I've reached the point where I've given up on expectations since you're right - the negativity doesn't help anything. Going to enjoy the wins and move on from the losses.
Everyone should try my philosophy of positivity. I'm always positive about myself. That leaves plenty of energy to tell others how you're all wrong.
I think when you any negative reaction during a loss is fine. When we lose, it's natural for a bunch of "heat of the moment" type banter. But the "Fire Olshey, Fire Stotts, Burn the World to the Crowd" type threads really don't do anything. They just allow for more hand ringing (which we really don't need.) But I am also not going to live with some false hope that we are suddenly going to balance the roster, get under the cap and add a couple of awesome players via deadline swapping. Unrealistic hopes without any sense of reason become sad after a while. I'm more for like of the opinion that the organization has to make the best decisions with the limited options available. Time will eventually remedy the Blazers problems and we have that.
Einstein famously had 2 definitions of time. 1. Cyclic Time (C), in which the past repeats forever. 2. Firing Some People Time (FU), in which bad things stop repeating. If I recall my textbook correctly, the equations are 0 = mC² and ∞ = mC² + FU where m = deadwood Mass of roster + management, which is yet another equation to solve. Further work is needed (i.e. funding).
I would love to read more positive threads. I know that I read and post much less when it is all so negative. But, I understand the negativity. We have a bit of a flawed roster, and wins are going to be a 50/50 battle on most nights. I don't personally delve into that pool of negativity on most occasions, but have voiced my concerns from time to time. I hate to say that @HCP was right, when he warned against unrealistic expectations before the season, but he was right. In the face of that, I will still choose to get super excited and Homerish about the team before every season, dammit! I'm good at dealing with disappointments, so I'm good to go.
I personally have taken a huge step back in terms of following sports. I think it has been better for my own mental health. I started to look at, on balance, the amount of joy that I get out of sports compared to the overall pain and frustration. It's not a very good ratio. Ducks Blazers Niners Those three teams over the last five years have completely fallen apart. I just took a step back. Now I just follow at arms length, much more casual. I love talking trades and free agents and draft picks. Not going to get caught up in the micro of sports and focus more on the macro. Seems to have worked better for me.
Yeah, I have been passively following the Titans and Niners this season. It's hard to watch Titans games in Portland. Playoffs should be fun. I hope they change their coaching staff. The Niners actually have a great front office/coaching staff though.
