Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games

[kjfoster 1553]

railing against their personalities and finances? huh?

 

All i've ever said was that a team of NBA All-Stars doesn't (to me) embody the spirit of the Olympics. When did I go on any tirades about the guys individually?

 

What would embody the spirit of the Olympics?

 

The US is putting the best team they can compile out there, just like every other country in the world in every other sport in the Olympics. Just because we have better players doesn't mean it is anti-Olympics or whatever.

 

Maybe Jamaica should sit Usain Bolt for the 100 and 200 next year because he is too good, or the Chinese should sit the 14 and 15 year old girls because they are the best gymnasts.

 

Again, what would embody the Olympic spirit? Having college players play for the US? Because the other countries have professionals just the same as we do.

[cubweiser03]

I really like watching this mens BBball team this year. The sum of the parts definetly equals the parts this time around. This team is so good compared to the competition its not even funny. Ive been really impressed by their play this year. It is weird at how awful Kobe is shooting though.

 

Spain? I watched that game and the score was indicitive of how much they were outclassed by us. Probably wont be as big but should be 20+.

 

The world has a way to go before they can say they have caught up to us. Improvements yes, but not to the degree as to what i have been reading or hearing.

[Guest]

What channel was the U.S. game on and does anyone know if the final will be on the same channel?

[Guest]

railing against their personalities and finances? huh?

 

All i've ever said was that a team of NBA All-Stars doesn't (to me) embody the spirit of the Olympics. When did I go on any tirades about the guys individually?

Why doesn't it embody the spirit of the Olympics? Is it because they are professionals and not amateurs?

[Guest]

my guess is that they don't strip China of the gold medals, but they do bump up the other competitors, leaving us with duel-gold medalists in a few events

 

If they do find the girls to be underage, they should be DQ'd and everyone should move up a medal. It's one thing if the judges screwed up (a la figure skating in 2002). But the age thing is just like taking steroids, it should make somebody ineligible and therefore, they shouldn't get the medal.

[Derwood]

railing against their personalities and finances? huh?

 

All i've ever said was that a team of NBA All-Stars doesn't (to me) embody the spirit of the Olympics. When did I go on any tirades about the guys individually?

Why doesn't it embody the spirit of the Olympics? Is it because they are professionals and not amateurs?

 

 

no, because there are clearly professionals in other sports. it's one of those hard to define things. let's put it this way: I enjoy the parts of the Olympics that involve people who have sacrificed a lot, defied the odds, etc., etc. to get to where they are. I enjoy seeing underdogs win. I enjoy the outpour of emotion from those who overcame the odds and won a medal when no one thought they could. If the U.S. wins the gold in Men's Basketball, that's fine, but it wouldn't fulfill anything I associate with the Olympics.

[dew1679666265]

my guess is that they don't strip China of the gold medals, but they do bump up the other competitors, leaving us with duel-gold medalists in a few events

 

If they do find the girls to be underage, they should be DQ'd and everyone should move up a medal. It's one thing if the judges screwed up (a la figure skating in 2002). But the age thing is just like taking steroids, it should make somebody ineligible and therefore, they shouldn't get the medal.

 

I'll be shocked if this is anything more than the IOC trying to make the issue go away.

 

It's obvious their attempt to ignore it hasn't worked, what with bloggers and news agencies digging around. Therefore, I have a feeling they're going to lead an "investigation" where they check a few Chinese governement-approved documents showing the girls are 16+ and they'll announce to the world that all is good.

 

I hope I'm wrong, but I have very little faith in the IOC. Am I wrong in that?

[dew1679666265]

railing against their personalities and finances? huh?

 

All i've ever said was that a team of NBA All-Stars doesn't (to me) embody the spirit of the Olympics. When did I go on any tirades about the guys individually?

Why doesn't it embody the spirit of the Olympics? Is it because they are professionals and not amateurs?

 

 

no, because there are clearly professionals in other sports. it's one of those hard to define things. let's put it this way: I enjoy the parts of the Olympics that involve people who have sacrificed a lot, defied the odds, etc., etc. to get to where they are. I enjoy seeing underdogs win. I enjoy the outpour of emotion from those who overcame the odds and won a medal when no one thought they could. If the U.S. wins the gold in Men's Basketball, that's fine, but it wouldn't fulfill anything I associate with the Olympics.

 

Just out of curiosity, did you enjoy watching Michael Phelps?

[Mike Aller]

railing against their personalities and finances? huh?

 

All i've ever said was that a team of NBA All-Stars doesn't (to me) embody the spirit of the Olympics. When did I go on any tirades about the guys individually?

Why doesn't it embody the spirit of the Olympics? Is it because they are professionals and not amateurs?

 

 

no, because there are clearly professionals in other sports. it's one of those hard to define things. let's put it this way: I enjoy the parts of the Olympics that involve people who have sacrificed a lot, defied the odds, etc., etc. to get to where they are. I enjoy seeing underdogs win. I enjoy the outpour of emotion from those who overcame the odds and won a medal when no one thought they could. If the U.S. wins the gold in Men's Basketball, that's fine, but it wouldn't fulfill anything I associate with the Olympics.

Every single one of those players has their own story that got them to this point.

 

Outside of China, where they groom their athletes just for that exact purpose, pretty much every athlete has some sort of amazing and inspirational story to be told.

[Derwood]

railing against their personalities and finances? huh?

 

All i've ever said was that a team of NBA All-Stars doesn't (to me) embody the spirit of the Olympics. When did I go on any tirades about the guys individually?

Why doesn't it embody the spirit of the Olympics? Is it because they are professionals and not amateurs?

 

 

no, because there are clearly professionals in other sports. it's one of those hard to define things. let's put it this way: I enjoy the parts of the Olympics that involve people who have sacrificed a lot, defied the odds, etc., etc. to get to where they are. I enjoy seeing underdogs win. I enjoy the outpour of emotion from those who overcame the odds and won a medal when no one thought they could. If the U.S. wins the gold in Men's Basketball, that's fine, but it wouldn't fulfill anything I associate with the Olympics.

 

Just out of curiosity, did you enjoy watching Michael Phelps?

 

I did, and I realize that he was the favorite in every race. I think Phelps would have been less interesting if he had one every race by 2 lengths. The close races made it exciting. He was also attempting something unprecedented in Olympic history.

 

Question for you guys: Have you enjoyed Olympic baseball this year with the current US team, or would it be better with an All-Star squad of major leaguers?

[dew1679666265]

railing against their personalities and finances? huh?

 

All i've ever said was that a team of NBA All-Stars doesn't (to me) embody the spirit of the Olympics. When did I go on any tirades about the guys individually?

Why doesn't it embody the spirit of the Olympics? Is it because they are professionals and not amateurs?

 

 

no, because there are clearly professionals in other sports. it's one of those hard to define things. let's put it this way: I enjoy the parts of the Olympics that involve people who have sacrificed a lot, defied the odds, etc., etc. to get to where they are. I enjoy seeing underdogs win. I enjoy the outpour of emotion from those who overcame the odds and won a medal when no one thought they could. If the U.S. wins the gold in Men's Basketball, that's fine, but it wouldn't fulfill anything I associate with the Olympics.

 

Just out of curiosity, did you enjoy watching Michael Phelps?

 

I did, and I realize that he was the favorite in every race. I think Phelps would have been less interesting if he had one every race by 2 lengths. The close races made it exciting. He was also attempting something unprecedented in Olympic history.

 

I see your point.

 

Question for you guys: Have you enjoyed Olympic baseball this year with the current US team, or would it be better with an All-Star squad of major leaguers?

 

I actually haven't watched a baseball game yet. I would, though, prefer the major leaguers.

 

That is, considering it didn't have a negative impact on the MLB season.

[cubweiser03]

What channel was the U.S. game on and does anyone know if the final will be on the same channel?

The games have been on MSNBC. The US has been starting at 8EST except for today. I dont know when the finals starts.

[abuck1220]

guys, i don't know if you've noticed this, but derwood kinda just bitches about everything. just leave him be.

[OleMissCub]

Watching Cuba play the US in baseball reminds me of the old stories about when the Negro Leagues used to play the Major League teams and beat them. Cuba's equipment and apparel just looks so cheap compared to the US's, but the players are pretty damn good.

[shnsajax]

I don't want major league players playing simply because it takes place during the middle of the season

[dew1679666265]

I don't want major league players playing simply because it takes place during the middle of the season

 

That would be my biggest concern.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I don't want major league players playing simply because it takes place during the middle of the season

hence, the WBC

 

ETA: I mean World Baseball Classic, not Westboro Baptist Church

[bukie]

I don't want major league players playing simply because it takes place during the middle of the season

hence, the WBC

 

ETA: I mean World Baseball Classic, not Westboro Baptist Church

 

Not sure I'd put it past the Westboro Baptist Church to jump on this cause. They could picket...I dunno, independent minor league games full of washed up ex-major leaguers?

[Derwood]

guys, i don't know if you've noticed this, but derwood kinda just bitches about everything. just leave him be.

 

pot

kettle

etc.

[Banedon]

guys, i don't know if you've noticed this, but derwood kinda just bitches about everything. just leave him be.

 

pot

kettle

etc.

 

Do you know how old it gets having to be a referee between you two? How hard is it to leave each other alone?

[Guest]

my guess is that they don't strip China of the gold medals, but they do bump up the other competitors, leaving us with duel-gold medalists in a few events

 

If they do find the girls to be underage, they should be DQ'd and everyone should move up a medal. It's one thing if the judges screwed up (a la figure skating in 2002). But the age thing is just like taking steroids, it should make somebody ineligible and therefore, they shouldn't get the medal.

 

I'll be shocked if this is anything more than the IOC trying to make the issue go away.

 

It's obvious their attempt to ignore it hasn't worked, what with bloggers and news agencies digging around. Therefore, I have a feeling they're going to lead an "investigation" where they check a few Chinese governement-approved documents showing the girls are 16+ and they'll announce to the world that all is good.

 

I hope I'm wrong, but I have very little faith in the IOC. Am I wrong in that?

 

Nope. I have just as little faith in the IOC as you do. I really, really hope they conduct a serious investigation, but I doubt they actually will.

[Guest]

What channel was the U.S. game on and does anyone know if the final will be on the same channel?

The games have been on MSNBC. The US has been starting at 8EST except for today. I dont know when the finals starts.

 

Thanks.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

just finished trying to watch the USA/Argentina BBall game and fell asleep 3 times. I can't tell if it was really that boring or if I was just really tired. anywho, the upcoming schedule after the game said the gold medal game is tomorrow at 10 eastern

[hardcorecubfan]

4X400 women's team is beautiful....and they run well

[TruffleShuffle]

i'm glad that baseball is being removed from the olympics, but synchronized swimming remains :roll: