The Shirt Or The Player

Are you a fan of the shirt or the player inside it? Do you pick a team and cheer for it no matter what or do you pick a favorite player and root for him or her no matter who they play for? How far does your loyalty go?

If you know me you know that I am a faithful Texas Ranger supporter. Of course I have my favorite players, but I have followed the team closely since 1975, and that has not wavered. Through thick and thin I am committed to that team. I have been with them through good times and bad - I’ve seen a lot of bad baseball and been rewarded by also witnessing some good baseball and some spectacular accomplishments. And finally a World Series Championship in 2023.

I can’t say the same for my allegiance to the Dallas Mavericks. I have been a fan, and have consistently pulled for them, but I’ll confess there have been periods of time where my level of interest has faded during their mediocre periods. I certainly watched with more interest when their record was better and celebrated the 2011 World Championship, but watched more casually in other years.

Now I have a bit of a dilemma, and I suspect that many of you do too. I can’t root against the Mavericks. I really enjoy watching Kyrie, and PJ, and Lively and Gafford , the “two-headed beast”at the post. Many fans are saying they will stop supporting the team, but these players certainly didn’t trade Luka. Nico Harrison - and only him - made that awful trade. So do we punish the entire organization for the actions of one egomaniac?

And how do you feel about Los Angeles? I have never been a Laker fan, and won’t pull for any team featuring LeBron James, so I certainly won’t start rooting for them now, even if there is Luka Magic instead of Magic Johnson. Doncic will be living “LA vida Luka” on the west coast. I don’t want them to win, but I’ll admit I hope he scores 50 when they play the Mavs, and he smiles and waves at Nico after every basket.

That’s my opinion - what’s yours?