Chris Iannetta remains dreamy with grand slam, but Rockies fall 11-15 to the Astros.

I think that’s why I got so into disagreeing with you. I’ve seen it plenty of other places, but there I was mostly a lurker and wouldn’t feel as comfortable getting into it with someone. So I guess you sort of became the representative of everyone everywhere who’s made similar comments. Sorry about that.

And I do agree it could be a factor of hyperawareness of one team over others, especially when you’re not a fan of that team and aren’t inclined to give them the benefit of a doubt. Coincidentally I think that’s actually why I hate the Jazz as much as I do. Not because of screw-ups, just because of exposure. I was never going to be a fan since they’re in the same division as the Nuggets, but my four years in Utah really pushed me over the edge. I could barely handle hearing so much about them, especially since they’re the only game in town and people there live and die with the Jazz to (to me) a supremely annoying degree. But that’s a totally other story.

As for Denver fans, I can’t speak on fans at games since I haven’t been to one in at least 10 years. But I’m not sure how you can compare Denver fans to, say, Detroit fans, who basically started and escalated the situation there. Even Jazz fans aren’t exactly known for being soft and cuddly.

And, while certainly only anecdotal evidence, I did read that the Mavs coaches and players were actually surprised by how little abuse they received from fans at Game 5. They were prepared for it to be brutal, but got almost nothing the entire game and there were no incidents. Contrast that to the atmosphere in Dallas for Game 4, about which George Karl said it was probably the most uncomfortable and unsafe he’s ever felt at an NBA game.

Anyway, I obviously don’t have enough info to knowledgeably argue about how Denver fans act at games other than what I see on tv, which hasn’t been anything bad. But the people I know that are Nuggets fans (granted, mostly people here on the Row and my family) are far from classless and wouldn’t act in a classless way at a game.

I’ll just close my mammoth comment by saying that I get trying to rile up opposing fans (it obviously works), but I still don’t think it’s fair to judge an entire team by a few discretions that are pretty minor compared to some other athletes (there are no Michael Vicks or Maurice Claretts or even Ray Lewises on the team) and especially compared to society as a whole. Neither of us know any of these guys personally, but from what I’ve seen, none of them are bad people, and I’m certain Billups is not the only one of them that is in fact a really good person (he’s just the one we hear the most about). I would say the same about any other team, too, since I think in general most people are good, even if they make mistakes.