Matthew Yglesias Beats His Fellow Americans Over The Head With...The San Antonio Spurs?

Since day-to-day reality tends to undermine the worldview of liberals, they tend to resort to amateur etymology and dubious dissembling in order to "prove" their pet theories were right all along, or, more frequently, to find a new avenue of attack against a political adversary (the "macaca" moment, calling Obama "skinny" is racist, etc.).  Yglesias is fond of this genre of liberal "intellectualism", and uses it here to attack his worst enemy - the American people:

The Most Ignored Dynasty in Sports


The NBA’s most successful franchise reveals that America is a nation of hypocrites.

America—at least in its own imagination—stands for certain things. For the idea that hard work and sound judgment bring success, and that success deserves celebration. That winners should be celebrated as long as they play by the rules. That teamwork, leadership, loyalty, and excellence all count for something. And that’s why the San Antonio Spurs, currently riding a stupendous run of 19 straight victories, are America’s favorite professional basketball team.

Except, of course, they aren’t. Not this year when they tied for the best record in the league, and not last year when they were the best in the West. Not in their 1999 championship run or the follow-ups in 2003, 2005, and 2007. Not for a single moment amid the glorious 15-year run with coach Gregg Popovich and big man Tim Duncan have the Spurs captured the imaginations of the American people or even its basketball fans. That’s because we are, ultimately, a nation of hypocrites that prefers drama queens, bad boys, and flukes to simple competence and success.


And while Ynglesias doesn't go on to say it, I'll dissemble a bit here and call this piece an excuse to execute the changes that Matthew believes must be imposed upon America:  A complete societal makeover, from the Constitution to the court system to the role of government in our lives and the role of the citizen in his government. The absolute rule of  liberalism,.with the imposition of socialism, the acceptance of crony capitalism along with the revival of the welfare state, and the submission of the people to such.  Any protestations about individual liberty and the rule of law are simply the caterwauling of...hypocrites.  After all, he just proved it.  And if we really believed in hard work, honesty, and loyalty as their own rewards, why, we would all be Spurs fans.  The fact that we are not gives him moral cover for his lust to rule over us like a king.

Of course, it could just be the fact that sports is entertainment as much as competition, and we tune in for story-lines, much as we do with any TV show (or professional wrestling).  And it could just be that some teams have bigger fan bases than others.

Take the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils. Both play a similar defense-first, sacrifice the body style of hockey.  The Rangers are beloved by their fan base and and are a draw nationwide, but Devils tickets to Game 1 of their Stanley Cup Final appearance last night were selling on StubHub for 65% of face value.

Do we hate America because we ignore the Devils, who have racked up more Cups in recent years than the Rangers have in their entire history?  Then how can you explain the love we have for a team with an extremely similar style of play?

Oh, you can explain it many ways.  Market size.  Amount of time in the league. Media coverage. Fan base.

But Yglesias would say it is because hypocritical Americans really don't like success after all, and thus secretly support the imposition of the Buffett rule, higher taxes, and income redistribution.  Oh, and ObamaCare, too.

And they call us "stupid" for not buying this....