What the league needs to regain former GLORY
Posted: Wed Jul 9, 2008 1:03 am
It would be nice if teams hated each other like in the past.
Back in the old days, some players would think it sacrilegious to even consider playing for their rival. Now, its almost like a fraternity... guys are partying with each other after the game, no one wants to burn bridges, the intensity is mostly contrived and there is very little dislike.
It’s almost like the league lost its bark. I obviously do not want fighting or a repeat of IND vs DET, but even that incident only had so much charge... it still did not compare to the rivalries of old.
Sports needs a storyline, it needs a Muhammad Ali build up, what would that boxing match be without Foreman looking Invincible, and Cassius throwing verbal jabs like David before Goliath?
I don't care about Nike, endorsements or vulgarity. What I want is some team swagger, not individual swagger, but team swagger. Too often fans just hate a player, I want to see fans hate an entire team... like the Detroit Pistons of old.
Where would Mohamed Ali be if his sponsors said that his stance with regards to the Vietnam war was causing losses? Why can't guys like Lebron be real? What have these "Just do it" corporate copyright sayings really done to our athletes?
...anyway, I really think the corporate world takes the edge off of these stars and they are no longer playing for a sport/team but for a brand. Why have we made it cool to sell out as an athlete?
Back in the old days, some players would think it sacrilegious to even consider playing for their rival. Now, its almost like a fraternity... guys are partying with each other after the game, no one wants to burn bridges, the intensity is mostly contrived and there is very little dislike.
It’s almost like the league lost its bark. I obviously do not want fighting or a repeat of IND vs DET, but even that incident only had so much charge... it still did not compare to the rivalries of old.
Sports needs a storyline, it needs a Muhammad Ali build up, what would that boxing match be without Foreman looking Invincible, and Cassius throwing verbal jabs like David before Goliath?
I don't care about Nike, endorsements or vulgarity. What I want is some team swagger, not individual swagger, but team swagger. Too often fans just hate a player, I want to see fans hate an entire team... like the Detroit Pistons of old.
Where would Mohamed Ali be if his sponsors said that his stance with regards to the Vietnam war was causing losses? Why can't guys like Lebron be real? What have these "Just do it" corporate copyright sayings really done to our athletes?
...anyway, I really think the corporate world takes the edge off of these stars and they are no longer playing for a sport/team but for a brand. Why have we made it cool to sell out as an athlete?