I am watching the Duke-West Virgina game and am reminded once again how much I can't stand Duke. Here are my five reasons: 1. Christian Lattner...enough said 2. Duke always has a punk white point guard (Wojo, Paulus, Reddick) and an idiot big white guy (Lattner, Parks, etc.) 3. Coach K is one of the biggest whiners there is. Players follow the coaches lead, thus the Duke players whine after every foul or call...its incredible. 4. Did I mention Christian Lattner? 5. Announcers can never say anything bad about Duke...Duke basketball is like Notre Dame football. So annoying.
I listen to a local sports station here in Dallas called 1310 The Ticket. One of the bits that they do is called 1920's reporter. This is where one of their sports personalities goes to various press conferences and asks a question while talking like a old school reporter named Scoops Callahan. It is so funny to watch the reactions of the players and coaches. I especially like the one below when he asks Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin a question and Ovechkin is just laughing the entire time Crosby is answering. I am also posting one of Bill Belicheck (he actually gets him to smile) and Tom Brady, who is thinking the entire time, "Who is this guy."
I may have some people that think I am ridiculous, but of the 4 major sports (NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL) I believe that hockey players are the most athletic and skilled. Let me lay out 3 points:
1. Hockey requires players to be all around, not specialized (besides goalie). In the other 3 sports each position is a specialized position. A QB is not going to play DB, a center in the NBA is not going to play point guard, and a outfielder will rarely play SS (however you do have utility players that can do this). In the NHL, players do have their specialized positions (Defensivemen, Right/Left Wing, etc), but are also required to play offense and defense, throughout the entire game.
2. Skating on ice, opposing players checking you into the boards, trying to score into a net protected by a goalie, all the while trying to control a hard frozen rubber puck. Not easy.
3. Watch this video and I think my point is made. Watch what these guys do with the puck while dealing with everything else that is going on around them. I don't think these are the best goals ever, but it gives you a pretty good idea about why these guys are unbelievable (sorry about the music for the video).
Finally thought...most people that think hockey is stupid, feel that way because they don't understand the game. If this is the case, learn about it and you will be hooked, guarentee.
Part two of my series to share with people why hockey is such a great sport. Reason #2...the fans. Yes yes yes the good majority have mullets, however mullets are cool. Hockey fans are some of the most loyal and passionate fans out there. Take a view of this video of Edmonton Oilers' fans singing the Canada National Anthem before a playoff game. It is a thing of beauty.
I am beginning a series of posts to tell people about the joy that is hockey. Hockey is extremely underrated, especially here in the US. It is time to get onboard...you will not be disappointed.
Only in hockey can you have a fist fight and...
1. Only get 2 or 5 minutes in the penalty box...any other sport is going to land you a suspension. 2. It is expected. Especially when one of your star players gets knocked down or someone gets to close to the goalie. 3. Refs, players, stand around and watch, while fans go crazy as 2 guys slug it out.
This is on my mind because I went to the Stars-Avs game last night and there were several fists flying throughout the game.
If you love March Madness like I do, you are familiar with the greatest tournement announcer, Gus Johnson. The guy is pure energy and always, I mean always, announcing the crazy games. Check out this video...it actually has no video but only audio of Gus Johnson during the tourney. Man, it is sheer brillance!
