Fans ignored in NBA player lockout
The 2010-11 NBA season is done and dusted, with basketball fans blessed by a truly great campaign that had more plot twists than the…
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I also played soccer, but I couldn’t play in a league because of work, life, etc.
well going by your definition of beach soccer, different criteria etc, then clearly eurofooty, when they play on an entirely different shaped ground and have half the players, then that can hardly be considered anything more than a sideshow…
Why it should be called soccer, not football
It has been a long wait..
@ AD, streamed it online…was a nervous start, but we settled into the game well
Elation over Queens Park Rangers promotion
That’s just like saying that beach soccer is the only kind of soccer played in other countries, of course other variations exist, but they do play Australian Football in Europe.
And why are you continuing to refer to me as “an AFL guy” I spend more time playing/watching/research Soccer.
Please actually read what people have to say before criticising them.
Why it should be called soccer, not football
Guys, I don’t see once where I said that AFL is “my code” In fact, I love Association, after living in the UK for 3 years, I have a great appreciation for the game and still follow it vigourously. I would say I watch more Association than Australian Football each week.
I actually find it possible to follow more than one sport, and still appreciate codes and fans that I dont follow.
For example, I don’t really follow League, but I fully understand why fans in NSW call it “footy”. Furthermore, this doesn’t offend me in anyway, or make me feel the need to defend my codes honour.
Also, by calling it Australian Football, AFL fans aren’t trying to own the world Football. In the very definition of the words, they are saying that this is what they believe to their own version of Football.
Australian Rules is barely a game that is “flogged from the english.” If anything, it’s taken more from Rugby than Association. Rugby and League also refers to themselves as Football.
Saying that the code who invented their version of Football owns the word would be like Ford owning car. Even saying that Association is the most followed version of Football in the world means it should called Football is a bit naive, Coca Cola is the most popular soft drink in the world, does that mean they have ownership of “soft drink”?
@ Australian Football, I don’t mean to sound argumentative, but I really do not know where you are getting this idea about 9 players on a rectangular pitch. They are many leagues in the UK, Europe and North American where Australian Football is played in it’s traditional form, as it is here. I personally played in such a league, check it out @ www.afllondon.com
Guys, instead of just trying to bash and belittle Australian Football, get on board with it and accept it. Personally, I never really followed Association heavily as a kid, but when I lived in the UK I made the deliberate effort to follow it, and I’m glad I did.
You might be pleasantly suprised if you watch some games with an open mind even if it seems foreign too you, remember that even Association was foreign to us all at some point.
Why it should be called soccer, not football
After seeing how well OKC played in the last series, is anyone else starting to think they could get out of the West this year?
Everyone knows how close they came to beating the Lakers last year, and they’re a much stronger squad this season.
I don’t think there’s a team in the league that would be happy to have to play the Thunder in a seven-game series.
NBA Playoffs Round 2 preview
I understand the point about location, but we only use geography to define it when it’s from a foreign country. Association is clearly a foreign sport in terms of Australia.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Association, but I can quite clearly understand that it’s selfish to try and own a name as broad as Football.
Those regions where it is the dominant code are more than able to call it Football, but Association fans cannot deny fans of other codes the same right.
The “SBS lads” call it the World Game, because that’s how it has been branded. Look at the way other sports try and brand themselves as a “world game.” The MLB plays the World Series with the winner crowned World Champions.
The point isn’t whether Association is one of the world’s biggest codes – because it clearly is – it’s about how no code can own the word.
Football is relative.
Why it should be called soccer, not football
Could you try to be any more condescending?
Well you may only know of one example, but if you head over to www.afllondon.com you’ll clearly see you’re wrong.
I’m quite sure I wasn’t in Melbourne, I lived in the UK for three years.
Why it should be called soccer, not football
Another reason that they’re talking hardball would be due to the fact that AFL players would be well aware, that the NFL is currently in a lockout over their CBA, with the NBA not far behind.
Collective Bargaining Agreements have become a massive issue in sport as a whole, players are starting to realise that as the teams and leagues are making more and more money, the players are missing out.
If the players dont sign the new agreement, then there’s no AFL, they have a massive amount of power in the negotiations.
AFL players ready for pay fight, says Thomas
Completely agree with amazonfan, if he wouldve said “f****ing idiot” then it wouldnt be a big deal.
Generic swear words might be accepted by most in society now, but words like F****t are still off-limits, and rightly so.
Even Kobe recognised this, in his press conference about it he said that even though he didnt mean it in that way, what he said was wrong and it was on him.
Modern sport makes it hard for players to vent frustration
Does anyone else think that the introduction of the AFL’s semi-Free Agency system will extend Collingwood’s dominance?
It’s a common thing to see players in the NBA or NFL (salary-capped leagues) sign players, especially veterans, for less money so that they fit under the cap, which is made up for by the promise of Premiership glory.
Look at the way teams like the Lakers, Spurs, Mavericks, Patriots, Colts, and others have been able to be legitimate championship contenders for since the 2000.
If Collingwood wins again this year – which they appear on track to do – players would be willing to take less money at late stages in their career, to capture an elusive premiership. Collingwood would know this, and will use all of their financial clout and top notch club set up to lure these sort of players into the fold.
Looks like we're in for a Collingwood empire
Wasn’t Chris Bosh supposed to be that talented big man?
They need a solid bigman, someone like Tyson Chandler for the Mavs.
LeBron: Can he be King without a ring?
The big thing with Perkins is his importance to the team, not just his playing time.
100% agree though about the regular season, the Celtics cruised last year, just like the Lakers have done at times this year.
The Celtics are definitely a side that has to be respected and will be tough to beat, but it just seems past them. I like you’re comparison with the Pistons, hadn’t thought of it in that way, but very similar situations.
NBA Playoffs - the 5 teams that can win the championship
Hard-nosed defense, a team that believes in what their coaches preach to them, and have great chemistry and play for each. Isn’t that what the Celtics preached from 2008 onwards, and those are the same accolades many people have given the Bulls this year. Look at there roster and there are plenty of “veteran players and character guys.”
The Lakers are going to win, but it’s premature to right of the Bulls, a team that has the best record in the league, even though they played without Boozer and Noah for almost a third of the season.
Laugh at Arenas if you want, but don’t forget that before he completely blew out his knee, he was a 25+ppg player and was a serious MVP candidate with the WASHINGTON WIZARDS! Serious injuries that take away mobility take a long time for anyone to get over, especially explosive players like Arenas. Just look at Chris Paul this year.
Can’t wait though, should be a great playoffs.
NBA Playoffs - the 5 teams that can win the championship
Shaq isn’t even a factor for the Celtics, he has barely played all year, he’s a potential add-on for the Celts, you can’t use him as an expected impact. Don’t forget that the Knicks have beaten Chicago, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Miami (who they held under 90 points TWICE) and Orlando this year…that’s pretty good for a Sixth Seed. And they have they’re the second highest scoring team in the league, I’m not saying they’re going to win the championship, or even against the Celtics, but they have a good shot at an upset.
The Heat, sure Riley is an amazing coach, but Thibodeau isn’t too bad either. Coach of the Year, and he was the guy who masterminded the Celtics defensive play the last few seasons. All those players you mentioned have massive similarities with the Bulls. Jason Williams – Kyle Korver, Gary Payton – Ronnie Brewer, Big Zo – Kurt Thomas, Antoine Walker – Luol Deng.
Oh, and the 2008 Champions Celtics, they had the second worst record in the league before winning the next season, and they didn’t make the playoffs the year before that, so teams can win even without recent playoff success.
The Magic are an interesting team, they’ve been thereabouts for the past few seasons, and have improved this year, it just hasn’t had any hype. You’re right about Hedo, J-Rich has developed into a consistent player on both ends of the floor, and Dwight is probably going to be runner up in the MVP. For me, the play of Jameer Nelson will determine how the Magic go. Arenas isn’t anywhere near 100% again yet, so if Nelson doesn’t come up big, then the Magic won’t go far.
NBA Playoffs - the 5 teams that can win the championship
Complete agree about the Knicks, they could spring an upset, but they’d play the Heat in the Second Round. That would surely be too big an ask for them to get by the Heat, even though they did beat them during the season. And you’re absolutely right about the “seven seconds or less” Suns. But just winning a series would be huge for the Knicks this year.
Again, completely agree about Caron Butler, it’s amazing how his injury seems to have almost been forgotten, he was in career best form before getting hurt. He would’ve given the Mavs that X-Factor, and a legitimate 30 point threat every game other than Dirk.
The only other team that gives a little bit of precedence to the Bulls, would probably be the Heat of 2006? Led by a young superstar guard (D-Wade) and then had strong mix of youth and experienced role players. Obviously they had Shaq and all his experience, which does blow it out of the water a little bit.
What do you think about the Magic? They’re going pretty much unnoticed at the moment.
NBA Playoffs - the 5 teams that can win the championship
It’d be great to see Kobe vs LeBron in the Finals, especially after their exchange on Christmas and Kobe’s “I’m a f***ing champ” response to LeBron.
But the Lakers (and Kobe) are near the end of their run, LeBron and Miami will only get better next year, as they gel more as a team. He’ll get his championship at some point.
LeBron: Can he be King without a ring?
Both the Bulls and the Thunder have already been in big playoff spots before. The Bulls pushed the Celtics to seven games, and the Thunder got the closest to the Lakers out of anyone last year. They’ve been here before, also you can’t forget the fact that Rose, Durant and Westbrook led the US team at the last World Championships. That’s a huge thing to do at a young age, and they’ve all spoke about the experience gained from that.
Can’t see the Celtics winning it, they have finished the season 10-11, hardly the sort of form you want to carry into the playoffs. Dumping Perkins has really hurt the chemistry of the squad, which has been openly touted as the reason for their recent success.The Knicks are very much capable of knocking off the Celtics in the first round.
The Spurs should get by the Grizzles, but that wont be anywhere near as easy as most people think. The Grizz are young, athletic and can make the Spurs speed up the play, something that San Antonio hate doing.
Portland just seem to be the perfect fit for Dallas. Aldridge can counter Nowitzki, same goes for Miller and Kidd, Camby and Chandler. Brandon Roy, Gerald Wallace, Nic Batum and Wes Mathews really give the Blazers that extra step, the Mavs can’t match the same depth.
Miami will definitely be a tough out, the worst that could happen for them would be to face Orlando, Dwight Howard has killed the Heat all year. If they can make the Finals, their best is definitely enough to win a title. LeBron has years of playoff experience against the ‘big teams’ and obviously Wade has won it before.
Watch out for the Nuggets and the Knicks though, definitely the dark-horses.
NBA Playoffs - the 5 teams that can win the championship
It’s definitely shaping up to be a great playoffs, you’re right, there’s no one who is head and shoulders better than the rest.
Completely agree about the #1 seed, I think this year, especially out West, it was vital to get a good matchup. The Lakers would be much happier playing the Hornets instead of the Blazers.
Orlando and Denver are darkhorses this year, no one has been able to stop Howard the last couple of months, and Denver have played awesome since trading Melo. Plus they play about 9 deep on the bench.
Should be great.
NBA Playoffs - the 5 teams that can win the championship
The NCAA is one of the most corrupt, controversial sporting bodies in the US, suggesting that it is a system that would fix AFL problems is wrong.
Just last year the NCAA Heisman Winner – Cam Newton – was embroiled in controversy after claims his father took payments for him to attend eventual National Champions Auburn. 2005 Heisman winner Reggie Bush had to give back his trophy, USC forfeited all their wins over his time at the college and are ineligible for the next two Bowl Seasons, because he received massive benefits.
The current set-up with the TAC Cup and the State Leagues seems to work incredibly well for the development of AFL players and it’s also the established system in place.
Forcing an ill-suited American system onto Football development in Australia would damage the growth of Junior players much more than it could potentially help.
AFL should push for college footy
haha I’m hoping that they don’t get the points deduction Chris, but it looks like they will, hopefully it’s only 5 points.
and yeah, I still would be, after years of up and down play the team has transformed into undoubtedly the best side in the championship this year. how can you not be proud of that?
Elation over Queens Park Rangers promotion