Lots of notable data shifts over the weekend on FanTab! The NBA and NHL seasons are going full tilt right now and spring training is just beginning for baseball fans. This means there has been a lot of cool action in the FanTab Team Standings, here’s some of the most interesting data!
1. Pirates Index Climbs With Burnett Deal
Over the weekend the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees agreed to a trade that would send 
troubled pitcher AJ Burnett to the Pirates for two minor league prospects. Burnett has struggled with the Yankees over the last two seasons, barely eclipsing a .500 record, but Pirates fans still chose to up confidence in the team, shifting the index nine points to an 84. Pirates fans are likely hoping that the troubled Burnett can get his pitch back in a more laid back atmosphere than New York City. They also probably believe that the playoff-tested vet can teach the younger pitchers a thing or two during his time with the team. Finally, the Burnett trade suggests that the Pirates are committed to succeeding in 2012 and ending their 15 straight losing season streak that represents the longest of its kind in all the four major sports. It’s been tough being a Pirates fan lately and I’d imagine that the Burnett trade represents a sliver of hope for a team that so consistently struggles.
2. Magic Fans Appear Disappointed With Their Squad in 2012
The Orlando Magic have had a respectable season of NBA basketball thus far. Despite trade rumors regarding star player Dwight Howard, the team has managed to fight their way to an impressive 20-12 record in a very competitive Eastern Conference. The team lost to the Miami Heat last night after winning four in a row and fans quickly dropped the team’s confidence index 17 points to a 61. Such a steep confidence drop after losing to arguably the best team in the league seems a bit harsh, but there are definitely some notable factors that are causing Magic fans to rate so cynically. First off, the Howard trade might not happen this season, but the big-man will likely be gone in the coming off-season. Losing Howard would mean that the team will have to completely rework their roster for the’12-’13 season. Even with roster adjustments, a Howard-less Magic probably won’t be very good. Fans seem to be painfully aware of the struggles this franchise will have to endure over the next few years, and they’re letting that influence their ratings now. Fans are also probably aware of how tough it will be for the Magic to make a playoff run this season. Yes, the Magic are a pretty good basketball team, but it will be hard for them to beat the likes of the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
3. Bobcats Fans Use FanTab to Vent Frustration
The Charlotte Bobcats are enduring an absolutely terrible season of basketball and fans are taking to FanTab to vent their qualms with the team. Charlotte lost to the Indiana Pacers last night, their 17th defeat in 18 games, and confidence in the team fell 36 points to a lowly 14. Bobcats fans aren’t just rating harshly because their team can’t win, it doesn’t help when they look absolutely awful on the court too. Following the first quarter of last night’s game, the Bobcats were already losing 24-12. At one point in the game Charlotte had more turnovers and fouls than they did points! The team didn’t look good shooting the ball either, by game’s end they were only hitting 18.2 percent of their jumpers. The Bobcats record this season now sits at 4-27 and I wouldn’t expect the team’s index to climb out of the teens until the team can string together consecutive wins.
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