UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi. Oh boy. Apart from the shocking results of the B.J. Penn-Frankie Edgar fight, there were some other wild things going on. Edgar pulled off one of the biggest upsets in MMA history by defeating Penn for the UFC Lightweight championship. Yet, this was overshadowed by what happened in the fight between Anderson Silva and Demian Maia for the Middleweight championship. This could not be called a fight. It definitely didn’t look like a fight for a championship title. It looked more like the finals of a Dance Dance Revolution tournament where someone was trying to do their thang on the platform and a drunkard passing by attempted to disrupt their display of funk. Or this here might work better for you if you’re more of a guitar player than a dancer.
The fight got off to a good start-the ref said “lets go” and both fighters were present. Alright, looking good so far. But that positivity didn’t last too long. Basically, Anderson Silva toys with Demian Maia for five rounds. Maia, being an inadequate stand up fighter, develops a game plan of trying to take Silva to the ground. This proves to be a little too difficult as Silva stuffs all of his takedown attempts. The fight is forced to be played out on their feet. Silva is an excellent stand up fighter and this is seen with the ridiculous combos he uses on Maia. Maia shows little effort to fight back and Silva appears to grow restless. So what does he do? He dances the night away. Instead of fighting for the full 5 rounds, he decides “Hey. Lets mix in some dancing. I’m an entertainer. People will enjoy it.” He didn’t say this but his moves said it all. He dances his way around Maia, leaving his hands down and throwing weird-looking punches from awkward angles. He dances in and out of Maia’s face while making faces at him. And that’s basically all that happens for the rest of the fight. Silva wins by unanimous decision and he retains his belt.
There are two sides to this story. The side that defends Anderson Silva for how he behaved and the side who condemns him for making a mockery of the sport. The side that defends him cites the fact that Demian Maia didn’t deserve a shot at the title. This is so true. The fight only happened because Vitor Belfort had to back out of the fight. For some reason, the UFC decided that Maia would make a good replacement. Wrong. One, he didn’t deserve a shot at the title. And two, he didn’t stand a chance. Silva is a ridiculously good fighter on his feet and has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Maia is probably the best jiu jitsu fighter in the world, but that’s it. Last time he tried to actually fight on his feet, he missed on a head kick and got knocked out so bad by Nate Marquardt. Silva thought this fight was a joke. He even shows it at the weigh in. People feel that what the UFC did by throwing Maia at him was disrespectful to his status as a great fighter. This is true. But still, no. I mean it was an excellent display of skill by Silva, but it was disrespectful on so many levels.
The other side is the one that feels Silva made a mockery of the sport. He danced around like an idiot for 5 rounds. He disrespected Demian Maia. He disrespected the other fighters in the UFC. He disrespected the executives at UFC. And most importantly, he disrespected the sport as a whole. Dana White, president of the UFC, left the fight early because he couldn’t put the belt on him. The UFC showed that they didn’t respect Silva by throwing Maia at him and Silva showed he didn’t respect the UFC with the way he acted in the octagon. The problem is Silva works for the UFC, they don’t work for him. When you’re under contract with an organization like the UFC, you’re a representative of the company. This company is paying him millions of dollars and he could’ve cost them more with the way he behaved in Abu Dhabi.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
MMA is Real
Mixed Martial Arts, known as MMA, has become a popular sport around the world. It is still growing and has not quite reached the level that sports like football (soccer), basketball, or tennis has reached, but it is growing at quite a rapid rate. Little by little, you can start to see UFC highlights creeping their way into Sportscenter. When it was first conceived, the UFC was promoted as a blood sport. However, they adjusted their rules and tried to sell it as an actual sport. These fighters train like other athletes and it is not as simple as street fighting. There is great skill needed that comes from natural ability and years of practice just like in any respectable sport. Where MMA does not gain its respect is in the fact that it is perceived as just two men beating the crap out of each other. But it’s something more.
How can MMA be criticized as being violent with the things that go on in ice hockey? I don’t have a problem with what goes in hockey, I love hockey. But I have to admit, there are some ridiculous aspects to the game. For example, the fighting. I think it’s great. Two dudes getting angry at each other, so they throw down. The best part is that the refs let the fight happen. This is completely opposite to what people are taught about good sportsmanship growing up. “Don‘t fight, play nice.” However, when it is part of the sport, then I guess it really isn’t all that bad now, is it? If fighting is condoned in ice hockey, then why can’t fighting be a sport itself? Also, the fighting in hockey isn’t even good. It’s so sloppy and they try to act like they have some sort of etiquette to the fighting but it just looks like two pissed off guys throwing inaccurate punches. MMA is more than just punching and kicking. It includes wrestling and grappling which are respected aspects of sport. The sport of boxing doesn’t have this and boxing is far more dangerous than MMA. There have been far more deaths and more health issues related to boxing.
There are people who don’t want to hear it and will never accept MMA as a real sport. But the fact is, it’s the most real sport there is. Forrest Griffin, a UFC light heavyweight, once said that MMA fighters could be playing football and basketball and be getting paid millions, but they love what they do. Its hard work and they’re not fighting just for money. These guys are definitely athletic enough to be in more popular sports and be paid far more money. The heart these fighters show is incredible. An example of this is from a fight this past weekend between Dan Hardy and George St. Pierre. Twice St. Pierre bent Hardy’s arm in two different types of submissions to almost breaking point. It was unbelievable. The pain is so unbearable in these types of holds that the fighters must tap. But Hardy never tapped. When asked why he never tapped after the fight, he responded, “I never quit. I don’t know the meaning of tap.” His face showed how much pain he was in but he never gave up. The heart he showed in this fight is almost universal to all these fighters. Most of them would tap in that situation, but the amount of work they put into what they do shows how much they love what they do. It might not be seen as a serious sport to some people, but it’s serious to them.
How can MMA be criticized as being violent with the things that go on in ice hockey? I don’t have a problem with what goes in hockey, I love hockey. But I have to admit, there are some ridiculous aspects to the game. For example, the fighting. I think it’s great. Two dudes getting angry at each other, so they throw down. The best part is that the refs let the fight happen. This is completely opposite to what people are taught about good sportsmanship growing up. “Don‘t fight, play nice.” However, when it is part of the sport, then I guess it really isn’t all that bad now, is it? If fighting is condoned in ice hockey, then why can’t fighting be a sport itself? Also, the fighting in hockey isn’t even good. It’s so sloppy and they try to act like they have some sort of etiquette to the fighting but it just looks like two pissed off guys throwing inaccurate punches. MMA is more than just punching and kicking. It includes wrestling and grappling which are respected aspects of sport. The sport of boxing doesn’t have this and boxing is far more dangerous than MMA. There have been far more deaths and more health issues related to boxing.
There are people who don’t want to hear it and will never accept MMA as a real sport. But the fact is, it’s the most real sport there is. Forrest Griffin, a UFC light heavyweight, once said that MMA fighters could be playing football and basketball and be getting paid millions, but they love what they do. Its hard work and they’re not fighting just for money. These guys are definitely athletic enough to be in more popular sports and be paid far more money. The heart these fighters show is incredible. An example of this is from a fight this past weekend between Dan Hardy and George St. Pierre. Twice St. Pierre bent Hardy’s arm in two different types of submissions to almost breaking point. It was unbelievable. The pain is so unbearable in these types of holds that the fighters must tap. But Hardy never tapped. When asked why he never tapped after the fight, he responded, “I never quit. I don’t know the meaning of tap.” His face showed how much pain he was in but he never gave up. The heart he showed in this fight is almost universal to all these fighters. Most of them would tap in that situation, but the amount of work they put into what they do shows how much they love what they do. It might not be seen as a serious sport to some people, but it’s serious to them.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Hands Off, Big Ben
Really Ben Roethlisberger? Again?
Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has been accused of sexual assault by a 20 year old Georgia college student…again. Granted, last time wasn’t a 20 year old Georgia college student, but it was a woman at a Lake Tahoe hotel and casino. I don’t know. Big Ben isn’t looking too good right now. And he’s making one of the best-run franchises in sports not look too good either. He’s 28 and he’s already made some big mistakes.
So let’s start looking at the Ben Roethlisberger timeline. The first major screw up occurred in June of 2006 when he got into a very serious motorcycle accident. He wasn’t wearing a helmet. But that’s not even the most ridiculous part. He didn’t have a motorcycle license. And he did all of this when his head coach, the chin, advised him not too. “Advised” is too passive. He probably straight up told him not to, and might have yelled while doing it.
Second screw up-the alleged sexual assault case in Lake Tahoe last year. While the case was dismissed, the fact that he was accused still looks bad. People haven’t forgotten about the Ray Lewis case. Even though he got off fairly easy, he’ll always be linked to it. The allegations from last year didn’t just go away for Big Ben. One, the accuser still plans to sue Big Ben. And two, people are going to link this incident with the current one. And I don’t blame them. Two sexual assault cases, why not?
And the third screw up is the current allegation. Now, I don’t know if he really did it. Only two people know if he did it, him and the accuser. Therefore, I can’t say whether he did it or not because I would just be guessing. What I do know is that he shouldn’t even have put himself in that situation. It doesn’t matter whether he sexually assaulted her or not. The fact is he shouldn’t have even been in a situation like that given his recent past, very recent past.
The guy graduated college like 7 years ago and is still partying with college students. Sadly, Matt Leinart will probably be doing the same thing. The thing to keep in mind though is just because he seems like a nice guy doesn’t mean he could never do anything like this. (Double negatives. Big whoop. You wanna fight about it?) What the fans see of Big Ben is just a perception. We have no idea what the guy is really like. Why would he be himself in front of television cameras? Some guys do it, but that doesn’t mean that all of them do or even have to for that matter. Big Ben could just be fooling us and be putting up a front. If there is no front and he really is a good guy, I just hope he smartens up and stays away from the partying lifestyle. Or at least develops a new one. One where rape is not likely.
Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has been accused of sexual assault by a 20 year old Georgia college student…again. Granted, last time wasn’t a 20 year old Georgia college student, but it was a woman at a Lake Tahoe hotel and casino. I don’t know. Big Ben isn’t looking too good right now. And he’s making one of the best-run franchises in sports not look too good either. He’s 28 and he’s already made some big mistakes.
So let’s start looking at the Ben Roethlisberger timeline. The first major screw up occurred in June of 2006 when he got into a very serious motorcycle accident. He wasn’t wearing a helmet. But that’s not even the most ridiculous part. He didn’t have a motorcycle license. And he did all of this when his head coach, the chin, advised him not too. “Advised” is too passive. He probably straight up told him not to, and might have yelled while doing it.
Second screw up-the alleged sexual assault case in Lake Tahoe last year. While the case was dismissed, the fact that he was accused still looks bad. People haven’t forgotten about the Ray Lewis case. Even though he got off fairly easy, he’ll always be linked to it. The allegations from last year didn’t just go away for Big Ben. One, the accuser still plans to sue Big Ben. And two, people are going to link this incident with the current one. And I don’t blame them. Two sexual assault cases, why not?
And the third screw up is the current allegation. Now, I don’t know if he really did it. Only two people know if he did it, him and the accuser. Therefore, I can’t say whether he did it or not because I would just be guessing. What I do know is that he shouldn’t even have put himself in that situation. It doesn’t matter whether he sexually assaulted her or not. The fact is he shouldn’t have even been in a situation like that given his recent past, very recent past.
The guy graduated college like 7 years ago and is still partying with college students. Sadly, Matt Leinart will probably be doing the same thing. The thing to keep in mind though is just because he seems like a nice guy doesn’t mean he could never do anything like this. (Double negatives. Big whoop. You wanna fight about it?) What the fans see of Big Ben is just a perception. We have no idea what the guy is really like. Why would he be himself in front of television cameras? Some guys do it, but that doesn’t mean that all of them do or even have to for that matter. Big Ben could just be fooling us and be putting up a front. If there is no front and he really is a good guy, I just hope he smartens up and stays away from the partying lifestyle. Or at least develops a new one. One where rape is not likely.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Robotic Sorrys
Tiger Woods. I know you saw the apology, or attempted apology last week. Everybody saw it. It was playing on every damn TV in my house. My dad was watching it in his room, my mom was watching it in the living room, I was watching it in my room, and it was on in the kitchen for some strange reason; nobody was even in there. Yeah, we have the tendency to leave the TV on well after we’re done watching it. Anyways, Tiger’s speech. Interesting, right? A lot of things happened, mainly because it was over ten minutes in length. But, it was definitely an interesting event.
It was a big event. It was broadcast on numerous television channels and radio stations. A lot of people watched it. It was a big event, but there were so many weird things that occurred. As big as it was, it didn’t live up to the hype. I want to believe that Tiger is sincere in his apology, but it’s difficult to do so. There were just too many questions that I had after I saw and heard it. I had questions about the sincerity and structure of his apology. There were many awkward moments.
First, only people invited could attend the press conference and no questions could be asked. That’s not a press conference. If he had this apology conducted to garner respect, he didn’t really gain much. He didn’t face the music.
Secondly, the actual speech was too robotic. All he did was look into the camera and say “I’m sorry.” Sorry bro, didn’t feel it (Using frat boy lingo that Tiger probably uses). It seemed a little awkward. You’re not conducting this apology for your family and sponsors because you don’t need to hold a “press conference” to apologize to them. Clearly, you wanted to apologize to your fans. But your fans didn’t feel it.
The really annoying thing is that he did it his way. He always wants complete control of the situation and he was able to have that. Furthermore, he got so much free publicity from this. He saved so much money that he had been stealing from sponsors. Another annoying thing was when he hugged everyone after his apology. He definitely smiled after he hugged one person and it didn’t look like an embarrassed smile but more like a “I still have so much money” smile. One more annoying thing, a lot of blue. There was a LOT of blue in that room. I like the color blue but that blue with that material of whatever they put up as walls was looking funky.
At the end of it all, I don’t really know what to think. I mean I think that he’s still a punk, but I don’t know what to believe about his apology. He very well could have been sincere in it but it’s hard to tell with Tiger. He’s so reserved, the only time you see him smile is when he wins. And when he’s not winning, he’s making that really annoying face that makes you want to slap him. Or at least, makes me want to slap him. And when he speaks, it sounds like he really doesn’t want to be there. That also deserves a slapping. So its difficult to tell based on his usual character. However, it is easy to tell that he is still a punk. As big as this event was, it seemed half-assed. Might as well have not even apologized. I admire the fact that he’s been going to rehab for this, but only time will tell if he’s really changed.
It was a big event. It was broadcast on numerous television channels and radio stations. A lot of people watched it. It was a big event, but there were so many weird things that occurred. As big as it was, it didn’t live up to the hype. I want to believe that Tiger is sincere in his apology, but it’s difficult to do so. There were just too many questions that I had after I saw and heard it. I had questions about the sincerity and structure of his apology. There were many awkward moments.
First, only people invited could attend the press conference and no questions could be asked. That’s not a press conference. If he had this apology conducted to garner respect, he didn’t really gain much. He didn’t face the music.
Secondly, the actual speech was too robotic. All he did was look into the camera and say “I’m sorry.” Sorry bro, didn’t feel it (Using frat boy lingo that Tiger probably uses). It seemed a little awkward. You’re not conducting this apology for your family and sponsors because you don’t need to hold a “press conference” to apologize to them. Clearly, you wanted to apologize to your fans. But your fans didn’t feel it.
The really annoying thing is that he did it his way. He always wants complete control of the situation and he was able to have that. Furthermore, he got so much free publicity from this. He saved so much money that he had been stealing from sponsors. Another annoying thing was when he hugged everyone after his apology. He definitely smiled after he hugged one person and it didn’t look like an embarrassed smile but more like a “I still have so much money” smile. One more annoying thing, a lot of blue. There was a LOT of blue in that room. I like the color blue but that blue with that material of whatever they put up as walls was looking funky.
At the end of it all, I don’t really know what to think. I mean I think that he’s still a punk, but I don’t know what to believe about his apology. He very well could have been sincere in it but it’s hard to tell with Tiger. He’s so reserved, the only time you see him smile is when he wins. And when he’s not winning, he’s making that really annoying face that makes you want to slap him. Or at least, makes me want to slap him. And when he speaks, it sounds like he really doesn’t want to be there. That also deserves a slapping. So its difficult to tell based on his usual character. However, it is easy to tell that he is still a punk. As big as this event was, it seemed half-assed. Might as well have not even apologized. I admire the fact that he’s been going to rehab for this, but only time will tell if he’s really changed.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Found It!
What'd he find? Well I found my social bookmarking soulmate, guy who I imagine is asking me questions. Wait what? Geez, it's someone who shares my interests, okay? They just get me, alright? Through Delicious, a social bookmarking site, I was able to find someone who is interested in the same things that I am interested in. liveguy is a user that has bookmarked many sites pertaining to sports and sporting news. The thing that makes him my social bookmarking soulmate is that many of his bookmarked sites happen to be amusing and humorous as well. I am a fan of the blending of sports and humor.
This liveguy has bookmarked tons of sites; I'm talking over a thousand here. Yeah, I know, it's pretty wild. There are a plethora of sites for me to sieve through. Now, is he more like a life partner with a substantial bank account than an actual soulmate? I don't know. He's kind of like a significant other who has a lot of money that I am going to use. Is that wrong? I don't think so. He's got the goods and I need them.
It's difficult to get a specific read on this guy, given the fact that he has bookmarked over a thousand sites. However, a good amount of his sites include the tags "sports" "blog" and "funny". That works for me. Even if his sites are not directly tagged "sports", they still have some sort of sports relation. He doesn't seem to comment on his tags too much. However, he is pretty organized with his tagging. There are over 600 tags with "sports" and "blog" taking up the majority of them. Another aspect that makes this individual my social bookmarking soulmate is the fact that there is a potpourri of tags. There are tags of practically every team in every sport which leads me to believe that he is more of a general sports fan like myself. How fantastic.
One of the sites I really like that he's bookmarked is Kissing Suzy Kolber, which is a great title for a sports blog like this one. I wish I would've chosen this title for my blog, just because it was such a wild moment when Joe Namath was drunk and wanted to kiss a reporter on television. Kissing Suzy Kolber is a sports blog that is pretty random in its topics. I like the fact that it is all over the place. The articles can be harsh at times but still funny. Another site I like that liveguy has bookmarked is Sports Pickle. This site is a little more organized than Kissing Suzy Kolber but still has the same humor and randomness. The writing style in most of the articles is very sarcastic. This is where their style of humor derives. These are just two of the many sites liveguy has bookmarked.
I've found my social bookmarking soulmate and his name is liveguy. My content will be enhanced thanks to this sweet, sweet man. There are plenty of sports blogs out there, but when someone like liveguy comes along and bookmarks plenty of sites with the tag "good", then you know you have a good thing. Sort of obvious, I know. I've found that special someone and its delicious. Oh no he didn't! Uh yeah, I kind of did.
This liveguy has bookmarked tons of sites; I'm talking over a thousand here. Yeah, I know, it's pretty wild. There are a plethora of sites for me to sieve through. Now, is he more like a life partner with a substantial bank account than an actual soulmate? I don't know. He's kind of like a significant other who has a lot of money that I am going to use. Is that wrong? I don't think so. He's got the goods and I need them.
It's difficult to get a specific read on this guy, given the fact that he has bookmarked over a thousand sites. However, a good amount of his sites include the tags "sports" "blog" and "funny". That works for me. Even if his sites are not directly tagged "sports", they still have some sort of sports relation. He doesn't seem to comment on his tags too much. However, he is pretty organized with his tagging. There are over 600 tags with "sports" and "blog" taking up the majority of them. Another aspect that makes this individual my social bookmarking soulmate is the fact that there is a potpourri of tags. There are tags of practically every team in every sport which leads me to believe that he is more of a general sports fan like myself. How fantastic.
One of the sites I really like that he's bookmarked is Kissing Suzy Kolber, which is a great title for a sports blog like this one. I wish I would've chosen this title for my blog, just because it was such a wild moment when Joe Namath was drunk and wanted to kiss a reporter on television. Kissing Suzy Kolber is a sports blog that is pretty random in its topics. I like the fact that it is all over the place. The articles can be harsh at times but still funny. Another site I like that liveguy has bookmarked is Sports Pickle. This site is a little more organized than Kissing Suzy Kolber but still has the same humor and randomness. The writing style in most of the articles is very sarcastic. This is where their style of humor derives. These are just two of the many sites liveguy has bookmarked.
I've found my social bookmarking soulmate and his name is liveguy. My content will be enhanced thanks to this sweet, sweet man. There are plenty of sports blogs out there, but when someone like liveguy comes along and bookmarks plenty of sites with the tag "good", then you know you have a good thing. Sort of obvious, I know. I've found that special someone and its delicious. Oh no he didn't! Uh yeah, I kind of did.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Trifecta
Hello World
I love sports. I think they’re delicious. Delicious? Why not delightful? Why did he write that? Well, that’s because sports are so enjoyable you could taste it. Yes. It’s not just me who sees it this way. The world of sports is all around us. There is so much attention placed on anything sports related. There are plenty of television channels, movies, and websites that are completely devoted to sports. Athletes have risen to celebrity status like that of an actor or musician. It is not just the athletes, but even some owners, executives, and coaches have become household names. There has long been a fascination with star athletes, but now these figures appear in tabloids like Star and OK or even Perez Hilton.
It seems that there’s always something controversial popping up in the sports world. Mark McGwire uses steroids here; Tiger Woods cheats on his wife there. No matter what the issue is, people have an opinion and want to discuss it. Athletes are, often times, the subjects of these debates. However, they receive a different treatment. They don't live like most Americans do. Their every move is scrutinized. This is even truer in the society we live in today. The internet and television have grown to include websites like Twitter that tell people what athletes are currently doing and reality shows that follow athletes in their everyday routines. I definitely saw Juan Manuel Marquez drink his own urine on HBO. It was wild.
Sports are fantastic. Like the great ESPN anchor, Scott Van Pelt, always says, “Sports are the greatest thing in the world.” I agree with him. Why? Well, because sports have everything. They combine so many feelings and emotions. There is drama, humor, amazement, love, and something as enjoyable as good sportsmanship. Another great thing about sports is that it is ongoing. When a season ends, it is not long before it starts up again. The topical issues that arise in sports are very much like the cycle of a sports season. When one sports figure is under the microscope, he simply waits for another to screw up. The attention shifts. For example, the Mark McGwire issue took a little load off of Tiger’s back.
Sports discussions take place every second. It seems like everyone has an opinion on which team is better or why "that athlete shouldn’t have done that.” Often times, these opinions are biased. Some people have a certain agenda. We become a fan of a team or an athlete and feel a sense of inclusion and attachment. These associations or attachments poison the sports fan’s rationale.
I decided that I should input my opinions on sports related issues and so I started this blog. I pride myself on trying to being fair. I still have my favorite sports teams and athletes that I root for, but I strive to be fair in my sports related analyses. I guess you'll agree or disagree based on my upcoming posts.
I live in Los Angeles, the second largest media market in the United States and essentially the second largest sports market. See! I submitted to New York there. I'm not going to sit here and say "No! LA is the best!" New York is at the top; still painful to admit though. I am actually more of a general sports fan than being a fan of certain teams and athletes. Don't get me wrong, I love my teams. It’s just that I enjoy each sport as a whole. For example, I'm a Dodgers fan, but baseball is just better when teams like the Yankees, Cardinals, and Red Sox are good. The same goes for basketball. Basketball is better when the Lakers, Celtics, and Knicks are relevant. I can admit these things while not even being fans of those teams. Really, I’m not a Lakers fan. Hopefully, you're seeing the evenness here, really trying to bring that home. Apart from the “living in Los Angeles my whole life” thing, I am currently a college student. Therefore, in addition to the constant reminder of my fairness, I believe that I also bring an academic aspect to my blogs. Basically, I’m trying to say, "these blogs will make sense" (hopefully). So let’s go over the credentials again: live in the second largest sports market; college student; and willing to admit things that might be painful. Alright, looks good.
For the most part, my blogs will consist of controversial issues as they relate to sports. This includes issues of integrity and ethics as well as more menial issues like what Matt Kemp has been grabbing lately. I think the celebrity aspect of athletes deserves mentioning. Upcoming posts might include topics like the ethics in horse racing, a sport I have loved since birth basically; sportsmanship in mixed martial arts; and fighting in hockey.
Sound interesting? I know, right? (To be sung) Someone wants to keep reading.
Blog Profile of the Bleacher Report
There are plenty of sports blogs out there. Many of them are independent , but not all of them are. One that sticks out and is actually the top rated sports blog according to Technorati is Bleacher Report. Their claim to fame is that they are the web’s first Open Source Sports Network. I’d be lying if I told you that I didn’t exactly know what that meant at first. I got it cleared up though. I feel a little dumb for not figuring it out based on what it sounds like, but we're going to be honest with each other in this relationship, okay? Good. What an Open Source Sports Network basically means is that it is powered entirely by fan-generated content. Oh. Open source. By doing this, the blog is more creative and original than other sports blogs. It doesn’t have just one voice, but multiple voices. It also gives any visitor to the site a larger sense of variety.
Four guys came up with the idea to let "talented writers", basically able individuals, have a voice in the world of sports analysis. As a result, thousands of writers have contributed to the blog and content is constantly being generated daily. The blog has grown to be quite professional. The four pioneers quit their jobs to focus full-time on the site. In addition, they hired many staff members to assist in the efficiency of the site. It is a full on professional blog network. It sounded like I could’ve been describing something else there. Anyways, moving on.
The great thing about this blog site is that anyone can contribute. Of course, that doesn’t mean that everything submitted will be published. I’m sure some of those staff members these big shots hired will decide what’s worthy reading; or “talented” reading. As long as it’s rational, it’ll probably be published. The majority, if not all, of the writers are college graduates. The benefit of this is that the reader can count on the posts being well written and simply, good. For example, the writer of Brock Lesnar: An Ugly American?, Dorothy Willis, has a B.A. in Secondary Education and has risen to senior writer status. She is a nurse and gives medical insight in her post about the health care and recovery of Brock Lesnar. Her knowledge and history of the medical world are beneficial to this post. This is just an example of what the quality fan-generated content can offer to a blog network like this one. Specific insight can be provided and produce better opinions and stories.
The site says that hundreds of stories are posted a day. The people that read these posts are sports fans. They read this blog because it offers a wide variety of opinions and analysis. People are always interested in variety and they can get a good amount of it by going to this site.
This blog is very much related to the work I’ll be doing. The writers come up with posts that are topical in the sports world. There are so many stories that just about everything gets covered. My blog differs however because mine has only one voice. A reader can look at stories on Bleacher Report but might be uninterested in some stories based on the voice and style of writing. Of course, a reader can also look at my posts and not be a fan of my voice either. But, there is still a one voice guarantee. C'mon you want to buy (wait, what?). Also, my blog differs because of the source. Most of the writers that contribute to The Bleacher Report are already in the professional world. My blog comes from someone who is still a college student. Post graduate versus undergraduate. Don't you want to hear from the young people? They’re hip. C'mon you want to buy (ok, I'll stop with that).
My blog is no Bleacher Report but it is the unified voice, very sensual, college…uh…report. Yes. It’s fresh.
I love sports. I think they’re delicious. Delicious? Why not delightful? Why did he write that? Well, that’s because sports are so enjoyable you could taste it. Yes. It’s not just me who sees it this way. The world of sports is all around us. There is so much attention placed on anything sports related. There are plenty of television channels, movies, and websites that are completely devoted to sports. Athletes have risen to celebrity status like that of an actor or musician. It is not just the athletes, but even some owners, executives, and coaches have become household names. There has long been a fascination with star athletes, but now these figures appear in tabloids like Star and OK or even Perez Hilton.
It seems that there’s always something controversial popping up in the sports world. Mark McGwire uses steroids here; Tiger Woods cheats on his wife there. No matter what the issue is, people have an opinion and want to discuss it. Athletes are, often times, the subjects of these debates. However, they receive a different treatment. They don't live like most Americans do. Their every move is scrutinized. This is even truer in the society we live in today. The internet and television have grown to include websites like Twitter that tell people what athletes are currently doing and reality shows that follow athletes in their everyday routines. I definitely saw Juan Manuel Marquez drink his own urine on HBO. It was wild.
Sports are fantastic. Like the great ESPN anchor, Scott Van Pelt, always says, “Sports are the greatest thing in the world.” I agree with him. Why? Well, because sports have everything. They combine so many feelings and emotions. There is drama, humor, amazement, love, and something as enjoyable as good sportsmanship. Another great thing about sports is that it is ongoing. When a season ends, it is not long before it starts up again. The topical issues that arise in sports are very much like the cycle of a sports season. When one sports figure is under the microscope, he simply waits for another to screw up. The attention shifts. For example, the Mark McGwire issue took a little load off of Tiger’s back.
Sports discussions take place every second. It seems like everyone has an opinion on which team is better or why "that athlete shouldn’t have done that.” Often times, these opinions are biased. Some people have a certain agenda. We become a fan of a team or an athlete and feel a sense of inclusion and attachment. These associations or attachments poison the sports fan’s rationale.
I decided that I should input my opinions on sports related issues and so I started this blog. I pride myself on trying to being fair. I still have my favorite sports teams and athletes that I root for, but I strive to be fair in my sports related analyses. I guess you'll agree or disagree based on my upcoming posts.
I live in Los Angeles, the second largest media market in the United States and essentially the second largest sports market. See! I submitted to New York there. I'm not going to sit here and say "No! LA is the best!" New York is at the top; still painful to admit though. I am actually more of a general sports fan than being a fan of certain teams and athletes. Don't get me wrong, I love my teams. It’s just that I enjoy each sport as a whole. For example, I'm a Dodgers fan, but baseball is just better when teams like the Yankees, Cardinals, and Red Sox are good. The same goes for basketball. Basketball is better when the Lakers, Celtics, and Knicks are relevant. I can admit these things while not even being fans of those teams. Really, I’m not a Lakers fan. Hopefully, you're seeing the evenness here, really trying to bring that home. Apart from the “living in Los Angeles my whole life” thing, I am currently a college student. Therefore, in addition to the constant reminder of my fairness, I believe that I also bring an academic aspect to my blogs. Basically, I’m trying to say, "these blogs will make sense" (hopefully). So let’s go over the credentials again: live in the second largest sports market; college student; and willing to admit things that might be painful. Alright, looks good.
For the most part, my blogs will consist of controversial issues as they relate to sports. This includes issues of integrity and ethics as well as more menial issues like what Matt Kemp has been grabbing lately. I think the celebrity aspect of athletes deserves mentioning. Upcoming posts might include topics like the ethics in horse racing, a sport I have loved since birth basically; sportsmanship in mixed martial arts; and fighting in hockey.
Sound interesting? I know, right? (To be sung) Someone wants to keep reading.
Blog Profile of the Bleacher Report
There are plenty of sports blogs out there. Many of them are independent , but not all of them are. One that sticks out and is actually the top rated sports blog according to Technorati is Bleacher Report. Their claim to fame is that they are the web’s first Open Source Sports Network. I’d be lying if I told you that I didn’t exactly know what that meant at first. I got it cleared up though. I feel a little dumb for not figuring it out based on what it sounds like, but we're going to be honest with each other in this relationship, okay? Good. What an Open Source Sports Network basically means is that it is powered entirely by fan-generated content. Oh. Open source. By doing this, the blog is more creative and original than other sports blogs. It doesn’t have just one voice, but multiple voices. It also gives any visitor to the site a larger sense of variety.
Four guys came up with the idea to let "talented writers", basically able individuals, have a voice in the world of sports analysis. As a result, thousands of writers have contributed to the blog and content is constantly being generated daily. The blog has grown to be quite professional. The four pioneers quit their jobs to focus full-time on the site. In addition, they hired many staff members to assist in the efficiency of the site. It is a full on professional blog network. It sounded like I could’ve been describing something else there. Anyways, moving on.
The great thing about this blog site is that anyone can contribute. Of course, that doesn’t mean that everything submitted will be published. I’m sure some of those staff members these big shots hired will decide what’s worthy reading; or “talented” reading. As long as it’s rational, it’ll probably be published. The majority, if not all, of the writers are college graduates. The benefit of this is that the reader can count on the posts being well written and simply, good. For example, the writer of Brock Lesnar: An Ugly American?, Dorothy Willis, has a B.A. in Secondary Education and has risen to senior writer status. She is a nurse and gives medical insight in her post about the health care and recovery of Brock Lesnar. Her knowledge and history of the medical world are beneficial to this post. This is just an example of what the quality fan-generated content can offer to a blog network like this one. Specific insight can be provided and produce better opinions and stories.
The site says that hundreds of stories are posted a day. The people that read these posts are sports fans. They read this blog because it offers a wide variety of opinions and analysis. People are always interested in variety and they can get a good amount of it by going to this site.
This blog is very much related to the work I’ll be doing. The writers come up with posts that are topical in the sports world. There are so many stories that just about everything gets covered. My blog differs however because mine has only one voice. A reader can look at stories on Bleacher Report but might be uninterested in some stories based on the voice and style of writing. Of course, a reader can also look at my posts and not be a fan of my voice either. But, there is still a one voice guarantee. C'mon you want to buy (wait, what?). Also, my blog differs because of the source. Most of the writers that contribute to The Bleacher Report are already in the professional world. My blog comes from someone who is still a college student. Post graduate versus undergraduate. Don't you want to hear from the young people? They’re hip. C'mon you want to buy (ok, I'll stop with that).
My blog is no Bleacher Report but it is the unified voice, very sensual, college…uh…report. Yes. It’s fresh.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Sports Guy's Voice
Bill Simmons is a writer known as the “Sports Guy.” His blogs are always interesting and his writing style is very engaging. His blogs possess conversational characteristics, which is beneficial for the reader. The reader gets a good sense of his persona through his writing. He is comical but not just for the sake of trying to be funny. He inserts little jabs at athletes but the reader appreciates when he does and is just waiting for more. He’s sarcastic at times. He’s also negative at times, but only to make the reader laugh, either through indifference or by empathizing with what he is saying. His analogies and metaphors link to pop culture and common ideas that most people can relate to.
The easy way of describing his voice is to say that he is real. I say “easy” because, well, “real” isn’t exactly saying much. What I mean is that he’s honest. He admits when he’s wrong and admits when he has to change. He also admits to participating in the ridiculous idea of “sports-hate”, in simple terms, where a fan hates a team or athlete but doesn’t necessarily want anything bad to happen to them (doesn’t necessarily? whatever dude).
His post “Running on sports-hate empty” is a good display of his persona. He talks about the athletes he used to sports-hate but can no longer sports-hate them. Still questioning this new appreciation for certain athletes, he asks the reader to read the previous paragraphs because his flesh his on fire and he can no longer see the screen from all the smoke. Later in the article, he becomes even more frustrated to the point where he writes:
Forget about lighting myself on fire. Too easy. I'm leaning toward giving myself a colonic with a leaf blower.
This is an exhibition of the dry rumor that he sometimes employs. The imagery is quite amusing but the reader is able to understand what he is saying by the exaggeration of his descriptions. A colonic with a leaf blower seems painful and wrong. Wrong, mainly because I believe that's the opposite way things are supposed to be flowing in that procedure.
He uses a lot of pop culture references which add to the further characterization of his voice An example of the pop culture referencing is in the following quote:
I was watching "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" at something like 4:30 in the morning recently because my body clock is screwed up and I keep waking up at weird hours like the girl in "Paranormal Activity."
This is just another example of his distinct style of humor. He makes theses pop culture analogies that seem pretty random at first but are actually quite appropriate. The humor comes from the fact that he and the girl both wake up at odd hours, but he is not possessed by a demon like she is. It is funny that he purposely chooses to disclose that fact.
There is another article,”We are all witnesses”, that displays his voice well. In it, he discusses Lebron James and all of his awesomeness. He writes:
The reader could understand what he’s trying to convey before the Octomom reference, but he goes that extra step. That extra step is taken for two reasons: to give an example, because people love examples, and to make the reader laugh. He can attempt to be funny without jeopardizing his arguments on the topic; he finds the right balance.You never forget he's on the court. Not for a second. Even his teammates are enamored with him; they jockey for his attention like Octomom's kids.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Blog Profile of Bleacher Report
There are tons of sports blogs out there. Many of them are independent , but not all of them are. One that sticks out and is actually the top rated sports blog according to Technorati is Bleacher Report. Their claim to fame is that they are the web’s first Open Source Sports Network. I’d be lying to you if I told you that I didn’t exactly know what that meant at first. I got it cleared up though. I feel a little dumb admitting that after I found out what it means, but we're going to be honest with each other in this relationship, okay? Good. What an Open Source Sports Network basically means is that it is powered entirely by fan-generated content. By doing this, the blog is more creative and original than other sports blogs. It doesn’t have just one voice, but multiple voices.
Four guys came up with the idea to let "talented writers", basically coherent individuals, have a voice in the world of sports analysis. As a result, thousands of writers have contributed to the blog and content is constantly being generated daily. The blog has grown to be quite professional. The four pioneers quit their jobs to focus full-time. In addition, they hired many staff members to assist in the efficiency of the site. It is a full on professional blog (sounds like I was describing a porno).
The great thing about this blog is that anyone can contribute. Of course, that doesn’t mean that everything submitted will be published. I’m sure some of those staff members these big shots hired will decide what’s worthy reading. As long as it’s rational, it’ll probably be published. The majority, if not all, of the writers are college graduates. The benefit of this is that the reader can count on the posts being well written and simply, good. For example, the writer of Brock Lesnar: An Ugly American?, Dorothy Willis, has a B.A. in Secondary Education and has risen to senior writer status. She is a nurse and gives medical insight in her post about the health care and recovery of Brock Lesnar. Her knowledge and history of the medical world are beneficial to her post. This is just an example of what the fan-generated content can provide for a blog. Specific insight can be provided and produce better stories.
The site says that hundreds of stories are posted a day. The people that read these posts are sports fans. They read this blog because it offers a wide variety of opinions and analysis. People are always interested in variety and they can get a good amount of it by going to this site.
This blog is very much related to the work I’ll be doing. The writers come up with posts that are topical in the sports world. There are so many stories that just about everything gets covered. My blog differs however because there is only one voice. A reader can look at stories on Bleacher Report but might be uninterested in some stories based on the voice and style of writing. Of course, a reader can also look at my posts and not be a fan of my voice. But, there is still a one voice guarantee. C'mon you want to buy (wait, what?). Also, my blog differs because of the source. Most of the writers that contribute to The Bleacher Report are already in the professional world. My blog comes from someone who is still a college student. Don't you want to hear from the young people? C'mon you want to buy (ok, I'll stop with that). Well, until we meet again
Four guys came up with the idea to let "talented writers", basically coherent individuals, have a voice in the world of sports analysis. As a result, thousands of writers have contributed to the blog and content is constantly being generated daily. The blog has grown to be quite professional. The four pioneers quit their jobs to focus full-time. In addition, they hired many staff members to assist in the efficiency of the site. It is a full on professional blog (sounds like I was describing a porno).
The great thing about this blog is that anyone can contribute. Of course, that doesn’t mean that everything submitted will be published. I’m sure some of those staff members these big shots hired will decide what’s worthy reading. As long as it’s rational, it’ll probably be published. The majority, if not all, of the writers are college graduates. The benefit of this is that the reader can count on the posts being well written and simply, good. For example, the writer of Brock Lesnar: An Ugly American?, Dorothy Willis, has a B.A. in Secondary Education and has risen to senior writer status. She is a nurse and gives medical insight in her post about the health care and recovery of Brock Lesnar. Her knowledge and history of the medical world are beneficial to her post. This is just an example of what the fan-generated content can provide for a blog. Specific insight can be provided and produce better stories.
The site says that hundreds of stories are posted a day. The people that read these posts are sports fans. They read this blog because it offers a wide variety of opinions and analysis. People are always interested in variety and they can get a good amount of it by going to this site.
This blog is very much related to the work I’ll be doing. The writers come up with posts that are topical in the sports world. There are so many stories that just about everything gets covered. My blog differs however because there is only one voice. A reader can look at stories on Bleacher Report but might be uninterested in some stories based on the voice and style of writing. Of course, a reader can also look at my posts and not be a fan of my voice. But, there is still a one voice guarantee. C'mon you want to buy (wait, what?). Also, my blog differs because of the source. Most of the writers that contribute to The Bleacher Report are already in the professional world. My blog comes from someone who is still a college student. Don't you want to hear from the young people? C'mon you want to buy (ok, I'll stop with that). Well, until we meet again
Friday, January 22, 2010
Hello World!
Americans love their sports. There is so much attention placed on anything sports related. Athletes have risen to celebrity status like that of an actor or musician. It is not just the athletes, but even some owners, executives, and coaches have become household names. These figures sometimes appear in tabloids like Star and OK or even Perez Hilton.
Sports discussions take place every second. It seems like everyone has an opinion on which team is better or why that athlete shouldn’t have done that. Often times, these opinions are biased. Some people have a certain agenda. We become a fan of a team or an athlete and feel a sense of inclusion and attachment. These associations or attachments poison the sports fan’s rationale.
It seems that there’s always something controversial popping up in the sports world. Mark McGwire uses steroids here, Tiger Woods cheats on his wife there. No matter what it is, it sparks a fire in people. Debates ensue and people will take sides. Athletes are the subjects of these debates. They don't live like most Americans do. Their every move is scrutinized. This is even more true in the society we live in today. The internet and television have grown to include websites like Twitter that tell people what athletes are currently doing and reality shows that follow athletes in their everyday routines. I definitely saw Juan Manuel Marquez drink his own urine on HBO.
I think sports are fantastic (yeah its somewhat of a fantasy). They combine so many feelings and emotions. There is drama, humor, amazement, and something so enjoyable as good sportsmanship. My favorite thing to watch is how athletes interact with each other after their game, match, fight, or whatever event they just participated in. Another great thing about sports is that it is ongoing. When a season ends, it is not long before it starts up again. The topical issues that arise in sports are very much like the cycle of a sports season. When one sports figure is under the microscope, he simply waits for another to screw up. For example, the Mark McGwire issue took a little load off of Tiger’s back.
I decided that I should input my opinions on sports related issues and so I started this blog. I pride myself on trying to being fair. Everyone always says "life isn't fair." Well that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to be. I still have my favorite sports teams and athletes that I root for, but I strive to be fair in my sports related analyses. I guess you'll agree or disagree based on my upcoming posts.
I live in Los Angeles, the second largest media market in the United States and essentially the second largest sports market. See! I submitted to New York there. I'm not going to sit here and say "No! LA is the best!" New York is at the top; still painful to admit though. I am actually more of a general sports fan than being a fan of certain teams and athletes. Don't get me wrong, I love my teams. Its just that I enjoy the sports of football, soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey, mixed martial arts, boxing, and horse racing over specific teams and athletes...and horses, I guess they're athletes too, whatever. For example, I'm a Dodgers fan, but baseball is just better when teams like the Yankees, Cardinals, and Red Sox are good. The same goes for basketball. Basketball is better when the Lakers, Celtics, and Knicks are relevant. I can admit these things while not even being fans of those teams. Hopefully, you're seeing the evenness here. I have lived in LA my whole life and am currently a college student. Therefore, in addition to my constant reminder of my fairness, I believe that I also bring an academic aspect to my blogs. In mentioning that, I'm basically trying to say, "hopefully they make sense."
For the most part, my blogs will consist of controversial issues as they relate to sports. This includes issues of integrity and ethics as well as more menial issues like what Matt Kemp has been grabbing lately. I think the celebrity aspect of athletes deserves mention in my blogs. I will simply be giving my input on topical sports issues. Upcoming posts might include topics like the ethics in horse racing, a sport i have loved since birth basically; sportsmanship in mixed martial artists; and even something like fighting in hockey.
Sound interesting? I know, right? Well keep reading then.
Sports discussions take place every second. It seems like everyone has an opinion on which team is better or why that athlete shouldn’t have done that. Often times, these opinions are biased. Some people have a certain agenda. We become a fan of a team or an athlete and feel a sense of inclusion and attachment. These associations or attachments poison the sports fan’s rationale.
It seems that there’s always something controversial popping up in the sports world. Mark McGwire uses steroids here, Tiger Woods cheats on his wife there. No matter what it is, it sparks a fire in people. Debates ensue and people will take sides. Athletes are the subjects of these debates. They don't live like most Americans do. Their every move is scrutinized. This is even more true in the society we live in today. The internet and television have grown to include websites like Twitter that tell people what athletes are currently doing and reality shows that follow athletes in their everyday routines. I definitely saw Juan Manuel Marquez drink his own urine on HBO.
I think sports are fantastic (yeah its somewhat of a fantasy). They combine so many feelings and emotions. There is drama, humor, amazement, and something so enjoyable as good sportsmanship. My favorite thing to watch is how athletes interact with each other after their game, match, fight, or whatever event they just participated in. Another great thing about sports is that it is ongoing. When a season ends, it is not long before it starts up again. The topical issues that arise in sports are very much like the cycle of a sports season. When one sports figure is under the microscope, he simply waits for another to screw up. For example, the Mark McGwire issue took a little load off of Tiger’s back.
I decided that I should input my opinions on sports related issues and so I started this blog. I pride myself on trying to being fair. Everyone always says "life isn't fair." Well that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to be. I still have my favorite sports teams and athletes that I root for, but I strive to be fair in my sports related analyses. I guess you'll agree or disagree based on my upcoming posts.
I live in Los Angeles, the second largest media market in the United States and essentially the second largest sports market. See! I submitted to New York there. I'm not going to sit here and say "No! LA is the best!" New York is at the top; still painful to admit though. I am actually more of a general sports fan than being a fan of certain teams and athletes. Don't get me wrong, I love my teams. Its just that I enjoy the sports of football, soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey, mixed martial arts, boxing, and horse racing over specific teams and athletes...and horses, I guess they're athletes too, whatever. For example, I'm a Dodgers fan, but baseball is just better when teams like the Yankees, Cardinals, and Red Sox are good. The same goes for basketball. Basketball is better when the Lakers, Celtics, and Knicks are relevant. I can admit these things while not even being fans of those teams. Hopefully, you're seeing the evenness here. I have lived in LA my whole life and am currently a college student. Therefore, in addition to my constant reminder of my fairness, I believe that I also bring an academic aspect to my blogs. In mentioning that, I'm basically trying to say, "hopefully they make sense."
For the most part, my blogs will consist of controversial issues as they relate to sports. This includes issues of integrity and ethics as well as more menial issues like what Matt Kemp has been grabbing lately. I think the celebrity aspect of athletes deserves mention in my blogs. I will simply be giving my input on topical sports issues. Upcoming posts might include topics like the ethics in horse racing, a sport i have loved since birth basically; sportsmanship in mixed martial artists; and even something like fighting in hockey.
Sound interesting? I know, right? Well keep reading then.
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