Whether it's making those around them better, scoring in bunches, playing solid defense, crashing the boards, hitting game winners or doing a little bit of everything, the star player will always have a hand in his team's wins and losses. Bottom line, he is the face of the franchise.
Because of this notion, most fans see the star player and the team as one entity, and this results into a mixed fan base composed of the team's and the star player's respective group of supporters. It is only when the star player leaves town, via trade or free agency, that you can determine where a fan's loyalty lies.
When Michael Jordan changed uniforms back in 2001, the Jordanians followed him in Washington while the Chicago Bulls fans rooted for Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry and Jalen Rose. When the LA Lakers of the early 2000s disbanded, Shaquille O'Neal's supporters knew that he would make good on his promise to bring a title to the Miami Heat, while the Lakers faithful believed that Kobe Bryant will eventually win titles without Shaq.
With All-Star weekend just around the corner (Feb 18 in the US, Feb 19 in the Philippines), it's best to reevaluate yourself and see if your for the team or just adoring its star. Checkout the succeeding text to determine if you're a team fan or a player fan.
Atlanta Hawks
Team fan: Boos Joe Johnson. Cheers the rest of the team.
Player fan: Thinks that J-Smoove is following Dominique Wilkins' footsteps.
Boston Celtics
Team fan: "Still the beast in the East. Miami can kiss my *bleep*. Stupid Lakers think that their good, but if KG was healthy back in 2009 and if Perk didn't get injured last June..."
Player fan: "*bleep* KG. Go show that *bleep* *bleep* cancer patient what you got."
Charlotte Bobcats
Team fan: Knows that Michael Jordan, at 48, still qualifies as a rotation player.
Player fan: Torn between Jax and Crash.
Chicago Bulls
Team fan: Knows the Matadors.
Player fan: Knows that Derrick Rose doesn't have a good backcourt partner.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Team fan: Still hating on Lebron and knows their team stinks.
Player fan: Has to settle for Daniel Gibson.
Dallas Mavericks
Team fan: "Mark Cuban is the best team owner in league history."
Player fan: "Dirk Nowitzki is the best European baller in league history."
Denver Nuggets
Team fan: Isn't happy about Carmelo Anthony moving out.
Player fan: Is happy that Melo is moving out.
Detroit Pistons
Team fan: "De-Troit basketball!"
Player fan: Wondering about what could've been had Joe Dumars selected Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony or Chris Bosh over Darko Milicic.
Golden State Warriors
Team fan: Believes that they'll make the playoffs next season.
Player fan: Pissed about the Monta Ellis All-Star snub.
Houston Rockets
Team fan: "Hustle FTW!!!"
Player fan: "Viva Luis Scola!!!"
Indiana Pacers
Team fan: "I miss Uncle Reggie."
Player fan: Pick your poison: Danny Granger's outside shot or Roy Hibbert's inside scoring?
Los Angeles Clippers
Team fan: Most Angelinos are rooting for the Lakers. And after what they did to Clipper Darrell, they'll only lose more fans.
Player fan: "BEL-LAKE GREE-FAN!!!"
Los Angeles Lakers
Team fan: Knows the guy on the picture above.
Player fan: "Kobe Bryant is the greatest all-time. He's going to win more than MJ. He still has a lot left in the tank. Lebron James is gay. You can kiss the fist full of rings. Take that to the bank, Shaq. Steve Nash robbed Kobe of one MVP. I'll troll your team's blog or website you..."
Memphis Grizzlies
Team fan: Wondering about what could've been if the Gasols were on the same team, and is worried about the cash Rudy Gay is receiving.
Player fan: "Rudy Gay!!!"
Miami Heat
Team fan: Is either Pat Riley, Alonzo Mourning or a citizen of Miami. Also thought they'll win 72 games.
Player fan: Is either Maverick Carter, some guy that didn't burn his Cleveland Cavaliers no. 23 jersey or someone who's torn between D-Wade and Lebron.
Milwaukee Bucks
Team fan: "Fear the deer!!!"
Player fan: "Young Buck!!!"
Minnesota Timberwolves
Team fan: Wants the T-wolves to get their handshakes right.
Player fan: Is thanking David Stern for showing Kevin some love. No not this Kevin. This one.
New Jersey Nets
Team fan: Is keeping the paper bags from last season. You'll never know...
Player fan: Mikhail Prokhorov counts as a player right?
New Orleans Hornets
Team fan: David Stern?
Player fan: "CP3!!!"
New York Knicks
Team fan: Knows Spike Lee.
Player fan: "AMAR'E!!!"
Oklahoma Thunder
Team fan: Knows that the future looks bright.
Player fan: "DURANTULA!!!"
Orlando Magic
Team fan: Wants to talk to Nick Anderson and Courtney Lee.
Player fan: "SUPAHMAN!!!"
Philadelphia 76ers
Team fan: Is wondering why management let Andre Miller go, or, likes Andre Iguodala but knows he ain't enough to turn the franchise around.
Player fan: "Iggy!!!"
Phoenix Suns
Team fan: Wants Amar'e Stoudemire back.
Player fan: Thinks that Steve Nash is MVP and he didn't rob Kobe.
Portland Trailblazers
Team fan: Badly misses Brandon Roy and is hoping that Greg Oden miraculously gains Wolverine's healing powers.
Player fan: "Nicolas...BATUM!!!" (I know LaMarcus Aldridge is the go-to-guy right now, but Batum just sounds badass.)
Sacramento Kings
Team fan: "Should've been the champs back in 2002."
Player fan: "Tyreke Evans is the man."
San Antonio Spurs
Team fan: Likes being under the radar for that sneaky run to the championship.
Player fan: Thinks that "The Big Fundamental" is the greatest power forward of all-time.
Toronto Raptors
Team fan: There are no Raptors fans. Though the Canadians and the guys at The Basketball Jones would say otherwise.
Player fan: There are no Andrea Bargnani fans.
Utah Jazz
Team fan: Hates to see Jerry Sloan go, but...
Player fan: Doesn't have the heart to boo Deron Williams.
Washington Wizards
Team fan: Wants the Bullets back.
Player fan: Is doing the John Wall dance, or wants JaVale McGee to win the Dunk contest.
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