After Lebron, Bosh, and Wade announced they are joining forces in Miami for the next 6 years there are two thoughts that come to my mind. First why couldnt I have gone to Miami this year and see them and two the big summer of 2010 is complete. While the Knicks and Bulls improved and the Mavs and Celts retained their superstars this summer we will focus on the new look Miami Heat.
Looking at this Heat team I do see them being a top 3 team in the east with boston and orlando I cant see them beating either of those teams in a 7 game series for one reason DEPTH. This team only has 4 players under contract and 3 2nd round picks they could sign meaning they need to sign 5 key guys for the league minimum. Also Lebron and Bosh have won a combined 0 finals games so It should be Wade's team but I see Lebron having an issue with that. So unless they can add guys like Derek Fisher and Mike Miller for the minimum no more championship banners will be hung in Miami for a while. As far as that special Lebron put on to announce his decision i thought, despite the fact that money went to charity, it was classless and self-absorbed but Dan Gilbert's reaction was just as classless and disgusting. In fact the team that I thought really did well is the Bulls who added Boozer, Korver, and maybe another lights out shooter in JJ Reddick.
Now looking at the NBA landscape the West appears to be the Lakers and everyone else, with teams like the Suns and Jazz taking a step back. The next best teams out west are the Nuggets, Blazers, Thunder, and Yes the Spurs. In the East I see their being six playoff locks (Heat, Magic, Celtics, Bulls, Hawks, Bucks) and teams like the Bobcats, Wizards, Cavs, and Knicks fighting for the last two spots. All in all this summer has proved the NBA is the #2 league in the US and it is just getting more wide open.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
USA World Cup Review
Well it has been about 30 minutes since the US was eliminated by Ghana again by a score of 2-1 just like in 2006 in Germany and I will look back on their performance over the past 2 weeks.
While it was exciting especially Landon Donovan's game winning and group winning goal in the 91st minute against Algeria and controversial, just look at Maurice Edu's game winner against slovenia being disallowed. I think the US, who showed some positive signs, may have just missed out on their best chance to make a deep run in this World Cup. From a group with lightweights like Algeria and Slovenia. To a quadrant in the knockout stage with South Korea, Uruguay, and Ghana in which the US was the highest ranked team the US should have made the semi-finals.
The main person I blame for this loss and disappointment is coach Bob Bradley. First of all he stuck with Robby Findley at striker instead of either Hercules Gomez and Edson Buddle, who a week before the cup began scored 2 goals against Australia and was the leading goal scorer in the MLS. Also instead of putting Edu or Feilhaber in this game vs. Ghana goes with Ricardo Clark who struggled against England and made the big mistake which led to an early goal and had to be subsituted in the 30th minute leaving a tired US team to play in extra time without a needed sub.
Then there is their struggles in the 1st half where they were outscored 4-1 in this tournament with the one goal being a gift against England. That says something about the players inability to get up for these games right off the bat and the coach's inability to get them up to start the game. The last major issue for this team is the scoring, or lack there of, from strikers (8 world cup games without a goal from a striker), this could have been solved by inserting Buddle into the starting 11.
Now the US is looking at 2014 in Brazil with great uncertainty as key players like Tim Howard, Carlos Bocanegra, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, and Oguchi Onyewu are among the 13 men on the 23 man roster that are 27 or older meaning that they may not be at their peak and the US may need guys like Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore to lead the next wave of US players into Brazil in 4 years.
While it was exciting especially Landon Donovan's game winning and group winning goal in the 91st minute against Algeria and controversial, just look at Maurice Edu's game winner against slovenia being disallowed. I think the US, who showed some positive signs, may have just missed out on their best chance to make a deep run in this World Cup. From a group with lightweights like Algeria and Slovenia. To a quadrant in the knockout stage with South Korea, Uruguay, and Ghana in which the US was the highest ranked team the US should have made the semi-finals.
The main person I blame for this loss and disappointment is coach Bob Bradley. First of all he stuck with Robby Findley at striker instead of either Hercules Gomez and Edson Buddle, who a week before the cup began scored 2 goals against Australia and was the leading goal scorer in the MLS. Also instead of putting Edu or Feilhaber in this game vs. Ghana goes with Ricardo Clark who struggled against England and made the big mistake which led to an early goal and had to be subsituted in the 30th minute leaving a tired US team to play in extra time without a needed sub.
Then there is their struggles in the 1st half where they were outscored 4-1 in this tournament with the one goal being a gift against England. That says something about the players inability to get up for these games right off the bat and the coach's inability to get them up to start the game. The last major issue for this team is the scoring, or lack there of, from strikers (8 world cup games without a goal from a striker), this could have been solved by inserting Buddle into the starting 11.
Now the US is looking at 2014 in Brazil with great uncertainty as key players like Tim Howard, Carlos Bocanegra, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, and Oguchi Onyewu are among the 13 men on the 23 man roster that are 27 or older meaning that they may not be at their peak and the US may need guys like Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore to lead the next wave of US players into Brazil in 4 years.
Friday, June 4, 2010
MLB (2 Months down 4 to go)
As promised I am back again to reflect on the baseball season thus far and give my predictions for the rest of the way, and examine the controversy that occured two nights ago in Detroit.
I will start with the controversy involving Tigers Pitcher Armando Galarraga losing a perfect game on a blown call by 1st base umpire Jim Joyce with 2 outs in the ninth. In my opinion, people need to calm down Joyce made a mistake, he is only human, and has shown great class, regret, and frustration after the fact and is one of the most well respected and best umps in all of baseball. Those of you who are calling for Joyce to be fired need to calm down and realize we all make mistakes, he regrets making the mistake, and the pitcher and manager involved have forgiven him. I would also like to comend Galarraga, his manager Jim Leyland, and the Tigers organization for the classy way in which they have handled the issue.
In terms of Selig's decision to over turn the call I can see both sides, it was the last out so there are no what ifs but if he does this and overturns a call that had no impact on the outcome of the game he will have to do this for every call in the playoffs that does impact the outcome of a game. However, instant replay must be expanded to include everything except balls and strikes and should be run by a 5th umpire in the booth who buzzes the home plate ump when a review is needed, after all getting the call right is the most important thing.
FIRST 2 MONTHS IN REVIEW
Biggest suprises (teams): San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds
Biggest Disappointments (teams): Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox
Biggest Suprises (players): Umbaldo Jimenez, Martin Prado
Biggest Disappointments (players): Zach Greinke, Javier Vazquez
Best Moment: Armando Galarraga delivering Lineup card to Joyce yesterday
Biggest Storyline: The revival and dominance of pitchers over hitters
PREDICTIONS FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON
Awards
AL MVP: Justin Mourneau, Twins
NL MVP: Albert Pujols, Cardinals
AL Cy Young: David Price, Rays
NL Cy Young: Umbaldo Jimenez, Rockies
AL Rookie of the Year: Austin Jackson, Tigers
NL Rookie of the Year: Jason Heyward, Braves
AL Manager of the Year: Ron Washington, Rangers
NL Manager of the Year: Dusty Baker, Reds
STANDINGS
AL EAST
1. Rays (#1 Seed)
2. Yanks (WC)
3. Sox
4. Jays
5. O's (MAN THEY SUCK)
AL Central
1. Twins (2 seed)
2. Tigers
3. White Sox
4. KC
5. Indians
AL West:
1. Rangers (3 seed)
2. Angels
3.A's
4. Mariners
NL EAST
1. Phillies (2 seed)
2. Braves (WC)
3. Marlins
4. Nats
5. Mets
NL Central
1. Cards (1 seed)
2. Reds
3. Cubs
4. Brewers
5. Pirates
6. Astros
NL West:
1. Dodgers (3 seed)
2. Giants
3. Rockies
4. Padres
5. D-Backs
POSTSEASON PREDICTIONS
Divisional Round
Rays over Rangers in 4
Twins over Yanks in 5
Cards over Braves in 4
Phillies over Dodgers in 5
LCS
Rays over Yanks in 6
Cards over Phillies in 6
WORLD SERIES
Cards over Rays in 7, Both teams have great starting pitching depth Cards win based on managerial edge and the fact that they have the 2 best hitters in the series MVP: Pujols
I will start with the controversy involving Tigers Pitcher Armando Galarraga losing a perfect game on a blown call by 1st base umpire Jim Joyce with 2 outs in the ninth. In my opinion, people need to calm down Joyce made a mistake, he is only human, and has shown great class, regret, and frustration after the fact and is one of the most well respected and best umps in all of baseball. Those of you who are calling for Joyce to be fired need to calm down and realize we all make mistakes, he regrets making the mistake, and the pitcher and manager involved have forgiven him. I would also like to comend Galarraga, his manager Jim Leyland, and the Tigers organization for the classy way in which they have handled the issue.
In terms of Selig's decision to over turn the call I can see both sides, it was the last out so there are no what ifs but if he does this and overturns a call that had no impact on the outcome of the game he will have to do this for every call in the playoffs that does impact the outcome of a game. However, instant replay must be expanded to include everything except balls and strikes and should be run by a 5th umpire in the booth who buzzes the home plate ump when a review is needed, after all getting the call right is the most important thing.
FIRST 2 MONTHS IN REVIEW
Biggest suprises (teams): San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds
Biggest Disappointments (teams): Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox
Biggest Suprises (players): Umbaldo Jimenez, Martin Prado
Biggest Disappointments (players): Zach Greinke, Javier Vazquez
Best Moment: Armando Galarraga delivering Lineup card to Joyce yesterday
Biggest Storyline: The revival and dominance of pitchers over hitters
PREDICTIONS FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON
Awards
AL MVP: Justin Mourneau, Twins
NL MVP: Albert Pujols, Cardinals
AL Cy Young: David Price, Rays
NL Cy Young: Umbaldo Jimenez, Rockies
AL Rookie of the Year: Austin Jackson, Tigers
NL Rookie of the Year: Jason Heyward, Braves
AL Manager of the Year: Ron Washington, Rangers
NL Manager of the Year: Dusty Baker, Reds
STANDINGS
AL EAST
1. Rays (#1 Seed)
2. Yanks (WC)
3. Sox
4. Jays
5. O's (MAN THEY SUCK)
AL Central
1. Twins (2 seed)
2. Tigers
3. White Sox
4. KC
5. Indians
AL West:
1. Rangers (3 seed)
2. Angels
3.A's
4. Mariners
NL EAST
1. Phillies (2 seed)
2. Braves (WC)
3. Marlins
4. Nats
5. Mets
NL Central
1. Cards (1 seed)
2. Reds
3. Cubs
4. Brewers
5. Pirates
6. Astros
NL West:
1. Dodgers (3 seed)
2. Giants
3. Rockies
4. Padres
5. D-Backs
POSTSEASON PREDICTIONS
Divisional Round
Rays over Rangers in 4
Twins over Yanks in 5
Cards over Braves in 4
Phillies over Dodgers in 5
LCS
Rays over Yanks in 6
Cards over Phillies in 6
WORLD SERIES
Cards over Rays in 7, Both teams have great starting pitching depth Cards win based on managerial edge and the fact that they have the 2 best hitters in the series MVP: Pujols
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Sports update (other then Baseball)
Well I am back once again with a look at the goings on in the world of sports, because of all that is going on with baseball I will analyze that sport and give my predictions for the rest of the year in that sport tomorrow. Today I will look at all other sports including the NBA Finals which start tonight.
MMA- After two great cards this past month the UFC is currently building towards possibly its strongest summer ever headlined By Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin, two freakish 265 pound plus athletes, on July 3rd and their debut in Boston in late August. While Boxing is still waiting for Pac Man and Mayweather to agree to fight, which may not even happen. so Pac Man can destroy Mayweather. More proof MMA is a better stronger sport.
Football- Recently there was some major news regarding the future of the league, no not the Ravens signing Shayne Graham although that is a big pickup for the ravens. I am talking about super bowl 48 being awarded to New York/New Jersey, which I feel is a huge mistake. First of all this one time waiver where the NFL ignored the requirement for a super bowl host to either have a dome or an average february temperature of 50 degrees makes no sense it was only waived because it is New York. Also do people in the mid-atlantic remember that 4 months ago the week of the super bowl we had two blizzards and 30 inches of snow now what if that happens in 2014 not only will the game suck and the fans not be able to get there but the week leading up to it, a major part of the super bowl, will suck. This is on top of the fact that 3 years ago when the Bears and Colts met in a rain storm people complained that the game was tainted and boring but it is ok if it snows in the 2014 super bowl because it is in New York and New York Jr.
NHL- These playoffs have been great as have these cup finals further proof why the NHL playoffs are the greatest in all of sports.
NBA- The NBA got its wish as the Lakers and Celtics will meet in the finals for the 12th time. This is also the 2nd time in the past 5 years that the last 2 champs meet in the finals (2005-Spurs beat Pistons in a 7 game classic). This is also rematch of the 2008 finals where the Celtics bullied the Lakers on the way to a 6 game victory. This series i see being a repeat of that as the Celtics are just too physical for the Lakers especially in the paint with Perkins, Davis, Garnett, and the X-factor Rasheed Wallace. Also Andrew Bynum, who did not play in 2008, is injured and wont make a big impact neither will Ron Artest who has for the most part struggled this series and struggles against Paul Pierce. The biggest mismatch in this series is not Kobe vs. Ray Allen it is Rajon Rondo vs. Derrick Fisher. I see the Celtics, who are very balanced and agreat road team, winning their 18th championship in 6 games with Rondo the MVP.
MMA- After two great cards this past month the UFC is currently building towards possibly its strongest summer ever headlined By Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin, two freakish 265 pound plus athletes, on July 3rd and their debut in Boston in late August. While Boxing is still waiting for Pac Man and Mayweather to agree to fight, which may not even happen. so Pac Man can destroy Mayweather. More proof MMA is a better stronger sport.
Football- Recently there was some major news regarding the future of the league, no not the Ravens signing Shayne Graham although that is a big pickup for the ravens. I am talking about super bowl 48 being awarded to New York/New Jersey, which I feel is a huge mistake. First of all this one time waiver where the NFL ignored the requirement for a super bowl host to either have a dome or an average february temperature of 50 degrees makes no sense it was only waived because it is New York. Also do people in the mid-atlantic remember that 4 months ago the week of the super bowl we had two blizzards and 30 inches of snow now what if that happens in 2014 not only will the game suck and the fans not be able to get there but the week leading up to it, a major part of the super bowl, will suck. This is on top of the fact that 3 years ago when the Bears and Colts met in a rain storm people complained that the game was tainted and boring but it is ok if it snows in the 2014 super bowl because it is in New York and New York Jr.
NHL- These playoffs have been great as have these cup finals further proof why the NHL playoffs are the greatest in all of sports.
NBA- The NBA got its wish as the Lakers and Celtics will meet in the finals for the 12th time. This is also the 2nd time in the past 5 years that the last 2 champs meet in the finals (2005-Spurs beat Pistons in a 7 game classic). This is also rematch of the 2008 finals where the Celtics bullied the Lakers on the way to a 6 game victory. This series i see being a repeat of that as the Celtics are just too physical for the Lakers especially in the paint with Perkins, Davis, Garnett, and the X-factor Rasheed Wallace. Also Andrew Bynum, who did not play in 2008, is injured and wont make a big impact neither will Ron Artest who has for the most part struggled this series and struggles against Paul Pierce. The biggest mismatch in this series is not Kobe vs. Ray Allen it is Rajon Rondo vs. Derrick Fisher. I see the Celtics, who are very balanced and agreat road team, winning their 18th championship in 6 games with Rondo the MVP.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
NBA/NHL Conference Finals- Finals Preview
Well after a wild and crazy first 2 rounds, especially in the NHL, both the NBA and NHL are down to the final four teams. In the NBA we have 4 teams, none of which are truly suprising (orlando, LAL, Suns, and celtics) but in the NHL we have 2 teams you expect to be there (Sharks and Blackhaws) and 2 that nobody expected to be there (Flyers and Habs). So I am going to break down each conference final in both sports and give my prediction for the champion in both sports.
NHL: Western Conference Finals- #2 blackhawks @ #1 Sharks.
This series is going to be a classic between the two best teams in the West all year. The Sharks, led by their big 4 (thorton, Heatly, Marleau, and Pavelski) have shaken off past playoff let downs to make it here by beating the team of the 2000's in the Red Wings last round. While the Blackhawks led by their 2 young guns (Jonathan Toewes and Patrick Kane) are in their second conference finals in a row seeking to end a 40+ year cup drought for the franchise. I see this series going 7 with Chicago continuing the trend by winning a game 7 on the road (5th time this playoffs) thanks to their defensemen like Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith containing the big 4.
Eastern Conference Finals- #8 Montreal @ #7 Flyers
This series involves two teams who had to struggle to get in the playoffs, the Flyers needed a shootout on the last day to get here. Then both teams defied the odds once they made the postseason, Montreal eliminating the two biggest stars in the NHL (Ovechkin and Crosby), the Presidents Cup winners (Capitals) and defending Cup champs (penguins) by overcoming 3-1 and 3-2 leads to win game 7s on the road. While the Flyers became only the 4th team in major north american pro sports to win a series after being down 3-0 beating the Bruins in game 7 in Boston. This series will come down to goaltending where Jaroslav Halak gives the Habs the edge and the series, Habs in 6.
Stanley Cup Finals- Habs at Blackhawks A matchup of 2 original 6 teams both trying to end cup droughts, in a david vs. goliath matchup. I see the Blackhawks fire power and defense being too much for the Habs and ending their cinderella run by winning in 6. Conn Smythe: Kane
NBA Conference Finals broken down position by position
Western Conference Finals #3 Suns at #1 Lakers (both teams coming off sweeps)
PG: Steve Nash vs. Derek Fisher- Edge: suns
SG: Jason Richardson vs. Kobe-Edge: Lakers
SF: Grant Hill vs. Ron Artest- Edge: Lakers
PF: Amare vs. Pau Gasol- Edge: Suns
C: Jarron collins vs. Andrew bynum- Edge: LA
Bench: Dragic, Dudley, Frye, Barbosa vs. Farmar, Odom, Walton, Brown- Edge: Suns
Coaching: Alvin Gentry vs. Phil Jackson- Edge: Lakers
Intangibles: Homecourt and experience give Lakers the Edge
Prediction: Kobe and company too much for Suns (lakers in 6)
Eastern Conference Finals: #4 Celtics at #2 Magic (rematch of 7 game thriller a year ago)
PG: Rajon Rondo vs. Jameer Nelson- Edge- push
SG: Ray Allen vs. Vince Carter- Edge: Magic
SF: Paul Pierce vs. Matt Barnes- Edge: Celtics
PF: Kevin Garnett vs. Rashard Lewis- Edge: push
C: Kendrick Perkins vs. Dwight Howard- Edge: Magic
Bench: Wallace, Robinson, T. Allen, Davis vs. Pietrus, Williams, Gortat, Anderson- Edge: Magic
Coach: Doc Rivers vs. Stan Van Gundy- Edge- Celtics
Intangibles: home court and momentum vs. experience- Edge- Magic
Prediction: homecourt, rest, momentum, depth carry the Magic (magic in 7)
NBA Finals: Lakers at Magic (magic have homecourt 2-3-2 format, rematch of last year)
PG: Edge- Magic, SG: Edge- Lakers, SF- Edge- Lakers, PF- Edge: Push, C- Edge- Magic, Bench- Edge: Magic, Coach- Edge: Lakers, Intangibles: Edge- magic (hunger, homecourt, depth) Prediction: Magic use homecourt, depth, new additions (vc), health of Nelson, to get revenge for last year Magic in 6 MVP Dwight Howard.
NHL: Western Conference Finals- #2 blackhawks @ #1 Sharks.
This series is going to be a classic between the two best teams in the West all year. The Sharks, led by their big 4 (thorton, Heatly, Marleau, and Pavelski) have shaken off past playoff let downs to make it here by beating the team of the 2000's in the Red Wings last round. While the Blackhawks led by their 2 young guns (Jonathan Toewes and Patrick Kane) are in their second conference finals in a row seeking to end a 40+ year cup drought for the franchise. I see this series going 7 with Chicago continuing the trend by winning a game 7 on the road (5th time this playoffs) thanks to their defensemen like Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith containing the big 4.
Eastern Conference Finals- #8 Montreal @ #7 Flyers
This series involves two teams who had to struggle to get in the playoffs, the Flyers needed a shootout on the last day to get here. Then both teams defied the odds once they made the postseason, Montreal eliminating the two biggest stars in the NHL (Ovechkin and Crosby), the Presidents Cup winners (Capitals) and defending Cup champs (penguins) by overcoming 3-1 and 3-2 leads to win game 7s on the road. While the Flyers became only the 4th team in major north american pro sports to win a series after being down 3-0 beating the Bruins in game 7 in Boston. This series will come down to goaltending where Jaroslav Halak gives the Habs the edge and the series, Habs in 6.
Stanley Cup Finals- Habs at Blackhawks A matchup of 2 original 6 teams both trying to end cup droughts, in a david vs. goliath matchup. I see the Blackhawks fire power and defense being too much for the Habs and ending their cinderella run by winning in 6. Conn Smythe: Kane
NBA Conference Finals broken down position by position
Western Conference Finals #3 Suns at #1 Lakers (both teams coming off sweeps)
PG: Steve Nash vs. Derek Fisher- Edge: suns
SG: Jason Richardson vs. Kobe-Edge: Lakers
SF: Grant Hill vs. Ron Artest- Edge: Lakers
PF: Amare vs. Pau Gasol- Edge: Suns
C: Jarron collins vs. Andrew bynum- Edge: LA
Bench: Dragic, Dudley, Frye, Barbosa vs. Farmar, Odom, Walton, Brown- Edge: Suns
Coaching: Alvin Gentry vs. Phil Jackson- Edge: Lakers
Intangibles: Homecourt and experience give Lakers the Edge
Prediction: Kobe and company too much for Suns (lakers in 6)
Eastern Conference Finals: #4 Celtics at #2 Magic (rematch of 7 game thriller a year ago)
PG: Rajon Rondo vs. Jameer Nelson- Edge- push
SG: Ray Allen vs. Vince Carter- Edge: Magic
SF: Paul Pierce vs. Matt Barnes- Edge: Celtics
PF: Kevin Garnett vs. Rashard Lewis- Edge: push
C: Kendrick Perkins vs. Dwight Howard- Edge: Magic
Bench: Wallace, Robinson, T. Allen, Davis vs. Pietrus, Williams, Gortat, Anderson- Edge: Magic
Coach: Doc Rivers vs. Stan Van Gundy- Edge- Celtics
Intangibles: home court and momentum vs. experience- Edge- Magic
Prediction: homecourt, rest, momentum, depth carry the Magic (magic in 7)
NBA Finals: Lakers at Magic (magic have homecourt 2-3-2 format, rematch of last year)
PG: Edge- Magic, SG: Edge- Lakers, SF- Edge- Lakers, PF- Edge: Push, C- Edge- Magic, Bench- Edge: Magic, Coach- Edge: Lakers, Intangibles: Edge- magic (hunger, homecourt, depth) Prediction: Magic use homecourt, depth, new additions (vc), health of Nelson, to get revenge for last year Magic in 6 MVP Dwight Howard.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Reflections on Masculinity project
I am back once again but this time my blog will not be about sports, it will be instead about a project I have been working on for the past couple of weeks for my honors college seminar on Masculinity. For our final project we were asked to challenge a prevailing stereotype of Masculinity. I chose to examine the stereotype of the typical Frat boy as a arrogant and usually athletic guy who only cares about drinking, partying, and hooking up with as many girls as possible. I chose this stereotype for obvious reasons, I am currently in a fraternity (AEPI) and I was a little tired of hearing that certain actions or decisions were the typical frat boy thing to do. For my project I used 4 different 8 open ended question surveys each designed for a different group of people (Frat boy, sorority girl, non-fraternity boy, and non-sorority girl) which I sent out to my friends via Facebook.
This project has taught me a lot about myself, the stereotype of the frat boy, masculinity, and society in general. First of all, I have learned that pretty much everyone I interviewed felt like the media had a lot to do with the way fraternity men are stereotyped and that the stereotype is sometimes reinforced in real life and thus has some validity while not being entirely true. Also, my responses showed a clear divide between guys in fraternities and people not in fraternities, guys or girls. Fraternity men while acknowledging that the stereotype existed and that some frat boys do reinforce the stereotype focused more on the positive aspects of fraternity life such as friendship, brotherhood, and philanthropy work. While the rest of the respondants, while acknowledging that the stereotypical frat boy was not all encompassing and that there are some people in fraternities who completly go against that stereotype, seemed to say that most frat boys do fit the stereotype. This showed me that there are times where being a member of a specific group gives you a perspective and view point that people who are not part of that group don't have or can't understand.
Another thing I learned through this project is that in most cases people do buy into stereotypes but at the same time will take the time to get to know every member of the group being stereotyped and judge them on an individual basis rather then lump them as another member of the group. Furthermore I now see that the stereotypical fraternity boy does have some validity to it but I can't let it bother me and I just need to live my life and do my part to represent fraternity men in a positive way. Another thing I learned from this project and the class in general is that masculinity has a much wider definition and scope then most people, including myself before this class, think and I hope more people do what I did thanks to this class and expand their definition of what it means to be a masculine man instead of stereotyping and fitting men into categories. since this is part of a project I welcome comments on this topic and masculinity as a whole.
This project has taught me a lot about myself, the stereotype of the frat boy, masculinity, and society in general. First of all, I have learned that pretty much everyone I interviewed felt like the media had a lot to do with the way fraternity men are stereotyped and that the stereotype is sometimes reinforced in real life and thus has some validity while not being entirely true. Also, my responses showed a clear divide between guys in fraternities and people not in fraternities, guys or girls. Fraternity men while acknowledging that the stereotype existed and that some frat boys do reinforce the stereotype focused more on the positive aspects of fraternity life such as friendship, brotherhood, and philanthropy work. While the rest of the respondants, while acknowledging that the stereotypical frat boy was not all encompassing and that there are some people in fraternities who completly go against that stereotype, seemed to say that most frat boys do fit the stereotype. This showed me that there are times where being a member of a specific group gives you a perspective and view point that people who are not part of that group don't have or can't understand.
Another thing I learned through this project is that in most cases people do buy into stereotypes but at the same time will take the time to get to know every member of the group being stereotyped and judge them on an individual basis rather then lump them as another member of the group. Furthermore I now see that the stereotypical fraternity boy does have some validity to it but I can't let it bother me and I just need to live my life and do my part to represent fraternity men in a positive way. Another thing I learned from this project and the class in general is that masculinity has a much wider definition and scope then most people, including myself before this class, think and I hope more people do what I did thanks to this class and expand their definition of what it means to be a masculine man instead of stereotyping and fitting men into categories. since this is part of a project I welcome comments on this topic and masculinity as a whole.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
MMA vs. Boxing 2 and Caps Disappoint
It has been a while since I did my last blog on MMA vs. Boxing and I thought I would see how this issue has changed in the past 6 months or so. The reason I am doing this today is because Mayweather vs. Mosley is tonight and the UFC has 2 big events this month including one next week.
As I said in my previous blog about this topic I said that the major difference between MMA and Boxing is the depth of the sports boxing has 2 or 3 big cards a year that rely on 1 big fight with a weak undercard while the UFC has 10-15 big time cards every year with 3-4 great fights per card. Also boxing relies on a few stars like Mayweather Mosley and Pacquiao to make their sport while the UFC has tons of stars including BJ Penn, Kenny Florian, Rashad Evans, Brock Lesnar, Anderson Silva, and 2 time Canadian athlete of the year and Under Armour spokesperson Georges St. Pierre. The UFC is also expanding itself to new markets where it is insanely popular, such as Australia, Abu Dhabi, Vancouver, and Boston, while Boxing is not expanding at all. In fact in Vancouver the UFC sold out a weak card by UFC standards in thirty minutes. Another difference between the two is that UFC puts great cards on free TV and is on TV weekly with the reality show the Ultimate Fighter, boxing rarely has any great fights on free TV. If you want to see how fast MMA is growing the most popular weekly chat on ESPN.com is MMA live host Jon Anik's chat. Also MMA Live in the less two years went from a experimental internet show to a weekly mega hit to a part of the ESPN 2 weekly line up starting this thursday.
Now there has been a lot of discussion about MMA and how mainstream it can get after the Strikeforce: Nashville debacle where there was a melee after the main event. Let me make it clear to people this is not true MMA, Strikeforce is a second rate promotion that has maybe 10 fighters who could compete in the UFC and one of their best fighters, Jake Shields, is about to be in the UFC. They are just the next victim in a line of promotions that tried to challenge the UFC and failed (Elite XC, Affliction). While some of the fights on that card and fighters in that promotion are great they are mismanaged horribly. If you wanted to see true MMA you should try and watch the Leonard Garcia vs. Chan Sung Jung fight from WEC 48 or the Jose Aldo performance from that same card. If the UFC ever gets a network TV deal with a network like CBS people will get a true feel for what MMA is actually like.
Also this week many people in this area had their hearts broken once again by the Washington Capitals who choked away a 3-1 lead and a President's Trophy winning regular season to lose to the 8 seed Montreal Canadians in 7 games, game 7 was at home. This marks this teams 3rd game 7 home loss in the past 3 years, in that time they have only one 1 series. This team needs to change they need get tougher, they need strengthen their defense, and they need to settle on a goaltender. My idea is to trade either Semin or Backstrom for a strong defensive defenseman and either get a top flight goalie or let Theodore walk and give Varlimov the reigns. Another option is a coaching change as the Habs wanted it a lot more then we did they blocked 4x as many shots in game 7, got to most of the loose pucks, and were more willing to get dirty and rough then the Caps. When the Caps finally showed some heart, passion, and urgency they scored an ugly goal, their 1st of the game. This team needs to make some big changes or they will become the Suns of the NHL. Now that the Caps are out my hope is anyone but Pittsburgh or Philly wins the Cup.
As I said in my previous blog about this topic I said that the major difference between MMA and Boxing is the depth of the sports boxing has 2 or 3 big cards a year that rely on 1 big fight with a weak undercard while the UFC has 10-15 big time cards every year with 3-4 great fights per card. Also boxing relies on a few stars like Mayweather Mosley and Pacquiao to make their sport while the UFC has tons of stars including BJ Penn, Kenny Florian, Rashad Evans, Brock Lesnar, Anderson Silva, and 2 time Canadian athlete of the year and Under Armour spokesperson Georges St. Pierre. The UFC is also expanding itself to new markets where it is insanely popular, such as Australia, Abu Dhabi, Vancouver, and Boston, while Boxing is not expanding at all. In fact in Vancouver the UFC sold out a weak card by UFC standards in thirty minutes. Another difference between the two is that UFC puts great cards on free TV and is on TV weekly with the reality show the Ultimate Fighter, boxing rarely has any great fights on free TV. If you want to see how fast MMA is growing the most popular weekly chat on ESPN.com is MMA live host Jon Anik's chat. Also MMA Live in the less two years went from a experimental internet show to a weekly mega hit to a part of the ESPN 2 weekly line up starting this thursday.
Now there has been a lot of discussion about MMA and how mainstream it can get after the Strikeforce: Nashville debacle where there was a melee after the main event. Let me make it clear to people this is not true MMA, Strikeforce is a second rate promotion that has maybe 10 fighters who could compete in the UFC and one of their best fighters, Jake Shields, is about to be in the UFC. They are just the next victim in a line of promotions that tried to challenge the UFC and failed (Elite XC, Affliction). While some of the fights on that card and fighters in that promotion are great they are mismanaged horribly. If you wanted to see true MMA you should try and watch the Leonard Garcia vs. Chan Sung Jung fight from WEC 48 or the Jose Aldo performance from that same card. If the UFC ever gets a network TV deal with a network like CBS people will get a true feel for what MMA is actually like.
Also this week many people in this area had their hearts broken once again by the Washington Capitals who choked away a 3-1 lead and a President's Trophy winning regular season to lose to the 8 seed Montreal Canadians in 7 games, game 7 was at home. This marks this teams 3rd game 7 home loss in the past 3 years, in that time they have only one 1 series. This team needs to change they need get tougher, they need strengthen their defense, and they need to settle on a goaltender. My idea is to trade either Semin or Backstrom for a strong defensive defenseman and either get a top flight goalie or let Theodore walk and give Varlimov the reigns. Another option is a coaching change as the Habs wanted it a lot more then we did they blocked 4x as many shots in game 7, got to most of the loose pucks, and were more willing to get dirty and rough then the Caps. When the Caps finally showed some heart, passion, and urgency they scored an ugly goal, their 1st of the game. This team needs to make some big changes or they will become the Suns of the NHL. Now that the Caps are out my hope is anyone but Pittsburgh or Philly wins the Cup.
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