I was watching the U.S. basketball team yesterday afternoon destroy Nigeria. I stopped watching when the U.S. set an all-time record for most three-pointers in a game (14) and it was STILL THE FIRST HALF! Much like Tunisia earlier, they really aren't good enough to be in this tournament.
I just read the U.S. ended up scoring a record 156 points in the game and that none of the starters even played in the second half. This is more embarrassing than anything else. Remember when they discontinued women's softball in the Olympics because the U.S. team was always too good? How is THIS any different? Get rid of basketball or bring back softball. You really shouldn't have it both ways.
I've come to the conclusion that the best time to watch the Olympics is between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. That's when all the prime events occur where all the U.S. athletes have their best chance at gold. Last night it was Phelps getting his first individual swimming gold and Gabby Douglas winning the women's gymnastics all-around gold. I was SOOO tired last night after another great night out with family at Pizza Ranch that I could barely stay awake. But I'm glad I stayed awake long enough to watch these moments, That's why we all watch the Olympics in the first place.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Olympics
What caught my attention yesterday was something that was odd just on the face of it.
A top Chinese women's badminton doubles team lost unexpectedly early in the tournament. As a result FOUR other teams (8 total players) decided to play poorly and lose so that they could be placed in an easier bracket in the next round.
They actually played poorly so that they would deliberately LOSE. The fans were booing at the matches and the officials were outraged because a mockery was made of every single point.
The official result? ALL 8 players were disqualfied from the competition because "wanting to lose" goes against the very spirit of the Olympic games.
My Take:
I look at this completely differently. They weren't trying to lose the tournament, they were doing their absolute BEST to make sure that they could win medals. These 8 players represented some of the absolute BEST players in the whole world.
I blame the tournament set-up itself. What kind of tournament is set up in such a way that it ENCOURAGES players to lose so that they actually GAIN an advantage?
I don't think the players did anything wrong at all. If anyone is to be blamed it's got to be the officials who set this tournament up. The sport has been around for thousands of years, and the goal has always been clear. IF you win you advance. Setting it up in such away that losing HELPS your chances is absolutely asinine.
The wrong people were punished. The officials should all be fired and the players should be reinstated. And then change the rules for the next tournament so the problem will never happen again.
Either way, I'm guessing the rules WILL be changed for next time. And the same stupid officials will still be around. And idiotic people will still think the players got what they deserved.
A top Chinese women's badminton doubles team lost unexpectedly early in the tournament. As a result FOUR other teams (8 total players) decided to play poorly and lose so that they could be placed in an easier bracket in the next round.
They actually played poorly so that they would deliberately LOSE. The fans were booing at the matches and the officials were outraged because a mockery was made of every single point.
The official result? ALL 8 players were disqualfied from the competition because "wanting to lose" goes against the very spirit of the Olympic games.
My Take:
I look at this completely differently. They weren't trying to lose the tournament, they were doing their absolute BEST to make sure that they could win medals. These 8 players represented some of the absolute BEST players in the whole world.
I blame the tournament set-up itself. What kind of tournament is set up in such a way that it ENCOURAGES players to lose so that they actually GAIN an advantage?
I don't think the players did anything wrong at all. If anyone is to be blamed it's got to be the officials who set this tournament up. The sport has been around for thousands of years, and the goal has always been clear. IF you win you advance. Setting it up in such away that losing HELPS your chances is absolutely asinine.
The wrong people were punished. The officials should all be fired and the players should be reinstated. And then change the rules for the next tournament so the problem will never happen again.
Either way, I'm guessing the rules WILL be changed for next time. And the same stupid officials will still be around. And idiotic people will still think the players got what they deserved.
Mankato Roadtrip
The latest Batman movie was absolutely fantastic. But I think I enjoyed it way more than the average moviegoer because I've read so many of the comics and have watched all the recent cartoons as well. So much of the pleasing aspect of the movie was that they really did incorporate so much of the source material while introducing a great new version of an old character.
Even better? I got to share the movie with my youngest brother who is as big a Batman geek as I am.
AND the Casually Observing Wife spotted something I hadn't figured out yet during the movie. She had her geek on as well.
Because I liked the movie SO much, I have to admit that Vikings training camp placed a distant second on the enjoyment meter. I probably would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't so hot. As Paul Douglas always liked to say, "good old-fashioned stinking hot."
We ended up leaving early as a result. IF anyone else is planning on going, I'd suggest you spend time in the merchandise tent and play some of the free games (for kids) and activities early and just watch the last hour or so of practice. The real scrimmaging is fun (and close-up).
Simpson made a really nice catch after a great long pattern yesterday and Webb looks like the fastest most elusive man on the planet.
Toby Gerhart took most of the running back snaps and Adrian Peterson was as far away as you could possibly imagine doing very little because of his status. That was pretty disappointing.
Biggest surprise? Percy Harvin and his tiny little calves. He looks so small out there compared to everyone else.
It was the best day of summer for me so far and a GREAT double-header. And the chicken strip meal at Perkins last night finished it off perfectly. French Fries AND mashed potatoes? What a country.
Pizza Ranch tonight with even more family!!! It's just keeps getting better.
Even better? I got to share the movie with my youngest brother who is as big a Batman geek as I am.
AND the Casually Observing Wife spotted something I hadn't figured out yet during the movie. She had her geek on as well.
Because I liked the movie SO much, I have to admit that Vikings training camp placed a distant second on the enjoyment meter. I probably would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't so hot. As Paul Douglas always liked to say, "good old-fashioned stinking hot."
We ended up leaving early as a result. IF anyone else is planning on going, I'd suggest you spend time in the merchandise tent and play some of the free games (for kids) and activities early and just watch the last hour or so of practice. The real scrimmaging is fun (and close-up).
Simpson made a really nice catch after a great long pattern yesterday and Webb looks like the fastest most elusive man on the planet.
Toby Gerhart took most of the running back snaps and Adrian Peterson was as far away as you could possibly imagine doing very little because of his status. That was pretty disappointing.
Biggest surprise? Percy Harvin and his tiny little calves. He looks so small out there compared to everyone else.
It was the best day of summer for me so far and a GREAT double-header. And the chicken strip meal at Perkins last night finished it off perfectly. French Fries AND mashed potatoes? What a country.
Pizza Ranch tonight with even more family!!! It's just keeps getting better.
Twins
Another very good starting pitching performance by the Twins. That's six good starts in a row.
The problem is that the Twins lost another one-run game 3-2 yesterday.
They may have scored a lot of runs in July but August started off with a thud.
Diamond took the loss and a shot off his leg in the eighth.
Chicago is better than the Twins this year and over the course of the season they are proving it.
At least Valencia hit a homerun.
The problem is that the Twins lost another one-run game 3-2 yesterday.
They may have scored a lot of runs in July but August started off with a thud.
Diamond took the loss and a shot off his leg in the eighth.
Chicago is better than the Twins this year and over the course of the season they are proving it.
At least Valencia hit a homerun.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Big Double-Header Today
And it has nothing to do with baseball. My younger brother and his family will be traveling to Mankato today with the Casual Sports Fan and the Casually Observing Wife.
We'll be taking in the Dark Knight Rises early, and then going to Vikings camp right across the street right after. Somewhere in all of that we will eat and enjoy the day.
Can't wait! This will be the first time most of us have gotten to one of these camps. The Casually Observing Wife used to go all the time when she went to school in Mankato. She's the old vet. Many thanks to Super Steve and the hints and tricks he told her yesterday so that we get the most out of this more recent trip.
Can't wait!!
We'll be taking in the Dark Knight Rises early, and then going to Vikings camp right across the street right after. Somewhere in all of that we will eat and enjoy the day.
Can't wait! This will be the first time most of us have gotten to one of these camps. The Casually Observing Wife used to go all the time when she went to school in Mankato. She's the old vet. Many thanks to Super Steve and the hints and tricks he told her yesterday so that we get the most out of this more recent trip.
Can't wait!!
Olympics
They fixed the cable line sometime yesterday! it was good timing as the U.S. women won the team gold last night and we actually got to see it. Not much drama there, though. Russia fell apart and all the U.S. girls had to do was be themselves. They won easily.
Michael Phelps was having a rough time so far this games but in the end yesterday he ended up with both a gold and a silver medal which made him the most decorated medal winner in the Olympics all-time.
I watched part of the second half of the U.S. men's basketball game yesterday afternoon. It was just a blowout. Some countries should not have basketball teams. Tunisia is one of those countries.
Michael Phelps was having a rough time so far this games but in the end yesterday he ended up with both a gold and a silver medal which made him the most decorated medal winner in the Olympics all-time.
I watched part of the second half of the U.S. men's basketball game yesterday afternoon. It was just a blowout. Some countries should not have basketball teams. Tunisia is one of those countries.
Liriano and Blackburn Both Great
Neither had part of the decision, though.
You knew eventually that the Twins would lose a close one again. A.J. Pierzynski's 2-run homer in the top of the ninth was the difference.
Good game but we came out on the short end.
You knew eventually that the Twins would lose a close one again. A.J. Pierzynski's 2-run homer in the top of the ninth was the difference.
Good game but we came out on the short end.
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