Unless there’s a Standing O for him, I’m going to be disappointed in the fans.

I’ve talked about this on the Dbacks blog as well, and it does apply here somewhat.

Phoenix is still very much (though less so now) a transient city, and because of that it has a lackluster fanbase. So since so many are from out of state only a scant few grow into loving the Suns due to prior loves for thier own home teams. Thus giving the overall impression that we are quite simply fair whether fans.

To be honest though the lack of championships (God it kills me just thinking of that) is another reason, though poor. People love cheering on a winner and shun away from a loser, and though the Suns have almost always been regular season winners they have never truly been a “Winner”. With that in mind people look back at the Suns history and see a long line of unfullfilled potential, tough losses and bad luck. No one wants to think about that kind of stuff unless…..

There is a great and long standing rivalry to kickstart the fans. Boston fans used to be like this: bitter, impassioned and absolutely devoted to the BoSox brought on by an undying hate of the Yankees. The sad thing is unlike Boston vs New York is that because of the transient nature of Phoenix it becomes difficult for people to latch on to a rivalry. Phoenix has far too man native Chicagans, Lala Landers, Detroitians and so on for the vast majority of fans to really help create a rivalry. Because though rivalries may be created on the court they are lifted on high by the fan base.

Of course I’m making excuses for the sorry state of the Arizonan fan base, but this is the truth as I see it. Will it get better? Yeah I think so, if only because this city is finally growing roots and a new generation of young fans is arrising.

It’s not only the transplants themselves. It is also the influence they have on natives. I knew a guy from high school (fyi, my first year of HS was the KJ/Chambers-led resurgence) who was a Lakers fan because his friend from LA was and he became a basketball fan a few years earlier when the Lakers were the shiznit.

I know Chicago fans (Bulls, Cubs, Bears) who were that way because their parents had moved from Chicago, lived in Phoenix a few year, then had kids and then forced their kids to be Chicago fans.

Just a few examples.

Off topic but I just came across this. I seem to recall making this argument last year and being ridiculed. When will you people learn to stop doubting me?

Really.