If the Pacers ever did move, whom would you root for?

[Phree Refill]

I was just wondering if everyone would continue to follow the team to whatever city it moved to, or if you would abandon ship and pick a new team that was closer to indianapolis, OR just stop rooting for any team at all. While the team would always hold a special place in my heart I just don't think i would be able to follow them near as closely as I currently do. Wherever they moved to i would always keep and interested eye as to how they are doing but ultimately i don't think it would mean the same to me.

I don't think i could stop watching NBA basketball completely but it would definitely not be as enjoyable anymore without a hometown team. I sat back and seriously thought about who else i might root for should the Pacers ever move. I can't stand Detroit. Chicago is out of the question just because they have to much history for me to feel like i would be a real part of their team. Cleveland is too good right now. I wouldn't want to seem like a bandwagon fan. Milwuakee...... no.

I came to the conclusion that i would probably start rooting for Memphis. They suck right now so it'd be a chance for me to get in on the bottom floor and build a real connection with the team when they begin to win again. Plus it would be interesting to be more engaged with the Western Conference rather than the Eastern Conference as i have been for the past 13 years. Just a nice change of pace. Memphis wouldn't really allow me to see many games in person but I'd make sure to take a few 3 day weekends and take a trip down there for some of the times in their schedule where they play two games over the course of the weekend.

Of course there are rumors Memphis could be moving as well so I could be setting myself up for a letdown. Oh well. ...Just an interesting topic that i'd like to get your opinions on. Who would you root for?

[Will Galen]

Re: If the Pacers ever did move, whom would you root for?

I live in Florida so the Pacers moving to another city wouldn't much matter to me.

[Putnam]

Re: If the Pacers ever did move, whom would you root for?

I would not watch any pro basketball if there weren't the Indiana Pacers.

If the Pacers left Indy, I'd probably lose 15 pounds and develop that washboard, master those last few Robert Johnson blues licks, and write that best-selling book.

[ABADays]

Re: If the Pacers ever did move, whom would you root for?

I would no longer watch NBA basketball.

[2minutes twowa]

Re: If the Pacers ever did move, whom would you root for?

I would continue to root for them, but without being able to see almost every game on TV, I wouldn't be a hard core fan. I think the ultimate stab to my heart would be to watch them win a championship in another city, or to see Reggie's number hanging in another arena. In just a few sentences, I've totally changed my mind. I am an Indiana Pacers fan. Not a Kansas City Pacers fan, a Louisville Pacers fan, or a St. Louis Pacers fan. I can't cheer for anyone else. My team would be gone.

[count55]

Re: If the Pacers ever did move, whom would you root for?

The Colts

[Hicks]

Re: If the Pacers ever did move, whom would you root for?

I'd probably keep an eye on them as long as they resemble the group that left, but I don't know that I'd say I was a fan anymore.

I can safely say that barring a major change of heart, this website would no longer be for the Pacers franchise, but rather the NBA in general (if anything).

I've felt for years that I'd probably be a Boston Celtics fan if not for the Pacers, so I'd try following them via League Pass and see how it goes. If I get into that, then I'm set. If not, then I don't know how much I'll continue to watch the NBA.

[Speed]

Re: If the Pacers ever did move, whom would you root for?

I can't even bring myself to really even know. It's been a part of my childhood and with me from my first memories. Not trying to be dramatic here, but really it's been the one constant my entire life.

From the 70s playing as a 5 year old kid at halftime of games, to the 80s going to the top of the LaFallotte building at Ball State so I can pick up the AM radio signal, barely, on a cheap handheld radio. Sitting in a curtain closed MSA with Johnny Davis as the Pacers best player. In the 90s, being at games like Reggie and Jalen's double 40, Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals when MJ steps on McKey's foot, an OT NBA Final game at Conseco where Shaq fouls out. To today, were I can watch almost everygame or DVR it and act like it's live, even when I can't. The plan is to hopefully pass that love of the team onto my infant daughter, eventually.

I honestly can not even imagine it, if they left.

[Peter_sixtyftsixin]

Re: If the Pacers ever did move, whom would you root for?

I would never watch the NBA again and just spend all my sports time on my two loves: hockey and baseball.

[Will Galen]

Re: If the Pacers ever did move, whom would you root for?

I am an Indiana Pacers fan. Not a Kansas City Pacers fan, a Louisville Pacers fan, or a St. Louis Pacers fan. I can't cheer for anyone else. My team would be gone.

What's in a name? A rose by any other name is still a rose.

There's lots of us here on PD that are out of town fans of the Pacers and don't go to the games. I live in Florida and call myself a Pacers fan. In today's world it's easy to follow your favorite team. I follow the Pacers on League Pass and via this board and the Internet.

The way I see it the only thing that would be changing for a lot of fans is their ability to go to the games.

[Country Boy]

Re: If the Pacers ever did move, whom would you root for?

I'd probably keep an eye on them as long as they resemble the group that left, but I don't know that I'd say I was a fan anymore.

I can safely say that barring a major change of heart, this website would no longer be for the Pacers franchise, but rather the NBA in general (if anything).

I've felt for years that I'd probably be a Boston Celtics fan if not for the Pacers, so I'd try following them via League Pass and see how it goes. If I get into that, then I'm set. If not, then I don't know how much I'll continue to watch the NBA.

One thought Hicks, you could always bring back the News and Politics board. Don't hit me, don't hit me, I am just kidding .

[idioteque]

Re: If the Pacers ever did move, whom would you root for?

I would probably still root for the Pacers, although I don't know if I would be as big of a fan or not. Even though the Pacers never left me, I did sort of leave the Pacers by moving to another city so I am kind of disconnected from them right now as it is. So my fanhood would most likely hover at around the same level, although if by some sort of miracle they ended up in Baltimore I would probably become even a more hardcore fan since it is so close to DC.

That being said, I would never want the Pacers to leave Indiana. I had so many great experiences that were Pacer-related when I was a kid and I would want current Hoosier kids to have those same experiences.

[BKK]

Re: If the Pacers ever did move, whom would you root for?

I'd keep watching NBA just because having been a Spurs fan for so long but losing our pro ball team in Indy would really hurt... After that I think the only team I can tolerate in the east is Atlanta

I guess I would still keep tabs on the Pacers but this would not have the same feeling. Pacers and Indiana are unseparable in my mind. There is a huge symbol linked with an NBA team representing this particular state... whatever team playing ball in Indiana has this special thing hanging with it, that's the common factor and probably the most important one

I really hope we find a way to keep the team here forever...

[duke dynamite]

Re: If the Pacers ever did move, whom would you root for?

I would not be a happy camper. I am saying that to censor anything else I could possibly say.

Well, I'll go postal.

[BillS]

Re: If the Pacers ever did move, whom would you root for?

I'd be so heartbroken I think I'd turn my back on the NBA.

I might root for the Mad Ants.

Even when I was away from Indiana, the Pacers were my link to home, and were a big part of my decision to come home. It would be like having my house burn down, even if everything was saved the memories would be orphaned.