It's About The Game

The monikers that are assigned to people and teams are fun to chat about and debate.  So, was the U.S. Men's Basketball Team really the Redeem Team?  Perhaps.  What's more important to me, as a sports fan and a fan of the game, is that at the end of it all was a competitive game.  Best ever played?  No.  Most exciting?  No.  A blowout like in the early rounds?  No.  Thank goodness!  

A competitive game is exciting and (almost always) brings out the best in all competitors.  Face it -- it was exciting to watch the game against Spain just as it was to see Michael Phelps tested and nearly beaten in the 100m butterfly.  

R U Still Watching The Olympics?

Because they're STILL fascinating!  

Since Michael Phelps's gold rush, Japan pulled an upset in softball and the U.S. women's soccer team came back from a first round loss to win the gold against Brazil.  

So...keep watching.  

And BTW, how amazing is the architecture?!  That alone is worth tuning in to see.

What's with the...

patch on Walsh's shoulder?  Doing some research...

Olympics: Addendum

Here's something that SHOULD have been added to Saturday's post:

Another reason to watch the Olympics -- the unexpected, the upset, the underdog, the underachiever.  That's something revel in.  Last night's men's 4 x 100 meter freestyle final is a perfect example.  I'm expecting more in the coming days...

Why You Should Watch the Olympics

Yes, they're a spectacle.  And that's one of several reasons to tune in:

1.) See aforementioned "spectacle". Did you see the opening ceremonies?!

2.) Softball / Baseball - both of these sports could be eliminated after these games.

3.) Basketball - this should be even more competitive than in Athens.  

4.) Tennis - Nadal vs. Federer.  They're in different brackets and could meet for the gold.

5.) Competition - it'll be fierce throughout.  Look at the men's 100m race: Bolt, Gay and Powell could be spectacular.

6.) Swimming - Michael Phelps could win 8 medals and most, if not all, could be gold.  (You knew that, right?!)  Don't miss the other stories that could emerge: Dara Torres, Katie Hoff, Ryan Lochte, Pieter van den Hoogenband, Eamon Sullivan and several others.) 

50 Is the New...?

Nancy Lieberman-Cline is 50.  She's a basketball legend.  She's in the Hall of Fame. When I met her 12 or 13 years ago, she schooled her competition in a friendly game of H-O-R-S-E by shooting lights out. (Translation:  when she shot the ball, she hit nothin' but net.)

 A few weeks ago, she signed a 7 day contract to play with the WNBA's Detroit Shock. 

When I'm 50, I hope to be in half the shape she is.  

My vote:  50 is the new 30 (per www.newstin.com).

Soccer = F-U-N

I attended my first professional soccer game last night between FC Barcelona vs. Chivas of Guadalajara at Soldier Field in Chicago.  FCB won 5 - 2.

Four reasons why I now love the sport:

+ Fan passion and enthusiasm.  Fans do "the wave", blow horns and cheer for their team before during and long after the game ends.

+ It's dignified and civilized.  Before the match, players walk out from the corner of the stadium with children in matching uniforms. 

+ You can set your watch to the game.  Each half is 45 minutes.  No timeouts.  The clock rolls.

+ It's a beautiful game to watch.  There's great strategy, athleticism and raw power.

Hot, Hot, Hot!

Weather's hot in the Midwest and so are the Cubs!

The Cubs swept the Brewers, taking 4 straight on the road.  For people who aren't sports fan, what's that mean?  

1.) They're 5 games up in the NL Central division

2.) They won on the road (something they have had trouble doing)

3.) They've got the Big Mo (momentum)

4.) It's fun to be a Cubs fan!