Premier
Footballguy
"So if you still have something to prove on the court, why give your employer reason to be unsure of who you are off it?"
So good. I love HOT SPORTS TAKES. I could read these all day.
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HOT SPORTS TAKES - A man who won't stand for the anthem is an act that we as Americans shouldn't stand for (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Premier
- Start date
So good. I love HOT SPORTS TAKES. I could read these all day.
The_Man
Footballguy
Great thread. The best satirist working in America today does something very similar with the Twitter handle @PFTCommenter
He just started posting a multi-part biography of Danny Woodhead, the player that represents everything right with the NFL.
A representative sample:
He just started posting a multi-part biography of Danny Woodhead, the player that represents everything right with the NFL.
A representative sample:
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
Tackling Dummies
Footballguy
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
I think Premier must secretly be Andrew Sharp (minus the Wizard fanboyism).
Premier
Footballguy
MY COLUMN:
They say universities are institutions of higher learning.
Well if that's the case then it's time for Florida State to teach Jameis Winston the ultimate lesson.
It's time to throw 'Famous Jameis' off the team. It's time for Jimbo Fisher to take a stand and it's time for Florida State to prove that they are about more than football.
You might say that this is crazy. After all, Florida State just won the national title and Winston won the Heisman Trophy. But all those accomplishments were quickly ruined by his actions, which finally came to a head when Winston visited a local grocery store and stole some items a few weeks ago.
Yea yea FSU booted him off the baseball team for a few days while Winston picked up some cans on the side of the road. But we all know that was a slap on the wrist. Nobody cares about baseball and nobody even missed him for those two games. He may not have even pitched if he were there.
FSU accepts thousands of applicants every year to their school in order to find their way in life and learn how to make a proper living. What kind of message does this send to all of them if they continue to let Winston attend the same school, free of charge? These students are literally PAYING for this guy to continue to mess up.
It might be a tough pill for Winston to swallow but more importantly, it'll be a major lesson for him to learn.
You want to be top dog? Then don't steal the king crab.
They say universities are institutions of higher learning.
Well if that's the case then it's time for Florida State to teach Jameis Winston the ultimate lesson.
It's time to throw 'Famous Jameis' off the team. It's time for Jimbo Fisher to take a stand and it's time for Florida State to prove that they are about more than football.
You might say that this is crazy. After all, Florida State just won the national title and Winston won the Heisman Trophy. But all those accomplishments were quickly ruined by his actions, which finally came to a head when Winston visited a local grocery store and stole some items a few weeks ago.
Yea yea FSU booted him off the baseball team for a few days while Winston picked up some cans on the side of the road. But we all know that was a slap on the wrist. Nobody cares about baseball and nobody even missed him for those two games. He may not have even pitched if he were there.
FSU accepts thousands of applicants every year to their school in order to find their way in life and learn how to make a proper living. What kind of message does this send to all of them if they continue to let Winston attend the same school, free of charge? These students are literally PAYING for this guy to continue to mess up.
It might be a tough pill for Winston to swallow but more importantly, it'll be a major lesson for him to learn.
You want to be top dog? Then don't steal the king crab.
Last edited by a moderator:
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Premier... ESPN sees these and you're going to get a seven-figure offer.
Premier
Footballguy
Tackling Dummies
Footballguy
Cowherd, the object in your rearview is closer than it appears.
ESPNUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
I'm not going to say that Jurgen Klinsmann hates America. But I'm not going to say that he doesn't, either. How else to explain his decision to drop Landon Donovan, a humble California surf kid who willed this nation to victory against the formidable Algerians four years ago. Klinsmann has selected no less than 5 "German-Americans" for this team. He's selected an "Icelandic-American." A "Norwegian-American". A "Haitian-American". And several "Mexican-Americans". But Landon Donovan is just an "American." And with no ties to Klinsy's motherland or some other country Der Manager finds fashionable, Donovan was left to do what he has done for the last decade. Dominate soccer in the MLS.
Donovan is the all-time leading scorer in MLS. He will be the career assist leader by the end of this season. While other American players have moved overseas to seek money, universal heath care, and 45 kinds of sausages, Donovan has remained, reliably, American. The World Cup is a nationalist competition. It's an opportunity to prove the strength of American resolve and character. And for that type of event, you need guys you can trust the foxhole with you. If I were Timmy Howard right now, I'd be watching my back for a fragging.
Donovan is the all-time leading scorer in MLS. He will be the career assist leader by the end of this season. While other American players have moved overseas to seek money, universal heath care, and 45 kinds of sausages, Donovan has remained, reliably, American. The World Cup is a nationalist competition. It's an opportunity to prove the strength of American resolve and character. And for that type of event, you need guys you can trust the foxhole with you. If I were Timmy Howard right now, I'd be watching my back for a fragging.
juanjuan
Footballguy
Hey, sports fans, there's a problem in sports today that must be addressed. Sports franchise ownership doesn't come close to representing the changing face of America. Not even close!!!
Simply put, sports fans, we need more diversity among ownership! Diversity is our strength!
Look at the NBA. A wide array of Americans from all creeds and cultures watch the NBA. 80% of NBA players are African-American. Yet when you look at the NBA owners and commissioners what do you see? You see no diversity. None at all. One after another the NBA owners are all the same. That's why we have to do something about the Jewish supremacy and Jewish privilege that runs the NBA.
Look at the list of NBA principal owners who are Jewish:
Atlanta Hawks – Michael Gearon Jr
Boston Celtics – H. Irving Grousbeck
Chicago Bulls – Jerry Reinsdorf
Cleveland Cavaliers – Dan Gilbert
Dallas Mavericks – Mark Cuban
Denver Nuggets – Stan Kroenke
Detroit Pistons – Tom Gores
Golden State Warriors – Peter Guber
Houston Rockets – Leslie Alexander
Indiana Pacers – Herbert Simon
Los Angeles Clippers – Steve Ballmer
Los Angeles Lakers – Jerry Buss
Memphis Grizzlies – Michael Heisley
Miami Heat – Micky Arison
Milwaukee Bucks – Marc Lasry
New Jersey Nets – Mikhail Prokhorov
New York Knicks – James Dolan
Orlando Magic – Richard DeVos
Philadelphia 76ers – Joshua Harris
Phoenix Suns – Robert Sarver
Portland Trail Blazers – Paul Allen
There are more Jews in an NBA owners meeting than at a 1950s Catskills resort. It's a Good Oy Boy network where they help each other out, and they help anybody else out the door.
Does anyone really doubt that since a new owner must be approved by the existing owners that they typically support one of their own? The proof is right there in the numbers, and numbers don't lie!
Is anyone surprised that since the owners pick the commissioner that they replaced on Stern with Silver?
Does anyone really doubt that all of the other Jewish owners and Jewish commissioner gave Donald Sterling a pass for decades of racism because a Sterling is a fellow tribe member? It took a wise woman of color to crack the Good Oy Boy network.
Come on, people!?!
Now I'm not asking for anything drastic. I'm just asking for NBA ownership, like all American industry, to more accurately reflect the grand diversity of modern America. Since Jewish men make up just over 1% of America so too should they among NBA owners. That means that one Jewish owner can stay. I vote to keep Mark Cuban because I like Shark Tank.
We as a society will get where we need to be when we all embrace diversity. This includes the NBA. The NBA must be nudged out of its Jewish supremacy, and if the NBA refuses that nudge we must look to another solution.
** This HOT TAKE brought to you by The Shave Club for Men.
Simply put, sports fans, we need more diversity among ownership! Diversity is our strength!
Look at the NBA. A wide array of Americans from all creeds and cultures watch the NBA. 80% of NBA players are African-American. Yet when you look at the NBA owners and commissioners what do you see? You see no diversity. None at all. One after another the NBA owners are all the same. That's why we have to do something about the Jewish supremacy and Jewish privilege that runs the NBA.
Look at the list of NBA principal owners who are Jewish:
Atlanta Hawks – Michael Gearon Jr
Boston Celtics – H. Irving Grousbeck
Chicago Bulls – Jerry Reinsdorf
Cleveland Cavaliers – Dan Gilbert
Dallas Mavericks – Mark Cuban
Denver Nuggets – Stan Kroenke
Detroit Pistons – Tom Gores
Golden State Warriors – Peter Guber
Houston Rockets – Leslie Alexander
Indiana Pacers – Herbert Simon
Los Angeles Clippers – Steve Ballmer
Los Angeles Lakers – Jerry Buss
Memphis Grizzlies – Michael Heisley
Miami Heat – Micky Arison
Milwaukee Bucks – Marc Lasry
New Jersey Nets – Mikhail Prokhorov
New York Knicks – James Dolan
Orlando Magic – Richard DeVos
Philadelphia 76ers – Joshua Harris
Phoenix Suns – Robert Sarver
Portland Trail Blazers – Paul Allen
There are more Jews in an NBA owners meeting than at a 1950s Catskills resort. It's a Good Oy Boy network where they help each other out, and they help anybody else out the door.
Does anyone really doubt that since a new owner must be approved by the existing owners that they typically support one of their own? The proof is right there in the numbers, and numbers don't lie!
Is anyone surprised that since the owners pick the commissioner that they replaced on Stern with Silver?
Does anyone really doubt that all of the other Jewish owners and Jewish commissioner gave Donald Sterling a pass for decades of racism because a Sterling is a fellow tribe member? It took a wise woman of color to crack the Good Oy Boy network.
Come on, people!?!
Now I'm not asking for anything drastic. I'm just asking for NBA ownership, like all American industry, to more accurately reflect the grand diversity of modern America. Since Jewish men make up just over 1% of America so too should they among NBA owners. That means that one Jewish owner can stay. I vote to keep Mark Cuban because I like Shark Tank.
We as a society will get where we need to be when we all embrace diversity. This includes the NBA. The NBA must be nudged out of its Jewish supremacy, and if the NBA refuses that nudge we must look to another solution.
** This HOT TAKE brought to you by The Shave Club for Men.
McGarnicle
Footballguy
Since johnjohn could barely string two sentences together, safe bet this is a different dude.
Premier
Footballguy
The Sizzler
Footballguy
Had your morning coffee yet? Good. Because this morning I'm going to talk about something boring in sports.
Tim Duncan.
Still awake? Good. Let's talk about Timmy.
Tim Duncan is one of the ten greatest basketball players of all time. Probably top five since the hype era of the NBA began a couple decades ago. Definitely one of the top ten most unappreciated stars of the SportsCenter/YouTube/HangTime/HypeMachine/TMZ era in any sport.
Tim Duncan never held a press conference to explain the circumstances around his latest arrest, because the only thing he should get arrested for in consistently great basketball.
He never won fewer than 50 games in a season. Well, except for that lockout year when the NBA only played 50 games. But Timmy handled that problem by going 37-13 and winning his first NBA title.
In a league where players are hyped as instant superstars before they even play a game then take years to actually win anything (right, Kevin Durant?), Tim Duncan was All-NBA as a rookie, stayed there for over a decade, and never missed a playoffs. No tanking here. No need to as long as you have Tim Duncan. Anyone can say all they do is win, win, win, no matter what. (Right, DJ Khaled?) But Tim Duncan just goes out and wins without telling everyone about it, and without money on his mind. It's team-first with Tim Duncan.
Tim Duncan never held a press conference to explain why he was taking his talents to a new city, because he's never switched teams.
In a world where players are more concerned about their raising their marketing brand instead of raising their team in the standings, Duncan stayed put in the lazy town of San Antonio. Booooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-innnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggg. Someone needs to tell Tim Duncan how many more jerseys he could sell if he demanded a trade to a bigger market! Why stay in San Antonio with a winning culture more like a family than a team when there is slightly more money to be made elsewhere?
Tim Duncan never held a press conference to explain how he was going to respond to his new coach, because he's never run one out of town.
The Spurs roster has completely turned over since Duncan's early days with David Robinson and Sean Elliott. But Gregg Popovich has always been his main man drawing up plays. What's up with that? Aren't superstar players supposed to feud with their coaches and get them fired to show how powerful they are? What sort of example is Tim Duncan setting for the children when he listens to his coach and goes out and plays hard all the time?
Booooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-iinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggg.
Seriously, what sort of YouTube highlight video can you make of Tim Duncan? "TD's Top 10 midrange bank shots?" "Tim Duncan's greatest box-outs?" "TD21 HUSTLES BACK ON DEFENSE!!!"
Maybe, just maybe, the highlight video we should all be watching is all those championships Tim Duncan produces. With a team built through the draft and intelligence, not big free agent money and hype.
Go ahead, America. Eat your double bacon cheeseburger with extra cheesy fries for lunch, and get your short-term thrill on that Heat bandwagon. I'm going to have a simple, plain salad, think about Tim Duncan, live long and prosper.
Tim Duncan.
Still awake? Good. Let's talk about Timmy.
Tim Duncan is one of the ten greatest basketball players of all time. Probably top five since the hype era of the NBA began a couple decades ago. Definitely one of the top ten most unappreciated stars of the SportsCenter/YouTube/HangTime/HypeMachine/TMZ era in any sport.
Tim Duncan never held a press conference to explain the circumstances around his latest arrest, because the only thing he should get arrested for in consistently great basketball.
He never won fewer than 50 games in a season. Well, except for that lockout year when the NBA only played 50 games. But Timmy handled that problem by going 37-13 and winning his first NBA title.
In a league where players are hyped as instant superstars before they even play a game then take years to actually win anything (right, Kevin Durant?), Tim Duncan was All-NBA as a rookie, stayed there for over a decade, and never missed a playoffs. No tanking here. No need to as long as you have Tim Duncan. Anyone can say all they do is win, win, win, no matter what. (Right, DJ Khaled?) But Tim Duncan just goes out and wins without telling everyone about it, and without money on his mind. It's team-first with Tim Duncan.
Tim Duncan never held a press conference to explain why he was taking his talents to a new city, because he's never switched teams.
In a world where players are more concerned about their raising their marketing brand instead of raising their team in the standings, Duncan stayed put in the lazy town of San Antonio. Booooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-innnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggg. Someone needs to tell Tim Duncan how many more jerseys he could sell if he demanded a trade to a bigger market! Why stay in San Antonio with a winning culture more like a family than a team when there is slightly more money to be made elsewhere?
Tim Duncan never held a press conference to explain how he was going to respond to his new coach, because he's never run one out of town.
The Spurs roster has completely turned over since Duncan's early days with David Robinson and Sean Elliott. But Gregg Popovich has always been his main man drawing up plays. What's up with that? Aren't superstar players supposed to feud with their coaches and get them fired to show how powerful they are? What sort of example is Tim Duncan setting for the children when he listens to his coach and goes out and plays hard all the time?
Booooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-iinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggg.
Seriously, what sort of YouTube highlight video can you make of Tim Duncan? "TD's Top 10 midrange bank shots?" "Tim Duncan's greatest box-outs?" "TD21 HUSTLES BACK ON DEFENSE!!!"
Maybe, just maybe, the highlight video we should all be watching is all those championships Tim Duncan produces. With a team built through the draft and intelligence, not big free agent money and hype.
Go ahead, America. Eat your double bacon cheeseburger with extra cheesy fries for lunch, and get your short-term thrill on that Heat bandwagon. I'm going to have a simple, plain salad, think about Tim Duncan, live long and prosper.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
They say we live in a free society, but tell that to Donald Sterling. They say we cannot be deprived of our life, liberty or property without due process of law, but tell that Donald Sterling. They say that we live in Marketplace of Ideas. Say that to Donald Sterling.
Donald Sterling built his own fortune in life. He did so effectively enough that he was able to buy the Los Angeles Clippers nearly on his own. Under his stewardship, the value of the franchise has risen from under $50 million to over $2 billion. But none of that matters because Donald Sterling said the wrong thing, in private, to a gold-digging guttersnipe.
If Chris Paul had told his wife not to pose with rich white men for Instagram photos, nobody would be arguing that he was unfit to play point guard in the NBA. But the rules are different for rich, white men. We can have African American History Month, but not white history month. Even in the NBA, where the game was literally invented, financed, and sustained by white men. Magic Johnson is rich, and likely alive, today because of a league sustained by white men. But none of that matters now. Because the power doesn't reside in those who contribute most to society. The power resides in those who can take the most offense. It doesn't matter that Donald Sterling has provided low income housing to some of the neediest Americans for 40 years. His production is meaningless, because the only industry that gets respect in today's America is umbrage production.
Donald Sterling built his own fortune in life. He did so effectively enough that he was able to buy the Los Angeles Clippers nearly on his own. Under his stewardship, the value of the franchise has risen from under $50 million to over $2 billion. But none of that matters because Donald Sterling said the wrong thing, in private, to a gold-digging guttersnipe.
If Chris Paul had told his wife not to pose with rich white men for Instagram photos, nobody would be arguing that he was unfit to play point guard in the NBA. But the rules are different for rich, white men. We can have African American History Month, but not white history month. Even in the NBA, where the game was literally invented, financed, and sustained by white men. Magic Johnson is rich, and likely alive, today because of a league sustained by white men. But none of that matters now. Because the power doesn't reside in those who contribute most to society. The power resides in those who can take the most offense. It doesn't matter that Donald Sterling has provided low income housing to some of the neediest Americans for 40 years. His production is meaningless, because the only industry that gets respect in today's America is umbrage production.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
LOL at "The Sizzler." The only thing missing are some teeth jokes.
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
I was gonna say, if you replace the DJ Khaled reference (no way Reilly knows that song) with a line about how Duncan is more money than Julia Roberts going to the dentist or something it could actually pass for a Reilly column.
randall146
Footballguy
This Saturday will be the running of the Belmont Stakes. And as you’ve heard ad nauseum, a 3 year old colt named California Chrome will try to become the first Triple Crown winner in 36 years.
Now the Triple Crown is one of the rarest feats in all of sport. Winning requires speed, stamina and smarts. The horse needs to be able to win against the toughest competition, on different tracks, in races of different lengths. Winners of the past, such as Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed have been supremely gifted natural athletes.
Winning the Crown would make Chrome a legend for all time. His owners would make millions of dollars in "stud fees." In 20 years the latest and greatest elf-sized actor would get to play the role of jockey Victor Espinoza, Crown’s rider, in a feature film. It would rekindle America’s love of horse-racing - an industry that has been flagging over the past several decades. And, like any great sports achievement for man or animal-kind, the Triple Crown would land California Chrome, ahem, "intimate access" to the finest fillies the world has to offer.
With stakes that high, it’s no surprise that a horse owner would do anything possible to make sure his horse wins. What’s so surprising is that the horse racing Establishment is willing to play along.
Because here’s the thing the Establishment knows, but no one will say: California Chrome is a fraud.
You see, the Establishment is searching for something to get racing back on the map - a feel good story - and California Chrome is their Charles Van Doren. The Establishment is desperate for a Chrome win, so much so that they’ve gifted him an artificial advantage. As he has in his last six races, Chrome will again be allowed to wear a "breath strip" - a piece of technology that alters the shape of his nostrils to increase his oxygen flow – and therefore his endurance and speed. It’s like strapping an oxygen mask to a runner during a marathon. And how much do the makers of this great technology believes it increases Chrome’s oxygen processing?
Ten percent.
That’s huge.
In a sport where races are won and lost by hundredths of a second, ten percent easily means the difference between victory and defeat. A ten percent advantage in oxygen processing turns an ordinary racer into a veritable super-hero. It makes him virtually unbeatable. Just ask the racers who used to try to keep up with Lance Armstrong.
Don’t believe me? Let’s talk numbers.
California Chrome won the Kentucky Derby, a mile and a quarter race, with a time of 2 minutes and 3.66 seconds (the third slowest time in 55 years, by the way). He beat runner up Commanding Curve by 1 and 3/4 lengths, which in racing tradition equals less than two-tenths of a second. Without the so-called "breath-strip?" California Chrome would have run 10 % slower, for a time of ca. 2 minutes and 16 seconds. Think 2:16 is bad? It is. Bad enough to move Chrome from 1st to last, and then some – more than 20 lengths behind last place finisher Vicar’s in Trouble. That’s the horse that’s being hailed as the greatest horse in almost four decades. Like I said, a complete fraud.
So you can watch on Saturday like everyone else. Just know that if - or should I say when - California Chrome wins the Belmont, the Establishment planned it that way.
This Triple Crown is tarnished.
Now the Triple Crown is one of the rarest feats in all of sport. Winning requires speed, stamina and smarts. The horse needs to be able to win against the toughest competition, on different tracks, in races of different lengths. Winners of the past, such as Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed have been supremely gifted natural athletes.
Winning the Crown would make Chrome a legend for all time. His owners would make millions of dollars in "stud fees." In 20 years the latest and greatest elf-sized actor would get to play the role of jockey Victor Espinoza, Crown’s rider, in a feature film. It would rekindle America’s love of horse-racing - an industry that has been flagging over the past several decades. And, like any great sports achievement for man or animal-kind, the Triple Crown would land California Chrome, ahem, "intimate access" to the finest fillies the world has to offer.
With stakes that high, it’s no surprise that a horse owner would do anything possible to make sure his horse wins. What’s so surprising is that the horse racing Establishment is willing to play along.
Because here’s the thing the Establishment knows, but no one will say: California Chrome is a fraud.
You see, the Establishment is searching for something to get racing back on the map - a feel good story - and California Chrome is their Charles Van Doren. The Establishment is desperate for a Chrome win, so much so that they’ve gifted him an artificial advantage. As he has in his last six races, Chrome will again be allowed to wear a "breath strip" - a piece of technology that alters the shape of his nostrils to increase his oxygen flow – and therefore his endurance and speed. It’s like strapping an oxygen mask to a runner during a marathon. And how much do the makers of this great technology believes it increases Chrome’s oxygen processing?
Ten percent.
That’s huge.
In a sport where races are won and lost by hundredths of a second, ten percent easily means the difference between victory and defeat. A ten percent advantage in oxygen processing turns an ordinary racer into a veritable super-hero. It makes him virtually unbeatable. Just ask the racers who used to try to keep up with Lance Armstrong.
Don’t believe me? Let’s talk numbers.
California Chrome won the Kentucky Derby, a mile and a quarter race, with a time of 2 minutes and 3.66 seconds (the third slowest time in 55 years, by the way). He beat runner up Commanding Curve by 1 and 3/4 lengths, which in racing tradition equals less than two-tenths of a second. Without the so-called "breath-strip?" California Chrome would have run 10 % slower, for a time of ca. 2 minutes and 16 seconds. Think 2:16 is bad? It is. Bad enough to move Chrome from 1st to last, and then some – more than 20 lengths behind last place finisher Vicar’s in Trouble. That’s the horse that’s being hailed as the greatest horse in almost four decades. Like I said, a complete fraud.
So you can watch on Saturday like everyone else. Just know that if - or should I say when - California Chrome wins the Belmont, the Establishment planned it that way.
This Triple Crown is tarnished.
The_Man
Footballguy
Glad to see the love for PFTCommenter who I truly believe to be the best contemporary satirist currently writing.
I sometimes get the vibe that the author is from DC - the "Is Flacco elite?" and Redskins naming stuff appears to be informed by exposure to the local media. Plus and he Dan Steinberg of the Post's Sports Bog seem kind of tight.
I sometimes get the vibe that the author is from DC - the "Is Flacco elite?" and Redskins naming stuff appears to be informed by exposure to the local media. Plus and he Dan Steinberg of the Post's Sports Bog seem kind of tight.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Sarnoff
Footballguy
The Sizzler
Footballguy
Game 1 of the NBA Finals is tonight.
Full disclosure: the network carrying the NBA Finals, ABC, also owns ESPN and Grantland.
Full disclosure: despite my goal of remaining an objective observer of sport, I'm totally rooting for the San Antonio Spurs.
As the great philosopher Steve Perry once crooned, "the girl can't help it." I'm in the tank for Los Spuros.
Call me an old codger if you must - I prefer the term "throwback" - but I see the Spurs as a team that was built through hard work and intelligence, and the Heat as a team that was bought with large sums of money and hype.
Tim Duncan was drafted by the Spurs in 1997, way back when Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was still in junior high. Duncan never gave in to big money and big markets, staying loyal to the team that brought him into the league. And get this: Duncan went to college! For four whole years! I didn't know that was even still legal for NBA players.
Manu Ginobili? Drafted by the Spurs in 1999. Late in the second round, by the way. (or "BTW", as Zuckerberg might text.)
Tony Parker? Drafted by the Spurs in 2001.
Tiago Splitter? Drafted by Spurs. 2007.
Kawhi Leonard? Drafted. Spurs. 2011.
An entire starting five, all lifelong Spurs, only Duncan from a big-time college program, and even calling Wake Forest "big-time" is debatable.
Sure the Spurs have players they signed as free agents, but none of them were the result of bidding wars. They were castoffs.
Danny Green? Cut. Boris Diaw? Cut. Patty Mills? Cut. Marco Belinelli? Set free.
Gregg Popovich built this roster the right way. No big trades disturbing chemistry. No big-money free agent divas. No discrimination by race or nationality.
The Heat? Well, that's another story.
In you look in your thesaurus for an antonym for "paying dues", you will see a picture of LeBron James. LeBron was on the cover of Sports Illustrated when he was a junior in high school. Already a household name when he entered the NBA Draft, without a day spent in college, mind you. Then he strung along his loyal home state fans after seven years of "cell phone set to vibrate" - no rings - and announcing his free agency decision on a freakin' reality show.
Bought. Signed, sealed, delivered, a perfect reality TV marriage of an overhyped athlete taking his talents to an overhyped city.
Chris Bosh? Bought during that same summer. Remember that pep rally when LeBron, Wade, and Bosh danced around to "YES WE DID" before playing a game together. Maybe "YES WE DID" was in honor of Tim Duncan's four career titles at that point, but I didn't see any Spurs in the audience that night.
Shane Battier? Took the money after seven seasons in small markets and no titles, just like his hero, LeBron.
Mario Chalmers? Bought. Literally. The Heat bought his draft rights from the Timberwolves.
Ray Allen? A hired gun his whole career. Such a diva he was traded before even playing one NBA game. Starred in a Spike Lee movie before making the playoffs. The Heat are the fourth franchise he's represented in the postseason. The only loyalty
Even the Heat's guiding guru, Pat Riley, is a man of expensive suits and image over substance, moving from big city to big city whenever he didn't feel appreciated enough.
Back when I competed, I wanted to compete against the best. Not recruit the best to come play alongside me to make it easier.
Give me the Spurs in 7. Please.
Full disclosure: the network carrying the NBA Finals, ABC, also owns ESPN and Grantland.
Full disclosure: despite my goal of remaining an objective observer of sport, I'm totally rooting for the San Antonio Spurs.
As the great philosopher Steve Perry once crooned, "the girl can't help it." I'm in the tank for Los Spuros.
Call me an old codger if you must - I prefer the term "throwback" - but I see the Spurs as a team that was built through hard work and intelligence, and the Heat as a team that was bought with large sums of money and hype.
Tim Duncan was drafted by the Spurs in 1997, way back when Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was still in junior high. Duncan never gave in to big money and big markets, staying loyal to the team that brought him into the league. And get this: Duncan went to college! For four whole years! I didn't know that was even still legal for NBA players.
Manu Ginobili? Drafted by the Spurs in 1999. Late in the second round, by the way. (or "BTW", as Zuckerberg might text.)
Tony Parker? Drafted by the Spurs in 2001.
Tiago Splitter? Drafted by Spurs. 2007.
Kawhi Leonard? Drafted. Spurs. 2011.
An entire starting five, all lifelong Spurs, only Duncan from a big-time college program, and even calling Wake Forest "big-time" is debatable.
Sure the Spurs have players they signed as free agents, but none of them were the result of bidding wars. They were castoffs.
Danny Green? Cut. Boris Diaw? Cut. Patty Mills? Cut. Marco Belinelli? Set free.
Gregg Popovich built this roster the right way. No big trades disturbing chemistry. No big-money free agent divas. No discrimination by race or nationality.
The Heat? Well, that's another story.
In you look in your thesaurus for an antonym for "paying dues", you will see a picture of LeBron James. LeBron was on the cover of Sports Illustrated when he was a junior in high school. Already a household name when he entered the NBA Draft, without a day spent in college, mind you. Then he strung along his loyal home state fans after seven years of "cell phone set to vibrate" - no rings - and announcing his free agency decision on a freakin' reality show.
Bought. Signed, sealed, delivered, a perfect reality TV marriage of an overhyped athlete taking his talents to an overhyped city.
Chris Bosh? Bought during that same summer. Remember that pep rally when LeBron, Wade, and Bosh danced around to "YES WE DID" before playing a game together. Maybe "YES WE DID" was in honor of Tim Duncan's four career titles at that point, but I didn't see any Spurs in the audience that night.
Shane Battier? Took the money after seven seasons in small markets and no titles, just like his hero, LeBron.
Mario Chalmers? Bought. Literally. The Heat bought his draft rights from the Timberwolves.
Ray Allen? A hired gun his whole career. Such a diva he was traded before even playing one NBA game. Starred in a Spike Lee movie before making the playoffs. The Heat are the fourth franchise he's represented in the postseason. The only loyalty
Even the Heat's guiding guru, Pat Riley, is a man of expensive suits and image over substance, moving from big city to big city whenever he didn't feel appreciated enough.
Back when I competed, I wanted to compete against the best. Not recruit the best to come play alongside me to make it easier.
Give me the Spurs in 7. Please.
to so much awesomeness in this thread. 
to this bizarre fascination with PFTC. 
Never got the fascination with smart people pretending to be dumb people. Lots of excellent examples above of how to get your satiric irony on without resorting to going DUHHHHHH over and over.
Different tastes, I guess. That SWC guy seems to get a lot of love here for the same thing, so it must tap into something in the thinking man's psyche. But damned if I can figure out what it is. Must not be a thinking man. :(
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juanjuan
Footballguy
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
The greatness of PFT Commenter is in the execution, not the concept. The guy absolutely nails it.
Never got the fascination with smart people pretending to be dumb people. Lots of excellent examples above of how to get your satiric irony on without resorting to going DUHHHHHH over and over.
Different tastes, I guess. That SWC guy seems to get a lot of love here for the same thing, so it must tap into something in the thinking man's psyche. But damned if I can figure out what it is. Must not be a thinking man. :(
Premier
Footballguy
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Sizzler and Premier gonna have to have a HOT OFF at some point. We'll pick the topic, and they post it here (on the honor system to write it up without seeing the other's piece).
Bruce Dickinson
Footballguy
I can't stop reading this thread. My eyeballs are burning from all the HOTness, but I can't stop reading. That California Chrome one is amazing. The Donovan one makes me wish I knew something about soccer so I could fully appreciate the HEAT of it.
Fantastic thread idea. May need to start cross-posting some of these to raise the temperature a bit in other threads.
fatguyinalittlecoat
Footballguy
Agreed. I put my smartphone in my pocket after reading this thread and now I'm infertile.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
They were supposed to be the next Golden Couple. Caroline Wozniaki and Rory McIlroy were going to reign like cross-sport super couples before them. Ray Knight and Nancy Lopez. Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra. But something happened on the way to the wedding. Their performance slipped. Now, I'm not saying that spending every off moment thumbing bridal magazines instead of on the putting green or the practice court was the reason. But you have to wonder.
Rory finally understood. He had the courage to look to his future and decide that he would rather be the next Gary Player than on half of the next Kimye. He called it off. And he promptly won the next tournament he entered? Caroline? She continued to seek the spotlight with fellow reality star in training Serena Williams. After crashing out of the French Open, there was Caroline in skin-tight dress "guest DJing" at some Miami club (I'll bet some lucky clubgoer didn't even need to roofie her). There she was crashing some poor schmucks' beach wedding. Caroline continues to seek the public eye. She wants to be famous. And for the next 15 minutes, maybe she will be. Rory? He chooses to be something else. He chooses to be great.
Rory finally understood. He had the courage to look to his future and decide that he would rather be the next Gary Player than on half of the next Kimye. He called it off. And he promptly won the next tournament he entered? Caroline? She continued to seek the spotlight with fellow reality star in training Serena Williams. After crashing out of the French Open, there was Caroline in skin-tight dress "guest DJing" at some Miami club (I'll bet some lucky clubgoer didn't even need to roofie her). There she was crashing some poor schmucks' beach wedding. Caroline continues to seek the public eye. She wants to be famous. And for the next 15 minutes, maybe she will be. Rory? He chooses to be something else. He chooses to be great.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
The Sizzler
Footballguy
10 THINGS I THINK I THINK
1. I think the NBA Finals is going to be a long, competitive series. And wouldn't it? It's the ultimate clash of built vs. bought, brain versus braun, veteran savvy versus youthful exuberance. Spurs in 7.
2. I think basketball fans will be disappointed when the officiating decides at least one game of the Finals. Let the players determine the winner and loser on the court! We aren't tuning in to see officials blow their whistles over and over again. Pro tip: "You're missing a great game, ref!" is a solid razzing of a ref that can be delivered in a second. But be careful with something more hurtful, like "Bend over and use your GOOD EYE, ref!" That may get you the stink-eye from nearby fans with children, as well as Joey Crawford.
3. I think if there's a more intellectually-stimulating app that 2048, I haven't seen it yet. 2048 is the perfect hybrid of three of my true passions: mathematics, Tetris, and field hockey.
4. I think Johnny Manziel is going to be Cleveland's best QB since Brian Sipe ruled the gridiron in the Forest City. He's exactly the type of playmaker to remind Browns fans of the Kardiac Kids. There may not be a Super Bowl in the Browns' future - yet - but there are some memorable Sundays dead ahead.
5. I think people complain too much about the length of baseball games. There's nothing better than a summer evening at the ballpark with family and friends. Who cares if the game doesn't end until 11:00 pm? That's what coffee was invented for. Or if you're watching your waistline, one of Starbucks's delicious Refreshers are a fresh, crisp low-calorie coffee alternative perfect for a summer evening. Besides, that extra pitching change is just more opportunity to sneak in a few rounds of 2048.
6. I think it's too bad that we won't get to see Tiger Woods compete at the US Open in Pinehurst. And not just because I bet Phil Mickelson $10,000 that Tiger would break The Golden Bear's record for majors won. Oops! Did I type that out loud?
7. I think among all the beauty across all sport, there's nothing sexier than the ripe, bulbous buttocks of an SEC quarterback. Say what you will about Manziel, AJ McCarron, Tim Tebow, and their ilk as players and/or as people, but we can all agree those are fantastic wagons they're draggin'.
8. I think Michael Sam would agree with me on number 7.
9. I think if you're not enjoying Mad Men's victory lap as the greatest drama in the history of television, you're a r#####. F### you for not appreciating art as it unfolds. Seriously. F###. You.
10. I think I need some more sleep. Or training camps to begin. Probably both.
1. I think the NBA Finals is going to be a long, competitive series. And wouldn't it? It's the ultimate clash of built vs. bought, brain versus braun, veteran savvy versus youthful exuberance. Spurs in 7.
2. I think basketball fans will be disappointed when the officiating decides at least one game of the Finals. Let the players determine the winner and loser on the court! We aren't tuning in to see officials blow their whistles over and over again. Pro tip: "You're missing a great game, ref!" is a solid razzing of a ref that can be delivered in a second. But be careful with something more hurtful, like "Bend over and use your GOOD EYE, ref!" That may get you the stink-eye from nearby fans with children, as well as Joey Crawford.
3. I think if there's a more intellectually-stimulating app that 2048, I haven't seen it yet. 2048 is the perfect hybrid of three of my true passions: mathematics, Tetris, and field hockey.
4. I think Johnny Manziel is going to be Cleveland's best QB since Brian Sipe ruled the gridiron in the Forest City. He's exactly the type of playmaker to remind Browns fans of the Kardiac Kids. There may not be a Super Bowl in the Browns' future - yet - but there are some memorable Sundays dead ahead.
5. I think people complain too much about the length of baseball games. There's nothing better than a summer evening at the ballpark with family and friends. Who cares if the game doesn't end until 11:00 pm? That's what coffee was invented for. Or if you're watching your waistline, one of Starbucks's delicious Refreshers are a fresh, crisp low-calorie coffee alternative perfect for a summer evening. Besides, that extra pitching change is just more opportunity to sneak in a few rounds of 2048.
6. I think it's too bad that we won't get to see Tiger Woods compete at the US Open in Pinehurst. And not just because I bet Phil Mickelson $10,000 that Tiger would break The Golden Bear's record for majors won. Oops! Did I type that out loud?
7. I think among all the beauty across all sport, there's nothing sexier than the ripe, bulbous buttocks of an SEC quarterback. Say what you will about Manziel, AJ McCarron, Tim Tebow, and their ilk as players and/or as people, but we can all agree those are fantastic wagons they're draggin'.
8. I think Michael Sam would agree with me on number 7.
9. I think if you're not enjoying Mad Men's victory lap as the greatest drama in the history of television, you're a r#####. F### you for not appreciating art as it unfolds. Seriously. F###. You.
10. I think I need some more sleep. Or training camps to begin. Probably both.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Has FIFA corruption, Qatar 2022 been done? Lots of jingoistic red meat there.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Rafa/Djokavic?
Premier
Footballguy
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Soccer players ripping off their shirts and flexing after a goal?
Bruce Dickinson
Footballguy
McGarnicle
Footballguy
Did you do NFL concussions/lawsuits/ALS/parents don't want their kids playing football yet?
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Jim Kelly's cancer.
pats3in4
Footballguy
Carryover from the NHL Playoffs thread: NY Rangers speed vs. LA Kings size
The TV ratings for the NBA Finals vs. the NHL Cup Finals and how that means hockey either (a) sucks or (b) isn't appreciated by Americans
Tale of the Tape: NY vs. LA - 10 reasons one city trumps the other beside crowning a hockey champ
Can the World Cup help bridge the gap from the end of NBA/NHL to the start of NFL (sorry, baseball)?
The TV ratings for the NBA Finals vs. the NHL Cup Finals and how that means hockey either (a) sucks or (b) isn't appreciated by Americans
Tale of the Tape: NY vs. LA - 10 reasons one city trumps the other beside crowning a hockey champ
Can the World Cup help bridge the gap from the end of NBA/NHL to the start of NFL (sorry, baseball)?
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Premier
Footballguy
Mini HOT TAKE:
The MLB Draft is on tonight and I bet you didn't even know that. And that is a real shame.
Maybe you always dreamt of having your son get a hug from Roger Goodell under the bright lights of Radio City, but I would personally prefer to see my boy get a warm handshake from Bud Selig at the local New Jersey Bingo Hall that MLB films at. And there's one reason why:
Because nobody has ever been concussed hitting the cutoff man.
Football has been proven to be a barbarian's sport, full of excess and crippled bodies. There is not a game that goes by now without a critical starter suffering a major injury. It has become so out of hand that I half expect to see Russell Crowe come out to midfield to ask us if we are not entertained.
Of course, that would be shown after yet another Old Spice commercial.
Baseball on the other hand has none of these problems. Sure, you might blow out an elbow or pull a hamstring stretching for first, but none of those issues are going to cause you to join a class action suit against MLB 30 years from now because you can't remember your name.
Football has broken bones and broken minds. Baseball has broken bats.
Which would you prefer your son to deal with? I know my answer.
The MLB Draft is on tonight and I bet you didn't even know that. And that is a real shame.
Maybe you always dreamt of having your son get a hug from Roger Goodell under the bright lights of Radio City, but I would personally prefer to see my boy get a warm handshake from Bud Selig at the local New Jersey Bingo Hall that MLB films at. And there's one reason why:
Because nobody has ever been concussed hitting the cutoff man.
Football has been proven to be a barbarian's sport, full of excess and crippled bodies. There is not a game that goes by now without a critical starter suffering a major injury. It has become so out of hand that I half expect to see Russell Crowe come out to midfield to ask us if we are not entertained.
Of course, that would be shown after yet another Old Spice commercial.
Baseball on the other hand has none of these problems. Sure, you might blow out an elbow or pull a hamstring stretching for first, but none of those issues are going to cause you to join a class action suit against MLB 30 years from now because you can't remember your name.
Football has broken bones and broken minds. Baseball has broken bats.
Which would you prefer your son to deal with? I know my answer.
Celph Titled
Footballguy
Brady Aiken is just a normal San Diego teen who has it all: Nice parents, nice girlfriend, a ticket to UCLA next year, and a left arm that can only be described as a gift from the heavens.
But there's one thing that Brady Aiken won't have next year: his youth.
That's because Brady Aiken was picked #1 overall in the MLB draft yesterday by the Houston Astros. So instead of learning about the world and pitching for the Bruins next year, Brady will be on buses. A lot of buses. Between Greeneville and Bluefield, Bluefield to Burlington, Burlington back to Greenfield. Over and over, , away from his family or any sort of real life experience, Brady Aiken will be going from one minor league park to another. Will he have the same friends and great experiences he'd have in Westwood? I doubt it.
Oh sure, he'll have money. But wouldn't that money be there in three more years? Why not slow down? Would Brady Aiken's agent ever tell him he should go to college? Of course not, he probably scared him into staying in the draft. "You could blow your arm out", "Your stock might fall", I'm sure Brady's heard it all.
And sure, he'll get to the majors some day, probably one way or another. And I'm sure he'll become a man eventually.
But if you never get to be a great kid, maybe you can never become a great adult.
But there's one thing that Brady Aiken won't have next year: his youth.
That's because Brady Aiken was picked #1 overall in the MLB draft yesterday by the Houston Astros. So instead of learning about the world and pitching for the Bruins next year, Brady will be on buses. A lot of buses. Between Greeneville and Bluefield, Bluefield to Burlington, Burlington back to Greenfield. Over and over, , away from his family or any sort of real life experience, Brady Aiken will be going from one minor league park to another. Will he have the same friends and great experiences he'd have in Westwood? I doubt it.
Oh sure, he'll have money. But wouldn't that money be there in three more years? Why not slow down? Would Brady Aiken's agent ever tell him he should go to college? Of course not, he probably scared him into staying in the draft. "You could blow your arm out", "Your stock might fall", I'm sure Brady's heard it all.
And sure, he'll get to the majors some day, probably one way or another. And I'm sure he'll become a man eventually.
But if you never get to be a great kid, maybe you can never become a great adult.
Premier
Footballguy
Celph Titled
Footballguy
You may not know who Ben Gardner is. He doesn't have a planned reality show, or a book deal. When he was picked, you didn't see him spreading cake on anyone's face or taking part in any long, lingering kisses with his significant other.
You see, Ben Gardner is a rookie defensive lineman. And he was drafted in the 7th round by the Cowboys. But unlike Michael Sam, Ben Gardner is entering the NFL without any of the pomp and circumstance that Sam has, or the hype. He's just a humble guy who's trying to make the 53-man roster and do whatever he can for his team.
Michael Sam has already drawn attention to himself. I don't have a problem with gay professional athletes, but when I was a young writer, I proof-read box scores at 2 in the morning right out of college for minimum wage, I wasn't doing interviews with Oprah. And I worked my way up, kept my mouth shut, and learned what I can. Michael Sam could learn a lesson from this: do the dirty work, don't create a spectacle, get the job done. That's how you become successful in life, no matter what path you take.
Michael Sam and Ben Gardner might seem like similar people to you except for one big difference...but maybe there's more of a difference than you think.
You see, Ben Gardner is a rookie defensive lineman. And he was drafted in the 7th round by the Cowboys. But unlike Michael Sam, Ben Gardner is entering the NFL without any of the pomp and circumstance that Sam has, or the hype. He's just a humble guy who's trying to make the 53-man roster and do whatever he can for his team.
Michael Sam has already drawn attention to himself. I don't have a problem with gay professional athletes, but when I was a young writer, I proof-read box scores at 2 in the morning right out of college for minimum wage, I wasn't doing interviews with Oprah. And I worked my way up, kept my mouth shut, and learned what I can. Michael Sam could learn a lesson from this: do the dirty work, don't create a spectacle, get the job done. That's how you become successful in life, no matter what path you take.
Michael Sam and Ben Gardner might seem like similar people to you except for one big difference...but maybe there's more of a difference than you think.
Celph Titled
Footballguy
Can I call reservsies on Calipari's extension?
