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SportDime - by Book It

Derrick Williams is going to be a star. Nothing more, nothing less.

Also, it is about time Bradley gave Freddy some time in the Gold Cup. He should be a mainstay on the squad now, whether it be starting, or most likely coming on as a sub and bringing some pace to the side.

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Posted By: Gabe Lock - Category: College Sports, NBA, All Sports, International Sport News, Soccer, NCAA Basketball, NBA Next Gen, NBA Players

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NBA Jam Tuesday - 1

February 1st 2011 20:28

We are going to experiment with a segment I like to call: NBA Jam Tuesday. Any guy in their 30's or younger knows exactly what NBA Jam is and how awesome it can be to play with friends - especially drunk ones who run around in the backcourt until there is five seconds left on the shot clock, then they pass to the off screen guy who gets an easy dunk. You people know who you are.

Anyway, today's matchup:

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona

Raul and Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi and Carlos Puyol

To avoid comments about Raul, I realize he is not on Real any longer, however he will always be known for being there. Consider him an all-time great like Patrick Ewing on the real NBA Jam.

Attributes:

Raul:

BLK: 3
CTH: 7
DRB: 9
DNK: 4
PAS: 8
SPD: 7
STL: 4
STR: 5
2PT: 8
3PT: 8

Cristiano Ronaldo

BLK: 4
CTH: 7
DRB: 10
DNK: 6
PAS: 7
SPD: 9
STL: 4
STR: 7
2PT: 7
3PT: 9

Messi:

BLK: 2
CTH: 9
DRB: 10
DNK: 3
PAS: 8
SPD: 10
STL: 3
STR: 5
2PT: 8
3PT: 10

Puyol:

BLK: 9
CTH: 7
DRB: 5
DNK: 8
PAS: 7
SPD: 6
STL: 9
STR: 9
2PT: 6
3PT: 3

Real Madrid can shoot the lights out, but they don't have a whole lot of defense. Barcelona pulls this one out because of Puyol's lock-tight defense.

Barca 78-69

Please bring back create a player

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Posted By: Gabe Lock - Category: NBA, All Sports, International Sport News, Soccer, NBA Next Gen, NBA Players

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Relegation?

January 20th 2011 17:38

Relegated? Most Definitely.

I really enjoy soccer. It is my favorite sport to play and coach, and I love watching it whenever we get a game on ESPN. That made me think – other than the game itself, why do I like it so much? I came up with the following reasons off the top of my head:

1. FIFA video games
2. Most of my friends play it
3. The transfer system
4. The Champions League system
5. The relegation system

Then I went on to think – What if America joined in with the Champions League system and the relegation system? How cool would that be? The reasons to implement such systems are infinite.

If you aren’t aware of the two systems, here is a breakdown:

In England for example, the last three teams in the top division (The Premier League) are relegated to the next lowest division (English League Championship), then the top three teams from that lower division go to the top division every year.

Staying with The Premier League, the top three teams in that division qualify for The Champions League and go on to play the other teams in Europe that qualify from their respective leagues. The fourth place team in England qualifies for The Champions League qualifiers, so they aren’t guaranteed a spot in The Champions League, but they have a good shot. Then the fifth place team qualifies for a lesser known tournament called the Europa League, along with two other teams from the Premier League that can qualify in a few different ways.

New Rivalries: Imagine the NBA and NBDL mashed together to form two intertwining leagues. Owners would be punished for their incompetence and be forced to spend their money even wiser. Rivalries would form – Fort Wayne Mad Antz vs. Indiana Pacers, Tulsa 66ers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, or even teams out of the ABA could form rivalries such as Georgia Gwizzlies vs. Atlanta Hawks (that’s right – Gwizzlies) or Texas Fuel vs. San Antonio Spurs. The matchups are endless.

Minor League Teams: For those of us with minor league teams in our cities, how much more entertaining would a game be if we knew they could move up a division? The guys out there are not only playing for themselves and their team, but they are playing for you, the fan. They are trying to further their careers, but they are also representing your city and trying to make a name for your team.

Restrictions on Promotion: In European leagues such as England’s, there are certain teams that can only move up so high in the system because of their facilities. Certain teams don’t meet the facility requirements of the top English divisions, therefore they cannot move up to them. If thought about, the rule is a good one because it protects revenues and doesn’t let teams get embarrassed for a whole season if they don’t have the money to spend on top talent. Sadly, you wouldn’t be seeing ABA teams such as the Gulf Coast Flash (plays at Gulfport High School) or the Dallas Impact (plays at the Lakewest Family YMCA) playing in the NBA unless they got bigger facilities.

Regular Season: Almost all regular season games matter in England. Teams are either fighting to get a top spot to qualify for European competition, or they are fighting to not get relegated. Therefore, a game between the fourth place team and the 17th placed team at the end of the season will be full of drama and actually count for something. No players will be sitting out waiting for the playoffs, that is their playoffs. The regular season counts for a lot more overseas then it does in America.

Players: A player such as Antawn Jamison wouldn’t have to waste his career on teams that have no chance at doing anything. See, when teams get relegated, they sell their top players most of the time because they can’t afford them, and the star players in turn don’t want to play in the lower league. Jamison would then go to another team by way of a transfer or a trade (transferring is the world way, trading is the American way).

In Conclusion: I realize the draft process would have to be revamped along with salary cap rules and the "minor leagues". Either way, the draft needs to be changed. Why not have a completely random draft order? Don’t award teams for how bad they are. That is the biggest difference with how Europe (and other parts of the world) and America treat their professional sports teams. In America, we pamper our teams by giving them hope with draft picks. In other places, teams are punished for being bad and need to climb back up on their own. That is how it should be.

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Posted By: Gabe Lock - Category: NBA, Cavs, Pacers, Hawks, Spurs, Thunder, All Sports, International Sport News, Soccer, NBA Next Gen, NBA Players, Antwan Jamison

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Not so Gentle on Ben?

September 3rd 2009 17:52

After years being heralded as on of the greatest team in sports. The stream of championships and wins ended, with the retirement of MJ and the 'Zen Masters' departure 1999. The end of the dynasty was inevitable. The Bulls quickly became one of the worst teams in the NBA. Since 1999, it just seems that they have been making more bad decisions than a teenager on crack. Drafting kids instead of certified college ballers, and hiring coaches who have less experience than a kid out of high school. The best decision they made since then (apart from drafting Elton Brand) was drafting Ben Gordon 3rd overall, in the 2004 NBA Draft. Not only was Ben Gordon an NBA ready player, but he added a potential 20 - 40pts a game each and every night (something the bulls haven't had since, well since Mike and Scottie). In his first season Ben Gordon became the first rookie to win the NBA Sixth Man Award. He was the perfect compliment to fan favorite Kirk Hinrich.

Peas in a Pod!

Over the past 5 season, Gordon has remained a consistent scoring threat for the Bulls. In 2006 and 2008 Gordon has averaged over 20pts a game, with limited minutes in comparison to rival SG's. Not only has his ability to score helped get the Bulls to the playoffs 4 out the 5 seasons he was there, but he has been more reliable than the clutch on my 1988 Ford Telstar. And on December 27, 2008, Gordon passed Scottie Pippen as the Chicago Bulls' career leader in three-pointers made. The dude is simply a really, really, really good player.

It was my team!

Last year the Bulls made a statement by drafting Derrick Rose (which by no means was a mistake), and also by signing Gordon's fellow British citizen Luol Deng, to a 6 year $71 million dollar contract. Clearly showing Gordon they 'just aren't that into him'. After shouldering the scoring load and helping them win games, they showed Gordon the '2 fingers' and sent him on his way. Do I think the Bulls made a mistake? Yes, I do! Gordon has been a big part of making the Bulls the team they are today. Before Gordon .500, was a number only seen on receipts at a Chicago grocer. Hopefully Derrick Rose becomes the player everyone knows he could be, because the only way they will see Gentle Ben again, is when the Pistons are in town!~

Its your team now my man!

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Posted By: Faz - Category: NBA, NFL, Soccer

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B-Easy on the kid!

September 1st 2009 12:42

It goes without saying that people have issues! It is normal for someone to ponder life and death when they go through hard times. It doesn't make it particularly easy when you are in the spotlight, and your problems become a topic for public discussion. It doesn't help that the media (including bloggers like ME) make a big deal out of what athletes do in their personal lives. Frankly, we shouldn't judge! I can't say that I am not a culprit of the being judgmental at times. But I do understand that it is important to try and help, rather than reiterate the issue at hand.

What more do I need to do?

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Posted By: Faz - Category: NBA, NFL, Soccer

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No tweetin', unless you are done competin'!

September 1st 2009 10:22

NFL has banned the use of social media during games. Apparently use of social media before and after games is allowed, but during - prohibited. Which I think is fair! Social media has clearly become an important part of society, helping us all stay connected. I thoroughly enjoy reading the banter between Baron Davis and Steve Nash. And I find Shaq's outrageous tweets, overly entertaining. Mostly, I love hearing about trades and signings before most of the general public. Social media has given those of us who are technologically inclined, the 'inside scoop' so to speak.

Banning Tweets for Athletes

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Posted By: Faz - Category: NBA, NFL, Soccer

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Mephis might have 'The Answer'

August 31st 2009 18:22

A few days ago, I was informed that the Grizzlies were interested in signing Allen Iverson. Firstly the information that was given to me, came from A.I's Twitter page. Not to say that Twitter isn't a reliable source of information, but I have my doubts about whether or not A.I is just playing games with us. I have heard a lot of outlandish statements and claims on Twitter, and I can safely say 80% of them were total B.S! I promised I wouldn't blog about it, but all doubts aside, what if this were actually to happen? We all know the Memphis Grizzlies could use Iverson!

The Next Generation

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Posted By: Faz - Category: NBA, NFL, Soccer

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History means nothing as Indonesia bid to host football World Cup

April 24th 2009 01:28

Although Indonesia has never gotten close to qualifying for a FIFA World Cup since their declaration of independence in 1949, the Asian nation suddenly finds itself as the darkhorse to host the world’s premier sporting event in 2018 and 2022, according to FIFA

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Posted By: Alan - Category: Soccer

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The Premier League and its dominant crusade through Europe

April 17th 2009 08:11

In the last couple of years, there has been a tendency for English teams to dominate the latter stages of the Uefa Champions League. The 2009 semi-finals will once again feature three Premier League sides, alongside a Barcelona unit desperate to capture Europe’s greatest club trophy

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Posted By: Alan - Category: Soccer

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Beautiful Barca the best team in Europe

April 9th 2009 01:01

When Barcelona’s line-up of superstars perform, like they did against Bayern Munich this morning, they become arguably the most difficult side in Europe to stop, no matter who plays them

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Posted By: Alan - Category: Soccer

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