Over the past couple of weeks, I've Johnny Boychuk Womens Jersey had multiple conversations with friends about booing. These conversations culminated with a discussion about Cleveland fans' decision to boo LeBron James and the lousy Cavaliers on Tuesday night. Simply put, I'm all for booing if the situation is right. Allow me to explain why with a few examples from the 2010 NBA and NHL Playoffs.
Obviously (as noted in my Alexander the Goat article a few weeks back), I believed the Washington Capitals deserved to be serenaded with boos. I would have even tolerated litter on the ice. Yes, throwing trash onto the ice is childish, illegal, and http://www.officialislandersshop.com/authentic-91-john-tavares-jersey.html dangerous, but all three adjectives describe how most professional athletes behave in society anyway, so have at it. (Just kidding...about tolerating things being thrown onto the ice, not how athletes behave.) The Capitals deserved their fans' disgust. Instead, they received a round of applause. Shame on you, Capital fans.
Yes, losing happens; it's a Nicklas Lidstrom Youth Jersey part of sports. However, losing isn't what requires booing, it's the frequency and severity of losing that makes booing necessary. The Capitals have shriveled up and died in the playoffs for three straight years. When that happens, you boo...loudly, and you don't stop until you've chased them off the ice. I even booed the Capitals and Alexander Ovechkin from my couch...and I'm a Flyers fan. The same formula should be applied to the New Jersey Devils. Another example of a regular season bully that goes M.I.A. come playoff time.
In the NBA playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks come to mind. No one expected the Hawks to beat the Orlando Magic in round two. However, Atlanta fans (and all basketball fans) were appalled at the lack of effort and intensity demonstrated by the Hawks. After http://www.officialauthenticredwings.com/authentic-27-kyle-quincey-jersey.html being blown out by more than 40 points in the series opener, Atlanta responded by getting trounced in their next three outings and was swept from the playoffs. Sweeps happen. Getting beaten by a better team happens. Even getting blown out by a superior opponent is understandable, but to exert no effort and zero intensity is unacceptable, especially in the playoffs. The Hawks don't really have a fan base, but the few fans they do have should still be booing.