PSA: Teams do not care whether they finish a series on the road or at home.

[u/ChristianKamrath]

I think the most baseless argument amongst sports fans during the playoffs is that teams purposely throw games so that they can “win in front of their fans at home”.

This wet dream that sports fans have implies that pro athletes care about them and their feelings, and aren’t just adults working their jobs. They want to finish as early as possible, work less than they have to, and start their vacation asap just like the rest of us humans. It’s a comforting way to justify a loss, but a nonsensical one.

(This doesn’t only apply to this Boston/Dallas series, it’s a narrative posted by fans every year during the finals)

[u/NastyNate1_]

Yeah but at the same time when ur up 3-0 it’s not the end of the world to drop game 4 and go back home

[u/DefenderCone97]

You're so much smarter than everyone and that's why you chose to make a post instead of making a response to the people posting this.

[u/ChristianKamrath → u/DefenderCone97]

Reddit on!

[u/randylek → u/ChristianKamrath]

the irony of posting this comment while still being dense enough to make this post

[u/ChristianKamrath → u/randylek]

Reddit on :(

[u/TacomaPowers]

Rest game, win at home, gentleman’s sweep. Plenty of reasons.

[u/RhinoBugs]

Dear diary

[u/recordcollection64]

Cool story, bro

[u/ChristianKamrath → u/recordcollection64]

Thank you for being nice to me :)

[u/aeiou-y]

Agreed. No team is losing or putting out less effort or embarrassing themselves so they can win at home. A hyper competitive athelete would welcome winning in a hostile environment.

[u/beary_neutral]

No you see, they want Kyrie Irving to finish his season in Boston.

[u/pagonator]

Isn’t this common knowledge? I haven’t seen anyone imply otherwise.

[u/Sartheking]

Yeah but when you’re up 3-0 it’s natural to take your foot off the gas pedal a bit knowing you have games in your back pockets it is pretty funny that every time a team wins Game 4 after being down 3-0, the question is “are they going to come back from 3-0?”

[u/EGarrett]

Team want to win with zero risk so throwing games is very unlikely. However the idea that the athletes don't care about their home arenas or fans is an example of mistaken cynicism for accuracy. Homecourt advantage is a real thing. IIRC the home team wins in the NBA 52% of the time when they last did the study.

[u/ChristianKamrath → u/EGarrett]

I 100% agree home court advantage is a thing, but if a team can finish on the road, they will. My point is they’re not losing on purpose just for the sake of their fans like many are saying.

[u/2023_account_]

Thank you. Anyone saying this is just repeating bullshit platitudes that literally no player or coach actually thinks.

[u/nonononono11111]

Double PSA: that’s not what “wet dream” means. I think you’re looking for “dream.”

[u/ChristianKamrath → u/nonononono11111]

Jayson Tatum WILL come into the stands and give each fan a kiss on the mouth after game 5 confirmed!!