i don't mean to get all philosophical, but i do believe to focus on the destination rather than the journey is a misplacement of priorities and is not the path to fulfillment (just like it's more important what you do every day for money rather than how much you have at the end of the year)
i too have let my ego be attached to the identities known as Phx, AZ, Suns, and Cardinals but at least i know it's just a big lie to think it's important that they beat the other guy and his false identities.
i participate because these athletic challenges are great entertainment, and the more i like the characters the more i root for their success
-- but whether they won 2 or 4 games in last year's Finals, meant nothing really. it was a great ride
and to watch them win 64 games this year in some very exciting ways and see them enjoy that journey can not be diminished by seeing other teams step up and have their moments
that being said, now i have to go yell at the tv screen for the Griz to beat the crap out of Curry and Green because i really don't like them!