U.S. Open thread

[Tyrant]

Ugh, why does golf take so long? This is entertaining and yet so boring at the same time.

 

 

this is coming from a guy that likes soccer. You know the old saying about soccer and golf. We love to play it because it is so boring to watch.

 

Not even close to the same thing. In golf they hit a shot, walk 200 yards, then stand over the ball for 30 second, then walk around it for few more, talk to the caddy and then hit the shot. Putts are even worse because they walk around the ball for a minute looking at every single angle and slope, then take some practice swings, look at the lie a little more, take a couple more practice swings and then finally shoot the ball.

 

And in soccer, players kick the ball around the field, and the ball is never close to the goal for 95 percent of the match. It's without a doubt the most boring sport I've ever tried to watch.

 

WOW

 

Did you say that because I somehow forgot to mention all the flopping and whining that soccer players do? My bad on that.

[imb]

Expecting people to like watching soccer is like expecting people to enjoy Dostoyevsky. Most people are just too simple.

[Banedon]

This wasn't a smart move from Tiger. I mean, what did he really gain from winning this? Only a 14th major as far as I can tell. I could understand if he was going for a milestone that he might not have a chance to do again. Like if he had won the Masters, the U.S. Open and the British already in a year and had this injury going into the PGA Championship. In that case, go for it because you might not have another shot at the Grand Slam. But this seems kind of pointless to me. Sure, you won this major, but now you guaranteed to miss the next two.

 

Not to mention that it wasn't a guarantee that he was going to win this one. What if he didn't win? Then he would have done all this for nothing.

 

Only a 14th major. Ho hum. That'd be like saying Jordan shouldn't have played with the flu...he only got a 5th championship out of it...it's not like it was something he hadn't done before or couldn't do again. And if he'd lost it was all for nothing.

 

I know it's not the same, given that Tiger is going to be out for a while, but this was the freaking US Open. Even among majors, the Masters and US Open are THE tournaments. There's no guarantee he'd win, but there's no guarantee that something won't happen with the surgery that he wouldn't be able to play again either.

 

This is like TO playing in the Super Bowl to me. Yeah, it's risky, but it's the pinnacle of your sport, and if you can get yourself out there, win or lose, you do it.

[wolf stansson]

Did you say that because I somehow forgot to mention all the flopping and whining that soccer players do? My bad on that.

Never watched a soccer match, eh?

 

The irony of a baseball fan thinking soccer is slow is hilarious. Oh yeah, standing around is way faster than dudes running, passing, kicking, heading and colliding for two chunks of 45 continuous minutes.

[Derwood]

i don't go out of my way to watch soccer, but if I end up watching it, I usually enjoy it. the flopping and whining is usually contained to specific teams (cough*brazil*cough).

[Banedon]

Did you say that because I somehow forgot to mention all the flopping and whining that soccer players do? My bad on that.

Never watched a soccer match, eh?

 

The irony of a baseball fan thinking soccer is slow is hilarious. Oh yeah, standing around is way faster than dudes running, passing, kicking, heading and colliding for two chunks of 45 continuous minutes.

 

Yeah, I'm not a soccer "fan" by any stretch, but I manage to watch at World Cup or Olympic time...and I can't say that it's boring. Not my cup of tea, but not boring.

 

And if you want flopping, try the NBA. Whining, try arguing balls and strikes?

[jersey cubs fan]

Did you say that because I somehow forgot to mention all the flopping and whining that soccer players do? My bad on that.

Never watched a soccer match, eh?

 

The irony of a baseball fan thinking soccer is slow is hilarious. Oh yeah, standing around is way faster than dudes running, passing, kicking, heading and colliding for two chunks of 45 continuous minutes.

 

Yeah, I'm not a soccer "fan" by any stretch, but I manage to watch at World Cup or Olympic time...and I can't say that it's boring. Not my cup of tea, but not boring.

 

And if you want flopping, try the NBA. Whining, try arguing balls and strikes?

 

I enjoy a soccer match now and again, but it clearly wins the flopping and whining debate.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I enjoy a soccer match now and again, but it clearly wins the flopping and whining debate.

 

Yep. Although it can depend on the teams. The US v. Germany in Soccer probably won't have as many flops as any Duke home game in basketball.

[Banedon]

Did you say that because I somehow forgot to mention all the flopping and whining that soccer players do? My bad on that.

Never watched a soccer match, eh?

 

The irony of a baseball fan thinking soccer is slow is hilarious. Oh yeah, standing around is way faster than dudes running, passing, kicking, heading and colliding for two chunks of 45 continuous minutes.

 

Yeah, I'm not a soccer "fan" by any stretch, but I manage to watch at World Cup or Olympic time...and I can't say that it's boring. Not my cup of tea, but not boring.

 

And if you want flopping, try the NBA. Whining, try arguing balls and strikes?

 

I enjoy a soccer match now and again, but it clearly wins the flopping and whining debate.

 

I didn't mean that it had any more or less. I just meant that the complaint was something that is occurring in other sports as well, yet they continue to be watched.

[mul21]

I enjoy a soccer match now and again, but it clearly wins the flopping and whining debate.

 

Yep. Although it can depend on the teams. The US v. Germany in Soccer probably won't have as many flops as any Duke home game in basketball.

 

I played soccer for a long time and enjoy watching it quite a bit during big tournaments. I do thnk that it will never become mainstream in the US simply for the flopping factor. I mean, there's no reason for anybody to be writhing around in pain on the ground, get carried off on a stretcher and be back out on the field playing full bore 5 minutes later. It's just dumb.

 

If that was eliminated, I think soccer would garner a lot more support and fans in the US.

[jersey cubs fan]

I enjoy a soccer match now and again, but it clearly wins the flopping and whining debate.

 

Yep. Although it can depend on the teams. The US v. Germany in Soccer probably won't have as many flops as any Duke home game in basketball.

 

I played soccer for a long time and enjoy watching it quite a bit during big tournaments. I do thnk that it will never become mainstream in the US simply for the flopping factor. I mean, there's no reason for anybody to be writhing around in pain on the ground, get carried off on a stretcher and be back out on the field playing full bore 5 minutes later. It's just dumb.

 

If that was eliminated, I think soccer would garner a lot more support and fans in the US.

 

Which is just another reason not to watch the NBA. Paul Pierce

[USSoccer]

I enjoy a soccer match now and again, but it clearly wins the flopping and whining debate.

 

Yep. Although it can depend on the teams. The US v. Germany in Soccer probably won't have as many flops as any Duke home game in basketball.

 

I played soccer for a long time and enjoy watching it quite a bit during big tournaments. I do thnk that it will never become mainstream in the US simply for the flopping factor. I mean, there's no reason for anybody to be writhing around in pain on the ground, get carried off on a stretcher and be back out on the field playing full bore 5 minutes later. It's just dumb.

 

If that was eliminated, I think soccer would garner a lot more support and fans in the US.

 

This happens so infrequently, hearing criticism of a sport based on this just aggravates me.

[jersey cubs fan]

I enjoy a soccer match now and again, but it clearly wins the flopping and whining debate.

 

Yep. Although it can depend on the teams. The US v. Germany in Soccer probably won't have as many flops as any Duke home game in basketball.

 

I played soccer for a long time and enjoy watching it quite a bit during big tournaments. I do thnk that it will never become mainstream in the US simply for the flopping factor. I mean, there's no reason for anybody to be writhing around in pain on the ground, get carried off on a stretcher and be back out on the field playing full bore 5 minutes later. It's just dumb.

 

If that was eliminated, I think soccer would garner a lot more support and fans in the US.

 

This happens so infrequently, hearing criticism of a sport based on this just aggravates me.

 

Maybe it's just my perception, but I feel like I see fake near fatal injuries every game. Maybe I just watch too much Italy.

[USSoccer]

I enjoy a soccer match now and again, but it clearly wins the flopping and whining debate.

 

Yep. Although it can depend on the teams. The US v. Germany in Soccer probably won't have as many flops as any Duke home game in basketball.

 

I played soccer for a long time and enjoy watching it quite a bit during big tournaments. I do thnk that it will never become mainstream in the US simply for the flopping factor. I mean, there's no reason for anybody to be writhing around in pain on the ground, get carried off on a stretcher and be back out on the field playing full bore 5 minutes later. It's just dumb.

 

If that was eliminated, I think soccer would garner a lot more support and fans in the US.

 

This happens so infrequently, hearing criticism of a sport based on this just aggravates me.

 

Maybe it's just my perception, but I feel like I see fake near fatal injuries every game. Maybe I just watch too much Italy.

 

It's probably a combination of perception and Italy. Selling a foul to get a card drawn is strategy in general, but the Italians take it to an extreme due to the historically defensive nature of Italian futbol.

 

And as others have pointed out, there's plenty of actual constant foul selling in the NBA. When Kirk Hinrich runs into Al Jefferson and the latter falls like he was hit by sniper fire, isn't that worse?

[Sammy Sofa]

I enjoy a soccer match now and again, but it clearly wins the flopping and whining debate.

 

Yep. Although it can depend on the teams. The US v. Germany in Soccer probably won't have as many flops as any Duke home game in basketball.

 

I played soccer for a long time and enjoy watching it quite a bit during big tournaments. I do thnk that it will never become mainstream in the US simply for the flopping factor. I mean, there's no reason for anybody to be writhing around in pain on the ground, get carried off on a stretcher and be back out on the field playing full bore 5 minutes later. It's just dumb.

 

If that was eliminated, I think soccer would garner a lot more support and fans in the US.

 

This happens so infrequently, hearing criticism of a sport based on this just aggravates me.

 

Maybe it's just my perception, but I feel like I see fake near fatal injuries every game. Maybe I just watch too much Italy.

 

It's probably a combination of perception and Italy. Selling a foul to get a card drawn is strategy in general, but the Italians take it to an extreme due to the historically defensive nature of Italian futbol.

 

And as others have pointed out, there's plenty of actual constant foul selling in the NBA. When Kirk Hinrich runs into Al Jefferson and the latter falls like he was hit by sniper fire, isn't that worse?

 

Hinrich does everything worse than every person ever.

[jersey cubs fan]

I enjoy a soccer match now and again, but it clearly wins the flopping and whining debate.

 

Yep. Although it can depend on the teams. The US v. Germany in Soccer probably won't have as many flops as any Duke home game in basketball.

 

I played soccer for a long time and enjoy watching it quite a bit during big tournaments. I do thnk that it will never become mainstream in the US simply for the flopping factor. I mean, there's no reason for anybody to be writhing around in pain on the ground, get carried off on a stretcher and be back out on the field playing full bore 5 minutes later. It's just dumb.

 

If that was eliminated, I think soccer would garner a lot more support and fans in the US.

 

This happens so infrequently, hearing criticism of a sport based on this just aggravates me.

 

Maybe it's just my perception, but I feel like I see fake near fatal injuries every game. Maybe I just watch too much Italy.

 

It's probably a combination of perception and Italy. Selling a foul to get a card drawn is strategy in general, but the Italians take it to an extreme due to the historically defensive nature of Italian futbol.

 

And as others have pointed out, there's plenty of actual constant foul selling in the NBA. When Kirk Hinrich runs into Al Jefferson and the latter falls like he was hit by sniper fire, isn't that worse?

 

But we were discussing sports, the NBA has nothing to do with it.

[USSoccer]

I enjoy a soccer match now and again, but it clearly wins the flopping and whining debate.

 

Yep. Although it can depend on the teams. The US v. Germany in Soccer probably won't have as many flops as any Duke home game in basketball.

 

I played soccer for a long time and enjoy watching it quite a bit during big tournaments. I do thnk that it will never become mainstream in the US simply for the flopping factor. I mean, there's no reason for anybody to be writhing around in pain on the ground, get carried off on a stretcher and be back out on the field playing full bore 5 minutes later. It's just dumb.

 

If that was eliminated, I think soccer would garner a lot more support and fans in the US.

 

This happens so infrequently, hearing criticism of a sport based on this just aggravates me.

 

Maybe it's just my perception, but I feel like I see fake near fatal injuries every game. Maybe I just watch too much Italy.

 

It's probably a combination of perception and Italy. Selling a foul to get a card drawn is strategy in general, but the Italians take it to an extreme due to the historically defensive nature of Italian futbol.

 

And as others have pointed out, there's plenty of actual constant foul selling in the NBA. When Kirk Hinrich runs into Al Jefferson and the latter falls like he was hit by sniper fire, isn't that worse?

 

But we were discussing sports, the NBA has nothing to do with it.

 

Ha cha cha cha cha.

 

Ok then, how about a catcher framing a ball off the outside corner. Isn't that "selling" a strike call?

[Sammy Sofa]

I enjoy a soccer match now and again, but it clearly wins the flopping and whining debate.

 

Yep. Although it can depend on the teams. The US v. Germany in Soccer probably won't have as many flops as any Duke home game in basketball.

 

I played soccer for a long time and enjoy watching it quite a bit during big tournaments. I do thnk that it will never become mainstream in the US simply for the flopping factor. I mean, there's no reason for anybody to be writhing around in pain on the ground, get carried off on a stretcher and be back out on the field playing full bore 5 minutes later. It's just dumb.

 

If that was eliminated, I think soccer would garner a lot more support and fans in the US.

 

This happens so infrequently, hearing criticism of a sport based on this just aggravates me.

 

Maybe it's just my perception, but I feel like I see fake near fatal injuries every game. Maybe I just watch too much Italy.

 

It's probably a combination of perception and Italy. Selling a foul to get a card drawn is strategy in general, but the Italians take it to an extreme due to the historically defensive nature of Italian futbol.

 

And as others have pointed out, there's plenty of actual constant foul selling in the NBA. When Kirk Hinrich runs into Al Jefferson and the latter falls like he was hit by sniper fire, isn't that worse?

 

But we were discussing sports, the NBA has nothing to do with it.

 

Ha cha cha cha cha.

 

Ok then, how about a catcher framing a ball off the outside corner. Isn't that "selling" a strike call?

 

Isn't his complaint based not out of the "fakeness" of the strategy, but how much time it takes up in soccer? What you just described doesn't take up much time at all unless the manager is coming out to argue it every time.

[Vanilla Ice]

I enjoy a soccer match now and again, but it clearly wins the flopping and whining debate.

 

Yep. Although it can depend on the teams. The US v. Germany in Soccer probably won't have as many flops as any Duke home game in basketball.

hey now

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Isn't his complaint based not out of the "fakeness" of the strategy, but how much time it takes up in soccer?

 

That seems like an awful fine line to draw. Most dives in soccer don't add any time. The player may roll around on the ground sometimes, but the ball wouldn't have been put in play anyway because the team is getting in position for a set play, or just getting forward for the free kick.

[USSoccer]

I enjoy a soccer match now and again, but it clearly wins the flopping and whining debate.

 

Yep. Although it can depend on the teams. The US v. Germany in Soccer probably won't have as many flops as any Duke home game in basketball.

 

I played soccer for a long time and enjoy watching it quite a bit during big tournaments. I do thnk that it will never become mainstream in the US simply for the flopping factor. I mean, there's no reason for anybody to be writhing around in pain on the ground, get carried off on a stretcher and be back out on the field playing full bore 5 minutes later. It's just dumb.

 

If that was eliminated, I think soccer would garner a lot more support and fans in the US.

 

This happens so infrequently, hearing criticism of a sport based on this just aggravates me.

 

Maybe it's just my perception, but I feel like I see fake near fatal injuries every game. Maybe I just watch too much Italy.

 

It's probably a combination of perception and Italy. Selling a foul to get a card drawn is strategy in general, but the Italians take it to an extreme due to the historically defensive nature of Italian futbol.

 

And as others have pointed out, there's plenty of actual constant foul selling in the NBA. When Kirk Hinrich runs into Al Jefferson and the latter falls like he was hit by sniper fire, isn't that worse?

 

But we were discussing sports, the NBA has nothing to do with it.

 

Ha cha cha cha cha.

 

Ok then, how about a catcher framing a ball off the outside corner. Isn't that "selling" a strike call?

 

Isn't his complaint based not out of the "fakeness" of the strategy, but how much time it takes up in soccer? What you just described doesn't take up much time at all unless the manager is coming out to argue it every time.

 

Then his complaint is extra horsecrap. How long are baseball games? How long do certain guys take between pitches? Stepping out of the box? Overmanagement of the bullpen? Double switches? Mound visits?

 

It's a perception of non-maniless that drives this criticism. And from personal experience, there are going to be times where some stupid left back smashes into you on a 50/50 ball where you're going to get the wind knocked out of you and roll around like you were shot, and then be fine in 5 minutes.

[wolf stansson]

Tripping and falling on the ground can hurt. Sprinting, getting kicked in the leg and then falling on the ground full speed can really hurt.

 

Fact is that it's rarely fake, but fakers do happen. When you only get like 5 or so chances to score in a game and selling a call a little dramatically could mean the difference in getting a set piece that could lead to a winning goal, it's strategy. It doesn't excuse players like Drogba who clearly milk it, but if you do get legitimately fouled, making sure the ref sees it isn't a bad idea.

[jersey cubs fan]

I enjoy a soccer match now and again, but it clearly wins the flopping and whining debate.

 

Yep. Although it can depend on the teams. The US v. Germany in Soccer probably won't have as many flops as any Duke home game in basketball.

 

I played soccer for a long time and enjoy watching it quite a bit during big tournaments. I do thnk that it will never become mainstream in the US simply for the flopping factor. I mean, there's no reason for anybody to be writhing around in pain on the ground, get carried off on a stretcher and be back out on the field playing full bore 5 minutes later. It's just dumb.

 

If that was eliminated, I think soccer would garner a lot more support and fans in the US.

 

This happens so infrequently, hearing criticism of a sport based on this just aggravates me.

 

Maybe it's just my perception, but I feel like I see fake near fatal injuries every game. Maybe I just watch too much Italy.

 

It's probably a combination of perception and Italy. Selling a foul to get a card drawn is strategy in general, but the Italians take it to an extreme due to the historically defensive nature of Italian futbol.

 

And as others have pointed out, there's plenty of actual constant foul selling in the NBA. When Kirk Hinrich runs into Al Jefferson and the latter falls like he was hit by sniper fire, isn't that worse?

 

But we were discussing sports, the NBA has nothing to do with it.

 

Ha cha cha cha cha.

 

Ok then, how about a catcher framing a ball off the outside corner. Isn't that "selling" a strike call?

 

That has absolutely nothing to do with faking an injury. Call it overly manly or macho, but pretending to be hurt is just a sissy thing that bugs the heck out of me in sports. Getting the wind knocked out of you is one thing, holding your head like you've narrowly missed an assassination attempt is completely different. I don't care if that sort of selling is strategy, it's obnoxious and pathetic.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

That has absolutely nothing to do with faking an injury. Call it overly manly or macho, but pretending to be hurt is just a sissy thing that bugs the heck out of me in sports. Getting the wind knocked out of you is one thing, holding your head like you've narrowly missed an assassination attempt is completely different. I don't care if that sort of selling is strategy, it's obnoxious and pathetic.

 

People hold their knees and legs because it frakking hurts to be running full speed and then get knocked to the ground, or have someone kick you in the ankles or slide into your legs when you're running and cutting.

 

I think the view of someone embellishing a foul has colored the opinion of what a typical foul looks like.

[jersey cubs fan]

That has absolutely nothing to do with faking an injury. Call it overly manly or macho, but pretending to be hurt is just a sissy thing that bugs the heck out of me in sports. Getting the wind knocked out of you is one thing, holding your head like you've narrowly missed an assassination attempt is completely different. I don't care if that sort of selling is strategy, it's obnoxious and pathetic.

 

People hold their knees and legs because it frakking hurts to be running full speed and then get knocked to the ground, or have someone kick you in the ankles or slide into your legs when you're running and cutting.

 

I think the view of someone embellishing a foul has colored the opinion of what a typical foul looks like.

 

I know the actual fouls can hurt. I'm not talking about those.