In sports, the discussion is just as important as the actual sport. There is only a tiny amount of time of the sport actually being played compared to the hours or days or months or years for debate. From the games to the news and everything else that comes along with our favorite sports, we spend more time talking than watching.
We probably even enjoy talking sports more than watching them.
Everyone’s on the internet, and the media takes advantage of that. All outlets, big or small, have figured out sports fans love lists. Opinion alone gets attention on the internet, but lists always get the most attention. Whether it’s the top 50 players in NBA history, 10 best Super Bowl plays, or whatever it may be, people are interested to see what you have to say. Look at the reaction to those lists and we are back to fans debating with each other again, and it usually gets ugly.
A list, if you will, was recently released by ESPN that certainly caught the eyes of Indiana Pacers fans.
With it being August and a little premature to talk about in the NBA right now, ESPN has compiled a panel of more than 200 members and, for the eighth straight year, published predictions for the Eastern Conference.
Topping the list was the Cavs, Bulls, Hawks and Heat. No reason to complain, as that’s a sound and safe prediction for the top four seeds. You start going down the list, however, and wonder where the Pacers are.
Wizards at 5, Raptors at 6, Bucks at 7, Celtics at 8 , Pacers at … 9. In missing the playoffs, they project Indiana to finish with a record of 39-43, just one more win than the 2014-15 squad that had Solomon Hill leading the team in minutes and Paul George playing just 91 all year.
ESPN’s panel added no explanation for their predictions, but instead added tweets in reaction.
ESPN projects the Pacers to win 39 games next season in their #ESPNForecast. Hard to imagine a full season from PG only adding one win.
— Cameron (@ThatManCam) August 17, 2015
Just having the G2 Zone (Paul George and George Hill) back alone gives the Pacers a good chance to compete for a playoff spot, and all the talent they added in the offseason gives them a chance to move up even higher in the race.
That’s not really the point, though. People are overreacting to this. Should anyone ever really get mad at the media for not particularly having a positive opinion about their team? No. Save your anger and time for when something actually worth complaining about happens, like when an individual or group says something offensive.
There is no way to tell what kind of fan is reading this, but I can assume a decent amount are the fans I am talking about. If you are a fan that gets defensive towards the media when they down your team (like predict they will finish 9th in the East), realize this: the opinion of media members is just an opinion. Them saying the Indiana Pacers will finish 9th with a 39-43 record doesn’t mean it will actually happen, and you tweeting them your reasons why that won’t be the case won’t change anything. They already considered the things you are telling them before making their prediction, and if they didn’t, they probably don’t deserve your time anyway.
And it’s OK to disagree. I’m not saying you can’t let your opinion be known just because it won’t change anything. Just don’t attack or hate a writer and/or outlet because they predicted the Pacers wouldn’t make the playoffs.
The two tweets from earlier are perfect examples of how you should react. State that you disagree and maybe a reason why, but no need to rant. Don’t get yourself mad about someone’s opinion. A good way to go at these predictions and lists is with a humorous mindset. Go in, read what they have to say, and if you don’t agree leave it at that. Have your opinions in mind, and if what they say sounds stupid to you, laugh it off.
The other part to this is respect. Fans want their team to be respected, to be recognized for what they are. If they’re good, fans want them to be seen that way. If they are young and on the come up, fans what their team to be recognized as underrated. If they’re bad, well, there’s not much you can do there.
I understand why fans would want their teams to be covered on a national level, especially Pacers fans since Indiana is in a small market. Thing is, teams have to earn respect. Sure, the Pacers have had a decent stretch in the last few years, and during their high points, they were covered. Two examples of small market teams getting coverage are the Thunder and Spurs. The Thunder have two superstars, the Spurs just win a lot. Find the happy medium of that and the Pacers, or another team, will get the deserved attention. For the Pacers’ sake, the team that got them to two straight Eastern Conference Finals is gone now.
They have to earn their respect back.
Consider this advice when you see a sports opinion that gets to you, and in the meantime, don’t worry about the Pacers. I think they’ll be just fine.
https://twitter.com/Yg_Trece/status/633510892668354560
Next: Paul George Checks In with Team USA, Then Heads Out
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