As a sports fan, this is without a doubt the most miserable three days of the year. With baseballs all-star break here, there are no major sports being played until Thursday, other than the all-star game itself. And obviously I don't consider the WNBA a major sport, let alone a sport worth watching. I won't even be tuning in to see the home run derby tonight, nor will I ever again watch it as long as that blubbering buffoon from EsPN is allowed to sit at the microphone. With that said, I now find myself most interested in the Womens World Cup and not only because of the U.S. win over Brazil yesterday. I watched on Saturday as heavy favorite and host Germany was stunned by Japan. As I was watching these games, it got me wondering why in this country there seems to be more respect and interest in womens soccer than womens basketball. I have come to the conclusion that it has very little to do with the success of the national team. Our womens basketball teams have been dominant on the world stage for decades. It also has very little to do with an appreciation of soccer, but rather the complete opposite. I think the lack of knowledge and respect for soccer on the mens side leads to more interest on the womens side. American fans can see very little difference between the mens and womens game when it comes to soccer, but since we "know" basketball, we can easily see the difference. So before soccer fans, like myself, get too carried away with yet another renewed interest in the beautiful game, let's make sure we understand why people care.
On my twitter picks I have improved to 4-2, so be sure to check it out and follow me there. My handle on twitter is vegasobie. Good luck and remember, never bet what you cant afford to lose.
I recall John Wooden saying at one point that he preferred watching women's basketball to men's because they played the game as it was supposed to be played. I wonder if that is, indeed, part of the problem for the WNBA and women's basketball generally: they are fundamentally more sound and, perhaps due to a height difference, don't do the spectacular dunks (just speculating), so to many, it's boring. As for the Home Run Derby, you perfectly captured why I can't watch it, though I may try it with the sound off to see Matt Kemp. It brings to mind a comment I read. This year, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is honoring Jim Nantz with its Rozelle Award for broadcasting. Previous recipients have included the likes of Curt Gowdy, Lindsey Nelson, and Dick Enberg. One commenter said it's going to Nantz in an effort to make up for it going last year to the ESPN idiot you mentioned. That isn't enough of an apology!
ReplyDeleteThat stiff getting that award last year was just more of the NFL being in bed with EsPN. That marriage has eroded my interest in professional football. They could give me that award and it wouldn't be apology enough. Thanks for reading and commenting, hope you continue to check out my thoughts and rambling ideas.
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