A Beginner’s Guide to the Nets: 50 Easy Steps to Becoming a Better Brooklyn Fan
AT HOME
1. Acquaint yourself with the Nets and pick a favorite player to root for. It shouldn’t necessarily just be the best guy on the team, because then you’ll be sharing a favorite with 10-year-old boys and little old ladies; you probably want someone with grit, a strong work ethic, and a little bit of personality [hint: Gerald Wallace].
2. Also make sure to pick a couple of players you don’t like. The freedom to complain about overpriced slackers on the home team is a primary currency of sports fandom.
3. Develop a gameday ritual and stick with it. Make sure your favorite beer is in the fridge and that your favorite snack is ready. And if the snack involves salsa, remember to take it out at least a half hour before tip-off so it’s not too cold. Cold salsa is terrible.
4. This goes without saying and can be applied to all aspects of your home-life, but be sure to have a chair you always sit in. Everyone, including yourself, will respect you more that way.
5. Decide on your official fan uniform. sweatshirt, hat, wristband, or something else entirely. Just keep it consistent.
6. (And yes, you have to do something—the reason ritualized consistency is so important is that when the team goes through a horrible slump, you can change your routine and impact the outcome of the game.)