Well there’s the obvious reasons: outcomes are predetermined, refs can be bought, individual stars are heavily promoted and given main event matches even if they haven’t been earned, biased commentary, backstage drama, feuds, etc.
But think about this. In 2007 the Celtics quickly became one of the most hated teams in the league (outside of Boston of course) , where 3 babyface players came together to form a dominate tag team, 2 “abandoning” their current teams. A classic wrestling heel turn. Over the next few years the Celtics played the heel role well, equipped with an arrogant “we’re the best, screw everyone else” mentality, leading the league in technicals, and going head-to-head and with several popular babyface teams such as the LeBron’s, the Dwight Howard’s, and the Kobe’s. Later long time heel player Rasheed Wallace was brought into their stable further solidifying their status as hated “heel”.
Now in 2010, after being barely beaten for the championship belt, they became babyfaces, not because of anything they did in particular, but because of popular babyface LeBron turning heel (turning Wade and Bosh heel with him). It’s like Hulk Hogan going over to the NWO. LeBron turned heel, so his enemy becomes babyface by default. Then to complete the babyface turn, always popular, but past his prime baby face Shaquille O’Neal joins the stable (along with repackaged midcarder Jermaine O’Neal).
It seems to me that outside of Lakers fans, most people who rooted against the Celtics before are cheering for the Celtics now. They don't want LeBron to win.
The Celtics are still the same team (same attitude, same style, etc.), but now seem to be a fan favorite just because of the actions of somebody else. Where else does this happen other than professional wrestling? The NBA, where heel turns happen.
Just something to think about before the game starts
Topic: Why the current NBA is like Pro Wrestling. (Read 2992 times)