2025-11-17 10:00
I remember the first time I truly understood why having a favorite basketball team matters. It wasn't during some dramatic NBA finals moment, but while watching a seemingly minor international volleyball match between Thailand and Cambodia. The commentary mentioned how Thailand was statistically favored with about 75% probability to win against tournament newcomer Cambodia, yet Cambodia had managed something remarkable - they'd beaten Vietnam and pushed the Philippines to five sets in previous matches. That's when it hit me - having a favorite team isn't about always backing the statistical favorite, but about finding that connection that transforms how you experience the entire sport.
When people ask me why I've been a Golden State Warriors fan since 2012, they often expect me to cite their championship records or Steph Curry's three-point percentages. While those are impressive - Curry's 43% career three-point percentage is historically significant - what really cemented my fandom was watching them develop their identity. I recall the 2015 championship run where they weren't the statistical favorites against LeBron's Cavaliers, yet they won in six games. That underdog-turned-champion narrative resonates because it mirrors why we connect with teams - we see parts of ourselves in their journey, their struggles, and their eventual triumphs.
In the PBA, my allegiance lies with the San Miguel Beermen, and here's where that Cambodia-Thailand match really informs my perspective. Cambodia, despite being newcomers, showed incredible resilience by taking the Philippines to five sets. Similarly, San Miguel has this incredible ability to perform when counted out - like their 2016 Commissioner's Cup comeback where they won three consecutive elimination games to take the championship. The raw statistics might have favored other teams, but there's something about team chemistry and heart that numbers can't capture. I've noticed this pattern across both NBA and PBA - the teams that create lasting connections with fans often have this intangible quality that transcends their paper rankings.
The psychological impact of team allegiance is something I've experienced firsthand. Research suggests that sports fans experience genuine mood fluctuations based on their team's performance - when my Warriors lost the 2016 finals after their record 73-win season, I was genuinely affected for days. Yet this emotional investment is precisely what makes sports fandom valuable. It creates community, provides emotional release, and gives us narratives to follow that are more compelling than any scripted entertainment. The Philippines national basketball team's performance in international competitions consistently draws millions of viewers because it represents something larger than the game itself - national pride and identity.
What's fascinating is how our team preferences often reflect our personal values. I've always preferred teams that emphasize team basketball over individual brilliance, which explains my attraction to the Spurs' culture and their five championships since 1999. Their average assists per game typically ranked in the top five throughout their championship years, demonstrating that beautiful ball movement I admire. Meanwhile, other fans might prefer isolation-heavy teams that feature spectacular individual performances. Neither preference is wrong - they simply represent different basketball philosophies and personal inclinations.
The business side of basketball also interests me greatly. Having a favorite team changes how you engage with the sport commercially. I've tracked how jersey sales for my favorite players spike after significant performances - Curry's jersey sales increased by 83% after his 62-point game in 2021. This commercial engagement isn't just about consumption; it's about participating in the team's ecosystem. The PBA's revenue streams similarly benefit from dedicated fan bases who follow their teams through multiple conferences and seasons.
As I've grown older, I've come to appreciate how our team affiliations evolve. The team I loved at 20 isn't necessarily the team I connect with at 40, and that's perfectly normal. Our life experiences, values, and even geographical movements influence these changes. I've met fans who switched allegiance when players they admired were traded, or when teams underwent philosophical changes that no longer aligned with what they valued in basketball. This fluidity in fandom reflects our own personal growth and changing perspectives.
Ultimately, having a favorite team matters because it gives us an emotional stake in something larger than ourselves. Just like Cambodia's volleyball team exceeding expectations against more favored opponents, our chosen basketball teams become vehicles for our hopes, frustrations, and joys. They teach us about resilience - like when my Warriors returned from their 2019 injuries to win again in 2022. They connect us to communities, both local and global. And perhaps most importantly, they provide narratives that enrich our lives beyond the 48 minutes of game time. So if you haven't found your team yet, I encourage you to look beyond the statistics and find the story that resonates with your own.
