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I know a guy, let’s call him George. George is big into all the sports; NBA, NFL, Premier League/World Cup, AFL, you name it. I really like George, he’s one of the most warm, genuinely nice, and kind people I know. On top of being a stand-up dude, we also have quite good conversations about sport and life in general; I consider myself lucky to call him a friend.

But we have one HUGE problem that I just can’t get over…

He’s a bandwagon fan.

Now that you know this, you probably won’t be surprised that my friend George flies Golden State Warriors and New England Patriot flags. I admit, he has stayed true to some of his other allegiances, but I simply can’t get over his latching onto the Warriors.

To compound this, not only did he jump on this bandwagon but this guy used to bleed Boston Celtic green! One of the most storied franchises in the NBA, on the come-up with that crazy-good young squad, and won a championship less than 10 years ago!

Now don’t get me wrong, I love watching the Warriors. Anyone who enjoys basketball would be crazy not to appreciate their team-oriented, fast pace style of play. When Steph Curry gets nuclear hot and starts raining those ridiculous NBA Jam threes, it’s truly something special and we’re all lucky to be able to witness such an amazing talent.

George supports the Warriors for these exact same reasons, they play unselfish ball and they’re simply fun to watch. In a way, I genuinely understand how he feels but I would never, ever, in a million years consider switching team allegiance.

After the most recent Warriors championship, while I was giving him shit as usual about bandwagoning and how I thought KD was a snake and insecure bitch, something he said stuck with me, and made me question a few things. George enjoys watching the Warriors, think they play the right way and supporting them makes him happy, so what’s wrong with that? I honestly didn’t have an answer.

To me, it feels inherently wrong to change team loyalty and it’s not for a lack of trying. I was extremely disillusioned with the last few years of the Kupchak era Lakers and tried to renounce my Lakers allegiance, but just couldn’t do it.

Switching teams feels like cheating on a partner, and it just feels wrong, something my fiancé will probably approve when/if she reads this. And sticking with this metaphor, I enjoy watching the Warriors and appreciate them the same way I appreciate Rachel Demita or Gal Gadot; look but don’t touch (not that I’d ever have a chance with them, but I digress).

I touched on this in an earlier blog about playing fantasy sports, engaging in fantasy basketball/football makes me feel closer to the action, and I end up knowing about and following teams or players I’d otherwise never care about.

In a similar vein, I think having a home team in sports is an integral part of the experience. Professional sports at the end of the day is just as much about entertainment as it is actual sport, and it feels good having something to cheer for or against.

This home team forms an integral part of your fandom identity. I know a guy who before I even properly knew his name, knew him as “Orlando Magic Homer Guy”. This other dude I’m in a fantasy football league with, I can basically count on him to draft Tom Brady and Stephen Gostkowski every year.

Props to them, those guys love their teams and are proud of it. On the other hand, bandwagoners who suddenly renounce their faith for the latest hot pick disgust me. If you’ve previously been a loud and proud fan of a team, switching teams just for greener pastures, in my eyes, hits you with a -10 charisma, -20 reputation debuff. I’m well aware that’s an irrational association, but it is what fuels my burning hatred for bandwagoners.

After this moment of reflection following my last conversation with George, my hard-line stance on bandwagon fans has softened slightly. It might definitely not be for me, but who am I to yuck on someone’s yum if it brings them joy? But I’ll still silently judge you, I’ll just try keep my opinions to myself.

Now my rant is over, here are the Sideline Spice™ approved rules for when it’s acceptable to switch teams and hop on the bandwagon..

Moved cities/countries – only applicable when moving to where that particular team is based



10+ years of terrible ownership – examples include NY Knicks or Cleveland Browns



You were a super casual fan at first and changed teams once you became a fanatical sports no-lifer like Luca, Ryan or I – eg if you just happened to have a Chicago Bulls cap in primary school, but now you’re actually watching NBA, you are entitled to 1 mulligan as you expand your breadth of knowledge



A close friend/relative is affiliated with said new team – this one is borderline, even the mothers of professional athletes don’t go there , so it better be a damn close friend or relative, and your continued acquaintance is predicated on this team switching.



Your whole allegiance is predicated on 1 particular player and they’ve been traded or signed somewhere as a free agent – again, this one is iffy. I think it’s only OK if it isn’t a KD-Warriors or Lebron-Miami situation. If you’re purely a Jeremy Lin fan, fly that NY/HOU/LAL/CHA/BKN flag brother!



Upon threat of death – Maybe you have a psycho partner, I dunno, I reckon this is pretty unlikely. I can’t rule this one out completely though. For some people, ball really is life (or death).

Think I’ve missed anything? Disagree with any of the points I’ve mentioned? Or maybe you also have a funny story about a bandwagon friend, or you’re the filthy disloyal swine and looking to justify yourself! Looking forward to any comments or feedback:

@sidelinespiceLD @sidelinespiceRy #bandwagonrules.