It must be tough to be a Washington Wizards fan.
You’ve seen your team win at home only five times this year and eight times total. They’re not really showing any signs of improving and you have to be wishing the season was over so you could just get to your lottery pick and try again next year. Well those frustrations are starting to show, and now it’s affecting your team.
Before the Wizards game on Monday against the Golden State Warriors the crowd was pumped up and ready to go, but all those cheers quickly turned around when the Warriors outscored the Wizards 41-24 in the first quarter on their way to a 120-100 win.
Professional athletes have to be able to handle boos and disparaging remarks from crowds, but you hate when it comes from your own fans. All the negative energy is starting to take its toll on the Wizards players, especially Andray Blatche, who gets his fair share of insults.
“Every time I touch the ball I’m second guessing, I’m trying to avoid the boos. I’m just trying to play a perfect game so I don’t have to hear it,” said a noticeably shaken Blatche. “When you’re home and people are supposed to have your back, and don’t have your back…instead of encouraging you to get better they actually push you down and hope you do worse, in the long run it’s not only hurting me, it’s hurting my teammates.”
I want to tell Blatche he needs to suck it up and play, but it must be awful when people who are supposed to be your biggest supporters turn on you and are now your worst enemy.
I will never be a fan of a home crowd booing their own team, there’s no excuse. If your team isn’t playing well, you should be cheering louder than ever. Your job is inspiration, and if you can’t do your job, then be a fair weather fan and find a team that only wins all the time. Loyalty should be unwavering.
I know Wizards fans aren’t the only fans that boo their own team, but now one of your own players is coming out and saying he hates it. Time to get it together, Washington.
