Is Criticism and Negativity Towards the Toronto Raptors Way Over The Top?
By Walter Dubowec
In a word - YES.
When the Raptors win a game and the critics are still out in full force, you know the negativity has gone beyond a reasonable level.
There's a time and place for criticizing the Raptors or any sports team for that matter. I'm not adverse to criticizing the Toronto basketball club. I was very critical during the Babcock era, I felt Hoffa was a waste of a draft pick and I am disappointed with Bargnani's overall play this season. Yet after each victory, I was pleased with the outcome. Let’s win, baby!!!!
For some unknown reason, too many armchair hoops experts in Raptorland would rather focus on negativity.
The other night after a Raptors victory, both the FAN 590 post game show and online message boards were swamped with so-called fans with a negative point of view.
I don’t get it. For god sakes, you’d think the Raptors had lost by twenty and were in the midst of a ten game losing streak. Its insane.
Raptors fans are ticked, even after a win
Isn't the #1 goal of the Raptors to win? The Raptors accomplished that goal and fans should be generally pleased with the result. Am I wrong in that assumption?
Instead of applauding Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, Jose or the improved play of the bench, many FAN callers and forum posters were quick to criticize the Raptor’s lack of rebounding, Bargnani’s woes and Bosh’s poor start.
Right after the win, who cares about what went wrong? The Raps won the game. Why not look at the positives which allowed the Raptors to overcome their deficiencies?
Look, I get it. The Raptors were not and are not perfect. Yes, they can improve. But give me a break. This non-stop whining is ridiculous, particularly after a WIN!
As a Raptors fan, I am happy with a win and disappointed with a loss. So after a 13 point win, I think that Raptor fans would take some time to enjoy the victory.
What if these critics were actually at the Raptors/Philly game at the ACC? Would they be cheering throughout the game or would they be booing? I’ll bet they'd be cheering!!
Would they stand up and applaud at the end of the game to acknowledge the Raptors victory or would they boo and complain and bitch?? Of course, they would be cheering wildly!!!!
So why is it when they're punching numbers into their phone to call Eric and Jonesy or sitting in front of their computer, they can't bring themselves to applaud the Raptors victory??
To be honest, I think there are serious problems in your life and your mental makeup if you can't enjoy the moment of victory and instead have to constantly make negative comments because you feel compelled to always be a cynic or a skeptic.
With many Raptors fans, its not about the glass being half full or half empty. With too many, the glass is always 90% empty - even when the Raptors win. Sorry to be blunt, but I don't believe these critics are very successful in the real world. Its easy to be a cynic and hard to be a doer.
Raptors Win, Raptors Win, Raptors Win
Personally, the biggest enjoyment I get as a Raptors fan is when they WIN. At the end of the day, sports is about winning. So when we win, I don't understand why the armchair experts can't take a time to celebrate the victory. It is absolutely bizarre.
Now, I find that I’d rather ignore post game call-in shows and online message boards – even after a victory. Instead, its more enjoyable to sit at home and quietly watch a tape of the game, feel good about the win and ignore the critics and morons who have invaded Raptorland.
The criticism and negativity that is directed towards the Raptors, Bargnani, Bosh, rebounding woes, TJ Ford, Bryan Colangelo and Sam Mitchell is way over the top and unnecessary.
Following your favorite sports should be a fun and enjoyable experience, yet many so-called fans would rather be CONSTANT critics instead of supporters. If that’s your attitude, why bother?
Shouldn't being a fan be fun?
Great win against the 76ers. DELFINO was awesome from the bench
http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2008/01/nba-news-bench-power.html
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I always figured it was whiney leaf fans who are mired in loving thier god awful team that they have confused winning for losing and frankly can't tell the difference anymore. it's sad, this team is fun, successful and frankly ; young and growing.i can't even listen to the post game shows anymore.. stupid people spend soo much time on hearing their own voices it's enough to make ya cramp up.
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a big reason is chuck and the gangs constant ass kissing. they build up such expectations about this team, that when they lose a game people get pissed. but when they win, people get pissed because they aren't consistent.
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Hmmm, I'm gonna disagree with the "Right after the win, who cares about what went wrong?"
Take for example the Raptors not fouling Roy inside the arc with the seconds ticking down and allowing him to tie the game. It speaks of mental unawareness of the situation and an instance of losing your poise and getting caught up in the moment. If we lose that game, we're talking about the 4-pt play and the foul that was never taken.
Just because we won the game doesn't mean we don't analyze the mistakes. That amounts to the same thing as looking only at the negatives after a loss, you're surely against that judging by your post?
I try to always maintain an even keel when it comes to the Raptors and never get too down or too high after a result. Unless there's some mind-numbing coaching decisions being made or the team doesn't even show up, there's no need to start "Fire so and so" and "Trade so and so" threads on RealGM in anger and haste.
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