On Celticsblog and NBA Fandom

[rondoftw]

Hey guys.  I've been kind of a lurker here for a couple of years, but haven't posted much. 

I'm a college student, and am writing a paper on hardcore NBA fandom in the age of the internet.  Naturally, a good deal of the paper will focus on forums and their importance and value to fans, as well as the proliferation of team-centered and league-wide blogs.  It'd be great if you would be willing to talk a little bit about what the forums here mean to you, as a fan of the Celtics and the league as a whole. 

What exactly makes engaging with other fans online enjoyable or gratifying?  How has the internet changed your experience of being a basketball fan (whether through forums, blogs, or mainstream online media outlets)?  Do you take pride in Celticsblog, as a poster and Celts fan?

(For instance, how does the internet change how you speculate on, hear news about, and commiserate over KG's ongoing knee saga?)

I really appreciate anything you've got to say.  Thanks.

[ChampKind]

For me, it's more about connecting with fans while I'm stuck in a place where there isn't much of a fan base.  I joined the site while I was living in Pittsburgh, then moved to Nashville and now I'm in Indianapolis - needless to say, I can't go out to a bar and watch the Celtics play most nights, and there's pretty close to a 0% chance that I'll find someone there that will talk to me about Bill Walker.  This site fills that gap nicely, although in many cases it's similar to talking with a drunk C's fan - the same argument and topics just come up over and over again, occasionally with no resolution in sight.

All in all, it's about unity.  When you're stranded in another area, no one knows what you're talking about if you mention the Milt Palacio days.  Here though, it's a different story.  It's a camaraderie that you can't find outside of New England.