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?

Final(s) Thoughts

With the Blackhawks successfully defeating evil personified in the Philadelphia Flyers last night, and bringing the Cup to Chicago. I thought I'd give my final take on the season that was.

-Great to see NBC cover Game 6. It gave the sport a big-time feel. You had two of the largest TV markets tuning in, and it couldn't have ended on a better night. Sandwiched between two NBA Finals games, and the World Cup. Hockey had it's own night to shine and did it ever.

-Even though everyone wants to see a pivotal Game 7, having Game 6 go into overtime is all you could have asked for. It was an extremely competitive game, with breaks for both teams. There was nothing to complain about in terms of biased referees or non-calls, and the GWG (game-winning goal) was controversy free. Perfecto!

-I said it here earlier in the year, that the Hawks were the Penguins of the West. They proved it last night by having a "younger" team, take it to the experienced Flyers. The Blackhawks, Kings and Canucks are the future of the West, while Pittsburgh and Washington will get over this past season hiccups to dominate the East for several years. Watch out for Boston and Tampa Bay(yes I said it), as they keep adding younger talent, as an under-the-radar pick.

-I don't care what anyone says, hockey is catching on big-time. If you watched any of the Playoffs, each game felt like a big deal, and the fans were electric. I have to give Montreal, Philly, and Chicago their due, as they seem to have the most dedicated and rabid fan base.

-Speaking of Philly, I can't believe I'm going to say this, but you showed real class last night by cheering and allowing the Blackhawks to celebrate in peace. Nothing was thrown on the ice and the ceremony wasn't booed at all, which is phenomenal.

-I still get a kick out of Gary Bettman (NHL Commissioner) getting booed in every venue. The guy is socially awkward, he needs to hire a public speaker, perhaps Bruce Buffer, to give his speeches. I rank him 3rd in the Commissioner poll, only beating Bud Selig in terms of ineptitude.

-Jonathan Toews (pronounced Taves) did his best imitation of Sidney Crosby by winning both a Stanley Cup and Gold Medal in the same year. The guy is 22 yrs old!!! Comparatively speaking, Stephen Strasburg made his debut two nights ago and already is 21. Toews has 3 championships under his belt already. Dominating stuff.

-Patrick Kane (their true superstar) is bringing back the mullet. He needs to be traded to Pittsburgh to fit in with that hairstyle.

-For those that don't know: The handlers of the Stanley Cup (two guys with white gloves) travel everywhere the Cup goes. Everybody in the Blackhawks organization gets a day or two to do whatever they want with the Cup. If I were one of the players, I'd get them drunk and then run off with the Stanley Cup. Maybe you wanted to spend the night with the Cup and some random "Bar rat", would they come into your room and watch b/c they had to keep an eye on the Cup? I need to know this.

-F' You to ESPN once again. Their coverage of the Stanley Cup final consisted of about 5-10 minutes worth of SportsCenter. By comparison, for Strasburg's debut, they interviewed 4-5 different people. Do they not understand the only way to help the Sport grow is to provide coverage?? The Finals had two major markets competing against each other, and don't tell me no one cares about hockey. Go to every major TV market as ask about their NHL team, and you'll find a huge fanbase. Just think if you did this, you wouldn't have to show the Harlem Globetrotters or Spelling Bee on your main channel.

-Doc Emerick is one of the best Play-by-play announcers alive. He gives every play the feel of life or death. In addition, it sounds like he's getting robbed at gunpoint after a great save. Classic stuff.

-We get two days to recover before cheering for the second most underrated and under appreciated sport in America, the World Cup of Soccer. Time for more chants, shenanigans, hooligans, and beer!!

U-S-A, U-S-A!!