I’ve been lucky to have the opportunity to view NBA teams competing anywhere from courtside to nose bleeds, surrounding myself with educated “sporties” or just the basic “Clap with the crowd” fan. I have albums upon albums of ticket stubs, autographs abound, pictures a plenty, have attended open and even closed practices, plethora o’ merchandise, etc. You get the point. This lifestyle is the mere definition of a fanatic. But as we all know, I’m way too smart just for that category.
Fanatic: a person with an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal.
By that definition, a fanatic SHOULD have the most jerseys, the most autographs, the best seats, but ISN’T, necessarily, the most KNOWLEDGEABLE. Those that have the proven knowledge and education, specifically in the NBA sport, are known as FANALYSTS.
I have this asshole of a follower, but he’s SUPER DUPER SMART in all that is basketball, that brought this to my attention. I recommend any trash talking, SMART, FANALYST to follow him @Mia_Heat_Index and check his blog out at Miami-Heat-Index.Blogspot.Com .
But I digress……
After you break the two down, it makes a world of sense. *Most* Fanatics will do anything and buy anything to PROVE they are aficionados of said team.
Last night I attended the Denver Nuggets Fan Jam, the team’s open scrimmage, and it was as APPARENT as the snow bunny coming between Vanessa and Kobe Bryant, that there were fanatics and fanalysts in the Pepsi Center. The fanatics would be mauling over little kindergarteners for the chance to get a Chris Andersen signed shoe or a Corey Brewer signed ball. The fanatics would be sort of watching the game and only cheering or clapping when those around them were. To be completely honest, they are D-O-U-C-H-E-S.
The fanalysts, on the other hand, were cheering and yelling, but at the GAME. Yeah, we like autographed stuff, as much as the next person, but also, we are ADULTS, I enjoy my knowledge, my NBA, my Nuggets more than an autographed ball, or a courtside seat, or pushing a 6-year old child away to get a glimpse of Nene. Oh, and all that did happen at the Nuggets scrimmage. If only they knew how EASY autographs are to get and how SIMPLE it is to get decent to great seats.
But hell, that’s why I am a FANALYST and not a fanatic.
Fanatics will say something to the tune of “Denver Nuggets are the best team ALLLIIIIIVVVVEEEE.” As they should. They are fanatics. They have no mechanics to the sport and don’t understand you can still LOVE a team, but be critical of them. While a fanalyst would utter, “God would have to intervene at this point for my Denver Nuggets to see an NBA Final.” Tell me that isn’t true???
Seriously.
Fanalysts, *try* to put their feelings in check when discussing or debating an NBA subject even those they may abhor or those they have an affection for. This doesn’t always occur, mind you, but an attempt is always made. On the flip side, *some* fanatics become emotional, irrational, and sensitive about any topic that reflects their chose team/players in an unsavory light.
Despite the differences between the two, with fanatics, my blog wouldn’t, NECESSARILY, have a purpose. Nor would most NBA blogs, websites, vendors etc. It’s the circle of life as @Mia_Heat_Index puts it. Same goes with Fanalysts, without us, they would have no information to steal, no stats to regurgitate, no one to infuriate them.
Fanlysts are the Yin to the Fanatics Yang.
With that being said, courtside seats, signed autographs, pictures with Kobe Bryant, does not make or break the fanalyst or fanatic.
I would rather be known for the knowledge I share with the world than the pile of signed jerseys in my bedroom.
But then again, that’s why I’m a FANALYST
Until next time,
Mrs. NBA
