By Kalen Patrick
Real fans only know what it's really like when things are good and when things are bad. Real fans will stick by their teams through thick and thin no matter what. But which cities have it the best and which cities have it the hardest? Lets take a closer look....
Most Spoiled
Boston. My aim is to keep it in the recent years, Boston have celebrated a World Championship in all 4 major sports in recent years. The Bruins won just a matter of weeks ago, the Celtics won in 2008, the Red Sox in 2007 and 2004, the Patriots have won 3 Superbowls this decade. Not only this, but the Celtics have been to numerous Finals, Patriots were in a Superbowl a few years ago. All of the Boston teams are always in the playoff discussion and most are legitimate championship contenders. Honestly, if you are a fan in the Boston/New England area, you have absolutely nothing to complain about and just relish these times because they won't always be this good.
Most Tortured
Cleveland. It has to be Cleveland right? Lebron leaves the Cavs, the Browns are well the Browns, the Indians gave the city some hope but have crashed all the way back down to reality, and since Lebron left the Cavs only had the 2nd worst record, tied a record for most consecutive losses and had the 1st and 4th overall picks in one of the weakest drafts in recent memory.
While the teams do have some glimmer of hope, doesn't it just seem like they are cursed? The Browns are in a division with 2 of the best run franchises in Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The Cavs have a serious inability to attract any kind of talent and the Indians are the definition of mediocre. How things could have been different if the Cavs traded for Amare Stoudemire and not a 40 year old Shaq.
Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
NHL's Time to Shine
Many die hard Hockey fans often ask the question, "Why is Hockey not more popular in the US?" My answer to this question was always something along the lines of, people lead busy lives, after Football, Baseball and Basketball, there just isn't enough time to get in to more sports. This in my opinion also explains why Soccer and NASCAR haven't taken off in the US. Easier access to these sports via the internet or increased cable access has raised their popularity, but are still dwarfed by the "Big 3" (NFL, MLB and NBA). The NHL has the most potential for expanding significantly, the best Hockey players in the World play nightly in various arenas around the US and Canada.
The NHL has been offered a golden opportunity with the NFL currently locked out, and the NBA destined for a lock out which is meant to be as bad if not worse than the current NFL lock out. Baseball season would be all but over when the Hockey season comes around again too. So this may be the most important Summer for Hockey in recent years. Hockey must be extremely pro-active in establishing itself for the new season. Promotion of the biggest stars (Ovechkin, Crosby, etc etc), put on a bunch of events where fans can meet the players, get the games on primetime and putting in a huge effort to promote Fantasy Hockey worldwide. A huge contingent of the players are European, the NHL should look in to having some games played across various locations in Europe, where Hockey is extremely popular.
Hockey is best experienced live, the main goal of the NHL should be to get new people to come to games, by doing this you can convert many people to Hockey fans. I myself never cared much for Hockey until I went to see the Boston Bruins take on the Ottawa Senators in downtown Boston at the Garden, in the Spring of '09. Being at an actual game was one of the greatest sporting experiences of my life. The crowd especially in Boston go crazy for their teams, the atmosphere was infectious, and I couldn't help but get off my seat and shout at every crushing hit, jump up in excitement when Boston scored and shout and root along with everyone else there. The experience was just awesome. The next best Hockey experience was watching the Finals of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. USA vs Canada Final, USA scored with less than a minute left to tie it up and take it to overtime, where Canada eventually scored for the win. That may have been one of the most action packed finishes to a game that I have seen in years.
Ryan Kessler's goal in the final minute on Canadian Roberto Luongo was one of the best sports experiences I have seen
What are the most exciting 5 minutes in Sports? For me, it's in Hockey, the final 5 minutes in a tie game, where the action is so back and forth, fast and furious, that you almost can't contain your excitement. Then comes that slapshot, the puck moving so fast you can't see it, until it hits off the back of the net and you hear the horn. Everyone screams in happiness and the players throw off their gloves and you watch the replay over and over in amazement. Don't get me wrong, I love the 9th inning in Baseball, I love the 2 minute drives in football and I love the the anxious final minutes in Basketball, but there is just something about the ending to a Hockey game which is unmatched. The only problem? People don't know about it.
Hockey must do a better job of making the people in the cities with a Hockey team care about that team. For example, the San Jose Sharks, sure they have a strong following in San Jose, but there is such huge potential for the entire Bay Area. If Hockey can get the Bay Area hooked? They have immediately got the Sharks fanbase and made it 10 times bigger. Hockey must also improve promoting the history of the game. Younger generation doesn't know about Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux, or even the miracle on ice where during the Cold War, USA defeated the heavily favored USSR in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
The 'Miracle on Ice' is considered one of the most patriotic moments in US sports
I won't pretend to have all the answers, and I certainly wouldn't make any guarantee's that everyone will feel the same way about Hockey as I do, but I do expect the NHL to make a HUGE effort in the coming months. If not? Hockey will destine to be forever the back burner to the other major sports. And all I could say if that happens, is "I told you so".
 |
| Just some of the Superstars in the NHL |
Hockey is best experienced live, the main goal of the NHL should be to get new people to come to games, by doing this you can convert many people to Hockey fans. I myself never cared much for Hockey until I went to see the Boston Bruins take on the Ottawa Senators in downtown Boston at the Garden, in the Spring of '09. Being at an actual game was one of the greatest sporting experiences of my life. The crowd especially in Boston go crazy for their teams, the atmosphere was infectious, and I couldn't help but get off my seat and shout at every crushing hit, jump up in excitement when Boston scored and shout and root along with everyone else there. The experience was just awesome. The next best Hockey experience was watching the Finals of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. USA vs Canada Final, USA scored with less than a minute left to tie it up and take it to overtime, where Canada eventually scored for the win. That may have been one of the most action packed finishes to a game that I have seen in years.
What are the most exciting 5 minutes in Sports? For me, it's in Hockey, the final 5 minutes in a tie game, where the action is so back and forth, fast and furious, that you almost can't contain your excitement. Then comes that slapshot, the puck moving so fast you can't see it, until it hits off the back of the net and you hear the horn. Everyone screams in happiness and the players throw off their gloves and you watch the replay over and over in amazement. Don't get me wrong, I love the 9th inning in Baseball, I love the 2 minute drives in football and I love the the anxious final minutes in Basketball, but there is just something about the ending to a Hockey game which is unmatched. The only problem? People don't know about it.
I won't pretend to have all the answers, and I certainly wouldn't make any guarantee's that everyone will feel the same way about Hockey as I do, but I do expect the NHL to make a HUGE effort in the coming months. If not? Hockey will destine to be forever the back burner to the other major sports. And all I could say if that happens, is "I told you so".
Monday, May 23, 2011
Recap of the Weekends Action
Well being the bay area fan that I am, it was a weekend with some good and bad. First my San Francisco Giants sweep the Oakland A's. Scoring I believe 10 total runs to complete a 3 game sweep. That just goes to show you how elite the Giants pitching is. From Vogelsong to Lincecum and Affeldt to Wilson. Giants now have won 5 in a row and 14 of 18. All without their hottest hitter in Pablo Sandoval. Very impressive, definitely a team no one wants to face.
Tim Lincecum 5th career shutout on 5/21/11 against the A's
Meanwhile in the world of the NHL, my Sharks took a tough loss and are now on the brink of elimination from the Conference Finals. In the words of the annoying Justin Bieber, never say never. You can't help but feel even reaching the WCF would still be a disappointing season for the Sharkies. Oh well, can't wait to see how it plays out.
Both Miami and Dallas take commanding leads in the NBA Conference Finals. It feels like the Heat have figured out Derrick Rose, while Russell Westbrook of the Thunder is imploding and ruining all of the chemistry this young Thunder team have.
NFL News? Still locked out, and according to Ray Lewis, expect NFL players to start going on crime sprees, good times friends.
That's it for tonight. Tomorrow will have my MLB Power Rankings, and thoughts on the NFL Lockout and how the San Francisco 49ers offseason has gone.
Follow me on twitter at twitter.com/kalen182
Meanwhile in the world of the NHL, my Sharks took a tough loss and are now on the brink of elimination from the Conference Finals. In the words of the annoying Justin Bieber, never say never. You can't help but feel even reaching the WCF would still be a disappointing season for the Sharkies. Oh well, can't wait to see how it plays out.
Both Miami and Dallas take commanding leads in the NBA Conference Finals. It feels like the Heat have figured out Derrick Rose, while Russell Westbrook of the Thunder is imploding and ruining all of the chemistry this young Thunder team have.
NFL News? Still locked out, and according to Ray Lewis, expect NFL players to start going on crime sprees, good times friends.
That's it for tonight. Tomorrow will have my MLB Power Rankings, and thoughts on the NFL Lockout and how the San Francisco 49ers offseason has gone.
Follow me on twitter at twitter.com/kalen182
Saturday, May 21, 2011
The Day So Far
Wow, well what a great start to this Saturday. Let's start it with the Bruins - Lightening game. Boston held a commanding lead 3-0 in the 1st period, only to let Tampa back in it in the 2nd period. 2 quick goals by Teddy Purcell and it was suddenly 3-2. From there on out the Lightening didn't let up and ended up winning this won 5-3. Who'd have seen that coming?
The other big happenings so far include the White Sox currently dominating the Dodgers 9-2 in Chicago (8th inning) and another huge day for Toronto Blue Jay Jose Bautista. If you have to take any hitter in the Majors it may have to be Bautista. Crushing 2 more HR's today, his total for the season is 18, also batting .364 Slugging .841.
Jose Bautista RF Toronto Blue Jays
He is on pace for 60+ HR's, 100+ RBI and that ridiculous .364 Average. Many thought Jose's season last year was a fluke or just a once off, well obviously he is proving the contrary. This guy is for real and he may just be the best hitter in Baseball.
That's it so far. Can't wait for the rest of the days action.
The other big happenings so far include the White Sox currently dominating the Dodgers 9-2 in Chicago (8th inning) and another huge day for Toronto Blue Jay Jose Bautista. If you have to take any hitter in the Majors it may have to be Bautista. Crushing 2 more HR's today, his total for the season is 18, also batting .364 Slugging .841.
He is on pace for 60+ HR's, 100+ RBI and that ridiculous .364 Average. Many thought Jose's season last year was a fluke or just a once off, well obviously he is proving the contrary. This guy is for real and he may just be the best hitter in Baseball.
That's it so far. Can't wait for the rest of the days action.
Previewing the Day In Sports
What a great time of year, NBA Playoffs, NHL Playoffs, Baseball in full swing. So much sports, so little time. I will give my recommendations for the must see games. Here goes:
NHL - Boston Bruins vs Tampa Bay Lightening. In Tampa Bay, Florida. 10:30AM Pacific.
Sitting here watching this game. Real fast opening to this game. Back and forth action. Currently Boston up 3-0 in the 1st period. Even if you are not a hockey fan, Conference Final games are always worth watching.
MLB - Oakland Athletics vs San Francisco Giants. In San Francisco, California. 4:10PM Pacific.
For me Tim Lincecum is always a must see. What makes this even better? A great matchup against Brett Anderson who's having a stellar year so far. If you like pitching duels, this one is for you. Add to the fact that this is the always entertaining Bay Bridge Series, check this game out if you get the chance.
NBA - Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder. In OKC. 6:00PM Pacific.
Dirk Nowitzki vs Kevin Durant, 2 of the premier scorers in the NBA. Both players always create huge mismatches and either can go for 35+ points on any given night. This game has excitement and offense written all over it.
Lots of good games on today, Interleague play in Baseball this weekend. Tomorrow we get Lebron James and the Heat vs Derrick Rose and the Bulls in the ECF, while in Hockey we get the Canucks vs Sharks. Enjoy friends.
NHL - Boston Bruins vs Tampa Bay Lightening. In Tampa Bay, Florida. 10:30AM Pacific.
Sitting here watching this game. Real fast opening to this game. Back and forth action. Currently Boston up 3-0 in the 1st period. Even if you are not a hockey fan, Conference Final games are always worth watching.
MLB - Oakland Athletics vs San Francisco Giants. In San Francisco, California. 4:10PM Pacific.
For me Tim Lincecum is always a must see. What makes this even better? A great matchup against Brett Anderson who's having a stellar year so far. If you like pitching duels, this one is for you. Add to the fact that this is the always entertaining Bay Bridge Series, check this game out if you get the chance.
NBA - Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder. In OKC. 6:00PM Pacific.
Dirk Nowitzki vs Kevin Durant, 2 of the premier scorers in the NBA. Both players always create huge mismatches and either can go for 35+ points on any given night. This game has excitement and offense written all over it.
Lots of good games on today, Interleague play in Baseball this weekend. Tomorrow we get Lebron James and the Heat vs Derrick Rose and the Bulls in the ECF, while in Hockey we get the Canucks vs Sharks. Enjoy friends.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)