Last year, at this time, NBA fans were watching one of the more unbelievable /disappointing /embarrassing displays of ego of all-time unfold right before our eyes. What resulted was the most universally hated team in decades, a surreal fall from grace for the league's superstar and eventually the Eastern Conference champions.
Some people loved the idea of a nationally announced decision (mostly Lebron supporters, who didn't realize what an ego-driven dick Lebron was) but most people hated it, seeing it as all that is wrong with the modern athlete. They thought it should be done the Kevin Durant way: silent and under-the-radar (a Tweet, actually), without any plans to boost your own ego by thrusting a knife into the back of an entire city on national television.
The fact of the matter is, everyone still watched. And all of that was way more interesting than the shit that's going on right now.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals, Americas New Teams
The public in the United States of America is a sucker for the underdog story. We like it at the horse track, we like it in movies, and we especially like it in the sports world.
For most casual fans of a sport, it is hard to not get behind a team and jump on the bandwagon as they rise from the bottom of the standings to the top.
As a New York Yankees fan, I have always had little vested interest in the National League, and as shown by the last eight seasons of inter-league play, have thought it was not up to par with the American League.
Yet, there are now not only one but two NL teams that I can't help but root for, and I actually think I may get more genuinely excited when I hear that they won than when I hear the Yankees do.
The two teams I am referring to, are of course, the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates.
To give you a frame of reference for how bad these teams have been in the past, let me throw you some numbers.
The last three years one of these two teams have been the worst team in all of baseball. Also in the last three years both of these teams have finished last in their division. The Pirates have actually finished last in their division the past six years, and the last time they were not on the bottom was when the Nationals were actually the Montreal Expos. In the same time frame the Nats have finished last in the NL East five of six times.
To say these teams have been bad, and bad for a while, would be an understatement.
Yet when you look at their records now, you find that not only are both not in the bottom of their division, they are actually both above .500, and could easily contend for a playoff spot. Pittsburgh is only two games back of St. Louis in the NL Central.
What makes both these teams even more exciting is that the best is still yet to come. The Nationals have future stars in Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, while the Pirates have Andrew McCutchen.
As someone who lives in the DC metro area for most of the year, and have attended a Nats game more recently than any other MLB game, I can tell you I am very excited to watch the Nationals games down the homestretch. I'll also be following along with the Pirates, who have a much better chance of doing the unthinkable and making the playoffs.
I know both these teams have gained my attention, and the sports media pack is starting to pick up on it too. The big question will be can these teams sustain this effort through the second half of the season. I sure do hope so, both for my personal pleasure but more for the fans that have stuck it out with their team for so many years and it has now been made all worth it.
For most casual fans of a sport, it is hard to not get behind a team and jump on the bandwagon as they rise from the bottom of the standings to the top.
As a New York Yankees fan, I have always had little vested interest in the National League, and as shown by the last eight seasons of inter-league play, have thought it was not up to par with the American League.
Yet, there are now not only one but two NL teams that I can't help but root for, and I actually think I may get more genuinely excited when I hear that they won than when I hear the Yankees do.
The two teams I am referring to, are of course, the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates.
To give you a frame of reference for how bad these teams have been in the past, let me throw you some numbers.
The last three years one of these two teams have been the worst team in all of baseball. Also in the last three years both of these teams have finished last in their division. The Pirates have actually finished last in their division the past six years, and the last time they were not on the bottom was when the Nationals were actually the Montreal Expos. In the same time frame the Nats have finished last in the NL East five of six times.
To say these teams have been bad, and bad for a while, would be an understatement.
Yet when you look at their records now, you find that not only are both not in the bottom of their division, they are actually both above .500, and could easily contend for a playoff spot. Pittsburgh is only two games back of St. Louis in the NL Central.
What makes both these teams even more exciting is that the best is still yet to come. The Nationals have future stars in Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, while the Pirates have Andrew McCutchen.
As someone who lives in the DC metro area for most of the year, and have attended a Nats game more recently than any other MLB game, I can tell you I am very excited to watch the Nationals games down the homestretch. I'll also be following along with the Pirates, who have a much better chance of doing the unthinkable and making the playoffs.
I know both these teams have gained my attention, and the sports media pack is starting to pick up on it too. The big question will be can these teams sustain this effort through the second half of the season. I sure do hope so, both for my personal pleasure but more for the fans that have stuck it out with their team for so many years and it has now been made all worth it.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Tune Into the Yankees' Games, Cause Jeter Is Reaching 3,000 Soon
A brief minor league appearance may have delayed Derek Jeter, but he now sits just four hits away from reaching the magical 3,000 hits.
Jeter's pursuit has become a national story, as he is one of the few players, and one of the very few New York Yankees, to have made it through his entire career without a tarnished reputation due to steroids, women, and the such.
The fact that Jeter has hit a few bumps in his path to 3,000 should make it that much more exciting when he does hit the number. The Yankee captain really struggled through the first part of the season, and suffered a calf injury that slowed him down.
I thought a cool idea would be to have people share their favorite Derek Jeter memory, so spread the word and add it in the comments section.
Jeter's pursuit has become a national story, as he is one of the few players, and one of the very few New York Yankees, to have made it through his entire career without a tarnished reputation due to steroids, women, and the such.
The fact that Jeter has hit a few bumps in his path to 3,000 should make it that much more exciting when he does hit the number. The Yankee captain really struggled through the first part of the season, and suffered a calf injury that slowed him down.
I thought a cool idea would be to have people share their favorite Derek Jeter memory, so spread the word and add it in the comments section.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Why the US Can't Afford To Lose To Sweden
The United States will play their third and final pool play game Wednesday, when they take on the other undefeated team in the group, Sweden.
While both teams have six points with wins over North Korea and Columbia, the US has done so in a much more convincing fashion, with a goal differential of five as opposed to just the two goals Sweden has put up over in their two shutouts.
This means that either the winner of the match will be the winner of Group C, or if there is a tie the US will advance. The reason this is so important is that the loser of the match, and second place finisher in the group, will most likely take on Brazil.
Brazil has been very strong on the international level the past few big tournaments, and also has the best women's player by far in the world in Marta.
Obviously the US was not planning on throwing the match against Sweden, but they need to make sure they keep the foot on the pedal and don't let a run get behind them.
It is not crucial that the US wins this match, as all they will gain is momentum and personal satisfaction, but it is crucial that they do not lose.
While both teams have six points with wins over North Korea and Columbia, the US has done so in a much more convincing fashion, with a goal differential of five as opposed to just the two goals Sweden has put up over in their two shutouts.
This means that either the winner of the match will be the winner of Group C, or if there is a tie the US will advance. The reason this is so important is that the loser of the match, and second place finisher in the group, will most likely take on Brazil.
Brazil has been very strong on the international level the past few big tournaments, and also has the best women's player by far in the world in Marta.
Obviously the US was not planning on throwing the match against Sweden, but they need to make sure they keep the foot on the pedal and don't let a run get behind them.
It is not crucial that the US wins this match, as all they will gain is momentum and personal satisfaction, but it is crucial that they do not lose.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Antonio Cromartie Goes On Twitter to Complain About Visitation Rights
Lets take a break from the NHL free agency coverage to talk some football, or at least something related to football.
Antonio Cromartie, who last year played for the New York Jets and will become a free agent once the lockout ends, took to Twitter Saturday to complain about his lack of visitation rights.
Antonio Cromartie, who last year played for the New York Jets and will become a free agent once the lockout ends, took to Twitter Saturday to complain about his lack of visitation rights.
Why You Want This Man Running Your Hockey Team
"I'm taking my talents to South Beach." -LeBron James
In what has now become the most famous reference to Miami since this, last summer LeBron James announced he was heading to the Miami Heat to join Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.
This summer, it is a different sport and different Miami team that has players saying 'I'm taking my talents to South Beach,' the NHL's Florida Panthers.
Friday, July 1, 2011
NHL Free Agency Day 1 Remarks
Well folks it is July, and along with those BBQ's we will all be having this weekend while enjoying our nations independence comes the beginning of free agency in the NHL.
At 12 noon eastern time Friday the flood gates opened as teams were officially allowed to sign players that were on other teams rosters the past season.
Of course it would be absolutely ridiculous to go through every player that was signed, so I'm only going to give my two cents on the most important signings (or lack of signings in Brad Richards' case) of Day 1.
At 12 noon eastern time Friday the flood gates opened as teams were officially allowed to sign players that were on other teams rosters the past season.
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