Sporots

[isoS]

She was complaining that "The reason the Chinese diver had such a clean entry is because she is so small."

Also, I'm no expert, but that's not really true. That one American diver (Ishimatsu?) is really small, and she was splashing around like a trained seal on her entries. Conversely, the best male divers (who are almost all bigger than the biggest female diver) can enter the water with no splash. I know this not from being a former Olympic diver or coach, but from WATCHING DIVING A COUPLE OF TIMES IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

[Adult Ed]

Also, I'm no expert, but that's not really true. That one American diver (Ishimatsu?) is really small, and she was splashing around like a trained seal on her entries. Conversely, the best male divers (who are almost all bigger than the biggest female diver) can enter the water with no splash. I know this not from being a former Olympic diver or coach, but from WATCHING DIVING A COUPLE OF TIMES IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

Agreed. The diving coverage is horrible. What that woman describes bears no relation at all to what I see. I feel validated when the judges disagree with her every... single... time.

On a separate note, I took a quick look at the medal standings and the top three are:

G S B Total
USA 29 34 32 95
China 46 15 22 83
Russia 16 16 19 51

If you want to flip China and the US to reflect golds, go right ahead. But the reason I looked at the table was to see how the USSR would have done.

With the caveat that, if the USSR existed many of the medalists would have been bumped from the team at the national trials (particularly wrestling which only permits one wrestler per weight class per country), the current USSR total would be 30+37+61=128, edging the USA for second place in golds but blowing the US out of the water in total medals.

[scamboogah]

On another note, Scamboogah, I want to punch your avatar in the face.

And I want to kiss yours right on its wet wittle nose.

Who's a good doggy doggy?

(I probably should change mine. I'm not even sure if his tan is real. It might be Bronz-ah...)

Better?

[Berliner]

I'm actually pretty surprised at how badly Russia is doing compared to Athens and before. If you actually look at the score totals in 2004:

G S B Total
USA 36 39 27 102
Russia 27 27 38 92
China 32 17 14 63

I'm formatting it this way even though everybody used gold medal count in 2004.

[TomHicks]

There is already some speculation that a few of the Japanese softball players might be 12 years old.

[MrDys]

But the reason I looked at the table was to see how the USSR would have done.

Do you often fantasize about mutual assured destruction?

[Adult Ed]

Do you often fantasize about mutual assured destruction?

What a sick question. Of course not.

IT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT WORRYING!

[isoS]

Whew, that was a close one! USA bball beat Argentina by 20.

[scamboogah]

Watching that game made me realize what a house of pussies David Stern has turned the NBA into. I would love to see an NBA game with that kind of contact.

[bao]

Watching that game made me realize what a house of pussies David Stern has turned the NBA into. I would love to see an NBA game with that kind of contact.

Remember Knicks-Heat circa 1996? It would look something like that. There is a reason the NBA adopted the new rules regarding contact.

As someone who has played organized basketball outside of the US, it is my experience that there is not more contact in international games, in general. There is different kinds of contact. In international basketball there is more contact allowed on the shot, for example, but less on loose ball situations. Notice the Argies complained constantly about being manhandled on the boards ... notice the Argies complained constantly about everything ... but Argentina got away with about five legitimate muggings on US shots.

I am always surprised at how quick refs call fouls on the glass in international basketball and how often they called shucking -- when a defender bangs his cutter off his route. I think from Danny Manning (1988) to Tim Duncan (2004), US big men picked up about 713 fouls for shucking in olympic play.

While we're here, I am not particularly offended by Chris Sheridan's supposed anti-US tone in his articles. He generally points out Team USA faults in every game, and then is summarily accused of being unpatriotic and treasonous. However, today's piece on espn.com is a massive, steaming pile of cow shit. He sincerely makes it sound like the US got lucky to win. By the way, they won by 20.

And yes, the gymnastics broadcast was appauling. I hope Tim Daggett gets hit by a truck. A big Chinese truck.

[kevin]

Dairyus Miles

[scamboogah]

Remember Knicks-Heat circa 1996?

Yes, yes I do. I would rather see that kind of physicality at least being an option in the league instead of what we have now. 4 shit players clearing the way for their 1 superstar play after play makes for a few good highlights, but a dull ass game.

[bao]

Yes, yes I do. I would rather see that kind of physicality at least being an option in the league instead of what we have now. 4 shit players clearing the way for their 1 superstar play after play makes for a few good highlights, but a dull ass game.

This comment does not apply at all to any of the successful teams in the NBA (Boston, Detroit, LA, San Antonio, Utah, Phoenix, New Orleans) -- who all move the ball around on offense, and depend on decent penetration from their guards. Ball movement and penetration were two things completely absent from the mid-1990s, and were deemed impossible with too much contact, especially all the handchecking.

The only decent team that your comment applies to is Cleveland, and even they would not be decent without the most physical defense in the NBA.

I'm not against the level of physicality that you are talking about, but it tends to turn games into purely perimeter games. For example, it worked much better for the late 1980s Pistons than for the Knicks or Heat, because the Pistons had a handful of automatic jump shooters (Isaiah, Dumars, Laimbeer, Aguirre, VJ). This is why it works for international teams -- they shoot well from outside and their 3 pointer is almost a free throw.

[matt in the east]

Yea, as much as i detest San Antonio and Detroit, I'm glad for their success because it shows how team play creates championships.

I'm not sure where I stand on contact. I noticed that carmelo threw a half-punch-half-push at (i think) scola and i'm pretty sure he didn't get punished. I liked that they allow them to get rough, but I know i'd be pissed if I was watching my team lose because of dirty plays and fouls that weren't called.

allowing contact? i vote no, because it's too hard to draw the line.

being less strict with fights and extra curricular activity? i vote yes. I don't want another brawl at the palace-type scenario, but i think they should be treated as men. it's an athletic competition and stuff happens. but protect the refs at all times!


ok redeem team time, yatches!

[chapina]

Stoke City beat Aston Villa & Fulham beat Arsenal.

Hoo-ray.

[isoS]

I am staying up past my bedtime to watch Team USA play for gold! I can't help but feel like Argentina should be in this game, not Spain, but they blew it in group play.

Anyway, the women's 4x400 relay was really exciting! Like a good horse race, and I'm not referring to Sanya Richards' face!

[isoS]

layup lines! I love channel 422.

[isoS]

CP3 goin' off.

[isoS]

or CP13

[isoS]

fuck refs