The 10 Types of Online Basketball Fans
Wednesday, 26 August 2009 5,572 Views / 165 Comments
Online discussion boards and forums have been around in this country for more or less 10 years (at least by my estimate), so in celebration of this, I thought I’d write about the 10 types of online posters most commonly found in college basketball-related websites. If you think you fit in one of these profiles, don’t take it personally.
1. The Texter. This is the guy who for some reason thinks text speak is the language du jour on the Internet. Either that or he surfs the Internet from his cell phone all the time. I absolutely hate reading messages like this. Ei, cnu2 b mga bgong plyrs ntn? C dndo p rn b ung kots? You know we’ve become a decadent lot when we can’t even use our keyboard properly to spell out words. Memo for this type of poster: it’s irritating. Seriously.
2. THE ALL-CAPS GUY. FOR THIS TYPE OF POSTER, WHY ARE POSTING IN ALL CAPS? IS THIS YOUR WAY OF TRYING TO GET NOTICED?? LIGHTEN UP!! IT’S NOT GONNA MAKE YOUR ARGUMENT ANY STRONGER!! THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO GET YOUR POST DELETED, FOOL!! (See how annoying that was?). The slightly less irritating cousin of the all-caps guy is the large-font, color-coordinated poster. I mean, okay, so maybe Times New Roman isn’t your thing, but try to tone it down a notch, please. This isn’t your Multiply page.
3. The Troll. Who doesn’t know this guy? He’s the one who will pick a fight with anyone about anything. He will flame-bait with cuss words and/or derogatory remarks, and will almost never participate in a level-headed discussion. Best to ignore completely. Problem is, they’re so many of them. It’s like they multiply whenever they get wet. A general rule in cyberspace is: Don’t feed the trolls.
4. The Fanatic. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from writing about college basketball online all these years, it’s that people will always see what they want to see. No matter how objective you try to be, there are those who will think you’re biased against their favorite player, team or coach, all because you called it as you saw it and you just happened to criticize their idols. Believe me, I’ve had an Atenean accuse me of being pro-La Salle, and a La Sallian accuse me of being pro-Ateneo. Go figure. I wanted to bring the two together and let them decide once and for all which team I really support. One word: zealots.
5. The Poser. Ah, yes. The guy who uses the anonymity of the Internet to try to project the image that he is in the know and/or he knows a lot, or worse, that he is someone he is not. The most disturbed kind is the one who will create multiple personalities…err, accounts…and sometimes even talk to himself. But what these types don’t realize is sooner or later, others will catch on. As they say, you can fool some people all the time, you can fool all the people sometimes, but you can never fool all the people all the time.
6. The Armchair Coach. He will post a whole dissertation on why his team lost, why he thinks he is better than the coach, why the coach’s player rotation stinks, why the hell this player is even in the lineup, etc. Take note he only takes this form after a loss. Hearing him rant, you almost think that the team’s sole purpose is not to piss him off. But when his team wins, his coach is suddenly a genius.
7. The Level-headed Dude. The best of the lot. Never patronizing, but never one to needlessly bash, either. You will always get healthy discussions from this guy, and though you may not always agree, you will at least disagree without being disagreeable. I love conversing with these types. They attack ideas, not personalities. I wish more people were like this.
8. The Fanboy/Fangirl. Main reason for watching games is to ogle at a cute player. Most don’t even understand anything about the game itself, nor do they care. Will often start threads on the player and bait others to provide information or pictures. And now that women’s volleyball has become mainstream, the fanboys have increased exponentially. Complete waste of bandwidth, but then again, completely unavoidable, I guess.
9. The Well-known Personality. Sometimes actual people in the know participate in discussions. Some of them use an alternick even though their identity is well-known; some of them are bold enough to use their real names. One funny thing I have observed in forums is people bashing a personality – could be a player, coach, school official, sportscaster, whatever – with the assumption that the personality doesn’t read their posts, much less answer back. But in the rare instances they do, the bashers suddenly become all sweet and nice. Never fails to make me laugh when I see this. The flip side of this is that the WKP (well-known personality) always has to be careful about he says online, lest it taints his image or comes back to haunt him.
10. The Fair-weather Fan. You all know this type. Every team has them. The worst of the lot will call players of their favorite team all sorts of names if the team is really bad, but will do an about-face once the team is winning. They’re the first to jump ship when things start going south. It’s like they’re too cool for concepts like the “never-say-die spirit†or “we believeâ€.
Did I cover everything? If I missed other types of online basketball fans, let me know. And again, no bashing please.
(26 votes, average: 4.85 out of 5)
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Haha.. first one to comment.. very nice..
Funny stuff..
Again no bashing.
Bravo Baste! Bravo!
Hehehe, aprub!:)
Nice post, Sid. A breath of fresh air, if I may add. I don’t post much comments here but I have read quite a lot. At the start, a lot of posts get into my nerves that I just have to react. But as time goes by, I’ve learned to take it in stride. Kesa nga mainis ka’t magka-highblood pa, e di tawanan na lang. Haha.
What about “haters?” There are those who just post especially when they see an opportunity to bash a certain school that they don’t like. They’re similar to trolls, though, they have a specific target. Minsan kahit wala nang kinalaman sa basketball, basta tirahin lang yung isang school. But it seems their main reason for posting is to bash, malign, humiliate a certain school, and to some extent, a specific person (I have someone in mind, but that alternick is really not worth mentioning. Hehe).
In any case, I find it an interesting study. Thanks for this.
Good article Mr. Sid Ventura!
i think you missed the “crab minders” is there such a word like that?!lols! well, i just got it in the crab mentality concept. These people will do anything and everything, and even find time to do a research about a certain school or team just to pull down the team who’s on the top list. I pity those people, because their intellectual personality was swallowed by their insecurities.
remember this guys: “insecurity reigns in an ugly heart of an empty brain!”
Sir I’m so sorry, but I could not help it…
In your 3rd point about the Trolls, this sentence had faulty usage:
“Problem is, they’re so many of them.”
It should be: “Problem is, THERE ARE so many of them.”
Nevertheless, I thought the content of the article was great. :)
Keep it up! :)
Kawawa naman yung moderator. :D
Nice article dude! :)
Nice article Sid. Very relevant.
The Armchair Coach fits the description of old Tony Atayde PERFECTLY!!!
Lately, medyo grouchy pa kasi puro talo ang precious la salle team nya. Tumatanda na kasi eh…few more years mas bagay na sa kanya The Wheelchair Coach!
More Power!
Great observation, Sid.
The worst of the bunch are the Trolls. It’s a shame that these guys can actually start wars whenever they want. The fact that they sometimes drag the name of their school down with them saddens me even more.
Btw, glad to see you still write for inboundpass. I thought you jumped permanently to uaapsports.com.
hi Sid,
can you also consider the following:
The Pretenders – the cousin of the Poser, people who pretend that they belong to a certain institution and comments on articles about it…they bash other schools specifically the opponent of their so called “pseudo alma mater”…it’s their pathetic way of displaying (fake) school spirit and support for that school – in which one of their underlying intentions is to really satisfy their ego and their hope of one day to legitimately belong in that institution…
The Hitchhikers – well this group of online basketball fans usually belong to the “less popular” league…they post their comments on articles intended for the “much popular” collegiate basketball association…but usually the subject of their comments pertains to the scenarios and issues within their league which has nothing to do with the current subject matter of the article and the entire thread of comments…readers (specially from the “much popular” basketball league) are usually baffled by their actions and sees it as their way of letting the general public know that their league exist and hopefully help them fill their venues, attract sponsorship and increase tv viewrship when their games are played…in short they want to promote what they have by hitchhiking to the popularity of the much celebrated basketball institution…again, pathetic!
these are just observations…and lets admit, they do really exist…and annoying at that!!!
Sir Sid,
meron pa po, yung mga grammar/spelling checkers. yung tipong titirahin ka kung mali ang spelling o grammar mo
Haha.reality bites..it’s all true…I even see myself on one of the ten types…funny,but true..Galing…
Firstly, welcome back Sid. Lots of people have been waiting for your next article. Been a reader of yours since UBelt days. Nice piece. Been reading the posts on Atayde and Soler’s columns ha? It’s a riot and it takes a UP guy to sort it out. Hahaha!
Sid,
please include THE PERFECTIONIST. see english teacher’s comment above. haha
@english teacher, no offense meant. just that i’ve been reading a lot of those especially in TGM’s articles.
Whoa! Ang dami kaagad suggestions. :-) I like all of them. Yeah, I missed out on “the perfectionist”, thanks bluegreen. Although English Teacher is right. That should have been “there are”, not “they’re”. Guess that also slipped past my editor. ;-)
@Pao, I’m still here. Didn’t jump ship.
@ballpatrol: Good ones. The Hitchhikers, especially.
Beautiful article.
Ganda.
nice article sid
of all the types you enumerated, i really don’t like the fanboy/fangirl type, especially watching the games live. it offends me as a basketball fan when i see them during games. but we really can’t do anything about it.
i have no problem with trolls because well, reading their posts is sort of a guilty pleasure of mine
Sid,
I just find it too tedious to consciously check on my grammar and spelling. As long as you get your point across, it should be fine. Thing is, some people equates perfect grammar to intelligence which is absurd. (again, not pointing at english teacher above but those who constantly fight at TGM/Soler’s articles).
Really had fun reading this article. Nice break after visiting TGM and Soler’s articles from time to time to check on the comments, which can sometimes be too stressful to read.
Good Job, Sir!
I love no. 5! haha. Panalo! Would’ve better if you listed some of his numerous alternicks. =) zonang-zona!
I love no. 5! haha. Panalo! Would’ve been better if you listed some of his numerous alternicks. =) zonang-zona!
- sorry i had to make the correction. Forgot to put “been”.
Nice one!!!!!
what about the turncoats? haha.
Oh oh! I have a suggestion:
NERDS – fans who cite academic matters such as school achievements, history, etc. despite commenting on a blog about sports(basketball in this case). You’ll usually find these people bragging about their top-notch academic history, status, and alumni. And finally, they finish their arguments by pointing out how they are ranked above everybody else in one of the many worldwide university surveys that rank the world’s (or continent’s) best. Once they say that, it’s game over for you, he’s now proven their the best (even if his alma mater lost) so don’t even bother replying.
Oh oh! I have a suggestion:
NERDS – fans who cite academic matters such as school achievements, history, etc. despite commenting on a blog about sports(basketball in this case). You’ll usually find these people bragging about their top-notch academic history, status, and alumni. And finally, they finish their arguments by pointing out how they are ranked above everybody else in one of the many worldwide university surveys that rank the world’s (or continent’s) best. Once they say that, it’s game over for you, he’s now proven their the best (even if his alma mater lost) so don’t even bother replying.
*they’re the best
May I add: “The Grammar and spelling Cop”
@ EGGHEAD
I agree with ya! I really wanna see that on the list hahaha! raming ganun d2! pagnatalo ung school sasabihin walang kwenta ung school kse panget ung academic achievements hahaha!
@ballpatrol
“The Hitchhikers – well this group of online basketball fans usually belong to the “less popular†league…they post their comments on articles intended for the “much popular†collegiate basketball association…but usually the subject of their comments pertains to the scenarios and issues within their league which has nothing to do with the current subject matter of the article and the entire thread of comments…readers (specially from the “much popular†basketball league) are usually baffled by their actions and sees it as their way of letting the general public know that their league exist and hopefully help them fill their venues, attract sponsorship and increase tv viewrship when their games are played…in short they want to promote what they have by hitchhiking to the popularity of the much celebrated basketball institution…again, pathetic!”
diretsuhin mo na lang dre, huwag na The Hitchhikers, “The Bedan” na lang. tutal sila lang naman ang mahilig makisawsaw sa uaap eh.
@ballpatroljr
how sure are you that those guys are bedan? do you have any evidence? Read no. 5 again.
@Sid ventura
I also have a suggestion:
The Foul-Mouth – simply, these are the people who speak with bad words and trash talk other posters.
Mr. Sid Ventura,
This is so funny! Great read, i hope we all aspire to wear no 7.
@ballpatrol
well thought of add on. Go!
@red and white army
don’t bother with the troll/s, that’s what he wants to do, instead do the PAX we are going for no. 7.
Mr. Sid Ventura,
ang COOL ng article mo,,, Ice breaker sa kainitan ng discussion about college basketball!!!
Wahhhhh,,, Nakita ko ang sarile ko – 3 out of 10!!! I guess you missed this type of online basketball fans
Name Hacker – in the middle of conversation,,, gagamitin ko yung name ng kadebate or kaaway ko pra lalo syang maasar!!! Since we don’t have to registered a permanent name to a particular EMAIL add,,,
very refreshing article. i am just hoping that people with foul language be banned from posting in inbound pass. young kids interested in basketball go into this site and get to read foul mouthed blogs.
i am all for freedom of speech but with responsiblility and accountabiliy and still wish or want these kinds deleted and their IPs blocked.
NICE!!!
nadali mo sir sid!!
Sid,
If I may add — the moderator — real ones and people who feel they want to be the moderator. hahahaha.
how about..
the singet, the out-of-nowhere o kaya the taliwas
– the type of people who bring in their school even if they’re not in the topic.
example:
there’s a thread between ateneo and la salle..
then a guy comes in and posts, “wala kayong kwenta dalawa, go UE red warriors pa din!”
the racist
- the type that judges players on how they look and no matter what info you feed them and how much tagalog the player speaks Kramer, Al-Husseini, Jobe Nkemakolam, Malabes will always be imports to them. they consider the team using such players as somewhat cheating or using an unfair advantage.
may i add..
the conspiracy theorists
- the type of poster who’d rather look at the external factors outside the game than actually see what the raw footage of the TV cameras or the live games deal.
example:
1) dlsu 28 ft attempts ust 11 ft attempts. and the ust guy complains and suggests that that something fishy was going on in the game because of the big discrepancy in some stats, when if you look at the game they were simply being out hustled.
2) “ang dami kasing pera ng ateneo eh kaya ang ganda ng tawag sa kanila..” even if a fair share of bad calls go ateneo’s way, this poster would only see the bad calls that went his team’s way, and refuses to see that his team really got outplayed.
blame it on the refs, the alumni or the gamblers.
@el cid aka athlethic soul
i’m a “sniper.” describe me.
HAHAHA!! That’s right, the Almighty! One good example is Eagle Claw on one of the article regarding FEU.
Nice article Mr. Ventura.
Some additional details regarding the Fanatic (which I believe describes a certain columnist perfectly):
- a person willing to defend and promote the object of his affection regardless of fact and objectivity.
-Known for a complete lack of objectivity in relation to their preferred focus. Usually argue with circular logic that they refuse to acknowledge. Arguments or debates with such are usually futile. Every flaw is spun into semi-virtues and everything else, blown to comedic, complimentary proportions.
Mr. Ventura,
What do you think of Mr. Tony Atayde? Is he a troll? A poser? A hater? An armchair coach? Or is he the level-headed dude? :)
Hope you can give your thoughts on my question.
I know of a poser. He loves balayan bagoong and balisongs. He also wants you to love him. Please daw. He just wants to be friends.
@ boris
don’t mind ballpatrol
a careful scrutiny of what he said reveals that he’d rather support the league that his school is a member of rather than supporting his own school, which in my opinion also a characteristic of a Hitchhiker.
hi Sid,
thanks for recognizing my additional ideas on the ten types of online basketball fans!..this is such a good article and well written too!..keep it up!..anyway just like to add one last type, and i like to call them…
The Beauticians (hehe) – they’re actually the minority among the bunch, but nevertheless they’re equally successful in bringing in annoying, unnecessary and most specially superficial, space consuming useless comments…one of the stand out characteristics of this group is that they notice certain aesthetics that doesn’t have anything to do with the article nor the basketball game in general (e.g. how bad some of the players look, the way the winning team’s supporters dress up or cheer for their school, the costumes of the half time performers, etc.)…they even come up with different kinds of list in which you don’t even know the main purpose of that (i guess to annoy or stir up arguments) or what does it even try to prove…but one thing is certain though, this type usually belongs to the school who just loss or the one who is at the bottom of the standings…
also Sid, i think some online basketball fans can be classified as a hybrid or a combination of multiple descriptions..pwedeng The Fanatic Troll…The All Caps Poser etc…thanks!
really good article..more more!
@ Benedict
i totally agree with the Foul-Mouth thing you suggested..
@ Red&White82
thanks!
@ Boris
what i posted were just observations, it’s up to you how you digest them… =)
Pareng Sid,
What do you call me? Ako lang yata ang nagpapakatotoo dito? Kahit tinatakwil ako ng mga ka eskwela ko, ok lang yan. Basta Juan Big Fight pa rin ako.
@ step-up
i’m sorry for hitting a nerve!..hehe..
hi po AGOSTO NGAUN BUWAN NG WIKA PAMBANSA NTN pls ,,
Ung mga NAGPopOST NG ARticle s INboundpASS KAHIT NGAUN monTH lng TAGALOG UNG ILABAS N ARTICLE,,,
D nmn KAHIt PURO TAGALOG KAHIT my HALONG ENGLISH N KONTI OK LNG,,
NAGMAMAHAL,
IMpoRTLESSBETTER
@Erap
Troll, siyempre. :P pero practice pa konti
mGA HARDBAll FANS dto,,
PINSAN KO si JINNo RUFINO,,, AT MAY IBUBUKING AKO
ALAM NYO B KUN CNO ANG BABAENG PINAGPAPANTASYAHAN NYA
— GRETCHEN FULIDO n SHARON YU-
HAhaha SOri JINO Bnuking mo Din Ako kAy daddy
@Totoro
Salamat Totoro! Pero, ang sagwa naman ng pangalan mo! Totoro! Sinong Totorohin mo? ‘di na uso yon di ba? May Toro pa ba ngayon?
Magakano ba ang troll dito? Para palang hiway ‘to.
Di bale na lang… nakahiya naman kay Pareng Sid. Hindi pa ako nakakabayd ng troll.
An interesting blog entry here would be: five types of basketball bloggers.