Sim League Report: Where are the fans?
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 6:23 pm
Fans love winning. Dating back to the Roman Colosseum days, spectators cheered on their favorite fighters to beat their opposition, and while sports today are not as violent, the spectacle is still quite dramatic and the fans are just as passionate. Lose, and the fans lose interest. Win, and the insert-team-here-fan-for-life'ers come out and support you.
This is true for the Sacramento Kings, as evidenced by the official team's index page.
Not surprising coming from the Sacramento Kings, however. A dominant stretch spanning greater than two decades, the Kings are always the talk of the league and are a fan-favorite for many even outside the state of California. They don't call them the Capital City Crusaders for nothing.
Still, there are teams that aren't quite there yet in the fans eyes in regards to excellence, greatness, and consistency.
Philadelphia 76ers
Not really shocking, although the attendance is unexpectedly high. A lot of empty seats throughout my farm franchise, especially in a stadium with modest suite and club seat accommodations. Even in a major market, the fans don't project a level of confidence in their franchise. We were able to ask a fan coming from a home win against the Knicks about the attendance:
"It's not like we just beat a world-beater. The talent level in the conference is not comparable to the Western conference with the likes of the Central division tankers. Happens, but I guess that's what happens when you're a fan of the Philadelphia Kings. Beat on weaker opponents, but lose to a team like the Sacramento Kings a few days prior. Until we decide to stop coat-tailing off of Sacramento's scraps, the stadium will remain bare."
Atlanta Hawks
Surprising coming from the one team that actually has more wins than the Sacramento Kings. Again, I attribute this to the lack of competition in the Eastern conference and the cupcake games they have to play. A quote from a fan right after a loss at home to the Sacramento Kings:
"This is what happens when we play a team with even the slightest pulse. Outplayed from the start and through to the end. Hell, maybe after a few squash matches against the pitiful divisional opponents like the Bucks, Hornets, and Raptors, we may be able to keep our next game against Sacramento closer but still find a way to lose in the last seconds."
You have to love the optimism.
Golden State Warriors
Pitiful coming from the likes of a franchise that once held Shawn Kemp on the roster, and is now the current team of Steph Curry. Continuously gifted with such OP players, it's unfathomable how this team can't even fill their stadium. Definition of fair-weather fans, as evidenced by this one fan's opinion:
"It's not like we're in first place right now. Why would the seats be filled?"
And now some quick hitting fan thoughts and opinions:
Minnesota Timberwolves
"We're just going to lose in the first round of the playoffs again."
New Orleans Hornets
"Owner probably traded our fans, just like his picks."
Toronto Raptors
"At least it's greater than our GM's career winning percentage of 40%."
Milwaukee Bucks
"Lol"
Denver Nuggets
When asked about his team:
"A team? I wouldn't call it that."
This is true for the Sacramento Kings, as evidenced by the official team's index page.
Not surprising coming from the Sacramento Kings, however. A dominant stretch spanning greater than two decades, the Kings are always the talk of the league and are a fan-favorite for many even outside the state of California. They don't call them the Capital City Crusaders for nothing.
Still, there are teams that aren't quite there yet in the fans eyes in regards to excellence, greatness, and consistency.
Philadelphia 76ers
Not really shocking, although the attendance is unexpectedly high. A lot of empty seats throughout my farm franchise, especially in a stadium with modest suite and club seat accommodations. Even in a major market, the fans don't project a level of confidence in their franchise. We were able to ask a fan coming from a home win against the Knicks about the attendance:
"It's not like we just beat a world-beater. The talent level in the conference is not comparable to the Western conference with the likes of the Central division tankers. Happens, but I guess that's what happens when you're a fan of the Philadelphia Kings. Beat on weaker opponents, but lose to a team like the Sacramento Kings a few days prior. Until we decide to stop coat-tailing off of Sacramento's scraps, the stadium will remain bare."
Atlanta Hawks
Surprising coming from the one team that actually has more wins than the Sacramento Kings. Again, I attribute this to the lack of competition in the Eastern conference and the cupcake games they have to play. A quote from a fan right after a loss at home to the Sacramento Kings:
"This is what happens when we play a team with even the slightest pulse. Outplayed from the start and through to the end. Hell, maybe after a few squash matches against the pitiful divisional opponents like the Bucks, Hornets, and Raptors, we may be able to keep our next game against Sacramento closer but still find a way to lose in the last seconds."
You have to love the optimism.
Golden State Warriors
Pitiful coming from the likes of a franchise that once held Shawn Kemp on the roster, and is now the current team of Steph Curry. Continuously gifted with such OP players, it's unfathomable how this team can't even fill their stadium. Definition of fair-weather fans, as evidenced by this one fan's opinion:
"It's not like we're in first place right now. Why would the seats be filled?"
And now some quick hitting fan thoughts and opinions:
Minnesota Timberwolves
"We're just going to lose in the first round of the playoffs again."
New Orleans Hornets
"Owner probably traded our fans, just like his picks."
Toronto Raptors
"At least it's greater than our GM's career winning percentage of 40%."
Milwaukee Bucks
"Lol"
Denver Nuggets
When asked about his team:
"A team? I wouldn't call it that."