After Milwaukee Bucks amazing Game 1 victory over Toronto Raptors, I started to see some Facebook statuses pop up like ‘You’re not a real diehard fan if you just started watching now, Bucks fans know!’ There were a few variations of this on Sunday. I used to be like this in the late-2000’s in college. When Milwaukee Brewers got good, I felt jaded as fans jumped on the bandwagon and didn’t go through the strife. My friend Eric did a great job at explaining the value of the bandwagon fan, therefore, I’m passing that message on as Bucks fans should embrace the new eyes on their favorite team.

Bandwagon fans are bad when they only cheer for Duke’s, Ohio State’s, Patriots’ of the world, but when it’s local, that’s fine. With a team like Bucks, you want as many fans as possible. There are many in Southeastern Wisconsin who will not watch this exciting team due to their preconceived notions of the NBA or the team itself. That’s truly bummer, but it’s a bigger reason why fans should welcome bandwagon with open arms. The other thing too is a deep run in the playoffs could lead to newfound Bucks fanhood.

Many Brewers fans today joined bandwagon at some point from 2008 to 2011 and stayed with the team. Why? Well, it’s different due to Miller Park being this amazing experience, but a young team featuring Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder drew people in. Just like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, Khris Middelton and Thon Maker will do. Hopefully, these bandwagon fans can get out to the Bradley Center because Giannis in person makes you even more of a fan, and that’s why people are coming in droves to be Bucks fan. Causal interest hasn’t been this high in Milwaukee’s professional basketball team since the days of Big Dog and Ray Allen.

Welcome the bandwagon, don’t fight it and teach the new fans a thing or two.

Charlie.