An individual and their standards are interwoven to create a lifestyle. The things a person does on a regular basis, usually becomes their status quo. Preferences are all unique to an individual depending on their circumstances, opportunities, and personal taste.
The relationship between a fan and their sports team is no different. Different fan bases have different standards when it comes to success. And when it comes to the NBA, no team is held to a higher standard than the Los Angeles Lakers.
And although being a member of a fan base accustomed to winning may seem like a problem-free experience, I can personally say it comes with plenty of demons as well.
Mediocrity is unacceptable when it comes to the Lakers. The phrase “I know we didn’t win it all, but at least we had a good season,” is one Lakers fans never utter. It’s championship or bust in the city of angels.
The relationship between the Lakers organization and their fans is eerily similar to the relationship between a straight “A” student and her parent. The student has set the bar so high year after year, that if one “B” shows up on a report card, it is seen as a failure. Lakers fans have played the role of the strict parent for years and after a while it becomes exhausting.
When my Lakers fall short of winning a championship, I see it as a complete failure. That is why the phrase “you win big, you lose big” applies perfectly to this organization. I’ve become so accustomed to success from this team, that the thought of failure is unbearable. Each loss, bad pass and missed shot is compounded and magnified by those 19 banners hanging from the Staples Center roof.
I was filled with unparalleled joy and happiness every time I saw Kobe Bryant lift a championship trophy over his head. Ironically, it is those exact memories that make it so devastating and painful anytime I see him fail. The Lakers organization has set the bar so high, that when they fail to grasp it, even just for one year, it’s a long and agonizing fall for the fans.
Granted, these are all problems that most sports fans would kill to have. However, it doesn’t change the fact that being a Lakers fan is accompanied with extreme pressure every year without question. Our high standards of excellence also pave the way for high levels of disappointment.
As for this year, the Lakers currently have the fifth best record in the NBA. Fans are questioning the coach’s offense, Kobe Bryant’s shot attempts, the weak bench, and whether or not the team should trade away two of its best players. Welcome to Los Angeles, ladies and gentlemen.
Lawrence Maybir is a senior journalism major and a contributing editor for the Daily 49er.
