The U.S. Men's Basketball squad has had a reasonably easy go of it over the first three games of the FIBA World Cup in Spain. Mike Krzyzewski's squad had won by an average of nearly 36 points per game, though they did struggle more than expected against Turkey. They won yesterday, 98-71, over an outmanned New Zealand squad. The Tall Blacks did, however, leave the Americans with a unique memory. And to the U.S. team's credit, despite a few confused looks, the majority of the squad honored the haka in the spirit in which it's offered. (Hat tip to the Zman for this one.)
Speaking of basketball in this, the time of Lord Football's return, FOG:TB Mike Litos penned a great piece yesterday about VCU senior Treveon Graham's growth on and off the court. Graham needs 604 points this season to surpass Eric Maynor as the school's all-time leading scorer. Also in VCU milestones (it's like we've adopted the Rams as our secondary rooting interest, isn't it?), senior point guard Briante Weber needs 90 steals to break former Providence great John Linehan's all-time NCAA Division I career record.
There's a new New Pornographers record out. It's predictably awesome, if you dig massively hooky pop.
If you like quirky, sometimes longform sportswriting, and you don't mind spending at least some of your time exasperated by a shitty user interface, you might enjoy The Cauldron. This piece yesterday about how Leeds United's social media team cocked up the Premier League transfer window deadline amused me.
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| Those jerseys, though |
to seek out a Fenerbahce t-shirt on the internet.
Bet you didn't know that Jose Altuve is leading the American League in batting average and hits, and in the top ten in stolen bases. I am almost exactly one Altuve tall.
Finally, a new restaurant just opened in my little town, and it's owned by the friend of FOG:TB Mr. KQ (FOFOG:TB?). If you're ever in the neighborhood, holler at me and we'll stop into the Leesburg Public House. We'll tell 'em Ken sent us.
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33 comments:
Every sentence in this story is bizarre. If you told me this was from The Onion I wouldn't bat an eyelash.
http://m.espn.go.com/mlb/story?storyId=11455266
I watched the Outside the Lines on the Washington pro football team name last night. Nothing new from the wee one in the owner's box or the NFL, but worth watching as a fan.
Interesting juxtaposition of two Native Americans with contrasting viewpoints, though neither argument was organized all that well. (I did like when the plaintiff in the trademark suit indicated she'd asked Snyder to call her a Redskin and he refused.) She was a bit too melodramatic and vague, and her debating adversary from the Blackfoot Nation stumbled over his words and appeared to be fully drinking the Kool-Aid because Snyder & Co had visited and bestowed some financial gifts.
The best and most disappointing segment was another pair of contrasted interviewees, Bob Costas and Chris Cooley. It went like you'd think to some degree. Costas took the high-minded and well-articulated route, once again demonstrating a level of thoughtfulness beyond knee-jerk. For which he'll be vilified by the overalls quotient. (The OQ.) Cooley was overmatched, having to drop the knuckleheadedness we enjoy due to the serious content of the matter. What sucked was he issued the same old rhetoric Snyder has been spouting, and Bob Ley mentioned twice that Cooley is on Snyder's payroll as a radio host. Oh, well. They should've gotten Riggo.
Oh, most disappointing was Mort telling Bob Ley that Dan Snyder pulled the team out of DC because of his problems with the city. That was Jack Kent Cooke, Mort, and Daniel Snyder is no Jack Kent Cooke.
A better recap of the piece is here.
To me the issue has gotten twisted again, based on the interviews and the polls that have come out.
It seems that the question posed to the masses has become "Do YOU find the name offensive".
The appropriate formation would be something more like "If you were aware that other people were legitimately offended by the word, would you be in favor of a professional organization using it?"
amen, mayhugh.
my perspective on the issue is probably too linked with my disdain for snyder for me to be objective. but i was compelled by costas' point (in the wapo recap) that 'redskins' is defined in all major dictionaries as a slur. i wasn't aware of that.
That's right, Mayhugh. And the next person who takes a stance vehemently asserting that the football team and its ownership mean no disrespect by using the name should be flogged.
Follow the link and read the Costas comments. If there's a new, well-reasoned counter to it, I'd actually be intrigued to learn more. Otherwise the defenders of the name can and will simply recycle the same dumb points.
The elimination of the two feathers was political correctness. This is a bit different, by any metric.
Also, not calling our alma mater the Fighting Wrens was political correctness by the Sons of Christopher Wren.
I think the "debate," to the extent that you can call it that, goes like this:
Party A: The term "redskin" is offensive to some people so Party B should stop using it.
Party B: We don't intend to offend anyone when we use that term so no one should be offended.
It clearly seems that Party A has the cleaner argument. Of course, I know otherwise rational people who after I tell them "It makes me feel bad when you say I'm a shitty son" respond "I didn't mean to make you feel bad so you shouldn't feel that way," so maybe Party B's logic has some legs in certain demographics.
If you ever get a chance to see Gogol Bordello live, do it! They play every single song like it's a grand finale in some musical that you don't understand but still feel compelled to care about.
Do any of you Gheorghies watch The League on FX? Season 6 premiere tonight. I binge-watched the first 5 seasons last week. Really good show
I like the League. Haven't watched it religiously, but enjoy it. Refi and Dirty Randy are the best.
Your enjoyment of the show explains your tolerance for the folks around here.
I only watched Season 1 but it's funny. Shlara = Shiva?
Marls = Andre?
Rob = Kevin?
Zman or Whit = Pete?
Teej = Taco?
Dave = Rafi?
14th inning between NATS and Dodgers in LA. There are so few fans left in the stands that you can hear the crack of the bat echo off of the stands.
An extended baseball game is a good opportunity to learn things like "Drew Butera comes to bat to the stylings of Rick Astley."
back to school night. always awesome.
fuck. me.
I think the conversations on The League are very similar to GTB conversations.
I think I'd be a "Jenny" more than a "Shiva"
And I think that Greg may be our Taco...
If you are not watching the show, you need to start watching
new pornographers are playing at the 930 club on 11/21 and 11/22. and both shows are already sold out. neat.
Sold Out means less than ever. If you want to go, go.
Rebirth Brass Band in Arlington this Saturday. Gateway Park, Rosslyn Jazz Festival. Looks like it's a free show.
http://www.capitalbop.com/ai1ec_event/rosslyn-jazz-festival/
I hate to be the "fingernail in the Cobb salad" but isn't there supposed to be a picks column?
Just sayin'
Randall Cobb salad?
Randall "Tex" Cobb?
not just rebirth, but red baraat, too. that's awesome. think i'll take one of my kidlets, give 'em some culture.
cobb county
At least a day (probably two), Greg. Go back to your bottle of Gin.
"okay bottle of gin, it's just you and me now"
Joan Rivers. Dead.
At least two plastic surgeons in So Cal just went out of business.
hey-oooooo!
Way to go, Dan. Speak ill of the dead. Asking for a visit from a (really scary) ghost.
I liked Joan. I don't speak ill of her. In fact I think she'd approve of the joke if not tell it herself if she could. Otherwise I'd agree with you.
got business golf outings tomorrow and monday. the man can't keep me down.
College Football, NFL and the US Open on my TVs tonight. September is great.
Seattle is basically perfectly constructed to (a) move the chains consistently on offense and (b) make the other offense convert 6 or 7 third downs a drive to score.
The addition of Harvin to the offense makes them so much more versatile in the run game. Especially since they embrace spread and read option concepts.
It's that time...after at least 4 years and a recent dropping, I need a new laptop. Have had the Lenovo thinkpad and it's been just fine. Not going apple so don't even go there ya'll!
Other than a custom program that utilizes algorithms to assist me with football picks, I really don't need much juice. Traveling often, I prefer the 14" screen and light weight. Give it to me!
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