There are some teams I like, and franchises I follow, but I watch the game to see the best players play. When the best players aren't necessarily on my teams of choice, then I look for games featuring the best players. I'm not sure about the jersey thing, as I haven't bought a jersey in about fifteen years. I follow the same teams I followed when I was young:
49ers, Falcons, Saints, Rams (old NFC West). Even with that, I notice there are some great talents out there, and I follow them too: Peyton Manning, Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, etc.
The same with basketball: I've followed Bulls/Lakers/Celtics/Pistons for years, but still have an appreciation for Heat/Celtics/Lakers/Magic today.
Can't say I've ever really followed baseball.

As I've never really had a team that I would call "my own", I've mostly just watched to see the great players play. Oh well, beginning to repeat myself ...

Lol, I understand what your saying. As a Laker Fan, I hated most other teams top players. But I also had a great respect for them as well. Like when we beat Reggie Miller in his only trip to the finals. Of course I felt bad for him, (also because he is a UCLA Alumni. And I am a Die hard UCLA Fan). But just because I am a team fan first. Doesn't mean I don't Respect the greats.

I find it amazing that all these stars would converge on one city, and it is certainly something that we have never seen before. So I am interested to see how it plays out. But!!!! I will never ever root for a team like that....(Unless its one of my teams, Lakers, Cowboys, Dodgers, UCLA) :P

I mean man....If your a team fan...you have to ride with that team through thick and thin.... UCLA has lost alot in the NCAA. But I won't go running to USC because they are better!!! It makes it that much sweeter when we beat them!!!!

Interesting topic. There are only two things I root for unconditionally: anything Michigan Wolverines and the Yankees. I am from NY and went to U of M. My earliest sports memories include boxing and the fact that my father rooted for Chicago teams. I am talking about '83 when I was 5. I think he was a Bears fan since Gale Sayers and the Bulls were his favorite NBA squad back then as well (and he plays as the Cubs in The Show season mode). So, quite naturally, I rooted for the Bears and Bulls as well. Then I saw Dan Marino against the Jets in a losing effort, and I was hooked. Even though Miami was down with little time and any chance to win, he continued to effortlessly and calmly throw the ball down field. It was around 86-87. The Bears had taken a backseat to the Dolphins.

I lived and (mostly) died with the Dolphins and Bulls. MJ turned the corner, Miami never did. Then, almost in unison, management for both teams pushed my two favorite players for my teams out the door. Reinsdorf decided to dismantle the team and Miami more or less told Dan he was no longer wanted. I was crushed. When the Vikings told Dan they would try to win the ring with him, I was ready become a Vikings fan. I hated Miami for that. I thought, I'd rather follow players than teams. So that's what I've done. Brady (Michigan), Moss, Penny Hardaway, McGrady, Henne and Long (Michigan) and the Falcons/Hawks (thanks to living in Atlanta and Vick).

There are teams and players that I will never root for as well, and if the Miami Heat embrace their role as the nWo I hope they win and spray paint the Trophy...

Don't like the whole fan of a player concept either. There are some people who are justified in a sense however if they followed a specific player from their high school or college days, but I'm not a supporter of someone following a single player who's already in the pros and has proven themselves at that level. All my favorite teams are favorites for a reason, none of them being because of a single player. My family is from the Bronx and EVERYONE with my last name is a Yankees fan so growing up in my house you were a Bomber fan by default. I however was born in Plantation, Florida and raised in Pembroke Pines so all my other favorite teams are based in South Florida. The Dolphins, and Heat were my teams through the good and bad. Dolphins 1 win? I'll take it. Heat 15 wins? I'll take that too, but I certainly don't like other of those scenarios. Canes losing to Florida State, depressing, but there's always next year.

I find it annoying to that so many people are suddenly Heat fans, where were you when we Gary Payton was giving people heart attacks with his stupid decisions in the NBA playoffs in '06, or when Alonzo Mourning was beasting on people or Caron Butler was still our go to guy? Now I have to prove I'm not some bandwagon fan every time I wear Heat gear out in public by citing some ridiculous moment in Heat history that occurred 6 years ago because people around Bayside are either bandwagon fans or people like me who question everyone who is wearing a Heat T shirt.

Living close to Los Angeles. I never had a Team to really call "my own" in football. Sure you can claim, Oakland or San Diego. But There arent to close to me, and I hate the Raiders for leaving LA (even though I never liked them in the first place). I began watching the Dallas Cowboys at a very young age.... Seeing Aikman Irvin Emmitt take over games and with an amazing amount of flair was what captivated me. And those games in the NFC championship against the 9ers even in a losing effort in 94. They fought incredibly hard. Thats partly why they are the only out of state team I swear by.

But, I digress. Even though I am not a Player fan.... I have so much respect for those who I see come into the game and play well. Reggie Miller like i said even though I Hated him when he played the Lakers. I still have so much respect for the guy. He stuck with the Pacers his entire career. To me, a player like that is one in a million.

And for other fans, I don't normally tend to bash Fans of other teams. (Despite the Blog title). But People who root for the browns. or the lions. or the Cavs. You name it.... I respect the hell out of those people and those are true fans... No matter what there team does...they are there behind them. Always...

Just like I am behind my teams always. And being a Cowboy Fan... I have heard everything. "You only like them cause they are dominant". or because They are a great team on Madden. But even if the cowboys had a 55 man roster that consisted of 55 cloned Ryan Leafs. I would roll with that team not only in real life. But even madden. Its the team that draws me in. And the Players who come through there even if they are great. They only add to the lore of that team.

I feel sorry for Cleveland, and I hope they recover from losing Lebron. But they shouldn't lose fans either!!!

and @shyvoodoo, I completely agree with you. Knowing the History of your team is huge to being a die hard fan.

@shyvoodoo, or the NBA's Iron Man AC Green Who went to LA then to Dallas then Back to LA (lol). Or Michael Cooper. HECK!!! I have a friend who is a Laker fan like myself. AND DIDN'T KNOW Byron Scott Played for the Lakers!!! He never knew he played in the NBA!!!!! I can't say I am entirely proud of my fan base either. Because We get a lot of bandwagon fans too. Some of my friends didn't even know Kareem's name used to be Lou Alcindor. Or that the Lakers weren't his first team, and he was drafted by, and played for, the Bucks for YEARS! Its amazing, how some Laker Fans don't know these minor details.

So really. Now that i think about it. This Blog entry should have been called Bandwagon Fans. lol

I still own my Lamar Odom #7 Heat jersey if that says anything. Been a Heat fan since 88' Rory Sparrow and Grant Long, Steve Smith and Glen Rice to PJ Brown, Ike Austin, and Thunder Dan Majerle. Never was a big fan if LeBron but has grown on me lately, and I still prefer Stoudemire to Bosh. I'm excited for the next couple years but I know you don't when NBA championships in August. Ladies and Gentlemen, Stand Up, and Make Some Noise, For Your, Miami Heat!!!

Boooooooo, all you guys Ride the Bandwagon baby

Hey I lived through an 0-16 season and im still a lions fan.

@Spartyon6686- Your team will be a lot better this year I think.

@Terrified- I see your point too. But at the same time, it's like the shaq thing for me, when Shaq left. I liked Shaq. But when ever the Lakers played him I wanted the Lakers to kill him. lol

I have been a fan of the Heat since D-Wade entered the league, sure if he left the Heat I would have followed but it would have been tough to ignore a team you have been following for 7years and drop it like a hot potato, thankfully well winn a championship this year it has been too long...

Well yeah you can like and respect a player but...if Kobe ever left the Lakers I wouldn't jump to his team. Its like when Emmitt Left dallas I didn't like the cards lol

Couldn't have said it any better myslf. Well put my friend. I cheer for the Oilers, Raptors, Blue Jays, Eagles and Eskimos (CFL). They both haven't won much since I started cheering for them, but I still cheer for them every year.

As a true heat who has gone through the ups and downs over the yrs from Zo and tim, to having a horrible team to pickin up DWade and slowly improving and winning a championship that seemed statistically impossible to barely makin it in the playoffs has been a ride but you know as the OP said up top, when ask "if wade leaves who are you rooting for" my answer is firm "the miami heat." that goes for my canes, skins, pats and trojans and tar heels. You cant turn ur back on ur team every good or great team has a good 7 - 10 yr run and they fade and rebuild. Thats sports. True fans are there through the perfect seasons and the ones where you win 20% of ur games and have the 1st pick.