The Olympic Spirit (I think)

So the Olympics have been going for just about a week now, and I can honestly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the broadcasts, practically watching them all day every day. Between reading my Twitter timeline (@VBallCoachDoug for you tweeters) and my Facebook feed, I kept seeing everyone whining and complaining about how NBC aired events on tape delay and that results were already posted before the broadcasts even started. Honestly, I don't care that I see the results online before the broadcast because that's all they are- RESULTS. I am one of those people who enjoys seeing everything (well, mostly everything) unfold even if I already know what the results are. Last I checked, the previous two Summer Olympics were broadcast on tape delay and I don't recall hearing a peep from anyone. I even remember watching SportsCenter and the anchors warning us to change the channel if we didn't want to know the results. It didn't faze me one bit then, and it doesn't faze me one bit now. So, for all you whiners and complainers, if you can't appreciate viewing how events unfold, stick to the slow live online feed and I'll continue to enjoy the tape delay in my living room. Then there's Hope Solo. The goalie for the U.S. women's soccer team seems to have been outspoken from the second she left the womb. I remember her criticizing her teammate (and fellow goalie) Brianna Scurry years ago and being reprimanded by her coach. Back then she was on the lower end of the totem pole, so you know that didn't sit well with the veterans. Then, after Brandi Chastain, a former player known for her game-winning penalty kick in the '99 Women's World Cup and current analyst for NBC, criticized one of Solo's teammates last week, Solo took to Twitter to voice her displeasure for Chastain's comments. I'm sure I speak for a lot of people on this side of the pond when I say PUT A SOCK IN IT, SOLO!! I know everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I'm not faulting her for speaking her mind. However, if I'm chosen to represent my country at the Olympics, you better believe I'm going to devote all of my energy and focus into competing at the highest level to give my team a chance at a gold medal, NOT complain on Twitter about an analyst's comments. I have even more respect for Chastain for deciding to move on from Solo's digital outburst and not igniting a war of words. If I were Solo's teammate, I'd sit her down and remind her of the reason why she's in London in the first place- and it's not to get busy in the Olympic Village after hours. Enjoy the London Games everyone!! Until next time...

Sports Guy... The Relaunch Part II

So yeah, I blogged about a year and a half ago that I would be chronicling our family's journey to welcoming our twin boys into the world. Sadly, they were only with us a very short while and I've been doing my best to move our family forward ever since. This post isn't about our collective grief- we do miss them tremendously- it's about getting back to what inspired me to start blogging in the first place- SPORTS. Back when I was a student at Endicott College, I was an assistant editor for the school newspaper, The Endicott Observer, and that position morphed into me becoming sports editor. The new title inspired an editorial I called "The Sports Guy Speaks." I offered my take on everything around the world of sports, not caring how anyone felt about my opinion whatsoever. Ten years later, now with a 6-year-old busybody, I haven't been able to put in the time I felt I needed to get my opinion across. Being a teacher and a coach, along with it being my summer break, allows me to get back to blogging. With that being said, the Sports Guy speaks... again!! My inspiration for today's post came from a Facebook post from ESPN, who mentioned that Kobe Bryant felt that the '12 USA men's basketball team going to London in a couple weeks could beat the original Dream Team that blasted through Barcelona back in '92. Ummm, Kobe... REALLY?? You mean to tell me that this generation of "Big Three" wannabes could run circles around MJ, Magic, Larry, and their cast of Hall of Famers (Laettner excluded)?? Maybe you should be reminded of the fact that if they beat a team by 30 points or LESS, it was an off night!! There was better competition during their intrasquad scrimmages than there was during the entire Olympic tournament. Their opponents were more in awe of the fact that they were playing against legends, so they knew walking into the arena that they were gonna get blasted, and without mercy at that. My friend, you might want to take a closer look at your squad and reconsider that statement. No matter how many more NBA players are assembled to represent the USA at the Olympics, there will NEVER, EVER be another cast of superstars ever put together like the Dream Team. You had guys like Karl Malone, John Stockton, and Clyde Drexler coming off the bench!! Need a 3-pointer?? Chris Mullin could handle that if Bird wasn't on the floor. Need a huge rebound?? Patrick Ewing or the Chuckwagon at your service. These guys going across the pond couldn't hold a candle to that crew. If you couldn't figure it out, I may only be 32, but I'm old school. I grew up with the Dream Team. I don't care what anyone says about this latest group visiting Big Ben and the Queen. You can choose any squad you want from this generation, and I'm throwing the Dream Team on the table EVERY SINGLE TIME. So, Kobe, next time you make such a ridiculous statement, be careful what you say. I guarantee you that today's international squads are licking their chops to do nothing more than to take you guys out, and not lose any sleep doing it. Until next time...