Yeah.... The NBA skips the work getting there and fasts forward to the guys making millions of dollars. I watch the NBA, I don't give a shit about college hoops or high school ball. Does that make me a casual fan?
I'm just really only a fan of team sports, and I couldn't give any less shits about gymnastics, swimming, diving, or any other random event. I'm not one for patriotism. I think you're off on the amount of people that tune in to professional sports championships versus the Olympics. It's easy to make that mistake, since the Olympics are all at the same time, four years apart. If every major league sports championship was in one month with so much hype and media coverage I think it'd be very similar.
Actually, you might be closer to reality if you put every major sports event from around the world in a two week period with the hype and media coverage. You're forgetting that this is a global event. It's not just the United States, so the reason why the Olympics is special is because every American can claim ownership. There are only 30 NBA teams, so many people/cities/states are left out. That's not the case with the Olympics.... But hey, you don't like the Olympics. I'm not trying to get you to enjoy something, I'm trying to get you to understand why so many of us enjoy it. I would hope you could at least understand that.
Like i said watching the olympics is akin to watching Game 7 of the NBA finals in the 4th quarter. Your interest is there only to see someone win. Its bandwagon fan support of the worst kind. Would you be a casual fan if you only watched Game 7 of the finals to "see championship basketball"? sure. Same with the olympics, its all the fandom, national pride and good feelings without any of the work involved in following a sport. Its only interesting because you are watching the final race/match without having to actually follow them throughout any of the hard work, losses, trials throughout their careers. not to mention the jingoism involved in such a shallow involvement in the athletes.
I do understand it, I was also just making sure you understood where I was coming from. I don't hate the Olympics in any way, if I'm really bored I tune in for a couple minutes just to see what it is, but I'm not interested in who wins, medal counts, or anything like that. Only basketball. As my neighbor said to me yesterday, Happy Olympics!
I think Treaty of Batum nailed it. Sure, a few big names will get endorsement deals. But that's only a small number of US athletes and I don't know if it even applies to people from other countries. For most of them, hell, how many people can name the archery gold medalist? But they have worked all their lives, giving up fun times, for this 2 weeks and their few minutes of competition. Hard not to admire.
Iron Sheik on team USA wrestling: Come up with a signature move and name Jordan Burroughs could use in London? "The Jordan.” Not like the Michael Jordan but he still the Real American. He can break the pinkie finger like Sheikie. He break people back with his pinkie. Because he a big strong [expletive] for America. I be happy. His name could be “the Real” and his finisher be “the Humble.” Give me a hell yeah! How do you feel about the "Flying Squirrel" nickname Ellis Coleman gave himself? Flying squirrel remind me of Ultimate Warrior because he a little rat when he jump in ring like that idiot Jose Canseco or Mel Gibson. I would never respect the squirrel because the squirrel have no [expletive]. Wow, aggressive. Could the Iron Sheik beat any of the current wrestlers on Team USA? In my day I beat living [expletive] out of all Olympian who challenge the legend. I put them in a camel clutch, break they back [two or three expletives], and make them humble. But now I am not in same shape as before so I don’t [expletive] with them. How would the Olympics benefit from adding ropes around the mat? The rope protect you and you cannot run away like little [expletive] in ring like Jose Canseco. How would Hulk Hogan do against the current Olympic team? Hulk Hogan don’t last long like because [a few expletives] he not a real man like the Sheiky baby. He get beat bad like [wow... not printing that] and never make it to Olympics. Only for the Olympics for being [or that]. [editors note: He definitely hates Hogan.] Are you ready for a comeback? I know if I training I can beat the [expletive] out of anybody who [expletive] with me. I am the real legend not like the jabroni the Tom Cruise. How do you feel about the American wrestling team this year? They all workers but need to pay their due to be legend like Iron Sheik. Buy my [expletive] shirt!! USA #1!
Damn, Freeland has looked like a definite NBA-level talent today against Spain, with the Gasol brothers & Ibaka. Looks like GB's going to come up short, but Freeland has had a pretty solid game today.
Gabby Douglas wins top gold in gymnastics and some morons get on her for her hair? Probably a bunch of overweight couch potatoes. She's winning Olympic gold, not competing for America's Top Model.
No kidding. It's like the internet is just one long Open Mic Night, and we don't have any money for booze to make it less unfunny.
So did anybody actually watch GB and Spain play today? I saw Freeland had a great line, but how did he actually look out there? Any good one-on-one matchups?
