Why Do We Even Post On This Forum?

Pretty basic question, isn't it?

When we post about something non-basketball related, we're usually giving an opinion on something based on experience, which is good for showing individual points of view. I enjoy this, because others' points of view can change my point of view on reality.

Something I've been struggling a lot with is when we post about basketball/Laker stuff: usually we're just merely speculating. It seems like an awful waste of time to sit around all day and speculate on what we should do for the future - sign Rondo, draft Karl-Anthony Towns, start Tarik Black, limit Kobe. What's the point of that sort of posting?

 

Thanks for the passionate post, @therealdeal. Discussing what the Lakers do is certainly legitimate. I'm also wondering though, what about the discussing that we do that is only speculation? Why do we speculate on what the Lakers should do as opposed to what the Lakers are doing or did? Idk, it's just been getting to me. Like what difference does it make if I think the Lakers should do this or that?

 

Most of the time I post, its just me thinking out loud about a subject I'm passionate about. IMO, putting thoughts down in writing is therapeutic and forums give me an easy venue to do this. The feeling of having my opinion validated by like-minded people or engaging in interesting conversation is a very nice bonus too.

 

Do you think it is as therapeutic if your opinion isn't validated? Is posting about Lakers only therapeutic if you're knowledgable about the subject, making it easier to analyze and easier have a "validatable" opinion? Another way of asking is, is it stressful when you don't really know what you're talking about?

 

Do you ever think you invest too much time/emotion/(possibly money) in following the Lakers/posting on the forum? You think it gives age and race a common ground, but do you think it gives gender a common ground?

 

How do you justify the amount of emotion that you put into the Lakers? Basketball/sports are most of the time male-dominated, agree or disagree? If you disagree, why? If you agree, then how does that give all genders a common ground?

 

I wouldn't know

 

because a lot of my friends are really stupid when it comes to sports

 

My take is there are a lot of people who fall into one of the following categories that I find myself in - (1) bored with watching a poor product that the lakers have put on the floor for the past 5 years (including the Dallas meltdown), (2) people who like TRD are such laker fans they define the term 'fanatic' and fantasize about ways they would make things turn out differently, (3) people who enjoy debate and feel like they have something to say or some basic knowledge perhaps history to bring to the table, (4) people who like to watch what happens when they step out and voice an opinion....

 

It's NOT just about speculation. What about loving the game of basketball as fans and sharing observations of what we see going on with this greatest of franchises the city of L.A. has been blessed with ......since Elgin, Jerry and Chick came to town. All the great players that have performed and thrilled us, and the rich history they have built here. Some do it with Xs and Os (definitely not me) but others watch and share communal observations about what they see actually happening.

Why go on any of countless types of forums and share your observations?? You have interest and passion enough to want to talk and discuss topics within what they are about.

 

"seems to me" you are overthinking something very basic and simple, no offense, and why are we back on the gender thing again? If females want to post here certainly they are welcome, it's great and positive to have their observations like any other "member" and they do. If not they don't. There's simply more male fans here.

 

It's not about females posting, it's about females playing. But you're right, this isn't the thread for that. I guess I brought it up because gcclaker said that posting here gaves race and age a common ground (which I would agree with) but was wondering about gender, so I misinterpreted that and thought he was talking about playing basketball - my bad.

And on the other point, yes, maybe half of our posts are on observations, but the other half are speculations are what we think the organization should do.

 

Well when we speculate and are right we get to thump our chests and Lakersball I'm sure will be rolling out the financial incentives on that soon....