What Defines A True Fan

Last night, my friend Whitney and I watched the Lakers and Jazz game at Whitney's house with her family. We were by far the most energetic and enthusiastic fans in the room (and ironically the only Lakers fans). We screamed and cheered when the Lakers blocked a shot, caught a rebound or made a three-pointer. We booed, used degrading words and substitute-swearwords when the Jazz made a point or fowled on the Lakers. Then it came time to go home during halftime, and I left Whitney's house wishing the best for the Lakers. I had bought a Lakers jersey to celebrate the inevitable win that was to follow. However, when I walked into class I immediately got grief from a few of the sore-loser students that had obviously rooted for the Jazz. After I sat down and was trying to start doing my work, one of the Jazz supporters called my name and gave me the oral "Laker-fan Quiz": name five Laker players excluding Kobe Bryant. I have always liked the Lakers. And when life allowed, I would watch a game with friends and root for the Lakers, however I could not name five players. The Jazz fan got a satisfied smirk on her face and turned back to her work. Since when did knowing the names of players make you a fan? Maybe a hardcore, statistic-following fan, but I don't believe that not knowing the names of the players makes you a poser.
Sooo.. if being a fan isn't knowing all the facts and details of an NBA team, what is it then? I believe that the answer lies in enthusiasm. If you like a certain team, even just a little bit, you have the right to call yourself a fan. And nobody else can tell you that you are not. Nobody can call you a poser, nobody can call you fake. Every fan is different. Some follow statistics, some worship Kobe Bryant, some are hopelessly dedicated, and others (myself included) don't let basketball rule their life and watch a game when they can and may not know the names of all the players, who may have to leave halfway through a game; Nonetheless, each and every one of those personality types can be a fan if they want to be.
In my case, I am a Lakers fan who likes to watch games, who likes to wear a jersey to school, who knows a few names of players, but who doesn't like getting crap about being a poser.