Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that.
-Bill Shankly, In Sunday Times (UK) Oct. 4 1981
It occurred to me this week that perhaps I am not a fan of sports. Indeed, from this perspective things are relatively boring in the sports world, which leads me to believe that I may be nothing more than a fan of football. After all, the NHL is currently in its Stanley Cup Finals, baseball season is really swinging into full gear and the NBA is nearing its playoff finals.
Why, then, could I not care any less?
I had a low-level interest in hockey for a brief period of time when I was younger, but not anymore. Not in the least. For one it is very impersonal, thanks in part perhaps to the lack of media coverage it receives. There are recognizable personalities all throughout the NFL, the NBA, and even the MLB. They are men who have charisma and selling power to attract cameras to them. How many players in the NHL could be identified by the casual sports fan?
Second, the season is just too long, rendering many of the games “pointless.” While every game in any sport means something in the grand scheme of things, how much would fans of the NHL miss out on if they were to begin watching mid-season? This is a legitimate question from me to hockey fans because the way I see it is that unless a team absolutely TANKS the first half of the season, not only is there a possibility they could be right in the thick of things come playoff time, there is a high probability, even if only due to the mass amount of games. There is far too much time for teams to turn their season from a nightmare to a dream. What happens if a team absolutely TANKS the first half of the season in the NFL? There is a possibility that they make things interesting in the latter half of the year, but what are the odds?
Ultimately the most unappealing thing about hockey, however, is the game itself. To each his own I suppose, but a certain mentality is required to watch NHL games that is certainly unique. There are many things to cheer for in a game of football; a huge kickoff return, a big hit, a huge run, a defender getting juked out of his shoes…obviously, the list goes on and on. What is there to get excited about in a game of hockey? Again, this is not meant to be condescending, it is posed as a legitimate question. I understand that, since it is generally a low-scoring game, when a goal is scored there is a very real cause for excitement, and I know that some of the hits can be fairly exhilarating, but what else is there? Those two facets seem to be hardly enough to keep me watching for three hours.
Major League Baseball suffers from some of the same ailments as the NHL in my opinion; the season is too long and the game is just too uneventful. Sure there is the occasional homerun and every now and then an outfielder makes a spectacular catch, but in between? Strikeouts, groundouts, foul balls and on and on. Again, what is the appeal?
I believe that the NBA is closest behind the NFL in terms of quality entertainment, but the separation is noticeable. With a slightly shorter season than both the NHL and MLB, games in the NBA are slightly more meaningful. With many of the same players on the court for extended periods of time, with no helmets or masks to hide their emotion, with courtside seats allowing fans to be right on top of the action, it seems to me that the NBA does a fine job of marketing its players not only as athletes, but as people with emotion. Emotion is something that we can relate to, and it is perhaps even more prevalent in the NBA than in America’s Darling, the NFL.
The game itself offers some exciting elements in its own right. No-look passes, highlight-reel dunks, shots at the buzzer…they can all bring you off your seat. Additionally, there is nothing quite like watching a player take over a game as if they were super-human. Moreover, there is nothing like watching the fluidity of a basketball TEAM working in perfect harmony. Even still, this sport doesn’t bring nearly as much to the table as the game of football.
I am open to any sport, and have enjoyed watching each of these in the past. Yet the holdout tainted the NHL, steroids are cheapening “America’s Pastime,” and the NBA no longer has the energy it had in the days of Michael Jordan. Regardless of what one may think about the games themselves and the way they are marketed, these are strong convictions held by many throughout the sports universe.
All of these sports, admittedly, are a blast to play. When it comes to watching them, however, has the NFL ever had such a large edge over the competition, or am I no longer a sports fan?
The Obscure Movie Recommendation for this week is “November” starring Courtney Cox.
Assumingly you hear the title “November” and the name Courtney Cox and the initial reaction is to think that I am recommending to you some run-of-the-mill chick flick, but that simply is not the case. “November” is a sleek, dark, psychological thriller that never made it through to mainstream audiences. The reasons, in my opinion, are because of the film’s extremely dark atmosphere and the ambiguity associated with it.
If you enjoy a good psychological movie with a great score, “November” should entertain you. However, much of this movie is left open for interpretation so if you like your movies to have a definitive track, stay away from this one.
This past week American Idol crowned yet another “winner.”
I expect crickets the world over are chirping at this point. No, I do not watch American Idol. No, I have never watched American Idol. No, I never intend on watching American Idol. Yes, I know who Sanjaya is.
There seems to be a pattern developing here over the last few editions of Around The Horn; Ethan likes almost nothing. That’s morose if you think about it, but I just have a low tolerance for stupid.
To tell you the truth, for all of the talk I hear about this “reality” television show, I struggle to remember the name of the person who won it. Here is my thought process: It is Melinda something. The first name that comes to mind is Melinda Dillon. It then occurs to me that Melinda Dillon plays Ralphie’s mom in “A Christmas Story.” Then in dawns on me that her last name is some kind of character. For one reason or another, the first name that comes to mind is Beetlejuice; Melinda Beetlejuice. Alas, she is no Michael Keaton.
Melinda Doolittle is her name, I believe. And yes, reports have suggested that she does talk to animals.
In other entertainment news, Mario Party 8 drops this week. Who wants to cower beneath the plumber’s crack of Luigi?
One thing that I enjoy about the MPL is Fact or Fiction. It was great to see that feature make a return this week. Well done, Vixen.
There were some other leaves rustling in the MPL this week over game recaps. It is very unfortunate that Oconnor was removed from the league, and it does appear to be harsh practice for a member who was a legitimate baller and did make himself readily available. The fact remains, however, that report requirements are clearly stated in the rules, and the higher-ups in the MPL go out of their way to offer reminders. Rules are rules, so what’s done is done, and with good reason. We can only hope that Oconnor will eventually find his way back into league play and that his removal served as notice to any other league members who may already have a strike against themselves.
The biggest shocker of the week has got to be the Bears vs. Bengals matchup. No one, I repeat, NO ONE expected V2 to take down Rashad. I have trouble believing the V2 himself thought he would do it, given his previous two performances and the renowned skill level of the three time champion. Yet somehow, not only did the Bears win, but they won handily. Good show V2.
I feel obligated to chime in however, that while many are now gleaming with thoughts of parity and sugarplums, everyone has off games. To expect anything less than a MPL Bowl berth out of Rashad, in my opinion, is to underestimate the man.
I had a trip back through nostalgia the other day as I hung out with a buddy of mine I hadn’t seen in years. He had a Sega Genesis and, more importantly, Zombies Ate My Neighbors! That brings back memories.
Wonderful, wonderful memories of rescuing unappreciative cheerleaders and out of place detectives from the clutches of the living dead.
His collection outside of Zombies was admirable as well. Shaq Fu, anyone?
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