A Blazer Fan's Foreign Policy
by Earl on Aug 20, 2008 4:48 PM PDT
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As a Blazer Fans, we're all over the board about our Team. Some believe that we are destined to own the NBA for the next 10 years, while others believe we'll contend in a few years. Some believe that Brandon Roy's ceiling is so high we can't even see it from here, and some believe he's already reached it or is very close. Some believe Greg Oden is the next coming of Wilt Chamberlin, only better (and without the sex addict thing), and some believe he'll just be a good defender in the paint. But it doesn't matter what we each believe, that's what makes America fantastic, this is not a post about why Greg is the man or why Brandon will be MVP next year.
This is a post about our official foreign policy. What does that mean? Why should we care? Do we even need one? All will be addresses below.
What is a foreign policy
Officially that is a plan for how you relate to something not like yourself. For a country that means how you relate to other countries, for us it means how relate to fans of other teams, the media (excluding Dave and Ben), non fans, etc... What I'll be talking about in this post in particular is... How we relate to fans of other teams.
There are all sorts of aspects to consider for this subject alone; far too many for one post. But since we are on this forum let's just talk about that. With the blogging world blowing up out of control we have access to what people are thinking at any time, and it's only becoming more available. Things to think about as you read on are: How do fans of other teams see me? How do they perceive I think of them? If a L@ker fan was drowning whould I save him or her?
Why it's important
Well, every country has a foreign policy. It helps them make fast desicions about what they should do in any given situation, ensures that they live by a set standard, and gives other countries an idea about how to perceive them. We need one for the same reason. We need to know how to act at any given moment and how we want fans of other fans to see us. Do we want their respect? Do we want them to despise us? We have to decide the answers to these questions before we say or do someething contradictory.
Let's use a sports example, Raiders fans. Their foreign policy: kill. Act unstable. Never refer to Mom as Mommy. Don't cry if you stub your toe. You get the idea. They have a reputation. That's what we need, but hopefully a better one than this example.
Why should we care
Well we don't technically have to. But consider this, how do we talk about other fans? We make fun of L@ker fans all the time, do we want them to make fun of us? Do we want to be considered homers with no touch with reality?
Right now on other fan sites L@ker fans are saying that the next 5 years belongs to K*be, and they'll have 3 rings easily. Hornet's fans are saying they're the best up-and-coming young team in the league and they're on their way to multiple championships. As we know (because of their statements in general) L@ker fan's are delusional, and they think they are owed championships. They're the freakin' L@kers! The league owes them for past greatness. I'm hoping the Hornet's fans's are wrong too, but they're a good team.
The point is, I don't think either of these teams fans that say this can think outside their own team, but we say the same stuff on this site sometimes. I've seen claims of "More rings than fingers" and "Roy is better than K*be!". In the end we might be right, you never know, but I don't want to be seen as someone who's opinion can't be taken seriously because I'm so incredibly biased.
I agree, but now what?
If you've read this far then hopefully you see my point. Now we need to come up with a plan though. Should we trash talk other fans whenever we want or should do unto others as we'd have done to us? Do we fall in line with other delusional teams fans and say right now, before Greg Oden has ever played an NBA game, that we can sit back and let the championships roll in? I think we can come up with a solution that will apease everyone.
My humble opinion
That doesn't mean we should be quite about our love for our team, or never have a homer moment or two. And it definitely doesn't mean we shouldn't be loud at the Rose Garden (we should be the loudest fans on the planet, we have a great team and a great staff). It just means that it's okay to play some thing close to your chest.
Also we should never trash talk about other fans (except L@ker fans, I don't care if they hate us). We don't want to be hated around the league, we want to entice other people to come be fans of our team. We want to have the biggest fan base of any NBA team. I know that's a tall order, but I'm willing to hope for it. If we are perceived as gracious to others not as fortunate as us, articulate and intelligent, undyingly loyal to our Blazers, and grounded we at least have a chance. Those are my thoughts on our foreign policy, but I'm still not quite sure what to do about that drowning L@ker fan... guess I'd throw 'em a couple water wings.
Your turn
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Great post
But I think it was Teddy Rosevelt that said that
by southern oregon on Aug 20, 2008 5:11 PM PDT reply actions
good call.
I made that adjustment.
I am the master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul. - Charles Wesley
I have a rule of thumb
Dont talk mess till you actually win something…
That goes for Laker Fans, Hornet Fans,
and ESPECIALLY Blazer fans.. wait till we win something before proclaiming a dynasty..
"Why would we lie to ourselves dude?"
"Be excellent to each other."
"All we are is dust in the wind, dude."
"Strange things are afoot at the Circle K."
The Wisdom of Bill S Preston Esquire and Ted Theodore Logan
by GreatOden'sRaven on Aug 20, 2008 5:30 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
And we should never trash talk other teams?
Well then what is the point of sports?
by joelor on Aug 20, 2008 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not other teams...
Other teams fans.
I am the master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul. - Charles Wesley
We should always trash talk other teams.
:)
I am the master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul. - Charles Wesley
haha
Sorry, it turned out to be today. What’s your opinion on it?
I am the master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul. - Charles Wesley
Heh
I actually am cool with several L@ker fans online, but I jab and make fun of many others. Barring a few pre-historic dolts, it’s more of a fun kind of “you make fun of me, I make fun of you, we all go home laughing” type of atmosphere.
Of course, the one thing I never do and always call others out for is if someone makes fun of another player for having a serious injury. Then it all hits the fan.
Excellent ideas!
I definitely want us, the fans, to be well known across the league… but I would rather be unknown than infamous. We should definitely treat the fans of other teams with as much respect and dignity as they deserve as human beings.
I can’t help but think of that movie “Green Street Hooligans”. For those that haven’t seen it, the movie is about the gangs (aka fans) who affiliate themselves with specific football teams in England. They then travel with the teams to all of the different cities throughout the UK and challenge that teams representing gang to a brutal street fight. It is definitely worth a watch, but my point is…. I WANT TO BE THE ANTITHESIS OF THIS.
If the day happened to come when a visiting Laker fan occupied the seat next to me in the garden, I would hope that despite our loyalties belonging to different teams, that we could still enjoy our common interest in the game of basketball and share stories of our experiences and hopes for our teams futures, etc… just as I would with a Blazer fan.
I would want that Laker fan to walk away thinking… “If I ever move to Portland, I am definitely joining that crowd! Those are great fans! IT WAS SO LOUD IN THERE!! Why am I living in LA anyway?”
Thanks for the post, Earl. Great topic.
Dude, you've obviously never sat by
one of these Laker fans in the Rose Garden. I was surrounded by them when Horry hit a 3 to knock the Blazers out of the playoffs in 01 or 02. They were so obnoxious the whole game that civility was pointless. I was more than willing to die with them if something could have fallen from the ceiling and shut them up .
"Are you going to bark all day little doggy? Or are you going to bite?" Mr Blonde
by StumptownRon on Aug 20, 2008 10:03 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
That last sentence was one of the best sentences I've ever read
ANYWHERE
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
haha
What exactly does that mean?
I am the master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul. - Charles Wesley
To see the enemy flee before you
and hear the lamentations of thier women
by southern oregon on Aug 20, 2008 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions
I already have my policy
I’ll label it the “Speak Softly and Hit Them with a Big Stick” strategy.
It means I will be nice and respectful, engage in serious analysis, joke around with them, all that good stuff.
And then I close my post by telling them that soon our D-League team will win the Eastern Conference.
Basically, be nice most of the team, but just enough trash talk so they wish they had a team like ours.
It’s important to recognize the different type of opposing fans, though. Guys like knickfan are already half-way to being Blazer fans. You treat them differently.
Then, there’s the guys who are really stuck into their own team, but grudgingly know they don’t have a chance, and hope, since they can’t win it all, that we do. Phoenix has lots of “my second favorite team” kinds of fans, and Portland will have them, too. Those guys are cool. They have some kind of mental illness that keeps their priorities fouled up, but their heart is in the right place. Treat them well, too. Don’t bash their first team, though a little trash talk is ok as long as it makes them laugh instead of mad.
Then, there’s the people who simply love their team and don’t care about anything else. Try to make them laugh, be polite, but be sure to whack them once or twice with a big stick, too.
L@ker fans? Definitely rescue them from the water. Let them climb back on the sinking ship, so they can go down with it.
Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo
Well..
I hate to say it, but I’m totally against this.
I am, have been and always will be against SOME Blazer fans making efforts to decide upon the proper decorum and behavior for Blazer fans worldwide. A fanbase is an amazing, organic thing, not agreed upon or decided in the cellar of a sports blog, but created in an improvised, spastic and beautiful coming to life through the population that clings onto a team. It could be for hometown pride, it could be for respect for the play or players, it could be for the dreaded bandwagon effect, but it does happen and it does so without your approval, Earl.
I find myself bristling at your notion the same way I do when people tell me how to vote or how to pray or how to love.. we all have our own interpretations and they’re all ‘right’ in their own capacity. The people who cheer for the Blazers do so on their own terms and by doing so compose the behavior you’re looking to control. It’s almost as though you’re suggesting anyone who doesn’t cheer the way you like doesn’t belong in the Blazers’ corner, and that’s just ludicrous. It’s the other way around – ‘we’ don’t decide how we behave, there IS no ‘we’ in that sense. Our perception in the eyes of other teams’ fans has much less to do with what you’d like and much more to do with Blazer fans in all their capacities, many MANY of which have never heard of this blog.
Furthermore, why do so many BEdgers care so much about what fans of other teams think about them? Isn’t that the stuff of rivalries? Do you think Laker fans give one iota towards some BEdgers replacing the ‘a’ with an ‘@’? Do you think people in Memphis are thinking “sheesh, Blazer fans will be such jerks in a year or two – if only someone would write a fanpost in the sidebar of a sports blog dedicated to their team and set them right”? Of course not – people in Memphis don’t care about the Blazers, their fans, or Blazer’s Edge. Honestly, what’s your opinion of TimberWolves fans? I’m going to guess “nothing” – same as 99% of the people here. That’s because people who cheer for opposing teams simply do not care about the other teams’ fanbase, and that’s a fact. Unless, of course, it’s a rivalry, in which case no soul will be spared, anyway.
Would my spelling our team’s name Bl@zers make me any less of a fan? Does that really stick a knife in Channing Frye’s heart? No. No one cares. Get over yourselves, enjoy what’s certainly going to be an amazing ride and quit fretting, for crying out loud. We’ve got a lot to look forward to, and being awesome in the eyes of fans of rival teams should be less than relevant. In fact, what a beauteous day it would be when BEdgers can spell every team’s name in its detached, rightful manner and we can focus on something other than Laker fans getting to their seats late – that’s how I’D like Blazer fans to behave.
"Well, Travis just showed us that we can go to Travis Outlaw." - Nate McMillan
by 12sharks on Aug 21, 2008 12:04 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Apparently, you've got some political frustations you're taking out on Earl.
He was in no way looking to dictate anything, simply wanting to start a discussion as to how we, the fans, want to treat those pesty Laker fans.
And even if he was… how in the hell would he enforce such a thing!?!?
I think you saw the word “policy” and the libertarian inside of you erupted. ;-)
Don’t worry, no one is going to tell you how you can and cannot behave at the Garden.
I Think We Agree..
And even if he was… how in the hell would he enforce such a thing!?!?
Absolutely. He can’t. So what’s the point in laying out the ground rules for such an activity? When he says “Also we should never trash talk about other fans..” isn’t that saying we, as Blazer fans, should or should not conduct ourselves in a particular way? Besides, his title referred to ‘foreign policy’ and I saw nothing contrary to that in his post, so it’s safe to assume it’s not limited to a guide on how to “treat those pesty Laker fans”, as you say.
I mean, really, my questions are: Why can’t Blazer fans cheer the way they individually want to, and why do so many BEdgers care what other fans think of them?
That’s the crux of my comment, and if you could open my eyes (sans label-slinging) as to why that’s wrong please do so.
"Well, Travis just showed us that we can go to Travis Outlaw." - Nate McMillan
I'll try to clarify a bit.
My point was that it’s okay to cheer for the Blazers in whatever manner you want, or think whatever you want about them. This is America right? But, and you don’t have to agree with me, if we conduct ourself towards other fans in a “cool” or inclusive way (ie. not calling people GOOFs, or bandwagon fans, or whatever) then we could possibly get more fans which is a good thing right?
The other point was instead of walking around with a t-shirt that says “Blazer’s, 10 time NBA Champions” right now (an exadggeration), I’ll hold that prediction close to my chest. I won’t boast about something that hasn’t happened, instead I’ll say I hope we kick ass, or I think we’re going to be great this year.
I’m saying, hate on other teams as much as you want, that’s part of sports. Cheer however you choose, that’s part of sports. But treat other fans with respect and they’ll treat you with respect. Then, in a year or two when other fans take note of our individual players (a reason many people switch team allegiances), and start finding their way over to this forum or to games or whatever they’ll feel welcome and part of the Blazer family. Then maybe they’ll be fans for life.
These are just my opinions, and we can all do what we want, but that’s the answer to your questions.
I am the master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul. - Charles Wesley
I See Your Point..
but..
if we conduct ourself towards other fans in a "cool" or inclusive way.. then we could possibly get more fans
Let’s not forget that it’s the Blazers’ play and players that wins fans, not the behavior of the preexisting ones. I’m sure you meant “we” as in “the Portland Blazers”, but taken the other way you’d kind of make my point – “we” (Blazer fans, BEdgers, whatever) aren’t here to “get more fans” at all – we’re here to be fans. I am, anyway.
Personally, I really don’t care about the quality or the quantity of Blazer fans – I care about, in this capacity anyway, the Blazers, their players and the potential excelsior of a championship (or more). If I was really into the opera, I wouldn’t be telling fellow audience members to “be cool and maybe others will want to join us” because people will either come or they won’t and all my cajoling would most likely produce would be sideways glances and people thinking I was a total weirdo.
Not that I think you’re a weirdo or anything at all, but that analogy sort of illustrates my point. In fact, I liked your style of writing and your penchant for header use and structure (something lacking in a lot of fanposts). In all, I didn’t even mind the point you made and I think it’s a good way to approach life in general. I suppose I just get a little testy when people write manifestos decreeing proper ways to be a fan and trying to herd a vastly diverse and often unreachable collective into doing things so the group will be more “successful” in one person’s eyes. Invictus, indeed.
p.s. That “10-Time Champions” shirt idea is THE BOMB!! That would be absolutely hilarious to wear around town and to games. I’m gonna get designing one right now so I can wear it opening night!
"Well, Travis just showed us that we can go to Travis Outlaw." - Nate McMillan
I'd love to see the shirt
If nothing else for a good laugh.
I am the master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul. - Charles Wesley
Artist's Rendering..
The back says..
We’re not talking a repeat, a threepeat or even a fourpeat. We’re talking a minimum eight-peat.
Who wants their own?
"Well, Travis just showed us that we can go to Travis Outlaw." - Nate McMillan
Why did you say
“I hate to say it” ??
Stand behind your convictions! Be proud to say it! If you stand before us with your tail between your legs and your head hanging low how do you expect to convince us???
"It’s Dave’s house and we’ve been invited over to play. We play by the house rules or get sent home. Period." - me, 08/16
I was going to come up with an “aw, shucks” funny-because-it’s-perpetuating-the-behavior response, but seriously, if you’ve caught as much heat as I have in the last couple weeks, you’d be tripping over yourself with pleasantries and niceties, too.
Plus, I genuinely wasn’t thrilled about taking a kind of negative stance on something someone else obviously worked pretty hard on.
"Well, Travis just showed us that we can go to Travis Outlaw." - Nate McMillan
I appreciate it but...
don’t worry. I love opinions, even when they’re not mine (well, not as much when they’re not mine). I won’t take offense, it’s all about discussion here at BEdge.
I am the master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul. - Charles Wesley
I don't see a need to be nice.
Honestly, I don’t care if my team is the best or not, I will say they are. I will yell K*be sucks even though I know he doesn’t.
If you care so much about what other fans think why not just wear a K*be jersey. Yeah I talk badly about other team’s fans…and they do the same to us. I don’t really see the problem as in the end of the day it’s about the team not the fans.
Roy is the MvP, Oden rookie of the year, and we win a championship in 2009. Sure with high hopes I’m more likely to be disappointed but I don’t care and certainly don’t care what fans of other teams think. I recognize the talent of other players on other teams, but I will always willingly be a homer.
By the way I’m a Raiders fan and will be in the middle of a ton of Seattle fans yelling my head off later this month.
PS: Roy is better than K*be
To be a little more clear
I don’t think you’re (OP) wrong in your thinking at all, unfortunately there are too many fans like myself who really don’t care how other fans see us.
In my case all I care about is supporting my team as if they were the best sport team in the world regardless of how good or bad they are.
Is praying for the L@ker's team plane to crash
a bad foreign policy? If so, what about dreaming about it?
Only works if you pray to their god
Satan
"Why would we lie to ourselves dude?"
"Be excellent to each other."
"All we are is dust in the wind, dude."
"Strange things are afoot at the Circle K."
The Wisdom of Bill S Preston Esquire and Ted Theodore Logan
by GreatOden'sRaven on Aug 21, 2008 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions
The only thing I care about
Is that other blazer fans don’t act like complete idiots and make me or my team look bad. Think of it like your buddy is being a jackass and you’re thinking “I don’t know that guy . . . " I don’t want to have to think that about other fans of my team. If you’re gonna hate, hate with class (even if only a tiny bit). Have fun, hate on other teams, whatever. Just don’t go out there and make a fool of yourself and make people think "wow Blazer fans are total ____’s.”
I guess in short, don’t be the kid in the kobe jersey going “hahaha Sam Bowie lol blazers suck.” And don’t be the guy in the KG jersey talking about how your celtics are the greatest thing to ever happen to our planet because they got hooked up with some ridiculous talent (much more likely scenario for us). Be humble, have fun, enjoy the ride.
Things happen for a reason they say, but I say there's a reason things happen.
by sixth on Aug 21, 2008 9:03 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Foreign policy? More like table manners.
And mine are fine, thanks. I don’t really care about yours unless we’re eating together.
How sure are you...
that Oden doesn’t have a sex addict thing?
Do you know him? Does he call you at home?
I’m just playin’… but really, who knows, right?
Blazers Edge... the blog that works.
by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Aug 21, 2008 2:48 PM PDT reply actions
He didn't say GO was without
He said “some people think” …
The only “fact” he was stating was that “some people think” – and that’s the one you should be questioning. How does he know what we think about GO? He knows because he reads it here and he assumes (correctly I think) that those opinions are the person’s real feelings (unless you are Mortimer and possibly TIH). But we don’t know what Earl thinks about GO – we just know what he thinks other people think.
And I’m all thunk out.
"It’s Dave’s house and we’ve been invited over to play. We play by the house rules or get sent home. Period." - me, 08/16
Tru dat.
It wasn’t about what I think about our players (love ‘em by the way), just about how we sometimes proclaim them to be Great before they are. And then what if they aren’t? I mean seriously, what if Greg turns out to be nothing more than a servicable defensive center. While that’s not likely, I’d just like to see him play before we crown him with many crowns.
I am the master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul. - Charles Wesley
Wheres the Vision Statement?
seems lacking
*"Meow" --- my cat Bonzi quoting Shakespeare -- 'Expectation is the root of all heartache.'
I personally do not always approve of the things my cat wants posted but have to wonder after that #5 ranking if frankly we havent earned it.
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