Yankees and Red Sox dominate the news. The Patriots (now the epitome of hated teams) don’t help matters either. The Celtics, once they won their 16th banner, got lumped right in with all those teams that the rest of the country hates to hear about over and over again.”
I’m sorry, but in basketball the only time anyone really talks about the Celtics is to mention how O-L-D they are, KG’s decrepit knees, and perhaps a “1 and done, can they ever do it again” line. In basketball the teams people talk about are the LAKERS and the CAVS. It is the two best players in the league, Kobe vs Lebron, the two supposedly best teams in the league, the Lakers vs the Cavs. Have you SEEN the puppets? Who is playing the prime time game on Xmas again?
Look, I really don’t want to come to this board and talk trash. But i expect individuals who WRITE these posts to have a little level of objectivism. The author of this post is living in his own personal delusion, a fanciful world where the Celtics 2000’s dynasty has now won 4 championships, is thought of as the “team of the decade” and is the center of every controversy. The truth is that the closest team to the one described in this article are the L-A-K-E-R-S! Don’t attempt to deny it because unless you’re an idiot, you know you are wrong. It is the LAKERS who have dominated this decade, the only team who has won 4 championships and been to the NBA finals 6 times. Yes, i’ll say it again, over the last decade, Kobe and the Lakers have been to the NBA finals 60% of the time —-can you say RIDICULOUS!? The Lakers have won a championship 40% of the time, lol. That is ridiculous. Kobe is the most hated star in ANY sport and the Lakers are the most hated franchise in basketball. There really is no question.
Get out of your little crystal ball snowstorm world. The Celtics are old, they were lucky to win 1 championship. Lucky that the Lakers played in the 08 NBA finals without 2 starters, Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza. Lucky lucky lucky. And it happened 1 time. Lets wait until there is a #2 before turning the Celtics into a dynasty. Who knows, you could go another 20+ years without reaching the NBA finals like you did last time.
Objectivism = NBA.com. Blogs = opinions.
First off, we’re talking about this Celtic’s team, not the Celtics from ages ago. This team, ahs won boatloads of games. 69 wins? 62 wins? That’s a lot mate.
The C’s had a bad streak for a long while, but before that, who’s had the most titles so far? You erase that point because it’s too long ago, and I have to give you that much: it’s been a while since we ‘were a dynasty’. But you gotta admit, it’s looking pretty bright when u win so many games, AND a title.
And if you’re ready to dismiss the C’s for their age… Well… We’ll talk again, somewhere midway this season.
See how you think by then.
- Dirk 'DaarisDirk' van Boxtel
Can I blame it on my understanding of the language? :]
… since it’s awfully close ;)
goes back to speaking Dutch all day
- Dirk 'DaarisDirk' van Boxtel
No problem, 90% of us who speak English as a primary language didn’t (couldn’t?) notice. ; )
by Thruthelookingglass on Oct 12, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
DID YOU JUST CALL ME DUMB!?!
Harharhar, sorry, had to go and post a random shout. thanks for the explanation buddy :)
- Dirk 'DaarisDirk' van Boxtel
I expect more of these sorts of posts
and it makes me giddy
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
Just by you coming to our site and posting proves the point.
Give in to you hate. Just by you puliing the"we had two guys hurt card" shows where your head is at. I guess beating you by 39 wasn’t enough.
by Steal by Bird on Oct 12, 2009 7:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Seriously?
How can you have such hard words for a team that is clearly going to make a run for the championship. I love the Celtics but I can admit that they aren’t the only good team in the league.
Lucky? Seriously? How can you be “lucky” in a 7 game series? The Lakers lost, in a bad way in the clinching game. Stop being a fanboy and post something interesting.
17 titles, Most Hall of Famers, longest dynasty in pro sports history...
…etc…
The teams recent past does not erase the generations of hatred that built up over the near-40 year success of the franchise previously…the fact that it is the Celtics and that they have collected a group of All Stars and Hall of Famers again, while winning a title, establishing the best record to start an NBA season, and winning back-to-back 60+ win seasons is certainly enough to rekindle the hatred in minds much older and wiser than yours…
You said it all when you said that “most fans” only remember the past 20 years…do you honestly think that your generation constitutes “most” fans…there is a larger world out there my ignorant little friend…maybe its you who is living in a “crystal ball snowstorm world.”
by BillfromBoston on Oct 12, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Uhm, you realise that 16 of those championships were more than 20 years ago right. You have 1 championship in the last 20 years (which granted is one more than my team) but I think too many of you have Mapleleafitis. Mapleleafitis is where fans talk about how many championships they have even though they haven’t won anything for 20 or more years. It is where they constantly talk about how great their team is without actually looking at how much trouble their team is in. It is dreaming in the preseason that their team will compete for a championship when they are one serious injury away from being a 6-8 seed at best.
I know some of you will believe I am a hater but I am not. Before Toronto got a basketball team I was a Celtics fan even though you Yanks cannot even pronounce it correctly (it is pronounce Keltics :P). Realistically though Pylka has a valid point about the age of your team. All of your key players with the exception of Rondo are over 30. Allen is 33 if I recall correctly and name a single 2 guard who maintained their game after 33? Allen will still be a lights out shooter but you cannot seriously believe that his game will not diminish. Pierce, Wallace and Garnett’s games will also slowly degrade as well although it may not happen until next year. Everyone knew when they traded for KG that they had a 2 year window and that window is now closed. You cannot seriously believe that even if somehow Boston gets to the finals that they are good enough to beat the Lakers or the Spurs. As it stands right now, the Celtics will have a hard time beating Atlanta who took them to 7 games 2 years ago. Sorry Boys but your team is not worth hating, only worth Pitying.
P.S. – I will admit that the Celtics are still better than the Raptors but that isn’t saying much.
Celtics VS Lakers - a Timeless Rivalry
So plyka do you REALLY believe that Bynum and Ariza would have made a difference in the 2008 NBA Finals? I am trying to be as unbiased as I can——but I don’t see it.
Perk would have outplayed or neutralized the young Bynum (just like he did during the regular season that year), and Ariza (although a fine defender) would have not been able to help much. Pierce would have probably drawn Ariza defensively, but Pierce was on a
mission that year.
And as talented as Gasol is, Garnett had him locked up defensively as well. And this year Gasol will have to deal with both Garnett, SHEED, an improved Perk and BBD.
Again – trying as hard as I can to NOT be biased – I just don’t see the Lakers having the
Mental toughness to defeat the Celtics in a 7 (Or 6) game series. Talent wise, Bryant is off the charts, Gasol is truly an All-Star, and Odom and Artest make them better, but I really question how the Lakers can win a series against Boston.
Sure they beat the Magic last year, but the Magic did not have the mental toughness or experience to win. The Celtics have both. Celtics HAD both last year, but Health came into play.
And for the Lakers in general——-yes you have won more rings than the C’s in the last 10-15 years, BUT: What is the count as far as LA VS Boston? Like 9 (Boston) to 3 (LA)? I know my number may not be totally accurate, but all I remember from looking at Bill Russell’s ring fingers is that quite a few of his rings came at the Lakers expense…
Don’t get me wrong…the Lakers are very talented. Probably the most talented (Offensively). Even when I was in high school many years ago, it was more fashionable to like them, because they were Showtime. But throughout history Defense has always won championships.
Celtics will NEVER get it done Offensively…that’s too pretty (Lakers). Celtics will get in an opposing team’s head and make them doubt themselves (Game 4 of 2007-2008 finals). And along the way they will score just enough points to win. This has been the Celtics History from what I have seen.
And let’s not get on the age thing…it will be interesting to see Rondo matched up against D Fisher….and Kobe is no spring chicken either at 31..he is a year younger than Pierce.
And no one really pays attention to the “Puppets” commercials….especially after last year. They (Media) had the Muppet show going full force until the Cavs met their unexpected end…
My dream is to see a Healthy LA team and a Healthy Celtics team settle this once and for all. May the best team win.
by Celtics18and19 on Oct 12, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
My Finals dream differs slightly...
Seeing that two healthy Laker teams beat two unhealthy Celtic teams {1985 & 1987}…
it`s only fair that two healthy Celtic teams should beat two very injured Laker teams!
True, BUT...
Some Laker fans will find every reason in the world for why they did (or didn’t) win.
I truely hope that Lamar and Chloe’s marriage works, and that Artest can have a good and trouble-free season. Don’t want any more excuses from LA for a meltdown.
And missing from the Championship of 2007-2008 is the fact that some analysts were saying that Doc actually out-coached Phil. And I consider Phil Jackson one of the greatest (After Red of course) of all time.
But yes let the haters hate Paul Pierce’s tenacity, Ray Allen’s clutchness, and KG’s fire. This will be a great year!
by Celtics18and19 on Oct 12, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
agreed, i want both teams healthy
although i disagree about perk being able to neutralize bynum if bynum had been able to stay healthy. bynum was playing really well before he was injured, had he been able to stay healthy im ot sure perk would have been able to stop him. i mean bynums offense was flowing.
and ariza would have given pp trouble most places on the floor except in the post, ariza is not strong enough to guard the post.
i would have liked to have seen both teams go at it at full health
and just like you, i cant see any team taking the lakers down in a 7 game series. especially not if we are healthy.
by true_lakerfan on Oct 12, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Did Perk...
…miss time in that series with an injured shoulder?
Hypocrisy indeed
" do you REALLY believe that Bynum and Ariza would have made a difference in the 2008 NBA Finals?"
“Celtics HAD both last year, but Health came into play”
Not very unbiased…
And of course, I haven’t found anyone who can give another example of a finals game in the post-merger era where one team got 3.8 times as many free throws as their opponent, as the gift to the Celtics in game 2 made history as a ref job for the ages…
by nba is the worst on Oct 17, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm pretty sure plyka hates the Celtics.
Thus helping to prove the post’s point.
Also: some people know something about NBA history, and realize that, despite their recent drought, the Celtics have still won more titles than any other franchise. A lot of people hated the Yankees in the early 90s, when they hadn’t won bupkus in years.
Kobe is both the most hated and the most loved player in the NBA, I think. Lakers are definitely up there on the scale of fan hate, but I’d give the nod to Boston, for all the reasons cited by the post (and because a lot of people don’t like Boston or its sports teams generally).
by PJ Martinez on Oct 12, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Lol plyka
You came all the way here just to post that and then claim there’s no hatred? You claim the Celtics aren’t hated just because they only won one championship? No need to get your panties in a bunch, buddy; we know how the Lakers have done the last decade. Us Celtic fans would NEVER forget that, including what the C’s did to the Lakers two years ago…..
I don’t know if the hate for the Celtics is as nationwide as it is for the Lakers or Spurs, but it definitely seems to exist on the internet, at least. The night the Celtics won the championship, all people talked about on the Celtics’ forum on the ESPN boards was how the Celtics “bought” that championship, thanks to the trade that brought KG + Ray Allen here. Then, Laker fans like you complained about Bynum, and now it’s like we couldn’t complain about KG. Speaking of Bynum, you talk about the Celtics being old and injury prone, so what has Bynum been through the last two years, and how old is he? Ok.
And do I HAVE to talk about the playoffs, especially the series with the Bulls? Oh man, it’s like Rondo became “dirty” overnight, literally.
It doesn’t matter what you believe, plyka, but people clearly hate on the Celtics for one reason or another. You can’t claim that Jeff’s being arrogant by claiming the Celtics are being hated if he’s absolutely right. You think it’s otherwise because they only have 1 instead of 3 rings in the last decade? You know, I thought it was that simple too, especially being a Patriots and Red Sox fan. Boy, was I wrong. Well, anyways, if you can’t see it for yourself, it’s not Jeff’s, mine, or anyone else’s job to prove it to you.
ohhhhh how i hate the celtics
it is a whole reason for me to be excited about the Hawks, hating your team. but i still wish any of your top eight players were on my team. minus Rasheed of course. (we already have guys that take too many jumpers when they should be in the paint).
but i love the blog. I would revel in the haters if I was you too. i am just glad i provide an inordinate amount for the reveling. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Not Sure I Agree
While an interesting theory, I just don’t find many teams that while on the road can have sometimes as many fans in the stands as the home team. The Cs are a beloved franchise. With the exception of some zealous fans, the Cs typically get pretty good treatment around the country, and the globe. We might be able to complain about press coverage or things like that, but the Cs aren’t the most hated, nor even close.
exactly
most people like the celtics. general fans like the celtics. usually. it’s not like san antonio or the lakers. those are the teams people hate, at least in my experience and I’ve talked about this to many fans of different teams or basketball itself. all in all, most players of the celtics are pretty sympathic, I think.
Libertarianism is just Anarchy for rich people
I think that people are going to hate this team even more now that we have Sheed and a healthy KG back
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
Spot on.
Hate is not the opposite of love, it’s true opposite is apathy. I’m pretty sure no one will be apathetic about the C’s this year.
I do think that some will root for the C’s to take down the Lakers, for the Success/Jealousy reasons mentioned above.
by Thruthelookingglass on Oct 12, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah but this team...
has the cast of characters the rest of the world could easily hate. Think of KG in in YI’s face yesterday, Perks scowl and Rasheed just being Rasheed. It’s the perfect recipe to be hated.
Sure, in select cities...
I’m sure the C’s will get abuse in Cle, LA, NY and Chi. But I’d think that as fans, people would rather see well played ball than the collection of expiring contracts or role players that a bunch of teams will be featuring this year.
Not that I agree
but, I really couldn’t careless more.
BBD, Bill Walker, Scals?? No one thinks about them let alone hates them.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
the bell rings
Jeff…way to push the button, it worked….good to see the laker fans continue to protest too much…
I love the collective chip that’s on all of our players’ shoulders. “Twelve Angry Men,” that’s how I’m referring to this squad.
Good one, Bird...
“Twelve Angry Men”….This line is definitely worth stealing!
There was worse....much worse
The Pistons teams with Isaiah, Laimbeer, Rodman, Sally, Mark Aguirre. Those guys were bad.
But, I agree, we will get under a lot of skin this year. Can’t wait
KG
How can anyone “hate” this loveable character. As a cure for the haters just show them a post-game press conference with KG and Paul. In addition, most of his talking is to himself. You can thing he’s “crazy” but why would you hate him for that. I forget where I heard it, but I think it was from a pgpg with Paul. Paul said that when KG wakes up in the morning he talks to his body. “Feet—how you doing?, legs—wuz up?, etc.” If it was Paul he said that KG is lucky his wife understands him. (which makes one think about Brandi).
Also, anyone remember KG hugging Bill Russell after they won the Championship? KG kept saying "Thank you MR. Russell. The respect he showed there tells volumes about who KG really is.
BUT we Celtic fans understand him and that’s all that counts. Let’s hope KG makes alot of buildings quiet this year. Tommy would love that.
"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn
Simple
We loved KG when he was a lovable loser. Now the public turned on him when he won. Not me, Still one of my favorite all time players because of his Intensity.
If you shook the mans hand I think you would pop from his intensity!
Keep pumpin, ain't worried bout nuttin
Busters thought we was frontin, so reload and keep dumpin
Keep Sleeping on Orlando...
It comes down to class.
Ray Allen and Paul Pierce have class. Doc Rivers has class. I’d even go as far to say that Rasheed Wallace has class in the way he plays the game, respects opponents, and works hard.
Kevin Garnett has no class. And Boston fans have no class. I’m lumping Celtics fans in with Pats fans and Red Sox fans. Boston fans (100% of the ones I’ve met) have trouble both winning and losing with class. When they win they gloat, talk trash, proclaim their greatness and superiority. When they lose they whine, blame officiating, blame the “curse”, and still talk trash.
Boston fans and Kevin Garnett are why I dislike the Celtics.
Calling yourself “America’s Most Hated” is another reason I don’t like Boston fans. Its like you want to be hated so you can say “Why is everyone hatin’?” like you don’t know.
My most hated teams are:
1. Lakers
2. Jazz
3. Nuggets
4. Celtics
The Celtics are the only team who made my “hated list” for non-basketball reasons.
After elbowing someone in the balls, you no longer have class. I'm sorry, but Ray Allen is no better than Bruce Bowen now.
It's not a dunk unless your hand makes contact with the rim. Yeah, I'm talkin' to you, "Superman..."
by ben_gleicher on Oct 13, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
100% correct!
It’s the NE sportsfans’ style that makes the average fan root against them and their teams.
And players who throw elbows as much as KG does and taunt smaller players (not guys his own size) can’t be considered classy
by nba is the worst on Oct 17, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I dont know...
While Celtics fans have been hated on in the past (and Boston Sports fans in general this decade), I dont think they are disliked as much as the Lakers (Primarly because of the polarization of Kobe Bryant , percieved fickleness of the LA sports fan, the bandwagon nation of Laker supports outside of CA, the feeling towards Ron Artest).
I know KG has developed a bit of a dislike among some people for the way he played last year after he won the title (Main evidence: That game early last season against Toronto when he was in Calderon’s face) but I just dont know if its as great as the backlash for say Kobe or even Lebron.
They are many more hated teams out there from a general NBA standpoint and in most cases, they also are wildly popular outside there city with respectable followings on the road judging by the fans who attend road games: The Cavs, The Lakers and you could even strongly argue the Pistons and the Spurs earlier this decade (in fact I would say they were two of the most hated teams this decade despite the consistency and the straight forward way of Basketball)
I dont know if Sheed makes people hate the C’s more. The dude is actually a bit of an anti-hero among many hardcore basketball enthusiats. If anything he could make people like them more just as well hate them.
"My features are that of a god, its not a facade these rappers wanna be NaS"- Nasir Jones QB's Finest
Founder and only member of the Kristin Kreuk Appreciation Society, and future Husband
Still miss em: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvvgVn0gg1E
Bill Simmons and Bandwagon Fans
I think this is a good article but really missed the two biggest reasons why people will/ do hate the celtics. Not neccessarily in order they are:
#1. Bill Simmons – You can blame him for all of boston sports really, but since I am an NBA fan first and foremost (from Sacramento) I focus on the celtics. I never really had a problem with Bill Simmons or boston sports until he started to be everywhere at all times. I still read him occasionally but for the last few years espn has shoved him, and therefore boston fans, down the throats of america’s collective, well, throat.
#2. Bandwagon Fans – I usually don’t really care about bandwagon fans (Lakers, Miami sports, etc.) because said fans usually have no problem admitting that they are such when really called out on it. Boston Celtics fans in contrast have somehow convinced themselves that they “suffered” through the tough times and therefore “deserve” the good times. The group of people who read this blog is probably the worst example of what I am talking about as if you are reading this you are probably not a casual fan, but there are a good number of Celtics fans in boston who “suffered” for years but couldn’t name 3 players on any given team during the middle of this decade.
Like I said, not really talking about anyone reading this, but the collective. Being from a 4 sport city (plus major college sports) means you get the luxury of picking which teams to root for at which times dependant upon who is winning. Being a man from Sacramento who, like the rest of the city, talks and scrutinizes Kings Basketball 365 days a year its hard to feel sorry for the Celtics fan.
by Travis Mays Hayes on Oct 12, 2009 1:04 PM EDT reply actions
Ditto for one team Orlando
Keep pumpin, ain't worried bout nuttin
Busters thought we was frontin, so reload and keep dumpin
Keep Sleeping on Orlando...
Kinda disagree
I think thats giving Simmons waaaay too much credit lol. I think he was just caught up in the euphoria that some Boston fans have been feeling this decade and ESPN postioned him as a sports fan’s voice but not that greatly (He’s still only on ESPN.com more than the channel).
As for the bandwagon mentality, I think Celtics have a right to feel good after 22 years of futility and misfortune. You have to admit from 86-07 they had some tough times (decline of Bird, McHale, Bias and Lewis’ death, ML Carr, Pierce’s stabbing, Antoine Walker missing out on the lotto twice). You have to go back a generation for them to feel a sense of true relevance prior to KG
btw I’m not a Celtics fan, but I caught this post on the main page, so I’m speaking for most here.
"My features are that of a god, its not a facade these rappers wanna be NaS"- Nasir Jones QB's Finest
Founder and only member of the Kristin Kreuk Appreciation Society, and future Husband
Still miss em: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvvgVn0gg1E
by Wasabi Steak on Oct 12, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
* Not speaking for most here I mean
"My features are that of a god, its not a facade these rappers wanna be NaS"- Nasir Jones QB's Finest
Founder and only member of the Kristin Kreuk Appreciation Society, and future Husband
Still miss em: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvvgVn0gg1E
by Wasabi Steak on Oct 12, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
awesome post
I will have to agree that this will be one of the most hated NBA teams in the league. There are so many trash talkers on this team it will be a matter of minutes before fans of the opposite team see their player getting verbally abused by a Celtics player. Not only that but fans of other teams hate Boston fans in general.
I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people say, “I don’t hate the Patriots, I just hate their fans.” It is because Boston fans show a sense of pride in their teams unlike the majority of other cities in the US (not saying every city, because who am I to say that). But ask the players who have played in Boston- they say there is nothing else like it.
Sure there are the pink hat red sox fans, and yes the Garden has been louder in the past two years than it was prior to then, but that is the nature of the beast.
In other words, you will hate us. We will make sure of it.
hahah
i left CA for school not knowing much about any cities fans. at all, including my hometown of LA’s. after two months on my freshman hall at Duke, i wanted to hate every Boston team. and not because their fans were these cool, well educated and passionate people…but becaue they were loud, outspoken, ignorant fools who could speak of nothing else. it was so instantly annoying and boring, i began to hate boston teams based on that alone. god, i was so grateful to become a sophmore and move away from those sportcenter drooling fools
by lakersbluedevil on Oct 12, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I got the same feeling
from Boston fans in Eugene, OR. Loud, obnoxious, poor losers, poorer winners, ignorant, and classless. Every team has those fans. Only in Boston do they make up the majority of the fan base.
Right.....
Because Eugene, OR, which is literally on the opposite side of America from Boston, makes up the majority of the fan base? Get a clue pal. Don’t base your assumptions on a group of people from Oregon of all places. Haters are going to hate, as the original post claims.
And Laker bluedevil. Let me guess, youre a yankees fan, cowboys fan, and canadiens fan as well? Please. You want to talk about annoying/obnoxious fans lets talk about cameron crazies.
by Jimmy Toscano on Oct 12, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
You are right
I can’t make a judgement on every Boston fan. But I’m not talking about Oregonian bandwagon Celtics lovers, I’m talking about born and raised Boston guys going to college out of state.
Everything I’ve heard about Boston makes me think I’d love it. Weather, culture, politics, people – it sounds like an incredible place. I’d love to live there at some point.
But Boston sports fans must be an anomaly. I’ve met many people FROM Boston who are loud, obnoxious, poor losers, poorer winners, ignorant (to other sports teams), and classless. That is all when it comes to sports. In other areas y’all are cool people. But the sports culture in Boston has raised some RIDICULOUS fans.
by StuckeyDuck on Oct 13, 2009 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions
To paraphrase...
I’m basing my assumptions on a group of people on my interactions with that group of people. I think my sample size is large enough to be somewhat telling. Lakersbluedevil seems to agree with me.
by StuckeyDuck on Oct 13, 2009 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
loud, obnoxious, ignorant, classless...
those are traits of all yankees, not just folks from Boston. jk!
sorry, guys. from the south. got to get my jabs in when I can!
by KY Celts fan on Oct 13, 2009 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Here's a theory....
College kids are annoying when they watch sports. Period. Boston is a huge college town. Do the math.
A Lakers and Duke fan?
You are like the anit-Me. As a Celtics fan and Kentucky Wildcats fan, you have got to be like my Lex Luthor.
by KY Celts fan on Oct 12, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions
To be Objective, I think the lakers are the most hated team..
Most Lakers fans hate the celtics the most; for obvious reasons. And vice versa.. But most hated by the other 28 teams?
The lakers take that crown, imho. Ask the other 28 other teams.
To old to be relevant
Thus hate is irrelevant.
Alas, I remember the same Bravado last year as a team with the back court of RAFER ALSTON and Courtney Lee won a game 7 in Boston.
You have your title and its now Time to pay the bill.
But this is just an opinion and as such should be treated as one.
Thanks guys.
Keep pumpin, ain't worried bout nuttin
Busters thought we was frontin, so reload and keep dumpin
Keep Sleeping on Orlando...
I like, no love, that people hate the Celtics so much that they will disagree/argue with a blog about how hated the Celtics will be. Brownie points to the guy that argued that a Laker team was more hate-able; making a contest out of hate-ability.
?
I wasn’t implying that I like that the Celtics are/may be hated? I just thought it was funny that other teams fans were giving examples of more hated teams, because those people hate the Celtics. It’s just ironic.
I REALLY hate the Cowboys
Wonder what there Hate-ability score is?
Keep pumpin, ain't worried bout nuttin
Busters thought we was frontin, so reload and keep dumpin
Keep Sleeping on Orlando...
No comparison.
The pity score cancels out most of th Cowboys hate score.
— forlorn ’boys fan and new devotee of Miles Austin.
by Thruthelookingglass on Oct 12, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah as I typed I remebered they have not won a playoff game in forever
Success is a vital part of hate.
Keep pumpin, ain't worried bout nuttin
Busters thought we was frontin, so reload and keep dumpin
Keep Sleeping on Orlando...
Thanks for acknowledging all-consuming Sheedhate
Portland fan here representing my fellow Trail Blazer lemmings.
Whereas before Wallace became a Celtic your team was definately on our hate list but pretty far down, somewhere past the Lakers at #1 and seven or eight other Western Conf. teams at #2.
No more. The Boston Sheeds are now in second place among Portland haters. The Lakers are still first and always will be.
Speak for yourself, bro.
This Portland fan hates Boston for many reasons – none of which have to do with Sheed. I’m actually disappointed that one of my all time favorites (Sheed) is going to play for Boston. I loved him on Detroit, and of course I loved him in Portland.
I’ll cheer for him in Boston, but I don’t want his new team winning a title.
Not all Blazer fans hate Sheed. Sheed is the MAN and I wish we had the balls to get him back this offseason.
I'm a Celtics fan...
I love Portland. They are my second favorite team. In the next few years Portland going to be pretty seriously good. I live on the west coast, so they are my go to other team to watch.
HATE
ALOT OF THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE REPORTERS ON ESPN AND SPORTS ILLUSTRATED. ESPN REPORTERS ARE LAKER AND CAVS LOVERS. THEY JUST CAN’T WAIT TO SEE LEBRON WIN A TITLE WITH SHAQ AND SEE KOBE WIN AGAIN.
THEY HAVE DISRESPECTED THE CELTICS EVER SINCE THEY WERE PUT TOGETHER. GOOD, THE MORE THEY DISRESPECT US THE MORE THE FIRE IN THE GUT OF THESE GUYS. I LOVE THE CELTICS, ALWAYS HAVE, AND ALWAYS WILL.
THEY HATED US WHEN RUSSELL WAS AROUND TOO. ISN’T IT TOO BAD WE HAVE HAD SO MANY WINNERS? KEEP IT UP ESPN, WE WILL RESPOND TO YOUR DISRESPECT. SEE YOU IN JUNE.
Who really cares who hates us?
As long we quiet them when we are on top once again showing the world why we are hated. Why does it seem haters only come around when they got something to prove?
Explain all you want, how Boston fans are the worst when Lakers fans are no better. Of course Celtics, Lakers, Cavs, Magic, Spurs, and so on will be the most hated. Still you don’t hear about Grizzles with A.I. on their team being hated on. It’s because your team can’t make it as a top contender in this league. That’s just showing how much we care about your hatred against us when it most counts.
To sum it up this article will have fans from all teams coming around to take shots at the Celtics. I love the hate and whatever you have to proclaim we will still be here supporting our team right to the Finals when we win it all.
Silly Topic IMHO
No one hates the Celtics. Personality-wise, they’re no better or worse than most other teams. They’re a good team, so there’s some envy, but that’s it.
?????
- in the NBA in T’s.
It's not a dunk unless your hand makes contact with the rim. Yeah, I'm talkin' to you, "Superman..."
by ben_gleicher on Oct 13, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
People hate the Lakers a lot more than the Celtics
Although the Celtics do have a bunch of hot headed thugs i.e. Eddie House… they’re probably the 5th best team in the league and have no chance of getting past Cleveland, Orlando, and the Lakers. You hate who’s on top, and the Celtics are no longer on top.
It's not a dunk unless your hand makes contact with the rim. Yeah, I'm talkin' to you, "Superman..."
In my opinion, most of the hate comes from jealousy. If team A loses to team B, fans A will grow to hate B. The Celtics beat on the Lakers early on, so of course Lakers fans “hate” the C’s. The only thing that really got in the way of Larry Bird from Jordan status was Magic and the Lakers. So Celtics fans grew to hate the Lakers.
I feel like the Lakers is the most hated team because they beat more franchises. The Celtics won the majority of their rings off the Lakers, but the Lakers made a few more enemies along their journey. I also feel like geography has a lot to do with Laker hate too. Clippers fans seem to resent the Lakers, and for some reason Golden State has problems with the Lakers too. Sacramento hates the Lakers for obvious reasons. I feel like the Celtics are The Team in the Atlantic.
So yeah, winning has a lot to do with hate, but I think it also has a lot to do with who you beat
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Chris Paul is recruiting J.R. Smith to the Clippers
- Video: ‘Where in the World is Nikola Pekovic?’
- Jeremy Lin’s teammate snaps a picture of his famous couch
- Dwight Howard picks a strange time to ask for more fourth-quarter shots
- Spike Lee texts to thank the coach that cut Jeremy Lin before seeing him play
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
