Player or Team?

[LB3533]

The Celtics wouldn't be the Celtics if we had the Sam Bowie of Russell's era instead of Bill Russell.

And if that had happened the franchise wouldn't have as many fans as it does today.

I doubt that. The Red Sox and Patriots were two franchises reknown for their losing ways for decades and decades. And yet, when they won it all recently, they had huge followings and today have fans across the nation, much like the Celtics do.

Boston is a parochial town when it comes to their sports teams and due to the large amount of college students that come in from across the nation into the city, Boston teams make new fans from outside the city every year that continue to be Boston fans after they leave the city. It's a phenomenom like no other.

Erase Russell from his Celtic existence and the 70's and 80's Celtics would still have created as huge a Celtic following as there is today. IMHO.

You have to admit though that players like Tom Brady/Adam Vinateri elevated the franchise.

Players like Pedro/Schilling elevated the franchise.

They brought in greater number of fans for what they accomplished.

And also, I doubt the 60-70-80's Celtics ever really establish their dominance without Russell starting and executing Red's "fastbreak".

[LooseCannon]

This question reminds me of how Wisconsin-ites reacted to the Brett Favre situation.

Some stuck with the Green Bay Packers and now regard Favre as a spiteful drama queen.  Others think that Favre was ill-treated and now follow him, at least until there is a change in management.  A few try to be loyal to both.

What would you do if your favorite player left your favorite team because he was forced out by management, even though he could still play and was willing to take a smaller role and hometown discount so he could retire with your favorite team?

[OmarSekou]

You choose both.

My favorite players have been KG and Ray Allen. Way before they joined the Celtics. So I followed them and their teams along with following the Celts. Then when they joined the Celts my positive karma paid off.

In Football I liked Byron Leftwich and Fred Taylor when they were with the Jags. I followed the team and used them in Madden (everyone says "the Pats are cheap"), but every year I'd root for them to get blown out in the playoffs if they went against us.

I think it's fine to root for any guy in basketball and follow their team in addition to the Celts as long as they don't play for the Lakers.

[Eric_Suede]

No brainer, Stay with the team. There's nothing wrong with still following your favorite player though. In other words (Surprise Surprise)I always liked AI. But at the same time I'm a die hard Celtic's fan. For example back in 2001 when the sixers played the Lakers in the finals I was cheering for philly hoping they pull the upset #1 cause I like AI #2 I REALLY hate the lakers.
 But if AI's team were to be playing against the Celtics, again no brainer. C's all the way. As was the case the following year when the Celtic's (walker/Pierce era) took the sixers out first round in 5. Couldn't have been more excited. I loved the c's at that point didn't care about AI.  

[LB3533]

This question reminds me of how Wisconsin-ites reacted to the Brett Favre situation.

Some stuck with the Green Bay Packers and now regard Favre as a spiteful drama queen.  Others think that Favre was ill-treated and now follow him, at least until there is a change in management.  A few try to be loyal to both.

What would you do if your favorite player left your favorite team because he was forced out by management, even though he could still play and was willing to take a smaller role and hometown discount so he could retire with your favorite team?

It would have been a lot easier to distance yourself from the Packers had Aaron Rodgers turned out to be Ryan Leaf.

Packer fans would have backed Farvre a lot more and lost confidence in the Packer franchise.

[scaryjerry]

To compare it to relative news and debate
Say we do Trade rondo for chris paul'
Hornets = 2nd favorite team