Fansided

The Casual Basketball Fan’s guide to NBA rookies

By Chazz Scogna

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA rookie photo shoot on August 11, 2017 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA rookie photo shoot on August 11, 2017 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 11: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA rookie photo shoot on August 11, 2017 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 11: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA rookie photo shoot on August 11, 2017 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Lesson four: Fall in love fast

Being a CBF is not all expectations and intentional ignorance. You are a huge fan of players that play well, and you have no issue going to the extreme in praise. In fact, the bigger the better. If you see something you like, then you are obligated to let everyone know immediately and definitively.

Let’s look at the Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma, who, though not your traditional HTR, has been lighting up the preseason. He has gone from a late first-round pick to the best player on the team in only a few short weeks:

https://twitter.com/RSherman_25/status/915768630586916865

Exercise one: Your team’s HTR shot over 50 percent from the field in his third preseason game. He looked great and played better than some of the other players on the team. Provide a sample tweet on how high you can go with your praise. The higher the better. Use the above examples for help.

Lesson four part two: Fall out of love fast

We all want to root for a good rookie. No one wants to critique a front office or HTR because he hasn’t played as advertised as soon as we expected. But there comes a time and place when someone has to step up and take charge.

As a CBF, that’s you. If a player performs well, then see lesson two and lesson four part one. If he performs poorly, that’s why you’re there. Diehards can hide behind their veils of understanding. Rookies will learn to adapt. All rookies take time and develop at their own pace, they’ll say. But it’s a simpler process: If he plays badly, he is a bad player.

Let’s take a look at 76ers rookie Markelle Fultz, who has struggled so far this preseason, both with his play and his funky free throws. Whether that’s due to injury or some adjustment to his mechanics is a debate for another fan. As for you, it’s a matter of pointing out what others won’t. There is no time to waste when it comes to building a championship roster. If you want to be great, you have to be certain that your team is ready now and always ready now. To be in the NBA is to perform or get out of the way. Here are some good HTR takes:

These fans get it. Fultz isn’t all that he’s cracked up to be.

Next: 25-under-25 -- The best young players in the NBA

Exercise two: Your team’s HTR, in his fourth game in the NBA, missed 11 of 13 shots and turned the ball over six times. Your team lost. Provide a sample tweet on how a CBF would vent his frustrations. Use the above examples for help.

NOTE: Due to the evolving landscape of sports fandom, the contents of this handbooks are subject to modification or termination at any time. For more information on how to obtain the most up-to-date handbooks or more information on how to view the NBA like a CBF, please visit cbfadotcom.com.

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