The Sports Thread

[TheTranskinator]

Linsanity baby. I'm a huge basketball fan, and I'm a Jeremy Lin fan too. The Pacers are my team too, and I think the Knicks are coming up sometime soon on the schedule, so I'm looking forward to that game. I really do think Jeremy is something special though. The kid isn't super athletic but he has good basketball IQ and he's got a knack for getting to the rim. I'm not saying he's gonna be the next Steve Nash or anything, but he's gonna have a place in the league. By the way, did you see his buzzer beater three to beat Toronto?

[thirdwind]

I think they should rename SportsCenter to LinCenter because they're always talking about Jeremy Lin, at least every time I watch it. I really like him, though. A real inspiring story. And yes, I saw the buzzer beater, though it was a replay on SportsCenter.

[TheTranskinator]

I was lucky enough to catch the last five minutes of the game. And it really is inspiring. I think that you're right about it being all over SportsCenter though. After a couple more games I think Linsanity will die down. He's playing extremely high quality basketball, and I'm not sure he can keep producing at the rate he is now. I'm not saying he's gonna go back to being a bottom of the bench type of player. I'm just saying I think his true line will start to appear, which I predict will be around 15 points 8 assists or so. That's still really impressive though.

I have a question for all you good people. Jimmer Fredette, who was the national player of the year for BYU last year, currently plays for the Sacramento Kings. In college he displayed insanely long range, and a knack for hitting any shot that even showed itself for a split second.

Do you think he'll be a successful NBA player? Or will he be another J.J. Redick, who was a college standout and an extremely average NBA player? I'll tell you my opinions after someone else says theirs.

[thirdwind]

I've never seen Jimmer play in an actual game, but I've seen highlights, both from his college days and from the NBA. My roommate is a huge basketball fan, and he told me there was a lot of hype about Jimmer going to the NBA. But from what I know it looks like he's just a mediocre rookie. What makes it worse is that he's putting up average stats while on a bad team, so he's not going to get noticed much.

[TheTranskinator]

My thing is that Jimmer doesn't get many minutes and whenever he does get in he doesn't really have the greenlight to shoot. Not to mention he's a horrible fit for the Kings' system. My opinion is that he will be a good role player and possible starter once he gets on a team he would fit better and he gets some more experience.

And after today Linsanity is far from over. He was an absolute beast against the Mavs.

[Dante Dases]

Simon Grayson is our new manager. He has a tough task to win over the fans (having previously led Spawn of Satan United up a division), but his track record is excellent.

[EdFromNY]

Pitchers and catchers have reported, and I am a happy man!

[Zieki]

One of the articles I read made mention to a 'racism trial,' for Terry- what does this consist of? Is it an FA thing exclusively, if he's guilty, is Terry expelled from the team? Suspended from the league?

The alleged offence was reported by a member of the public to the police, not by a player or team representative to the FA. The trial has been set for after the Euros, in July. The FA have backed off saying that the police investigation and trial comes first, though they may still choose to investigate afterwards. He's innocent until proven guilty but it's interesting to note that most supporters that are convicted of racist abuse receive lengthy bans from sporting grounds. A recent incident involving a Man U fan resulted in a 3 year ban from all English and Welsh football grounds and must surrender his passport when the national team plays abroad. Of course, banter between players on the pitch could be considered in another context, but just thought it was worth a mention.

Even as a Liverpool fan, Luis Suarez is a disgrace and should be sacked for his behaviour. His racist abuse towards Evra was bad enough, but to snub him by refusing to shake his hand today was too much, especially when it could have drawn a line under the whole messy affair.

He's a good player, but he's just bringing shame on the club now. And to be honest, I haven't liked him since his disgraceful behaviour against Ghana in the World Cup.

Have to agree and disagree here. I do wish that Suarez would've shook hands and this whole situation could have faded from the media. Should he be sacked? I don't think so. Suarez and the club have handled this situation extremely poorly, but that shouldn't rest entirely on his shoulders. Of course, people will argue that using racially abusive language at other work places would get you sacked, so would calling someone the c-word, which Evra has admitted. As I said above most banter on the pitch (or in other sporting arenas) goes beyond what is acceptable in a normal workplace environment.

In the end it was a childish way to act on Suarez's part by not shaking hands and Evra could have come out without a word against him bar the also childish post-match celebrations in front of Suarez, though his antics can be understood.

Did Suarez get any punishment or whatever because of his behaviour? He really should have.

The hand shake is not a required part of the game and it is the individual player's prerogative to partake. It has never been punished before to my knowledge (see Wayne Bridge and John Terry for an example).

Whatever side you may be on, I just hope that both teams can push on from here without any more ridiculousness. Liverpool have a Carling Cup Final this upcoming weekend and a home draw against Stoke in the FA CUP quarter finals while Man U chase their 20th league title and, if that first leg against Ajax means anything, the Europa League. Hopefully, all the talk can return to football in the near future.

[Agreen]

I would like to take this opportunity to say Fire Wilson!

Also, how is it possible that the Leafs have the largest, most expensive front office in hockey, and they've yet to manage a single move ahead of the trade deadline? I guess the one advantage is they've been revealed to be so bad mere tweaks are woefully insufficient to make them a legit contender. Either sell off the non-Kessels and Lupuls (I'd pay up to a third round pick just to be rid of deadwood like Komisarek and Armstrong, hell a 2nd if some team is foolish enough to take both) and do a legit rebuild, or if Burke feels the need to sell the farm at least do it for something that will help the team long term. While a good defenseman, Phaneuf is way overpaid, and it might be in the Leafs interest to move him if they can get something decent for him. They are literally going to go a full decade without the playoffs, what a joke of a front office.

Edit: At least the People's Champion Mark Hunt won by another ko. Three straight wins

[yellowm&M]

A couple week ago the Sounders lost Mike Fucito and Lamar Neagle-both very important and promising players on the team-to the Montreal Impact in a trade for US National team forward Eddie Johnson. While I'm excited about having Johnson as he's adding to a growing list of impressive pro-level players, I'm not sure about trading such promisings talents and Fucito and Neagle who both were taking on big roles. Plus Fucito is one of my favorite players and is being traded after my all-time favorite player (James Riley) was already pulled in the expansion draft. However I'm trying to keep an open mind because the Sounders have a good coaching staff who have a pretty good track record when it comes to bringing in new players.

In other, much happier news, Sounders Women (which is new) have signed US National team players Sydney Leroux, Hope Solo (who I love), and one of my all time favorite soccer players ALEX MORGAN!! In case you can't tell I'm extremely excited about this. I've been joking for weeks about them signing Alex Morgan and now they actually have and it's going to be fantastic! She's very talented and impressive as anyone who watched the Women's World Cup will know.

[Agreen]

So Leafs GM Brian Burke decides to do absolutely nothing at the trade deadline, claiming the team will start performing once the pressure of the deadline has passed.

Tonight they get blown out by one of the teams they need to catch to make the playoffs (the final score of 5-3 is deceptive, the Leafs added two goals after the Panthers gave up on pressing forward because they had the game won), and their goaltender, called 'the real deal,' by Burke, surrendered 2 goals on the first two shots against.

The only plus is that 'Fire Wilson' was trending world wide, and the fans took up that chant for much of the third period. Of course Burke won't actually fire Wilson, as making the playoffs doesn't seem to matter to him as much as being nice to his friends. I can only hope that the first thing the new owners do when they take over the team this summer is fire everyone in the front office. Burn the front office to the ground if they have to, just to get the stink of never ending failure out.

[Tessie]

Varitek retired. I’m really depressed now.

Wake’s gone, Pap’s gone. . . Our team’s falling apart, and I’m not in the position to handle it. For sure, this has been one of the worst years for New England sports.

[Helga]

You know what annoys me about sports? How 'everyone' says, "my team," "us," and "we." You aren't ON the team. You don't OWN the team. You didn't accomplish anything with the team. So why put yourself on the team? Really vicarious if you ask me.

[Agreen]

Varitek retired. I’m really depressed now.

Wake’s gone, Pap’s gone. . . Our team’s falling apart, and I’m not in the position to handle it. For sure, this has been one of the worst years for New England sports.

I've resigned myself to a long, painful season, so any success will be a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately I think the next few years are going to be transitional from the last era into whatever the new management has in mind. Hopefully they have a clear idea on what kind of team they want to build, and the talent to make it happen.

In brighter news Ron Wilson is gone This is the best thing to happen to the Leafs in years. I just wish Burke had waited until after the season so the Leafs could have made a run at the top pick.

[Tessie]

I've resigned myself to a long, painful season, so any success will be a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately I think the next few years are going to be transitional from the last era into whatever the new management has in mind. Hopefully they have a clear idea on what kind of team they want to build, and the talent to make it happen.

In brighter news Ron Wilson is gone This is the best thing to happen to the Leafs in years. I just wish Burke had waited until after the season so the Leafs could have made a run at the top pick.

True. The whole ordeal gives a feeling of disenchantment. I think that initially it will be tough going for the team and fans, but we're all just anxious to get the season started to see where the players stand.

[Eunoia]

3-1! ;D That's Man Utd thrashing Tottenham, by the way.

[Gigi_GNR]

Matt Flynn's hopefully gonna get franchise tagged and traded. I love him to death, and he deserves the chance to start somewhere.

[Dante Dases]

When Clark left the gap between us and Sheffield United was 7 points. Now it's down to just 2. And we've been crap to boot. So the others must be absolutely awful.

[art]

Man Utd absolutely hammered, in both legs, by a mighty Bilbao side. My hat is off to them. They played with such verve, losing to them was not unenjoyable.

[Agreen]

Man Utd absolutely hammered, in both legs, by a mighty Bilbao side. My hat is off to them. They played with such verve, losing to them was not unenjoyable.

I have to agree. It's hard to be upset about a loss when the other team deserved it that much more.