Rummpd
03-18-2011, 12:01 PM
If there was any such exercise that’s the equivalent of throwing red meat to the masses to devour, this would be the perfect item. Sure, there are plenty of Laker stories that cause division and uprising. There’s an Andrew Bynum injury, questioning of Kobe Bryant’s shot selection, debating the Lakers’ all-time greatest players, Luke Walton’s contract and any praise for the Boston Celtics or Miami Heat. But this one surpasses them all — questioning the Lakers’ fanhood. The latest issue of GQ Magazine ranks the top 15 worst sports fans in the country and to no one’s surprise, Lakers fans are on that list. … “I think they’re accustomed to success,” [Phil] Jackson said in amusement about the rankings. “That’s kind of a natural reaction when you have a lot of success. People enjoy the show rather than feeling they have to encourage the team in an element of fanatacism.” But by no means are Lakers fans simply star-gazers [OK, GQ put it a little less delicately]. That’s all part of the show of course. There’s no atmosphere that can duplicate Laker games, where you’ll see Jeanie Buss allowing Justin Bieber to wear Jackson’s championship ring, Ron Artest chatting up Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg courtside about a possible collaboration and Dustin Hoffman appearing in every Kiss Cam segment. But to pin Laker fans as mindless celebrity-crazed socialites is simply wrong on every level.
http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2011/03/18/the-opening-tip-friday-mar-18/
The fans outside are hardcore," Artest said. "I'll tell you how they're different. You go into any neighborhood outside of Staples Center and talk about the Lakers. If you're not good, they'll show you how passionate they are."
So what's happened, Ron?
"No I'm not going to say nothing."
OK, fair enough. But I will. GQ can rank Lakers fans as one of the worst fanbases in sports. But nowhere will you meet fans of all various walks of life as equally passionate about their favorite team, whether it's at a Hollywood red-carpet event, a five-star restaurant, a mom-and-pop store or your next-door neighborhood. I'm not expressing this sentiment as a Lakers fan, but as one who interacts with them on a daily basis. For that, I can't thank you enough.
--Mark Medina
http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2011/03/gq-includes-laker-fans-among-the-worst-sports-fans.html?cid=6a00d8341c506253ef014e5ff0c583970c
[Personally most LAL fans are wonderful, faithful and committed to their team, albeit backing they are backing the wrong horse of course this year despite the recent "make up beat down" of the Spurs!:flag:]
http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2011/03/18/the-opening-tip-friday-mar-18/
The fans outside are hardcore," Artest said. "I'll tell you how they're different. You go into any neighborhood outside of Staples Center and talk about the Lakers. If you're not good, they'll show you how passionate they are."
So what's happened, Ron?
"No I'm not going to say nothing."
OK, fair enough. But I will. GQ can rank Lakers fans as one of the worst fanbases in sports. But nowhere will you meet fans of all various walks of life as equally passionate about their favorite team, whether it's at a Hollywood red-carpet event, a five-star restaurant, a mom-and-pop store or your next-door neighborhood. I'm not expressing this sentiment as a Lakers fan, but as one who interacts with them on a daily basis. For that, I can't thank you enough.
--Mark Medina
http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2011/03/gq-includes-laker-fans-among-the-worst-sports-fans.html?cid=6a00d8341c506253ef014e5ff0c583970c
[Personally most LAL fans are wonderful, faithful and committed to their team, albeit backing they are backing the wrong horse of course this year despite the recent "make up beat down" of the Spurs!:flag:]