by Stop Mike Lupica on January 10 at 11:15AM
Let's start off with this cool little You Tube clip that The Blowtorch found, of Vladimir Radmonovic in his Sonics days, pitching the goodness of "warm, fleece blankets" to Sonics fans. Especially while listening to Neil Diamond. The marketing firm that did this commercial really did their research, huh?
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From True Hoops: Henry Abbott publishes a chapter from Todd Gallagher's book "Andy Roddick Beat Me With A Frying Pan" on the myth of The Goat, one that I heard numerous times growing up.
The book sounds really interesting, judging from some of the excerpts I've read (on other blogs, too). And James White... well, he gets even more respect from me, as one of the greatest dunkers in the game (though until someone tops jumping over a 7-foot guy in the middle of a game, Vince Carter still has the title of "Greatest Dunk Ever").
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The Jazz recall Mo Nuts from the D-League
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From Slam: Chris Bosh's girlfriend, and his cousin (two different people, okay?) were seated at courtside during the recent game against the Cavs. The two of them got into a trash-talking match with LeBron James, who used it as motivation for his big 24-point fourth quarter, which lead to the Cavs' narrow victory in a game that they trailed by 20 points at one point. That was before the trash talk began, of course. The Globe also has more on it.
Cute story, but blaming fans for motivating players is missing the point. Which should be: It takes motivation to perform really well in sports. This isn't about LeBron James "mailing it in" every other game (one of the most overused favorite sports cliches ever... are you busting your ass right now at your job? Why are you reading this on the internet right now? Don't you want to see your company/organization succeed, and fulfill you potential? Nah, you're just making a living, same as everyone else, right?). This is about why you should, as a player trying to win, maybe not spark motivation in another player, especially one that could singlehandedly beat you! TJ Ford and another Raptor were also cited as talking trash to LeBron, and getting hard stares back from The King as he blew up in the fourth quarter (24 points, 3 assists for 9 points).
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A nice little post, not basketball-specific, on race and sports in 2008. For those that still want to believe that sports has nothing to do with race, or with politics (or with the politics of race)... please, take the blinders off, and let's start having real conversations about stuff. Like adults, you know?
Here's another post along those lines, from D-Wil, on several subjects. Pay attention to the Clemens portion in particular, and how many fans (54%) would still vote him into the Hall of Fame right now, even with all the allegations against him of steroid abuse. Meanwhile, only 44% of fans would vote Bonds into the Hall of Fame. I personally would like to know what's up with that 10% that won't vote for Bonds, but apparently would vote for Clemens.
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Here's a futbol post, from The Beautiful Game (via The Big Lead), on the "Greatest finish to a soccer game ever". It's pretty cool, and a once-in-a-lifetime event (sort of like a football game coming down to one play from the 1-yard line, with no time left on the clock, due to a penalty).
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Here's much ado about nothing: The NY Press did heavy research and found that those commercials featuring Knick "fans" on MSG during Knicks games are, in fact, actors. Except that, well, most of them are, in fact, Knicks fans. And calling them "actors" is a bit of a reach in most cases. Oh, and that the ad agency in charge really did try to get real fans, and went to great lengths to do so.
So kudos to the NY Press for going great lengths to try and give the Knicks yet another black eye, and for making a non-story almost sound like a story. Great work on the hating, NY Press. Now maybe you can find something better to write about with your "sports section"....
Leave a comment
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From True Hoops: Henry Abbott publishes a chapter from Todd Gallagher's book "Andy Roddick Beat Me With A Frying Pan" on the myth of The Goat, one that I heard numerous times growing up.
The book sounds really interesting, judging from some of the excerpts I've read (on other blogs, too). And James White... well, he gets even more respect from me, as one of the greatest dunkers in the game (though until someone tops jumping over a 7-foot guy in the middle of a game, Vince Carter still has the title of "Greatest Dunk Ever").
**********
The Jazz recall Mo Nuts from the D-League
*************
From Slam: Chris Bosh's girlfriend, and his cousin (two different people, okay?) were seated at courtside during the recent game against the Cavs. The two of them got into a trash-talking match with LeBron James, who used it as motivation for his big 24-point fourth quarter, which lead to the Cavs' narrow victory in a game that they trailed by 20 points at one point. That was before the trash talk began, of course. The Globe also has more on it.
Cute story, but blaming fans for motivating players is missing the point. Which should be: It takes motivation to perform really well in sports. This isn't about LeBron James "mailing it in" every other game (one of the most overused favorite sports cliches ever... are you busting your ass right now at your job? Why are you reading this on the internet right now? Don't you want to see your company/organization succeed, and fulfill you potential? Nah, you're just making a living, same as everyone else, right?). This is about why you should, as a player trying to win, maybe not spark motivation in another player, especially one that could singlehandedly beat you! TJ Ford and another Raptor were also cited as talking trash to LeBron, and getting hard stares back from The King as he blew up in the fourth quarter (24 points, 3 assists for 9 points).
*************
A nice little post, not basketball-specific, on race and sports in 2008. For those that still want to believe that sports has nothing to do with race, or with politics (or with the politics of race)... please, take the blinders off, and let's start having real conversations about stuff. Like adults, you know?
Here's another post along those lines, from D-Wil, on several subjects. Pay attention to the Clemens portion in particular, and how many fans (54%) would still vote him into the Hall of Fame right now, even with all the allegations against him of steroid abuse. Meanwhile, only 44% of fans would vote Bonds into the Hall of Fame. I personally would like to know what's up with that 10% that won't vote for Bonds, but apparently would vote for Clemens.
************
Here's a futbol post, from The Beautiful Game (via The Big Lead), on the "Greatest finish to a soccer game ever". It's pretty cool, and a once-in-a-lifetime event (sort of like a football game coming down to one play from the 1-yard line, with no time left on the clock, due to a penalty).
************
Here's much ado about nothing: The NY Press did heavy research and found that those commercials featuring Knick "fans" on MSG during Knicks games are, in fact, actors. Except that, well, most of them are, in fact, Knicks fans. And calling them "actors" is a bit of a reach in most cases. Oh, and that the ad agency in charge really did try to get real fans, and went to great lengths to do so.
So kudos to the NY Press for going great lengths to try and give the Knicks yet another black eye, and for making a non-story almost sound like a story. Great work on the hating, NY Press. Now maybe you can find something better to write about with your "sports section"....
Leave a comment
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That TrueHoop post was a great read...especially considering ESPN.com's editors let a reference to a "busted nut" make its way onto the website.
As for the "Actors as Knicks fans" story...I barely batted an eyelash when I first saw the story, but I can see why a bunch of reporters with an agenda would run with it.