科技创新！
NBA Twitter Casual? That's me, and that's fine.
Let's state it plain: I am an NBA Casual.
That's not something most folks, at least online, would readily admit. Because even though my fandom is casual, on most days I'm deeply engrossed in NBA Twitter. And being called a "Casual" on NBA Twitter is an insult — it's typically a shorthand method of saying a person's opinion is awful and the sort of thing a non-devoted fan would think.
Still, it's hard to argue I'm anything buta Casual. If I'm able to watch two games per week, that's a good week. And yet, I love the NBA. Yes, that's a little weird. In the past, loving the NBA meant devoting hours upon hours of time watching games. You'd watch a game on your TV while streaming others on your laptop. But the NBA's appeal has increasingly become less about what's on the court, and more about the fan experience online. It's a league devoted to personalities, transaction rumors, online communities, and yes, of course, actual games.
In some ways, I canbe a Casual, because I'm already online most of the time, thanks to my job. I cover digital culture here at Mashable and check Twitter an approximate 9,000 times per day — and I follow the NBA through Twitter, where a large portion of my follows are devoted to NBA people. So even by osmosis, I learn a ton about the NBA. And I listen to NBA podcasts. I read NBA articles. When there's a particularly good game on TV, I watch it. But I never feel the need to watch a game, even if it's one involving my favorite team, the Philadelphia 76ers. I get my NBA fix through a mix of things rather than just watching games.
Tweet may have been deleted
Also, I work a pretty typical schedule, which means most weekdays I have, what, four to five waking hours per day to myself? I have a partner who will watch with me but isn't a huge fan. Every NBA game is aired during time we spend together, unless I really wait up for the 10 p.m. ET tip-off for West Coast games, when my partner is typically asleep.
There's competition for my interest, too: I want to keep up with reality TV, and prestige dramas, and, hell, maybe go see a show, or take a walk, or get some dinner at a restaurant. I watch the NBA when it's convenient for me, not out of some duty to be a Real Fan.
Following the NBA through Twitter, podcasts, and articles has never been more convenient. I mean, duh, there's more just...stuffabout the NBA out there than ever. Players themselves are constantly posting online.
Tweet may have been deleted
I can keep abreast with the league — who's been traded where, which players have beef, the standings, the scores, the best plays — without ever flicking on TNT or paying for a League Pass subscription. It's not so much that I'm Casual by intention, it's just that it's never been easier to be a Casual.
Now, do I have some NBA opinions that would lead people to call me a Casual? Sure. Philly's Joel Embiid is my MVP because he kicks ass, I watch more Sixers games than those of any other team, and because...he kicks ass, and your Nikola Jokic analytics argument simply doesn't interest me. You can tell me all the stats you want about Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert — screen assists, RAPTOR, whatever — I'm still going to think he's fraudulent. I'm still kind of scared of the Lakers because they have LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Sure I know the team has proven it's trash time and again, but those are two big names my Casual brain fears. Yes, a fan who watches every game, who reads every detailed article, who simply knows more, could prove me wrong. But I'm totally fine just knowing LeBron James is really good, and it makes me scared of their team a little.
I know I'm a Casual. But I spend so much time with the NBA that doesn't involve watching games that I feel like I'm informed in my opinions. Sure, I don't break down the tape of games, or even watch every night, but I do get a lot of info about the NBA in my life.
I love the NBA, and I love the Philadelphia 76ers specifically, but I love them on my terms.
Being this kind of fan works for me. I follow funny, smart people online who make me laugh and learn about the league. I listen to podcasts for the bigger picture. I read stories that interest me. I see every big highlight. And, when I have the time, I watch entertaining games.
Funnily enough, I even hear NBA podcasters moan about people who don't watch enough games. But it's not my job to watch a ton of games; it's the podcasters' job. I don't feel the need to watch the Detroit Pistons play on a Monday. So sorry, but Summer House airs that day and it's wildly better than some slog of a meaningless NBA game. I love the NBA, and I love the Philadelphia 76ers specifically, but I love them on my terms.
So if you see me sharing NBA opinions on Twitter, you can call me a Casual. I'll admit you're right...but then again, that doesn't mean I'll admit I'm wrong.
Featured Video For You
How sports broadcasting's worst idea led to its best
文章
8
浏览
1
获赞
9
热门推荐
Barbie may not be out of the closet yet, but her fans sure are
Has there ever really been a gaydoll? Well, yes and no. In 1977, "Gay Bob," marketed as the world'sGoogle: Project Loon has provided internet to 100,000 in Puerto Rico
It's been nearly two months since Hurricane Maria ripped through Puerto Rico, and the island is stilAmazon promises to create 100,000 jobs, and Trump team quickly takes credit
Amazon promised on Thursday that it would create 100,000 new jobs in the United States over the nextElon Musk suggests Australia would revert to the Dark Ages without renewable energy
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is ramping up his doom-and-gloom predictions about Australia's energy problems,Dr. Dre, a big USC donor, says his daughter got into USC 'on her own'
Dr. Dre wrote that his daughter Truly was accepted to the University of Southern California "all onNew Obama/Biden memes are here to help you survive inauguration week
You can take Barack and Joe out of the White House, but you can never take Barack and Joe out of the'Your power scares me' senator tells Facebook during first hearing on 2016 election
The two biggest moments of Tuesday's hearing about Russian propaganda on social media put Facebook iAmazon promises to create 100,000 jobs, and Trump team quickly takes credit
Amazon promised on Thursday that it would create 100,000 new jobs in the United States over the nextComedian gives her family brilliant informational pamphlets before going on a date
Anticipating her family's inevitable questions, Mary Beth Barone prepared an informational pamphletIn less than a year, the Nintendo Switch is set to surpass the Wii U's lifetime sales
Unsurprisingly, Nintendo Switch sales are expected to pass those of Nintendo's previous console, theSkype disappears from app stores in China, including Apple's
Tumbleweeds are a-blowin' through app stores in China, as unmonitored and foreign-run communicationApple delays HomePod release until after holiday season
Looks like Apple lovers are going to have to wait a little longer for smart, room-filling sound.ApplTumblr loses nearly 30 percent of its page views after banning porn
Tumblr has suffered a massive drop in traffic since banning porn late last year.In November 2018, TuYour AirPods case has a hidden power
Yes, the life-changing lifehack you just read about, in the headline of this post, is very real. SorTexas church shooting reignites the encryption debate between Apple and FBI
The encryption debate is heating back up.Monday, the San Antonio Express-News confirmed that Texas a