The Sports Thread

Topic

[Todd]

Feel free to discuss sports of all types from all over the world here. This thread is not limited by country or region.

And remember, Jeopardy! is a game show, not a sport.

• This topic was modified 5 years, 3 months ago by Todd.

Replies

Sometimes I come across people who don’t like sports and the huge salaries of athletes. I get from them some big tirade about capitalism, that sports is really a business, etc.

I usually shrug them off…

Al-x wrote:

Sometimes I come across people who don’t like sports and the huge salaries of athletes.

I like sports; I also like movies and music.

But I do have a problem with a society that pays professional athletes, actors, and musical performers obscene salaries while school teachers, hospital nurses, and other critical members of society get paid pitifully low salaries.

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DavidM, Todd, Sean Robinson

[Rocket]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-canucks-singer-fired-1.5829907

It’s weird to me how current situations discover the strangest things and show us the worst in people. I don’t how much you like this guy, @sean_robinson, but if this happened to the Avs Anthem singer who I love, i would be seriously bummed.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 1 month ago by Rocket.

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Sean Robinson

Well, he is very good and I am a fan, but I find it hard to feel sorry for the guy. Going to sing at a rally for anti-maskers? I know this has been hard on everyone, but people in the public eye should be doing all they can to help. The numbers are the worst we’ve had and our care homes are again the worst hit. How many people feel a heart-breaking loss (that may have been avoided if we did a better job), but now with the added knife-twist that a certain part of the population want to scream that they just don’t fucking care?

I’m not wanting to get into halting someone’s right to protest, or make their voice heard.
Just not here, not this subject.
He made his choice and he can live with it. I won’t miss him.

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Rocket, Todd

Speaking of hockey, the NHL had a negotiated CBA during the Covid shutdown, so the current situation is not new. There was a reduction in pay, etc. This was dealt with.
But now Commissioner Bettman want to renegotiate and is (quietly) threatening to void the season.
Some owners are stuck with taking a loss and still don’t know how bad it could be.

The only thing is, this pandemic was part of the most recent agreement. They can’t use it as an excuse to shut the season down, any judge would call that a “lockout”.
They could fall back onto “player health and safety”, and try to convince a judge that the same owner of the NY Rangers and the NY Knicks that play out of the same arena has it ok to operate in one league (NBA), but not the other.
One league has a television deal that is far, far better than the other.

The opening ceremonies for the 2021 Olympic Games goes July 23rd and out of respect they would like to avoid that.
Of note: NBC is the National rights holder for the NHL in the U.S. and also the Olympics this year.
The NHL has put renegotiation of the next TV deal on hold to see what happens with the NFL contract.
“If you want to get a better deal, have your season over when we say so!.” – my jaded speculation

And the notion of not having a season? Not something the NHL can pull off.
It will always be a niche sport in the U.S., sometimes with some big ups and room to go higher, but if you piss off the casual fan then you can have some very low lows.

Bettman is doing his job I guess, but January 1st is realistic only for training camp. Numbers getting thrown around are 56, 52, or a 48 game season.
Add in the push from the second tier players and below (which Bettman is counting on) as this is not a profession of working from age 24 – 65. A 12 year career is huge for many players and some will not achieve near that. It could also be over today if you get injured.

But there has to be a season.

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Rocket

There was a pay per view exhibition boxing night last Saturday with Mike Tyson coming out of retirement to take on Roy Jones Jr. I didn’t see it, but there was a match with Youtube guy Jake Paul taking on and KO Nate Robinson a retired basketball player.

Those who did the PPV said the Tyson fight was so so and didn’t like the KO of Robinson, making it a race thing. Now everyone wants to come out of retirement and fight, and they want to take on Jake to avenge Robinson…

The surprise of the night was Snoop Dogg who was the announcer. He was smoking weed and saying funny things in all the matches and everyone wants him to come back and announce some more…

Break dancing in the Olympics?!?

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Todd

Al-x wrote:

Break dancing in the Olympics?!?

40 years too late…

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njerry

Hey, if curling can be a Winter Olympics sport, then breakdancing deserves a chance.

Just as long as it doesn’t replace women’s beach volleyball.

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Rocket, DavidM, Todd

Report: Cleveland Indians changing name after 105 years

https://apnews.com/article/cleveland-indians-changing-name-mlb-a6108c71a739ec37b3863e72536aa22f

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Todd, Sean Robinson

njerry wrote:

Report: Cleveland Indians changing name after 105 years

I love Donald Trump’s sensitive and nuanced response to this announcement:

“Oh no! What is going on?” President Donald Trump tweeted. “This is not good news, even for ”Indians”. Cancel culture at work!”

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Todd

[Rocket]

I also like the response of the owner of the team

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30519665/owner-paul-dolan-says-cleveland-indians-keep-name-2021-season

“We don’t want to be the Cleveland Baseball Team or some other interim name,” he said.

“But we’re not going to do something just for the sake of doing it. We’re going to take the time we need to do it right.”

Paging Mr Snyder, Mr Daniel Snyder

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by Rocket.

Oh no…

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/30544077/sources-canadian-based-nhl-teams-play-united-states-due-issues-canadian-health-authorities

Training camps were supposed to start in 2 weeks and now there might be 7 homeless teams

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Sean Robinson

It is not just the Indian names like the Chiefs, Braves, but also names like the Rangers.
The Texas Rangers don’t have a great history if you look it up.

Not to open up a hornet’s nest, but to really be politically correct, all those names have to go.

Al-x wrote:

The Texas Rangers don’t have a great history if you look it up.

I did and found this

do you have a problem with Chuck, Al?

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Todd

They should do something about the Dallas Cowboys but I don’t think a name-change will make them stop sucking.

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garjones, njerry

Yeah, I saw that. Kansas City, Milwaukee, Austin, and Orlando are willing to host a Canadian Hub.
They’ve put a lot of work into that idea that they will probably stick with it at this point, so just the Canadian teams.

But how much contact with the locals? Will they all come home saying the word (is “word” the right word?) Y’all?
That’ll take some getting used to, but if half of them get radicalized and have stupid baseball caps (“Make Canada Great Again”) then I think we’ll look back as a bad decision…

Now that’s put the pressure on there’s talk of a Canadian Hub city now, as that’s what the health authorities said to do (you’ve already done it very well, we’ll let you do it again).
The player’s don’t want that, but then it’s away from your family no matter what.
If you want somewhat of a paycheque (and lot’s are quietly yelling) then you’ll do it.

No matter what, I think it’s clear they still don’t have a clue. How much figuring out can happen over X-mas?
Player’s need to be on flights back from Europe on Dec. 28th to give them a quarantine and training camp shot at a Jan. 28th start, and you’re not booking a flight for the 28th unless it’s figured out by the 21st and that’s this Monday (!).
Yes I’m pulling numbers out of my ass, but honestly believe it’s an educated guess.

And I only hear this “Canadian” talk, but what of the U.S.?
I’m sorry, but just last week I saw a map of the U.S. with red circles covering everything and they said the whole country is in the “danger zone” (and that’s what they know, all the numbers filtering through the White House will show that scumbag was hiding that it was far worse).
Shouldn’t they be in Hub Cities as well?

Sorry, but I don’t think they should half-ass it. The NBA is foolish for preparing to follow the mistakes of MLB and NFL (the Denver Broncos had no quarterback and still forced to play? Absolute joke) and then some cities are trying anyway anyhow to get fans in the stands.

I could rant forever, but just say if they proceed, they have to pull it off top-notch.
Anything less just looks like a joke and can hurt you long term.

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Rocket, Todd

So I woke up to the news of an agreement between the NHL Owners and Players (yet to be ratified) – 56 Game season to start Jan. 13th

Should be some kind of announcement on Monday, if it gets ratified.
Still think they don’t have a clue and are making it up as they go. We’ll see.

Rocket wrote:

do you have a problem with Chuck, Al?

People don’t have a problem with Chuck Norris. Chuck Norris has a problem with *them*.

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Rocket, Todd

I wasn’t joking…

Seriously, look up the Texas Rangers and you’ll see.

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Rocket

Al-x wrote:

Seriously, look up the Texas Rangers and you’ll see.

I believe you, Al but you realize we are talking about Texas, the most gun toting state in the US.

They are so many yahoos in that state. Hell they even let Todd Gross live there. Most consider the Rangers to be heroes there.

Al-x wrote:

Not to open up a hornet’s nest, but to really be politically correct, all those names have to go.

you are so right. just in your city both teams are named after mass murderers. Fairy tale villains and flying death traps. scary stuff man.

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Todd

Rocket wrote:

Al-x wrote:
Seriously, look up the Texas Rangers and you’ll see.

I believe you, Al but you realize we are talking about Texas, the most gun toting state in the US.

They are so many yahoos in that state. Hell they even let Todd Gross live there. Most consider the Rangers to be heroes there.

I truly doubt the Rangers will change the name as it is just not perceived as politically incorrect or racist. It’s what the actual law enforcement group is called, which is still active today. (Technically, it is the Texas Ranger Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS).) Don’t forget, “Rangers” is also a commonly used name for for military subgroups around the world including the US.

The name is too commonly used so I sincerely doubt it will go away.

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Rocket

Hey…. how about dem Jets, eh?

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Todd

I just knew the Jets would get a win, and they got one to make it hurt (dropping the Rams down to second in the NFC West and Seattle leading the division).

Oh wait, this ties them with the Jaguars but they are slotting the Jets 2nd in the draft and some say the costliest victory in franchise history.

I wouldn’t wish a winless season on anyone, but if they fail to get first overall then it was a stupid victory.

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Rocket, Todd

[Sean Robinson]

So lots is being made of this comment by the NHL:

NHL teams in Canada on track to play in home arenas
Deputy Commissioner Daly says League, provinces ‘in agreement on conditions’ for start of 2020-21 season

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said Thursday that the League and the relevant provincial authorities are in agreement regarding the protocols necessary to enable the seven NHL teams based in Canada to play in their home arenas during the 2020-21 season.

“On the basis of our discussions in the past week, as well as our exchange of correspondence over the last 24 hours, we believe we are aligned and in agreement on the conditions on which each of our Canadian franchises can begin play in their own buildings for the start of the 2020-21 NHL season,” Daly said in a statement.

Actually, not one of the five Provincial Health Officers that have jurisdiction over the 7 Canadian teams (B.C. – 1, Alberta – 2, Manitoba – 1, Ontario – 2, Quebec – 1) have okayed travel between the teams to each city.
Note: these are not institutions that negotiate, they discuss.

There was an early report/rumor that had the 5 Health Officers in agreement to ask the NHL to delay their season start.
Then came this. They are really wanting a feel good vibe for Christmas.
But many believe there is a back-up plan to go to an Edmonton “Hub” for the 7 Canadian teams.
No one wants that, but they need to answer tough questions about what happens with a positive test and/or an outbreak (and that was the fall down point for Vancouver being a Hub city).

They already have the schedule starting Wednesday January 13th

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by Sean Robinson.

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Rocket, Todd

UGH, sorry about that Sean. I did not know what was going on up North. I am glad they made an alteration to the West. Sending the top 3 teams in the Central west seemed lopsided. I feel a bit sorry for Dallas though. Having to travel to Raleigh and Miami will not be fun. plus they have to play Tampa as well.

A long but interesting read:

The Endgame of the Olympics

[Rocket]

It looks like JJ is leaving Houston. Sorry Todd

https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1343319453363281920?s=20

He needs to leave. He can’t do it himself any more. With him being a Wisconsin guy, I think he should go home and play for the Packers.

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by Rocket.

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Todd

[Rocket]

Rocket wrote:

It looks like JJ is leaving Houston. Sorry Todd

https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1343319453363281920?s=20

He needs to leave. He can’t do it himself any more. With him being a Wisconsin guy, I think he should go home and play for the Packers.

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by Rocket.

It’s no surprise. He’s been hinting at it for months now. With a new coach coming in, he’s said he doesn’t want to go through another rebuilding. He’s said he’s only got a few more years left in him and he wants a ring.

I don’t blame him at all for wanting to leave. He deserves a ring. He’s done so much for Houston on and off the field. While the city will miss him, I think everyone wants him to be happy.

Now if we can just rid of James Harden from the Rockets, I’ll really be happy!

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Rocket

Todd wrote:

Now if we can just rid of James Harden from the Rockets, I’ll really be happy!

Hah, That might take a miracle.

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Todd

So this Philly – Washington game has meaning, Washington wins and they’re in. Lose and they hand the NFC East division title to the NY Giants.

I am so rooting for the Giants. Admittedly in a trainwreck kind of way, but wishing them well as they go.
But the ‘Washington Football Team’? Sorry, not them. They (ownership) fought changing the name like a cranky child refusing to go to bed. Well, kind of. More like children with swastika’s tattooed on their bodies. Fuck them.

Anyways, what prompted me to post was that Philadelphia interception. I think it was with 4:54 left in the 3rd.
Nails him perfectly and gains possession at exact moment. Highlight of the year stuff.
Also a 0.1769 % chance Giants fans look back at why the won the Superbowl.
That’s some good payoff!

So of course I jinxed it and Washington wins the division. Destroy them!

Good for the Cleveland Browns! Longest playoff drought (17 years!) has ended.

Good for fans of the Chicago Bears! Some of which I even like (but sometimes I don’t know why).
Starting 5-1 and then going to shit, and then making it. Plus better than anybody with NY to start your name!

Top team in either conference was the AFC Kansas City Chiefs at 14-2
(side note – secondary racist name change. Just do it. Yeah but – nothing. ‘Arrowhead’?
admit your mistakes. Don’t wait for/hide behind the Chicago Blackhawks and others.

And the Green Bay Packers at 13-3 gets the bye in the NFC.
I guess. No dominant entity in the NFC. An entire division is a joke, GB shares tops with New Orleans and Seattle.
Anyone can go all the way, or make an ass of themselves in the first quarter of the next game.

The AFC has the Buffalo Bills being a threat at 13-3. When could you have said that?
Actually, look that up, and remember the dominance of the Patriots after that shit.
1990 – Bills lose to the NY Giants (Bill Belichick (!) and Bill Parcells) and a lost filed goal…
1991 – Bills lose to Washington
1992 & 1993 – Bills lose to Dallas, twice. Now 4 straight.

Embarrassing. A better season than all but one other team, 4 straight years! Doesn’t play like that.

Cigarette Smoking Man on the X-Files has his solo episode, makes a reference to drugging the Russian goaltender at the 1980 Winter Olympics (U.S. win – ‘Miracle on Ice’ – on home soil, in same state (NY) as a home team won their first of 4 Stanley Cups (NY Islanders).
Then he says; “And the Bills never win the Superbowl, not as long as I’m alive.”
Referenced in the sports world until the end of time.
A microphone shoved in the face of a winning Atlanta Braves player in 1995 World Series ‘you don’t want to end up like the Bills.’
They had lost in 1991 (Minnesota) and 1992 (Toronto). Went on to lose to the NYY in 1996 & 1999

Wow, do I ever get sidetracked!
Don’t worry about me, I go back to work Thursday.

Anyways, the Chiefs are the boss, and the Bills should meet them in the AFC Conference Finals.
Steelers at 12-4 no slouch
Tennessee, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Cleveland – all at 11-5
Not a Miami fan, but the Dolphins missed the playoffs at 10-6

In comparison, Chicago gets a wild card in the NFC with an 8-8 record, and a team with a losing record (Washington : 7-9) will host a playoff game.

Sean Robinson wrote:

Destroy [Washington]

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Sean Robinson

I predict a Bills/Saints Superbowl, with Buffalo taking home the rings.

But what do I know?

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Todd, Sean Robinson

njerry wrote:

I predict a Bills/Saints Superbowl, with Buffalo taking home the rings.

o great. Thanks Jerry. after you f’ed up the NJ teams you want to curse the NY team now.

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Sean Robinson

Rocket wrote:

after you f’ed up the NJ teams

Excuse me, but despite the location of their shared stadium, both the Jets and the Giants are referred to as New York teams. The only Big Four that owns up to being from New Jersey are the NHL Devils.

Seriously, though, I would love to see the Bills take it all; Buffalo deserves a boost of self-esteem.

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Sean Robinson, Rocket

njerry wrote:

Buffalo taking home the wings.

ftfy

yum!

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Sean Robinson, njerry

NHL sells naming rights for re-aligned Divisions

Ha! But honestly I dont blame them. They need to get revenue from anywhere they can get it.

I am ok with the West sponsor. It reminds me of Baby got back.

So your girlfriend rolls a Honda

Playin’ workout tapes by Fonda

But Fonda ain’t got a motor in the back of her Honda

My anaconda don’t want none

Unless you’ve got buns, hun

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Sean Robinson, Todd

Not that I needed another reason NOT to watch hockey, but now I have one more.

[Rocket]

really, Jerry? thats what bothers you? so I guess you don’t watch any games at CitiField or MetLife stadium, huh?

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by Rocket.

Rocket wrote:

really, Jerry? thats what bothers you? so I guess you don’t watch any games at CitiField or MetLife stadium, huh?

No, I just make believe the Mets are still playing at Shea Stadium and the Jets/Giants are at Giants Stadium.

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Rocket

NHL Coronavirus Updates

6 members of the Dallas Stars have tested positive and now in isolation.
The League is revising the schedule and delay Dallas’ start.

Now the Columbus Blue Jackets have announced a number of players in isolation.

I smell a shitshow!
Whatever division is left standing after 56 games fights for The Cup!

Maybe now, 28 years later (after the 1993 Montreal Canadiens), the Stanley Cup can return to Canada!

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Todd

In football in the UK there is a very deep league system, it goes from giants of the game like Manchester United down to semi pro and even amateur clubs, in theory any team with the time and money has a direct path to the top unlike franchise systems.

One quirk of that is the FA Cup where (after some preliminary rounds) it is possible for a massive team with $100m players to face a bunch of part timers. The dream of all these lowly teams is you get drawn at home against a ‘giant’. In truth they are less interested in the chance to win than the huge pile of TV cash they can live off for years. Very infrequently, because of the low scoring nature of soccer, they do actually win.

So this year Marine FC (never heard of them) managed to draw Spurs (currently top of the EPL with some players on $200,000 a week) in the cup, however due to Covid they are missing out on the financial boon of a full house at ticket prices way over the norm. They instead made an appeal online for just general football fans to pledge 10 pounds to try and make up for the cash injection they will have missed. For no benefit whatsoever over 20,000 fans so far have done so, for no other reason than to help a little club. Which is nice.

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garjones wrote:

In football in the UK there is a very deep league system, it goes from giants of the game like Manchester United down to semi pro and even amateur clubs

I’ve only gotten interested in the Premier League in the last decade, but the one thing I love about the structure of it is how the lowest-ranked teams at the end of the season get sent to the minor league while the best minor leaguers get promoted to the Premier League for next season. Seems like a very meritocratic way of rewarding teams that deserve a chance (and punishing the slackers).

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garjones

njerry wrote:

Seems like a very meritocratic way of rewarding teams that deserve a chance (and punishing the slackers).

In truth it’s a bit of both. US sports have a lot of levelling measures with things like the draft and wage caps. European football has a structure where you can play yourself from nowhere to the top but you can also just buy that if you are rich enough and don’t care what you spend. There are quite a few leagues where the same two teams win everything for decades because they have the biggest support base an income.

In the last 5 years or so they have brought in a ‘financial fair play’ clause which basically means your spend has to be related to your revenue but there’s some abuse been found there where the sponsor of a club is also the owner so they can pay over market rate.

In reality there are some cool examples of teams that have risen through mainly good coaching and clever spending but there are huge flaws to the system too.

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njerry

Sean Robinson wrote:

Maybe now, 28 years later (after the 1993 Montreal Canadiens), the Stanley Cup can return to Canada!

Oh, I am sure some of the Canadian born Avs will bring the Cup to Canada

I am so worried about this season though. It has been a while since one of my teams had such high expectations. Jinxes, haters, injuries, covid all keep going through my head.  But I am really psyched about Wednesday. Can’t Wait!

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Sean Robinson

garjones wrote:

if you are rich enough and don’t care what you spend.

Sheikh Man-sewer(for the amount of money he throws down the toilet on Man City) and OILbramovich are the chief culprits of this.

Yeah the Sheikh at Man City is the most obvious. They basically acted as sponsors for all levels of the club to ensure the revenue matched the spend but if the revenue comes from the owner it’s very sketchy territory.

To be fair the EPL actually has had a decent spread of winners in recent years, including Leicester who were at one point offered at 5000-1 by the bookies. Other European soccer leagues are worse and can all form around 2 teams with any chance and everyone else behind them.

US sports are also not immune to the bored billionaire, a franchise moves and craps on a fanbase built up locally mainly because because someone with deep pockets decides they should.

Capitalism eh?

(By the way, if I ever got Elon Musk money 80% of it is going on my football and rugby teams). 😂

garjones wrote:

(By the way, if I ever got Elon Musk money 80% of it is going on my football and rugby teams). 😂

since the Avs are owned by Kroenke(walmart money/real estate) i don’t think I could buy in plus they are doing a good job as it is.

BUT I would definitely buy the Broncos, since old man Bowlen died, the franchise has had its problems.

Rocket wrote:

BUT I would definitely buy the Broncos

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James Harden’s been traded to the Brooklyn Nets.

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Todd

JRCarter wrote:

James Harden’s been traded to the Brooklyn Nets.

And I am so happy!

Houston Rockets trade James Harden to Brooklyn Nets

HOUSTON – The Brooklyn Nets have agreed to acquire three-time scoring champion James Harden from the Houston Rockets, a deal that reunites him with Kevin Durant and gives him the move that he has sought for weeks, said a person with knowledge of the situation.

Harden is going to the Nets as part of a four-team deal that also involves Indiana and Cleveland, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the trade call with the NBA — which signs off on all deals — has not been completed.

At least four draft picks and additional pick swaps are also part of the deal, the person said. Other key players: Victor Oladipo goes from Indiana to Houston, and Caris Levert goes from Brooklyn to Indiana, the person said, adding that Cleveland was also part of the massive trade.

The deal was struck less than 24 hours after Harden seemed to deliver a farewell address of sorts following the Rockets’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.

“We’re just not good enough … I love this city. I literally have done everything that I can,” Harden said Tuesday night. “I mean, this situation is crazy. It’s something that I don’t think can be fixed.”

It couldn’t, and now he’s gone.

It was obvious the end was nearing Wednesday, when the Rockets told him they didn’t want him at practice after his inflammatory comments about the team.

“We felt it was best for James and best for the group for him not to come to practice,” first-year coach Stephen Silas said. About two hours later, ESPN and The Athletic first reported that Harden was being moved.

The disgruntled superstar had remained quiet through months of speculation that he was unhappy in Houston. Silas called the drama surrounding Harden an “all-around messed up situation.” He was then asked what he thought about Harden saying the Rockets are “just not good enough.”

“That’s hard to hear, especially when you don’t believe it and you know it not to be true,” said Silas, who noted he didn’t sleep at all on Tuesday night.

The Rockets begin a three-game road trip on Thursday night with the first of two straight games against San Antonio. The Nets — who now have a Big 3 of their own with Durant, Harden and Kyrie Irving, or will when Irving returns to the team — were playing in New York against the Knicks on Wednesday.

The Rockets are just 3-6 so far this season and only Minnesota has a worse record in the Western Conference. The team is clearly in disarray and new arrival John Wall called the situation “rocky.”

“There has to be some sort of resolution, whether it’s a complete buy-in at some level or some other way to kind of get it taken care of,” Silas said. “So, yeah, it’s not it’s not an easy situation by any stretch of the imagination. But the team atmosphere… the good of the team, I say everybody needs to be pointed in the same direction and that’s what’s best.”

Harden won each of the last three scoring titles by notable margins — 2.3 points over Anthony Davis in 2017-18, 8.1 points over Paul George in 2018-19 and 3.8 points over Bradley Beal last season. His 24.8-point average so far this season ranked 18th in the NBA, still putting him among the leaders but obviously well off his usual pace.

He’s averaged at least 25 points per game in each of his eight full seasons with the Rockets, but he has never been able to get the team, which hasn’t won a title since winning two straight in 1994-95, past the Western Conference finals.

Harden reported late for camp. He also was fined $50,000 earlier this season for conduct detrimental to the league related to him not following the health and safety protocols put into place by the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association for navigating a season during the pandemic.

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Rocket, JRCarter

It’s not just the US that has this issue.

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Rocket, Todd

Okay sports nerds, I need some help here. Please help me identify the song in the first clip of this compilation. Thanks!

Pretty sure it comes from this:

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Oooh! That’s the one! Thanks, Gar!

The Colorado Avalanche did pretty good last night and looked good doing it. 8-0 win over the St. Louis Blues.
5 goals on the power play.

Not a bad choice to be a fan of, or put your money down on…

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Rocket

Yesterday: Buffalo 17 Baltimore 3

I expected more from Baltimore with the running QB Lamar Jackson and his explosive offense but Buffalo played them just right. The interception that ran back for a TD really did in Baltimore. They would have tied the game but…

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Rocket

Al, Jerry here you go.  New Owner, Same old Mets

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30737248/ny-mets-gm-jared-porter-acknowledges-sending-explicit-images-female-reporter-worked-chicago-cubs

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Todd

Rocket wrote:

Same old Mets

Don’t bet on it.

Anyway…

Should be nice this Sunday with the NFL games.

@todd…fellow… What is the story with the Houston Texans and Deshaun Watson?

Al-x wrote:

@todd…fellow… What is the story with the Houston Texans and Deshaun Watson?

The owner is an idiot.

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Todd

Todd wrote:

The owner is an idiot.

Hey! The Mets used to have one of those!!

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Todd

njerry wrote:

Hey! The Mets used to have one of those!!

are you sure they don’t still have one? the new owner is the guy who hired the GM that just got fired.

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njerry

Rocket wrote:

njerry wrote:
Hey! The Mets used to have one of those!!

are you sure they don’t still have one? the new owner is the guy who hired the GM that just got fired.

The owner is Steve Cohen a hedge fund owner worth $15B. There is controversy about him too. In fact it was said that villain in the Showtime show Billions is based loosely on him. There is also news about sex scandals regarding him and company.

Come to think of it: How do you think he got to be worth $15B anyway?

Anyway, the former Mets owners where the father and son team the Wilpons, who lost a lot with Madoff and used it as an excuse to be stingy in improving the team for years.

Anyway, Cohen bought the team and the fans are delighted because he has the money to spend big on the team. Cohen is now redoing his image as a benevolent owner who wants the team to win.

Now… The GM they hired was Jared Porter. He was fired 37 days later when it was found out he sent d*ck pics to a female reporter.

The Mets have to shift gears now to get a new GM and learn how to do their homework in hiring.

Nuff said.

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Todd, Rocket

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mma-ufc/floyd-mayweather-rants-after-ufc-257-con-artist-conor-mcgregor-shows-you-racism-still-exists/ar-BB1d3m85?ocid=msedgdhp

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Todd

An interesting bit of analysis. This is the difference in home win percentage for 3 professional rugby leagues on a 10 year average and since they started playing without crowds last year.

Looking at all results over the past 10 years and comparing with those since rugby resumed then the home winning rates are as follows:

@premrugby

: 63% before, 53% now.

@top14rugby

: 72% before, 58% now.

@PRO14Official

: 64% before, 47% now!!

It’s not insignificant at all and looks like home advantage comes primarily from the crowd geeing up players or influencing the ref rather than familiarity of the conditions.

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Sean Robinson, Rocket, DavidM

JJ Watt won’t be far behind.

Deshaun Watson has asked Houston Texans to trade him, sources say

Well, the Texans will be even more garbage next season than the last one.

The owner is truly a moron.

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Al-x

Todd wrote:

JJ Watt won’t be far behind.

Deshaun Watson has asked Houston Texans to trade him, sources say

I have a solution for both of those problems. Trade Watson to the Broncos for some picks, Drew Lock, and native Texan Von Miller.

Ok…

Who do you have to win this Sunday’s big game: KC or Tampa?

I would say the Chiefs because they have such an explosive offense.
Then again, Brady might have more good games left in him and the Tampa defense might know how to handle KC…

Still for me, the Chiefs and I hope it will be an exciting game.

I’m still going to root for the Bills. Facts be damned!!

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Rocket, Sean Robinson, Todd

[Rocket]

Welcome to the Mafia. Njerry

As far as the game goes, watching Chiefs lose most of their starting O Line, I think that Football Faust is working his magic again. Don’t really care anyways. Not going to watch it. not even for the commercials.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 11 months ago by Rocket.

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njerry

Game time coming soon…

[Sean Robinson]

So I have decided to root for Brady & the Buccaneers. Not that I dislike Kansas City. But Patrick Mahomes has lots of time to establish himself.

But the first ever Superbowl that has the home team playing in their own stadium? Wow. Actually don’t think it’s home field advantage, and especially not this year, but good for Tampa. Such a scenario should have already occurred a few times.

And my cheering against Brady? Well, it hasn’t exactly helped me with anything. And it’s really cheering for the underdog as Brady is actually very likeable if you admit it.
Now that it’s a different team than ‘Hell on Earth’ Boston/New England, I can finally admit 10 Superbowl appearances isn’t just something, it’s on another level than anything (Gretzky and a few others from other sports are watching in awe).

Can’t, won’t, CANNOT cheer against Tampa after thinking they were absolutely nuts for going after a 43 year old quarterback.
I admit there is no bad story here. Good for them. I’ll eat the crow.

What can you get from this post? Well, if you’re about to place a last minute bet please remember I am always right.
I can guarantee a 20 % success rate, plus another 20% if I edit my previous posts quick enough, and then there’s another 20% that was ‘very close’.
That’s 3 out of 5 gentlemen. Count your winnings now.

Wouldn’t share if I didn’t love you!

• This reply was modified 3 years, 11 months ago by Sean Robinson.
• This reply was modified 3 years, 11 months ago by Sean Robinson.

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Todd

Whoa! What?
The Brady/ Gronk show took this long to overtake the Montana/Rice show?

Took you long enough…

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Todd

Wow. Tom Brady with 7 Championships.
A friend (safely on the phone) told me this surpasses Michael Jordan’s 6 NBA championships.
Honestly they could have done a better job of selling that storyline.

So a quick check has Henri Richard with 11 Stanley Cups all as a player, all with the Montreal Canadiens.
Top 20 on that list is still at 8 Cups, only Red Kelly not a Canadien (4 Toronto, 4 Detroit).

Falling down my own rabbit hole is Bryan Trottier (#21) with 6 (!), four NYI, two with Lemieux’s Pittsburgh
After Gretzky’s 4 with Edmonton (’84, ’85, ’87, ’88) some others had a fifth with Edmonton (1990), and then got a sixth with the NYR in 1994 (Messier, Lowe, Anderson)
Wow, Guy Lafleur at # 43 on the list is still at 5 Cups (and how many players do I even know from 25 – 42?)

I’m a hockey guy, but really how few teams there were dilutes a lot of that list (6 teams until 67-68 expansion to 12 teams).
Trottier & Messier in the NHL with 6, I’ll listen to a good argument about Jordan’s 6 were better, lost on MLB.

Brady’s 7 Championships? That was truly history.
I’d retire if I was him, but he has a good track record of ignoring me.

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Todd

Serena Williams put these boys to shame though.

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Todd, njerry

Michael Phelps has 28 Olympic medals, including 23 gold. Just sayin’…

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Todd

njerry wrote:

Michael Phelps has 28 Olympic medals, including 23 gold. Just sayin’…

Michael Phelps faked his speedruns.

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Todd

Anonymous wrote:

Michael Phelps faked his speedruns.

Thanks for opening this door , Football Faust has them beat them beat by a mile. Tuck rule, inflategate, preferential referee treatment,….

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Todd

Jordan missed two years because he was “lost” in the head after his father was murdered. There is no telling if he would have won another championship in those years.

Anyway, Bill Russell has 11 rings in basketball, Yogi Berra has 10 rings in baseball.

Can’t compare a team sport effort with the individual sports like tennis and swimming where Serena and Phelps excelled in.

As for Brady, he is up there.

The better questions are: Was the Patriots success more Brady than Bellichek? Is Bellichek a big football genius or is the aura of mystique gone?

I won’t argue that Brady is the best QB there is. That said, I can’t stand him. I’m tired of seeing him in the super bowl and I hate that he elevates terrible people who deserved to be out of the NFL like Antonio Brown to championships. I also hear he’s one of those jerk millionaires who got a PPP loan of $1 million while so many businesses are struggling. There are some other reasons I don’t care for him (some football related, some not) but yeah I just want him to go away.

The plus side for me is that the Patriots look really stupid for letting him go. Dude carries you to 9 super bowls and wins you 6 championships and you won’t just let him ride out his career with you? Stingy idiots.

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Rocket, Todd

Chris D wrote:

The plus side for me is that the Patriots look really stupid for letting him go. Dude carries you to 9 super bowls and wins you 6 championships and you won’t just let him ride out his career with you? Stingy idiots.

Back in the day, the Astros pulled the same shit with Nolan Ryan. One of the greats of the game but the owners wouldn’t pony up. He finishes his career with the Texas Rangers. Fucking stupid.

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Chris D

Death threats are Wrong!

 

that being said, it seems, as a referee, Mike Dean tries to make himself the main topic of the almost every game he referees. In the EPL, he is the most notorious ref out there and likes to be the center of attention. I believe, if you demand attention, you may eventually get the wrong kind of attention.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/tottenham-hotspur/story/4311298/tottenham-boss-mourinho-sorry-for-ref-mike-dean-after-death-threats

I am not surprised in the least. This has been pretty much expected.

I have no hard feelings for him leaving and wish him the best.

Houston Texans part ways with J.J. Watt after he asks for release

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans have parted ways with star defensive end J.J. Watt after he asked for his release.

“I have sat down with the McNair family and I have asked them for my release and we have mutually agreed to part ways at this time,” Watt said in a video posted to Twitter.

Watt was drafted by the Texans in 2011 with the No. 11 pick and became the face of the franchise, winning three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards from 2012-15. Watt is one of three players to win that award three times.

Watt is coming off just his second 16-game season since 2015, as he has dealt with several season-ending injuries since then.

In 2020, Watt ranked 15th out of 119 qualified pass rushers in Pass Rush Win Rate, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. He finished the season with five sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception he returned for a touchdown.

Watt is by far the most productive pass rusher in Texans history, with 101 career sacks. There have only been two players in team history with more than 30 career sacks (Whitney Mercilus with 54 and Mario Williams with 53) since the franchise’s first season in 2002.

During the season, Watt made it clear he was not interested in playing for a team going through a “rebuild.”

“I don’t think it’s any secret that I don’t have 10 years left in this league,” Watt said in November. “I personally believe that I do have a few more great ones left in me. But you also can’t … I’m not looking to rebuild. I’m looking to go after a championship, and that’s what I want to do.”

When asked at the end of the season whether he felt the 2021 Texans would be in rebuilding-mode, Watt said there are “so many unknown factors to that situation right now that you can’t definitively say that.”

Watt had one year remaining on the contract he signed in 2014. He was owed $17.5 million in 2021, but his salary was not guaranteed. He is now free to sign with another team.

OK, i am going stir some shit here. Texans let Watt, a white player, go upon request BUT they have refused to acknowledge Watson(a black player)’s request for a trade/release. The original owner, who made serious racist comments in the past, died but has the son and new owner fallen far from the tree? There are other circumstances involved and i’m sure McNair, the owner, can put a spin on this so he can defend himself.

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Todd

Rocket wrote:

OK, i am going stir some shit here. Texans let Watt, a white player, go upon request BUT they have refused to acknowledge Watson(a black player)’s request for a trade/release. The original owner, who made serious racist comments in the past, died but has the son and new owner fallen far from the tree? There are other circumstances involved and i’m sure McNair, the owner, can put a spin on this so he can defend himself.

I can see that but honestly, I don’t think that’s the case.

Watt, to be frank, is damaged goods. He’s been injured badly over the years and relatively speaking, doesn’t have many years of play left in him. Watt even admits this and gave it as a reason for wanting to leave to get a shot at a ring.

Watson, on the other hand, is young and in great shape. He has the talent and is the type of player you build a team around.

Watt, while still good, is far more expendable than Watson. Losing Watson would do serious damage to the franchise.

That all said, I truly believe that if Watson is not happy and wants to leave, he should be allowed to leave.

I did say I was stirring shit. I feel sorry for Watson though.

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Todd

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Sean Robinson

BREAKING: Tiger Woods transported to hospital with injuries following vehicle crash with "major damage," LA County Sheriff's Dept. says. pic.twitter.com/hxcGYAig8D

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) February 23, 2021

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Todd

BREAKING: Tiger Woods transported to hospital with injuries following vehicle crash with “major damage,” LA County Sheriff’s Dept. says.

Wonder what the story is behind this: a single-car accident in daylight. I hope it doesn’t turn out to be a DUI incident, but I know Tiger has lots of back pain. I wish him well.

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Rocket

My mom was glued to the news all day yesterday. She told me apparently it is a difficult stretch of road and combined with his high rate of speed it made for a horrific accident. current news is he is fine but his right tibia needed a rod and his ankle is set with with screws and pins.

Dak Prescott, Deshaun Watson, and now Russell Wilson.

All QBs want out…

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Todd

[Al-x]

So Serena lost in the Australian Open semis to Naomi Osaka.

It was so nice to see the two of them playing each other like that.

I get the feeling though, that as long as Naomi is 25, Serena won’t get past her in another tournament. Kind of like Jimmy Connors not going that far later on in his career because of the younger Pete Sampras at the time.

This is not to say that Serena should retire now, but I think she is starting to realize she is the twilight of her career.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 10 months ago by Al-x.
• This reply was modified 3 years, 10 months ago by Al-x.

How many more mountains does Serena need to conquer?! She already holds the record for Grand Slam titles with 23, and she is one of only two players in the Open Era to have won each major three or more times. She should do what Pete Sampras did and retire now while she is still at the top of her game.

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Todd

Serena is 1 behind Margaret Court for Grand Slam titles and 1 behind Chris Evert for Finals appearances so I would believe she is going to keep going a little while longer. The Sampras option is available but outside of the states he is an afterthought behind people like Federer, Joker, Nadal, and even Borg.

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garjones

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garjones, Rocket, DavidM, njerry, Todd