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Birthday Suit

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Some absurdly weird takes in this article, but I’ll just point a few discussions regarding Lebron / AD v other comparable players as a specific example:

– Lebron is ahead of Curry in pretty much every single standard and advanced stat aside from PPG. AD is arguably even further ahead based on almost all advanced stats. The Lakers are also 3.5 games ahead of the Warriors.

– How do you possibly have Curry as a comfortable 2nd team and Lebron and AD only making it “because they’re established superstars from past seasons and they play for the Lakers”? The All-NBA teams no longer have a positional requirement and both AD and Lebron have objectively been better than Curry in pretty much every single metric.

– You also have “Kevin Garnett” (i.e Kevin Durant) and Devin Booker in the 2nd and 3rd team despite having arguably worse stats (and comfortably worse advanced stats) while only being 2.5 games ahead of the Lakers but somehow they deserve it due to their “output” and “dominating for the Suns” respectively.

I’m an Aussie born in Chicago so I’m a Bulls fan, but this is just terrible content. No one comes to The Roar for NBA content so it’s better to have no articles rather than this nonsense. If you don’t watch the NBA, just say it.

I’m a big fan of your NRL and Cricket content, Paul, and if The Roar wants to do NBA content, I’m all for it. But don’t use ChatGPT or someone that doesn’t watch or follow the NBA to do it, please.

All-NBA teams, award predictions: History beckons for Jokic but LeBron's 19-year streak could come to shuddering halt

Completely agreed. Walker unsuprisingly got up a bit gingerly as he was absolutely clobbered so I had no issue with the call on the ground as a grade 1. That’s perfectly in line with a larger focus on head trauma and while it might have been a bit frustrating in a closer game, I’m OK with erring on the side caution at the time.

That doesn’t mean that they will always get it right and if he was reassesed, particularly after the video shows it was a hit to the neck and no real head involvement, then that is also fine. We should be OK with both post-game downgrades and upgrades as long as we have proper systems and controls in place.

Honestly the worst thing about the whole issue is that Wighton wasn’t penalised as it could have been very, very bad if that elbow was a little bit higher (or the raised knee came into play).

NRL Round 3 Talking Points: Blowouts, bad bunnies, and bunker babies are back

Latrell put his arm out and held a player back to make sure it wasn’t a line dropout. You can’t do that. Yellow card, end of story. Doesn’t matter if Teddy milked it.

Hilarious mental gymnastics to think that the player chasing the ball who is illegaly held back is the cynical player in that instance.

Demetriou has 'no doubt' he can turn around Souths after disaster derby sees Latrell binned in Roosters riot

Well, that’s a wildly cynical take.

I don’t think many Roosters fans are getting ahead of themselves, but Broncos were in the GF last year and Manly is on a hot-streak and may turn out to be a genuinely good team this year. While the game against Manly probably wasn’t as close as the score suggested, we certainly didn’t get “the bounce of the ball” and may well have won if we did. We absolutely dominated the game tonight and were comfortable winners against the Broncos so I’m not really sure what bounces of the ball that you’ve seen so far.

If we don’t have another terrible run of injuries, anything less than top 4 should and would be considered an extremely poor result.

Demetriou has 'no doubt' he can turn around Souths after disaster derby sees Latrell binned in Roosters riot

Some pretty wild comments from JD re- the yellow card.

Latrell could have shadowed the ball or kicked it out but chose to illegally obstruct Teddy, while over the try line, to avoid a line-dropout. Like, what else is a yellow card for?

Using Rugby terminology, it’s literally text-book cynical play and should be a yellow card every day of the week. Not many things that League should take from Rugby but this is the sort of thing that should be pretty damn obvious.

Demetriou has 'no doubt' he can turn around Souths after disaster derby sees Latrell binned in Roosters riot

Tough day for the Rabbitohs. Every time they looked even slightly dangerous there would be another dropped ball or mistake. Not a lot else to say about it.

As much as the Rabbitohs were poor, the Roosters took their chances and converted almost every time.

With Teddy seemingly back in form and some crazy strike power with Tupou, Young and Sua’ali’i (among others), as long as we get near-parity in the forwards we should be dangerous against every single team in the competition.

Being honest, it was almost a bit of a training run in the end and hopefully this was the run we needed to get the continuity back that we’ve missed recently. If we can avoid some of the disastrous injuries of the last few seasons then we’ll be a handful for any team and should hopefully be around for a decent finals run.

Come on boys, super happy with the win. Let’s kick on from here.

Demetriou has 'no doubt' he can turn around Souths after disaster derby sees Latrell binned in Roosters riot

Not sure how literally anything you said is related to my comment, but keep yelling at those clouds man.

'Philosophical, disappointed but excited': Tahs lose another nail-biter as wasteful Blues hang on to make it 10 straight

As I said, big fan of Swinton’s play but you can only be world-class when you’re actually on the field. If he can sort out his stuff discipline issues then he could genuinely be the hard hitting, hard running, brutal #6 that the Wallabies have been craving for years.
Edit: Not sure if you were being sarcastic or you meant ‘with him’.

'Philosophical, disappointed but excited': Tahs lose another nail-biter as wasteful Blues hang on to make it 10 straight

Silly comment. Like it or not, NSW is comfortably the biggest state by both population and GDP and historically the largest fan / player base for Rugby. There’s no conspiracy here – regardless of the results from the Tahs, that’s the ‘merit’ they bring. Until that changes then we’re stuck with the Tahs and the terribly run NSWRU.

'Philosophical, disappointed but excited': Tahs lose another nail-biter as wasteful Blues hang on to make it 10 straight

The Swinton comment was just a joke. I’m actually a big fan of his play (obviously not including the brain-fade penalties) and it says a lot that we have a player of his caliber coming off the bench. If he can keep his cool and not do anything dumb, then a team with Bell, Holloway, Hannigan and Swinton (plus HJH, Gamble etc.) means you have a very solid combination of brute force and skill for 80 minutes a game.

Other than Bell, none of them are world-class players but they are all solid+ Super Rugby players who you can trust to give it absolutely everything they have.

It’s very frustrating we’ve lost 2 in a row by such low margins, but the Tahs have a more than decent core of fairly young players who should all be coming into their primes, particularly in the forwards.

Onwards and upwards boys. I’ve been hurt by hope before and I’m willing to do it again.

'Philosophical, disappointed but excited': Tahs lose another nail-biter as wasteful Blues hang on to make it 10 straight

Extremely physical game and both teams will be sore tomorrow. There were no egregious calls from the ref, but it certainly felt like he was more than a bit whistle-happy. Having said that, the Blues left 6+ points on the field with some atrocious kicking.

Overall, pleased with the intent and physicality from the Tahs and as much as it’s painful to lose 2 games in a row by 2 points, the core of a very solid team is there. Really need a more creative game plan from the backs as our forward pack seems like they’ll be able to keep up with pretty much any team in the competition right now (until Swinton gets red carded).

Well played Blues. A well deserved win, but an ugly game overall that I don’t think either team will be overly pleased with. Although going home with the points means the Blues will probably be way more pleased than the Tahs are.

'Philosophical, disappointed but excited': Tahs lose another nail-biter as wasteful Blues hang on to make it 10 straight

I swear sometimes nothing is good enough for some people. We beat the 2 x defending champions after we had a below-par last year. In every objective way, that’s a big deal.

Would you prefer them to feel like beating the Force is the same as beating the Crusaders? Passion is important and so is being realistic.

This is just a very weird and unrealistic way of looking at things.

'No one backed us': $8 outsiders Waratahs upset Crusaders AGAIN as Edmed steps up to deliver famous win

So happy about that win. I know the Crusaders aren’t the same team as last year, but we were still $8 outsiders. I feel like expectations were too high after a decent season 2 years ago, but have now become too low after a relatively poor season last year.

This team probably has only 1 or two truely World Class players (Bell, of course, and maybe Marky-Mark), but more importantly they have a big chunk of decent – good, young players some of which have the chance to become World Class. And those younger players are now all a year older and wiser compared to last year.

The fact that I feel like the Crusaders had the rub of the green for the ref makes it even sweeter. Nothing wild, but was at least a 60/40 split on calls for the Crusaders and that would usually mean we lose by 30, not win by 13.

Not expecting any major things this year, but my expectation would be a solid year where we cause the occasional major upset (like tonight), give the tier 1 teams a run for their money, generally beat the worst teams and still absolutely s** the bed occasionaly just because that’s what the Tahs do best.

As long as we keep developing our young talent and don’t absolutely fall apart this season, I’m OK with it.

'No one backed us': $8 outsiders Waratahs upset Crusaders AGAIN as Edmed steps up to deliver famous win

Fair analysis, but gotta disagree on Radley. He had a poor start to the year and his discipline was shocking (even by his standards), but it felt like a lot of it was due to him being forced to play a game that didn’t suit him. Once he went back to his natural game he was instrumental in our run at the end of the season.

I’m definitely a bit more bullish than you overall and would expect us to be a solid top-4 contender with the firepower to beat anyone on our day. If we manage to stay mostly uninjured – which is a big ‘if’ based on the last few years – we have class all across the park and better balance than we’ve had in a while. My only major concern is how we fit 4 into 3 when it comes to outside backs and I think Robbo is just going to have to make a tough decision and drop Suaalii from the starting side.

NRL Round 1 predicted teams: Sydney Roosters - uncertainty on the horizon with question marks over roster

Nah, that’s an objectively nonsensical opinion given the historical / current context of the many, many ball tampering punishments. The only way this opinion makes any sense is if you also think pretty much every ball tampering situation deserved far harsher punishment which would put the situation in a more reasonable context. Otherwise you’re just biased and it’s not really an opinion worth discussing.
The fact you bring up ‘ethics’ is just a huge red-herring that shows you’re not being sincere in your opinion.

David Warner: the most complicated legacy in Australian cricket history

Very well said re- the ban.

We are the only country to go over the top of the ICC in an incident like this and it was absolute overkill largely due to a cricket fan-base that was baying for blood alongside a somewhat toxic ‘competitive mindset’ in the team. While this incident was particularly dumb, there have been dozens of high-profile incidents of ball tampering that have received minimal attention & punishment but CA turned this into a huge problem with their heavy handed response.

I do also understand that the overall impact was intended to change the ‘team environment’ and ‘public perception’ of the team, but any additional ban – maybe 3 months – would have had the same positive impact regarding the attitude of the Australian team & perception of the fans without absolutely throwing the players under the bus and hurting the legacy of 2 of our all time greats.

In their mission to show strength, CA absolutely messed this one up. Anyone who suggests the ban should have been larger just shows a huge lack of knowledge about cricket and / or massive bias.

David Warner: the most complicated legacy in Australian cricket history

And this is exactly the type of objectively overly negative opinion the author is talking about. Massively underrating his overall ability, overstating his weakness overseas and hysterical opinion on the sandpaper incident.

Warner is approaching ATG in Australia, is good-decent but inconsistent over his career overseas and the 1 year ban was already massive overkill so asking for a life ban is truely absurd in the context of how world cricket works.

David Warner: the most complicated legacy in Australian cricket history

Great article, Ben.

I, like most fans, wasn’t feeling too confident after the first two games (probably magnified by our recent flop at the Rugby World Cup), but underneath it all I just had this vague feeling that we were still in with a good shot.

As each game came and we stumbled and faltered, but we kept finding a way to win through individual moments of brilliance. Even though we weren’t putting in complete performances, someone always stood up when needed.

I guess that says a lot about the self-belief in this team which is what kept me confident. They just felt that no matter how dire the situation, on any given day someone could stand up and drag us over the line. Not quite the team of champions we’ve had in past years, but definitely a champion team. Still buzzing about it days later.

I knew Australia's bunch of 'no-hopers' couldn't win the World Cup, right up until I knew they would

Travis Head with the MoM. Absurdly well deserved.

Kohli with the player of the tournament is definitely a fair choice, but that has to be one of the most bittersweet moments of his entire life.

CHAMPIONS! Head's heroic ton, bowling brilliance sees Aussies crush India for SIXTH - and best - World Cup win

Holy shit I’m so happy. 100000000% was worth staying up late and taking the day off tomorrow.

Genuinely feel bad for all Indian fans. Reserved your worst game of the tournament for the final.
Conditions definitely played a part, but it was a pretty comprehensive win in the end. India currently a better team man-for-man, but Australia just knows how to play on the biggest stage.

The big 3 bowlers proved without a doubt why the selector stuck with them despite some issues early on.

Cummins with a miserly spell that really kept the pressure one. Starc back to form. Hazelwood honestly a bit below his best but a bit unlucky and did what he needed to do.

New Cricket fans a decade from now who didn’t watch the game will look at the numbers and not realise quite how important Lab’s innings was.

The fielding also made an enormous difference. The ~30 runs saved from the Aussie fielding kept the pressure off during our own run-chase and allowed us to play the way we did. Despite his failure with the bat, Warner proved once again that he is an all-time fielder.

And of course, Head with a very strong contender for best all-time WC ODI Final innings.

Genuine commiserations to Indian fans, I know exactly how much this hurts given the Aussie rugby performance recently (and over the last 10 or so years).

But wow, the Aussie cricket team just know how to win. This was completely unthinkable even a few weeks ago.

Going to take me hours to fall asleep now. Absolutely buzzing.

CHAMPIONS! Head's heroic ton, bowling brilliance sees Aussies crush India for SIXTH - and best - World Cup win

I understand the potential concerns, but I don’t see them as particularly valid at this point in time and I’ve explained this across two fairly in-depth comments here. Nor have I said anything that is overly harsh / dismissive.

What do you disagree with that I have said and what do you think I said that is shutting down the discussion? Very, very curious to hear your thoughts here given your weirdly aggressive response.

'That will happen every game': New skills Hoops must perfect to earn place in Paris, as coach rejects Eddie role model sledge

Yea… I’m finding some of this backlash extremely confusing. The feelings of a single player weighed against the impact that the additional interest in the sport that Hooper will bring is an absolute no brainer.

The only possible way I can see this going wrong is if he is genuinely not anywhere close to good enough and is picked anyway, but I just can’t see that happening. There’s too much at stake and it’s too obvious when there’s only 7 players on the field.

Even if he doesn’t make the squad, having someone with his experience and leadership is invaluable for the team.

I have a very strong feeling that if this was pretty much any other player there would be far less negativity and it’s just the continued & absurd hatred of Hooper by a small but vocal minority of the Rugby community.

'That will happen every game': New skills Hoops must perfect to earn place in Paris, as coach rejects Eddie role model sledge

Seeing a lot of negative comments on both articles on this topic today.

I’m really not seeing the issue here. Having one of, if not the biggest, name in Australian Rugby for the last decade playing 7s can only be good for the sport. His skillset is also fairly well suited to 7s, although there’s no doubt he would have been better a few years ago.

If he proves that he’s good enough to be considered for legitimate selection and it’s a close call against another player, then yea, of course they’ll select him. If he’s nowhere near the level required then he won’t be selected.

Eyeballs = dollars and dollars = a growing sport.

The vast majority of average sport fans in Australia couldn’t name a single 7s player but would likely be able to name a few Wallabies including Hooper. I mean being honest, the average person who identifies as a rugby fan wouldn’t be able to name a single 7s player.

If Hooper gets close to the team on merit, then yea, they’ll probably select him over someone of similar skill level. That’s unfortunate for that individual and would be hugely frustrating however the overall impact that this additional interest will bring from the general public absolutely outweighs any single person.

Also seen a few comments (including on this thread) about how this will effect team morale etc.

If you think that having the Wallabies most capped captain and genuine legend of the game who is well known for his work rate, drive and passion around the squad is bad for morale, I really don’t know what to tell you.

'That will happen every game': New skills Hoops must perfect to earn place in Paris, as coach rejects Eddie role model sledge

Is that a legitimate question? How about ‘Australia are a good team and we love playing against them’. Or if he wanted to be arrogant while his team was 1-5 at the World Cup ‘it’s hard to compare players given the difference in team composition, but I’m confident that we have multiple world class players that can match the Aussies’.

This is what BazBall has done. There’s no middle ground – England is the best and any argument to contrary is just against the spirit of cricket. And when they lose (as they did), it’s a moral victory so it’s all good.

Zenzational Zampa! Leggie's all-round performance for the ages officially ends Poms' WC defence in tense Aussie win

I really cannot overstate my dislike for Eddie Jones. Horrific mismanagement from a legitimate meglomaniac.

If I felt like this would at least start a major restructure & cleanout at RA, I’d at least see a small silver-lining, but I really just can’t see that happening. At most I’d expect a largely symbolic sacrifical lamb or two then back to business as usual.

Honestly just disgusted.

REPORT: Eddie Jones to quit Wallabies and join Japan as head coach

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