Fansided

Every NBA team’s biggest celebrity fan

By Brendon Kleen

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 22: Beyonce and Jay Z laugh during the game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 22: Beyonce and Jay Z laugh during the game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – MAY 30: Professional golfer Tiger Woods attends Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic during the 2009 Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 30, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – MAY 30: Professional golfer Tiger Woods attends Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic during the 2009 Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 30, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic: Tiger Woods

Woods’ fall from grace has been almost as swift as his basketball team’s. In fact, their timelines line up almost perfectly. It provides some uncomfortable and coincidental insight into the team and fan’s relationship.

At his peak, Tiger was one of the best golfers in the history of the game. He has won 14 majors, including a Career Grand Slam. He is one of only five golfers ever to accomplish that feat. Golf might have been single-handedly saved by Tiger Woods. Yet in 2009, the whole thing came crashing down after a late-night car accident exposed possible substance abuse by Woods.

That year was also the first NBA Finals appearance for the Magic in over a decade, and their best season with the Dwight Howard/Stan Van Gundy power couple. They lost to the Lakers in five games, but their play that season was inspiring, making it seem like they would be in the mix every year for many to come. Unfortunately, that was their last season as Eastern Conference champions; they have not returned to the Finals since.

This year marked Woods’ second arrest. A DUI and another car crash gave way to an embarrassing mugshot and the growing feeling that Woods might never golf again, at least not at the level he set for himself. It also marked the year that Orlando fired its General Manager, Rob Henigan, after several years of botched draft picks and no improvement. If it weren’t for Disney World adding some extra Star Wars stuff, 2017 might have already pushed Orlando off the map.

Woods has gone from an awesome celebrity fan for an awesome team to a disappointing guy cheering on a disappointing team. You are what you root for?

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