Justin Bieber and the Leafs are more than just a fan and his team
With no Leafs hockey to watch, I have been thinking about the team constantly (be honest.. if you are reading this, you are doing the same). Due to our current COVID crisis, hockey is on hiatus - meaning our beloved/disappointing team is languishing at 20-8-2. Not improving and not getting worse. Near the top, but not quite at the peak. This is the perfect time to illustrate the parallels between Bieber and his (and our) beloved Leafs team.
You aren't here for a Justin Bieber history lesson so I will spare you the origin story. The man is from Ontario and grew up a massive Leafs fan (yeah, celebrities can be a masochist just like you!).
The past few years he has emerged as THE signature Leafs fan. The Raptors have Drake, the Lakers had Jack Nicholson, Clippers have Billy Crystal, the Rangers have Larry David, and the Knicks have Spike Lee. That's a few similar comparisons to chew on. Bieber however, in my singular opinion, shares a similar flaw to his beloved team.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are front loaded with elite talent. You know them as «The Core 4».. I won't list them! Why? Because if you don't know who they are you wouldn't be here. The issue with this team, and likely will be while we are blessed with this quintessential quartet (shoutout to the salary cap), is that there isn't exactly a lot of room for high priced help. We go as far as the Core 4 take us. It's a shortcoming we all know exists and causes fans like me to idolize people like TJ Brodie, Michael Bunting, David Kampf, and formerly spurned love of my leafs life, Zach Hyman. Good hockey players.. not all stars, just guys that pitch in. Leafs hardcores fawn over these men because they generally outdo our expectations.
Now Justin Bieber, mega pop star, global icon to multiple generations of people much younger and cooler than me. Look I'm going to be honest, I'm not a Belieber.. but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the man and his lengthy run.
Biebs has been near the top of the charts for over a decade now. Early in his career he was a superpower of cute, boyish, daydreamy appeal. Sonically, he made generic pop, but he was unquestionably a superstar. He had his slight downturn as he came of age, and battled growing up as a celebrity and maybe he didn't stick that landing, but hey - he came out better on the other side as a person. However, you can argue, not as an artist.
Like the Leafs, Bieber needs far less famous, largely younger fresher acts to help carry his success. Look at his last 10 major hits.. at least 7 are collaborations with smaller artists. Stay with Kid Laroi went much higher than say Yummy (Yummy is the worst song adult Bieber has made.. fight me). For all of Bieber's name power, and it's substantial, grown man Bieber isn't as interesting as young Bieber and therefore he needs backup. It's a symbiotic relationship. He elevates unknowns and he leeches their fresh creative ideas.
The line I am drawing here, Matthews and company need help from their lesser known friends. And so does their Super fan Justin Bieber. Do you agree? If not let me have it in the comments.
