Monday, March 11, 2013
Trash talking over social media websites
It has been awhile since I wrote on this blog.
Something that has interested me has been the evolution between social media and professional sports.
Prior to the use of the Internet and, now the social media websites, trash talking between teams and players have been during the games and through reporters. Now the game has moved online and fans are getting a front row seat to all the action.
The first insistence I saw teams taking the trash talking to the Internet was a few weeks ago between the Dodgers and Angels.
The Angels' Josh Hamilton hit a home run against the Dodgers in a preseason game and he and the Angels started trending on Twitter. The Angels' official Twitter account acknowledged the trends, and it said "I wonder why is that." Then the Dodgers' official Twitter account replied to the tweet saying "It remembers the first time the Dodgers were trending on Twitter."
It was a nice chuckle to a good rivalry between the two.
A few days later the Atlanta Hawks beat the Utah Jazz and Lakers fans were excited that the Jazz loss. The Hawks' official Twitter account saw that and tweet to Lakers fans saying they won't be happy on Sunday night when the Hawks will beat their Lakers. Now, that was a shot!
Days later everyone watches the viral video of the Miami Heat doing the Harlem Shake, which was pretty cool. But after that video came out, the Minnesota Timberwolves' official YouTube channel released a video titled "Timberwolves Harlem Shake." What the video turned out to be was a guy in a Heat jersey dancing, then the mascot of the Wolves comes out with a plastic bat and beats up the Heat fan. At the end the mascot shakes his finger no and walks off. That was unexpected but pretty hilarious!
But I enjoy the trash talking over social media websites. It is a new element to sports trash talking. It gives fans a chance to be a part of the culture and as of now, it seems harmless.
Let's hope it gets better!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
And the postseason only started
The intense and excitement is in the air as spring rises which only means the NBA playoffs are going on.
The first round Game 1s brought surprises across the board as the Chicago Bulls witness their Most Valuable Player, Derrick Rose, go down in the late minutes against the Philadelphia 76ers with a torn ACL.
The costly injury to Rose has changed the picture in the Eastern Conference playoffs as the Bulls are close to zero percent to win the NBA championship this year.
The clear favorite to come out of the East is now the Miami Heat as it has been tearing up the New York Knicks with a 33-point win in Game 1.
The Knicks have felt the frustration with their 12 game losing streak in the playoffs as Amar'e Stoudemire punched the glass window of a fire extinguisher after the Game 2 loss.
The Boston Celtics are still hanging around as they were able to split the first two games against the Atlanta Hawks as the series heads back to Boston.
The Celtics are still showing they are capable of competing as Paul Pierce led the team to the victory as the team was without its starting guards, Rajon Rondo (who is serving a suspension) and Ray Allen (who has been out with an ankle injury).
In the last series in the East, the Orlando Magic are playing without its superstar center, Dwight Howard, as it has split the first two games with the Indiana Pacers as the series heads back to Orlando.
The Pacers are a young team as they were able to surprise the league this season with an impressive start but the team is inexperience in the postseason and winning the series against the Magic will be an accomplishment for Indiana.
Now the excitement swifts West as the playoff series in the Western Conference has been amazing as always.
The San Antonio Spurs came out swinging and dominating throughout the season as they were able to lock up the top spot in the West and draw a first round match against the Utah Jazz.
The Spurs are gliding through the Jazz and the series is looking to be one-sided and the Spurs will eventually end it in four.
The up and coming Los Angeles Clippers made a big impression in Game 1 versus the Memphis Grizzles as the Clippers were able to come back from 21 points and beat the Grizzles on the road.
The Grizzles have the edge in the series as they made noise last postseason with their first round upset against the Spurs, but with the task of beating the Clippers and Zack Randolph trying to come back from an early season injury, the Grizzles will have a tough time getting passed the Clippers.
The other Los Angeles team, the Lakers, have had their doubts from critics throughout the season but the Lakers are looking great as the postseason moves along.
The Lakers are being pulled by Andrew Bynum, who had a triple double in Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets, and Kobe Bryant, who had 38 points in Game 2 against the Nuggets, and at the same time the Lakers offense is looking solid as the defense is impressive.
The Lakers aren't the clear favorites in the West but they are making it known that they are out to kill and win another NBA championship.
The Lakers are deadly with a healthy Bryant, a dominating Bynum, a skilled Pau Gasol and a supporting cast of talented players such as Ramon Sessions, Matt Barnes, Steve Blake, Metta World-Peace, Devin Ebanks and Jordan Hill.
The last series in the West is between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the defending champion, Dallas Mavericks, the series looks like last year's second playoff series against the Mavericks and Lakers as the first two games could have went either way.
The Thunder lead the series 2-0 at the moment but the first two games have been so close that the Mavericks could have been leading 2-0 right now or at least the series could have been heading back to Dallas tied at one.
The Mavericks are not done yet in the series but they have to find a way to hold late leads because this series can easily go seven games and it would not be a surprised if Dallas wins the series.
The first games of round one have been finalized and it is only the beginning so as the first rounds play out and the postseason continues, the intense and excitement will rise to new stressful levels for the NBA fans.
And on a side note, the Lakers and Heat will be the teams to meet in this year's NBA finals as the Lakers edge the Heat for the championship in seven games.
The first round Game 1s brought surprises across the board as the Chicago Bulls witness their Most Valuable Player, Derrick Rose, go down in the late minutes against the Philadelphia 76ers with a torn ACL.
The costly injury to Rose has changed the picture in the Eastern Conference playoffs as the Bulls are close to zero percent to win the NBA championship this year.
The clear favorite to come out of the East is now the Miami Heat as it has been tearing up the New York Knicks with a 33-point win in Game 1.
The Knicks have felt the frustration with their 12 game losing streak in the playoffs as Amar'e Stoudemire punched the glass window of a fire extinguisher after the Game 2 loss.
The Boston Celtics are still hanging around as they were able to split the first two games against the Atlanta Hawks as the series heads back to Boston.
The Celtics are still showing they are capable of competing as Paul Pierce led the team to the victory as the team was without its starting guards, Rajon Rondo (who is serving a suspension) and Ray Allen (who has been out with an ankle injury).
In the last series in the East, the Orlando Magic are playing without its superstar center, Dwight Howard, as it has split the first two games with the Indiana Pacers as the series heads back to Orlando.
The Pacers are a young team as they were able to surprise the league this season with an impressive start but the team is inexperience in the postseason and winning the series against the Magic will be an accomplishment for Indiana.
Now the excitement swifts West as the playoff series in the Western Conference has been amazing as always.
The San Antonio Spurs came out swinging and dominating throughout the season as they were able to lock up the top spot in the West and draw a first round match against the Utah Jazz.
The Spurs are gliding through the Jazz and the series is looking to be one-sided and the Spurs will eventually end it in four.
The up and coming Los Angeles Clippers made a big impression in Game 1 versus the Memphis Grizzles as the Clippers were able to come back from 21 points and beat the Grizzles on the road.
The Grizzles have the edge in the series as they made noise last postseason with their first round upset against the Spurs, but with the task of beating the Clippers and Zack Randolph trying to come back from an early season injury, the Grizzles will have a tough time getting passed the Clippers.
The other Los Angeles team, the Lakers, have had their doubts from critics throughout the season but the Lakers are looking great as the postseason moves along.
The Lakers are being pulled by Andrew Bynum, who had a triple double in Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets, and Kobe Bryant, who had 38 points in Game 2 against the Nuggets, and at the same time the Lakers offense is looking solid as the defense is impressive.
The Lakers aren't the clear favorites in the West but they are making it known that they are out to kill and win another NBA championship.
The Lakers are deadly with a healthy Bryant, a dominating Bynum, a skilled Pau Gasol and a supporting cast of talented players such as Ramon Sessions, Matt Barnes, Steve Blake, Metta World-Peace, Devin Ebanks and Jordan Hill.
The last series in the West is between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the defending champion, Dallas Mavericks, the series looks like last year's second playoff series against the Mavericks and Lakers as the first two games could have went either way.
The Thunder lead the series 2-0 at the moment but the first two games have been so close that the Mavericks could have been leading 2-0 right now or at least the series could have been heading back to Dallas tied at one.
The Mavericks are not done yet in the series but they have to find a way to hold late leads because this series can easily go seven games and it would not be a surprised if Dallas wins the series.
The first games of round one have been finalized and it is only the beginning so as the first rounds play out and the postseason continues, the intense and excitement will rise to new stressful levels for the NBA fans.
And on a side note, the Lakers and Heat will be the teams to meet in this year's NBA finals as the Lakers edge the Heat for the championship in seven games.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The NBA Year One : After Lockout
NBA: after lockout year one.
Has anything really changed for the NBA since Lebron crumbled and the Heat lost the NBA finals to a freak playoff performance by Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks?
They always say, the glory days are lost and forgotten.
When players played the game they loved and were gracious to be paid to play.
As fans, we have waited so long for basketball, and now that we have seen enough to digest, criticize, post about on facebook and Twitter, we simply can't get enough.
It's why a lockout, and a return is enough lack of media or social coverage to have us hooked.
And once the fish is hooked, the NBA reels in their desired revenue. profits to be specific, not changing the price of
admissions or a drastic realignment of their economic plan, just enough media attention than prior, which was in a bind like the supposed players union and the NBA just months ago.
Before the season started we already had drama in the city of angels.
All star point guard Chris Paul was supposed to be traded to the Lakers in a trade that was blocked by commissioner and acting owner of the New Orleans Hornets David Stern.
Paul eventually landed in Los Angeles but with the Clippers, creating the lob city Clippers with Dandre Jordan and Blake Griffin leaving fans in awe as they catch and dunk alley oops rising above the rim to do so.
The slow and old Mavericks and Celtics are desperately trying to keep pace with young rising teams such as Portland, Denver and Philadelphia.
Kobe caught fire yet again scoring 40 or more points in four straight games, yet the Lakers find themselves chasing their in-town rival Clippers led by the addition of Chris Paul and the resurgence of Blake Griffin and "Lob City" in the Pacific division.
Dwight Howard is still unsure if he wants to leave for a large market team or stay and the Magic find themselves struggling at times.
The Bulls and reigning MVP Derrick Rose sit atop the east yet have fallen to the Heat already and still look to be missing a piece to the puzzle.
With the way the season has gone on thus far, many see the Oklahoma City Thunder led by Kevin Durant and Bryan Westbrook squaring off against the Miami Heat's big three in this years NBA championship.
Let us not forget about the intoxicating story of the rise of Jeremy Lin.
A player cut by three teams in the past two years found a home in the big apple, patiently waiting for his chance to shock the world with his talents as a point guard.
A true story of resiliency and determination to prove his worth, Lin became only the second player in NBA history to average 25 points and seven assists s game in his first five starts.
What started as a heart-warming story has become an international phenomena stretching to the far east side of Asia as the Harvard graduate and first Taiwanese American athlete to achieve global status.
Lin continues to add to his game and now has a healthy duo of All Stars in Amari Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony to distribute the ball to.
The mecca of basketball, New York has won 8 of their last 10 games with Lin as the starting point guard leading into All Star weekend. The Knicks are poised to make the playoffs and continue their climb up the eastern conference standings thanks in large part to an undrafted player cut by two teams and deemed inadequate for NBA standards.
With the all star game fast approaching the stars will aline in Orlando, and the basketball world will be rocking with even more buzz and media coverage.
Mission Accomplished for the NBA right?
Wrong, at the end of the day, the NFL, the Superbowl rematch of 2007 between the Patriots and Giants, where Peyton Manning will end his legacy and Tim Tebow are still the most coveted and reel in the bigger revenues.
As fans though we sit at the edge of our seat, draped in our favorite players gear, with our popcorn in hand anticipating the buzzer beater that will propel our team to glory.
One can hope that the lockout has brought us that much closer to those glory days of Magic, Bird and Jordan.
Has anything really changed for the NBA since Lebron crumbled and the Heat lost the NBA finals to a freak playoff performance by Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks?
They always say, the glory days are lost and forgotten.
When players played the game they loved and were gracious to be paid to play.
As fans, we have waited so long for basketball, and now that we have seen enough to digest, criticize, post about on facebook and Twitter, we simply can't get enough.
It's why a lockout, and a return is enough lack of media or social coverage to have us hooked.
And once the fish is hooked, the NBA reels in their desired revenue. profits to be specific, not changing the price of
admissions or a drastic realignment of their economic plan, just enough media attention than prior, which was in a bind like the supposed players union and the NBA just months ago.
Before the season started we already had drama in the city of angels.
All star point guard Chris Paul was supposed to be traded to the Lakers in a trade that was blocked by commissioner and acting owner of the New Orleans Hornets David Stern.
Paul eventually landed in Los Angeles but with the Clippers, creating the lob city Clippers with Dandre Jordan and Blake Griffin leaving fans in awe as they catch and dunk alley oops rising above the rim to do so.
The slow and old Mavericks and Celtics are desperately trying to keep pace with young rising teams such as Portland, Denver and Philadelphia.
Kobe caught fire yet again scoring 40 or more points in four straight games, yet the Lakers find themselves chasing their in-town rival Clippers led by the addition of Chris Paul and the resurgence of Blake Griffin and "Lob City" in the Pacific division.
Dwight Howard is still unsure if he wants to leave for a large market team or stay and the Magic find themselves struggling at times.
The Bulls and reigning MVP Derrick Rose sit atop the east yet have fallen to the Heat already and still look to be missing a piece to the puzzle.
With the way the season has gone on thus far, many see the Oklahoma City Thunder led by Kevin Durant and Bryan Westbrook squaring off against the Miami Heat's big three in this years NBA championship.
Let us not forget about the intoxicating story of the rise of Jeremy Lin.
A player cut by three teams in the past two years found a home in the big apple, patiently waiting for his chance to shock the world with his talents as a point guard.
A true story of resiliency and determination to prove his worth, Lin became only the second player in NBA history to average 25 points and seven assists s game in his first five starts.
What started as a heart-warming story has become an international phenomena stretching to the far east side of Asia as the Harvard graduate and first Taiwanese American athlete to achieve global status.
Lin continues to add to his game and now has a healthy duo of All Stars in Amari Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony to distribute the ball to.
The mecca of basketball, New York has won 8 of their last 10 games with Lin as the starting point guard leading into All Star weekend. The Knicks are poised to make the playoffs and continue their climb up the eastern conference standings thanks in large part to an undrafted player cut by two teams and deemed inadequate for NBA standards.
With the all star game fast approaching the stars will aline in Orlando, and the basketball world will be rocking with even more buzz and media coverage.
Mission Accomplished for the NBA right?
Wrong, at the end of the day, the NFL, the Superbowl rematch of 2007 between the Patriots and Giants, where Peyton Manning will end his legacy and Tim Tebow are still the most coveted and reel in the bigger revenues.
As fans though we sit at the edge of our seat, draped in our favorite players gear, with our popcorn in hand anticipating the buzzer beater that will propel our team to glory.
One can hope that the lockout has brought us that much closer to those glory days of Magic, Bird and Jordan.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Riverside City College football ranks No. 4 in the nation
An undefeated season ended with a bowl title for the Riverside City College football team on Nov. 19.
The Tigers defeated Saddleback College, 31-14, which allowed them to capture the Golden State Bowl title as well as ending the season 11-0.
Despite having an incredible season and proving themselves worthy of competing for a state championship, the Tigers were unable to compete for one, because they were in a second tier division.
Note: Teams in the first tier division of the Southern California Football Association are the only ones able to play for the state title.
Yesterday Mt. San Antonio College, a team Riverside defeated during its season, 29-26 on Sept. 24, played City College of San Francisco for the California state title.
Mt. SAC overcame two deficits but was unable to beat San Francisco and capture its third state championship. Instead San Francisco was able to defeat Mt. SAC, 52-42, to capture its sixth state championship in college history.
With the loss, Mt. SAC ended its season 13-2.
In the JC Gridiron national poll ranking, RCC ends up No. 4 as Mt. SAC ends up No. 8.
It is unknown how the national championship works but prior to the California state title game, many fans of California community college football said RCC had a chance to play for the national title.
As of now RCC ends its season as the undefeated Golden State Bowl champion and No. 4 in the nation.
The Tigers defeated Saddleback College, 31-14, which allowed them to capture the Golden State Bowl title as well as ending the season 11-0.
Despite having an incredible season and proving themselves worthy of competing for a state championship, the Tigers were unable to compete for one, because they were in a second tier division.
Note: Teams in the first tier division of the Southern California Football Association are the only ones able to play for the state title.
Yesterday Mt. San Antonio College, a team Riverside defeated during its season, 29-26 on Sept. 24, played City College of San Francisco for the California state title.
Mt. SAC overcame two deficits but was unable to beat San Francisco and capture its third state championship. Instead San Francisco was able to defeat Mt. SAC, 52-42, to capture its sixth state championship in college history.
With the loss, Mt. SAC ended its season 13-2.
In the JC Gridiron national poll ranking, RCC ends up No. 4 as Mt. SAC ends up No. 8.
It is unknown how the national championship works but prior to the California state title game, many fans of California community college football said RCC had a chance to play for the national title.
As of now RCC ends its season as the undefeated Golden State Bowl champion and No. 4 in the nation.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
The choice to play with the Lakers
Every athlete wants the opportunity to win championships and go down as one of the best in their respective sport.
Dwight Howard, center of the Orlando Magic, is no different.
He too wants to compete at the highest level and win NBA championships.
The opportunity is there for the taking for Howard right now.
The opportunity is not with the Magic but with another NBA team.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the team he has that opportunity to win championships and go down as one of the best.
The Lakers are the team that gave many players the chance to win, win and win.
Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabber, Shaquille O'Neal, James Worthy, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant and etc. are just some of the many players who came and did a whole lot with the Lakers.
Right now the Lakers are pleading a trade that will send Chris Paul, one of the best point guards in the NBA right now, to Los Angeles where the Lakers look to win another championship and many more in the years to come.
Howard has a chance to be a part of that. He has the chance to go to Los Angeles and win, win and win with Paul and Bryant.
There is a problem though . . .
There is a rumor going around that Howard does not want to come to the Lakers only because he refuses to continue to be compared to O'Neal and have people claim he is trying to be like O'Neal.
Although that is something that can be irritating and annoying to be accused of being like someone--the chance to be as good or better than a hall-of-fame player is the best thin that can happen to a player, especially Howard.
Howard has the chance to be better than O'Neal and have people see him differently.
Although their roads started the same and can end the same. When the story is over, Howard has the control of deciding what people are going to compare when it is between O'Neal and him.
Howard cannot allow this to determine his choice to be traded to Los Angeles.
He will basically avoid winning simply because he does not want others to think he is copying O'Neal. What he should be thinking is that he is blessed to be compared to the likes of O'Neal and has the shot to experience what O'Neal did.
It is not a bad choice. O'Neal did it and he is one his way to the hall-of-fame.
The Lakers are a no brainier. The New Jersey Nets are not the right choice.
Deron Williams will leave and Howard will be alone.
The Nets are not going to be respected and the New York Knicks will always be the better team in the big apple, even if they suck.
The decision is simple and it is up to Howard to determine if he wants to be his own self or always let people to think he is the like O'Neal.
Los Angeles is where he needs to be. Paul and Bryant will be waiting for him.
Dwight Howard, center of the Orlando Magic, is no different.
He too wants to compete at the highest level and win NBA championships.
The opportunity is there for the taking for Howard right now.
The opportunity is not with the Magic but with another NBA team.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the team he has that opportunity to win championships and go down as one of the best.
The Lakers are the team that gave many players the chance to win, win and win.
Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabber, Shaquille O'Neal, James Worthy, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant and etc. are just some of the many players who came and did a whole lot with the Lakers.
Right now the Lakers are pleading a trade that will send Chris Paul, one of the best point guards in the NBA right now, to Los Angeles where the Lakers look to win another championship and many more in the years to come.
Howard has a chance to be a part of that. He has the chance to go to Los Angeles and win, win and win with Paul and Bryant.
There is a problem though . . .
There is a rumor going around that Howard does not want to come to the Lakers only because he refuses to continue to be compared to O'Neal and have people claim he is trying to be like O'Neal.
Although that is something that can be irritating and annoying to be accused of being like someone--the chance to be as good or better than a hall-of-fame player is the best thin that can happen to a player, especially Howard.
Howard has the chance to be better than O'Neal and have people see him differently.
Although their roads started the same and can end the same. When the story is over, Howard has the control of deciding what people are going to compare when it is between O'Neal and him.
Howard cannot allow this to determine his choice to be traded to Los Angeles.
He will basically avoid winning simply because he does not want others to think he is copying O'Neal. What he should be thinking is that he is blessed to be compared to the likes of O'Neal and has the shot to experience what O'Neal did.
It is not a bad choice. O'Neal did it and he is one his way to the hall-of-fame.
The Lakers are a no brainier. The New Jersey Nets are not the right choice.
Deron Williams will leave and Howard will be alone.
The Nets are not going to be respected and the New York Knicks will always be the better team in the big apple, even if they suck.
The decision is simple and it is up to Howard to determine if he wants to be his own self or always let people to think he is the like O'Neal.
Los Angeles is where he needs to be. Paul and Bryant will be waiting for him.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
With a Broken Thumb, Come Broken Playoff Hopes
The Chicago Bears were one of the hottest teams coming out of week 11. They are on a 5-game winning streak and have tied the Detroit Lions for second place in the NFC North.
The reason I say "were" is because what looked like a solid season for the Bears (7-3), one in which they could even give the Packers a run for their money, they suddenly turned as cold as Chicago winds.
Following Sunday's game, an impressive win over the charge-less Chargers, it was reported that Bears quarterback Jay Cutler had broken his thumb, requiring surgery, and is likely out for the season.
Cutler was having a solid season, on pace to match his passing yards he had in his first season with the bears with a third of the interceptions. Now, he'll have to play cheerleader on the sidelines while he watches his team wither its way out of playoff contention.
Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher says he's not worried. He says he trusts Caleb Hanie, Cutler's replacement, who barely has more NFL snaps than yours truly.
The loss of Cutler means the end of the Bears. Bears running back Matt Forte is the major reason for the bears offense staying in games. Cutler was simply a game manager and he's been doing a stellar job not messing it up this season.
As it is, Bears' wide recievers Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett are average at best. Cutler is the reason they are making any catches at all this year. How are they going to fare with Hanie behind center? My prediction, not well.
There's six games left this season and if all goes well, they can win three. They travel to Oakland next week to take on the Raiders who have finally figured out their QB situation and are back to form.
They then play Kansas City, easy, then off to Denver to try and stop the unstoppable Tim Tebow. They then come back home to play against Seattle which should be an easy win, and then finish their final two games on the road against the undefeated Packers and the lowly Vikings.
If all goes according to plan, and when I say "according to plan", I mean Forte must be lights-out and returner Devin Hester must return at least a kick-off/punt for a touchdown in every game, the Bears should finish the season 10-6.
And you say 10-6 is a good record, well yea it is, but it might not be enough for that final wildcard spot. With Cutler out, it looks like Detroit will take the second spot in the division. To get that last spot in, they have to beat out the New York Giants and the Atlanta Falcons, who are both just one game behind with six games left.
So how do they do it with an inexperienced QB? Well, Mike Martz, the Bears offensive coordinator, is going to have to pull out his best Jim Harbaugh impression and get his QB to not lose these next six games.
Only difference is that Alex Smith, the 49ers QB, has had time put in to mess up and learn from his mistakes. Hanie doesn't have the experience, nor the time.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
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