Just fake it

It's the new Nike slogan, "Just fake it!". Within the past 3 days I've been reminded why I've watched less and less basketball and soccer growing up. Both sports have become almost unwatchable, with Soccer lone saving grace being the goal celebrations. Let's get this moving...

I've given both the sport of soccer and soccer players credit in the past, for being some of the most skilled and well conditioned athletes on the other side of the pond. Having to only use your feet and head, while continuously running for 45 minutes, is impressive. The largest problem the sport is facing is the terrible, terrible acting these Euro-pansies employ. In every game I've watched so far, guys are taking dives. They'll act like their leg's been broken b/c of a slide tackle, all in the name of drawing a yellow card. Once said yellow card is given, they jump right back up and everything is alright. That's simply disgusting.

Sure in every sport people try to draw penalties, but their attempts are pathetic. Look no further than the Nigeria-Greece game. (http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Kaita-s-red-card-could-be-this-World-Cup-s-worst?urn=sow,249204)

Sani Kaita barely even touches the Greece player with a kick, he goes down immediately, and Kaita receives a red card. I'm just saying, you try and pull something like that in football or hockey? You can bet your life you'll be in for a beat down next time around.

The only way a yellow card should be handed out is for incidents like Zidane's headbutt, or if you literally tackle someone else. The whole concept of "tripping" someone by tapping their leg is absurd. I've seen better acting and actual hitting in wrestling, and we all know it's fake.

Act like a man, footballers, and maybe your sport will earn more respect here in the US.

Basketball is in the same category as soccer. If you watched the game back in the early 90's, and compared it to a game today? No comparison.

In today's game, players put more effort into trying to draw charging fouls and shooting fouls, than the do actually shooting. Everyone is included in this. In last night's Game 7, there were at least 4-5 instances of Kobe purposely trying to draw a foul rather than just posting up for a good shot. In the words of Charles Barkley, "That's just turrrible Kenny, straight turrible". This is why Jordan and older players will always be held in a higher regard than today's crop. They worked for their points. Jordan had to fight the Pistons, Knicks and Pacers, tooth and nail. Sometimes, actually "fighting", aka throwing punches and shoving.

Guys will try and take a charge instead of attempting to play actual defense. Another strategy you never saw in the 90's and earlier. They're already leaning back like Lil Jon says, before there's even contact. How can guys making millions of dollars do this? Some even "rep" where they're from, trying to say they grew up in the streets or ghetto. Man, I know for a fact that shit doesn't fly in a game of streetball. Hey I understand, you're trying to do whatever it takes to win, but have some pride in your game, and man up.

Last night's Game 7 was unwatchable because of those reasons, as well as the pathetic shooting percentages. You're telling me these guys are pros, yet they shoot between 30-40% from the floor? Supposedly two of the top 50 players in the league, Kobe Bryant and Ray Allen, went a combined 9-for-38. 23%!!! Neither team played well enough to win, but the Celtics played poor enough to lose it.

Now we get to hear all about how "great" Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant are. I just have one question?

When does the NFL season start?