OT: General Off Topic Thread [No Politics, Race, Religion, etc.]

MikeIsGood · Post #681 » by **MikeIsGood** » Thu Aug 28, 2025 2:43 pm

I really do think Ben Shelton is going to win a major. I don't think he's there yet (though he looks great so far), but he's on the right path. His groundstrokes have gotten so much better and it feels like there's still a lot there that's untapped.

Post #682 » by **ReasonablySober** » Thu Aug 28, 2025 7:21 pm

MikeIsGood wrote:I really do think Ben Shelton is going to win a major. I don't think he's there yet (though he looks great so far), but he's on the right path. His groundstrokes have gotten so much better and it feels like there's still a lot there that's untapped.

I just read an explanation for the hubbub with Townsend and I have to ask you if I'm being punked. Tennis players honestly get upset if you don't apologize for hitting the net on a winning point? That's a thing??

MikeIsGood · Post #683 » by **MikeIsGood** » Thu Aug 28, 2025 10:33 pm

ReasonablySober wrote:
MikeIsGood wrote:I really do think Ben Shelton is going to win a major. I don't think he's there yet (though he looks great so far), but he's on the right path. His groundstrokes have gotten so much better and it feels like there's still a lot there that's untapped.

I just read an explanation for the hubbub with Townsend and I have to ask you if I'm being punked. Tennis players honestly get upset if you don't apologize for hitting the net on a winning point? That's a thing??

Some do, but I wouldn't read too far into it. Ostapenko is loony. I saw (elsewhere) someone post a YT compilation of all the times she's flipped out.

Post #684 » by **ReasonablySober** » Fri Aug 29, 2025 4:57 am

I cancelled on my folks tonight to come over and watch the Badgers and make food for them because it's been a long two months at work and I just need a break. But my niece was apparently really excited for uncle Matt's pizza and wouldn't stop talking about it all day. I so came over and made her favorite pizza and she rode down on her bike, excited as hell. Warmed my old heart.

Post #685 » by **MickeyDavis** » Fri Aug 29, 2025 11:08 pm

VB season just started on BTN vs. #14 Kansas

Post #686 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sat Aug 30, 2025 1:16 am

Going to 5

Win. #5 Texas Sunday

MikeIsGood · Post #687 » by **MikeIsGood** » Sat Aug 30, 2025 3:33 am

Colyer was as good as advertised. Serving errors were as horrid as ever, but the new libero settled in well and flashed some plus-server ability in the latter sets. Seems like a team of talent, but it's a bunch of girls who have never played together so far. I think like last year it's going to take a few matches to start to get a feel of it.

Headed back home and will miss Texas, but I believe that one is on FS1. Don't think we have much of a shot but will be exciting to go in with low expectations and a talented team.

Mags FTW · Post #688 » by **Mags FTW** » Sun Aug 31, 2025 3:28 pm

First time in the Dells in over 20 years. Good to see it's still trashy as ever.

MikeIsGood · Post #689 » by **MikeIsGood** » Sun Aug 31, 2025 6:08 pm

Wisconsin/Texas on BTN.

MikeIsGood · Post #690 » by **MikeIsGood** » Sun Aug 31, 2025 6:38 pm

This set would be ours if we could **** serve.

drew881 · Post #691 » by **drew881** » Mon Sep 1, 2025 2:24 am

Seems like US Open has a crazy amount of injuries this year.

MikeIsGood · Post #692 » by **MikeIsGood** » Mon Sep 1, 2025 7:25 pm

Osaka looks great. Really happy for her and how happy she obviously is.

Gauff has been a mess all tourney so no surprise for her to bow out. Uber talented but she's obviously working through some form changes and yips. Serve is a total train wreck.

Post #693 » by **Prez** » Mon Sep 1, 2025 10:48 pm

I've largely enjoyed this US Open but it's hard to not notice how little depth of great talent there is on the men's side outside of Jannik/Carlos.

Even in the big 3 era with Rafa/Roger/Novak demolishing the tour it was 3 dominant guys instead of 2, and even beyond that you had Murray as the 4th guy who was an all-time great talent and a tier above anyone on the tour currently outside of Sincaraz. Then you had stretches of absolute brilliance from guys like Del Potro, Wawrinka, Thiem. And a bunch of dudes who had super high ceilings on any given night to seriously threaten the big 3 like Tsonga, Verdasco, Cilic, Nishikori, Soderling, etc.

On the current tour freaking Zverev is somehow #3 in the world, it's comical. 38 year old grandpa Djokovic is out here skipping non-grand slam tournaments, basically rolling off the couch for the grand slams and still casually smoking dudes and making QFs/SFs like it's nothing. Tsitsipas and Medvedev are washed. Ruud might be approaching that soon. Shapo and FAA showing a bit of life here but they're still not near what we thought they could be 2-3 years ago. Rune doesn't have it. Fonseca is like 2 years away. Fritz, Musetti, De Minaur, Khachanov, Paul, etc are all good but low ceiling players.

Draper and Shelton look like they could be elite, slam winning talents and threaten Sincaraz in the future but Draper is made of glass and Shelton just got hurt at the worst possible time as well and still has some things to clean up in his game. Praying 2026 is the year they become the Murray/Wawrinka/Delpo to Sincaraz :dontknow:

MikeIsGood · Post #694 » by **MikeIsGood** » Mon Sep 1, 2025 10:59 pm

I agree - and good summary. Men's side is in rough shape right now. Have to hope Joao and Mensk are legit. I have a little bit of hope for Musetti, too. But my eggs are kinda in the Ben Shelton basket.

Post #695 » by **ReasonablySober** » Wed Sep 3, 2025 1:45 am

Read on Twitter

He's been teasing this for a few weeks now. Probably not a coincidence that he just signed up to be apart of the NYT and Athletic podcast network. People who know say it's going immediately be the biggest story in sports, overtaking week one of the NFL.

Have no idea what it could be, but some of the people working on it are a former NBA insider and another former sports team president in baseball.

ReginaldDwight · Post #696 » by **ReginaldDwight** » Wed Sep 3, 2025 4:18 am

Mags FTW wrote:First time in the Dells in over 20 years. Good to see it's still trashy as ever.

Yeah its not a bad time though if you haven't been in a long time. I stayed at a really nice hotel right near the river that was far enough away from the main drag that it was quiet and a nice time. Did the upper dells and devils lake with someone whod never been so it was cool seeing it through fresh eyes.

drew881 · Post #697 » by **drew881** » Wed Sep 3, 2025 4:56 am

Prez wrote:I've largely enjoyed this US Open but it's hard to not notice how little depth of great talent there is on the men's side outside of Jannik/Carlos.

Even in the big 3 era with Rafa/Roger/Novak demolishing the tour it was 3 dominant guys instead of 2, and even beyond that you had Murray as the 4th guy who was an all-time great talent and a tier above anyone on the tour currently outside of Sincaraz. Then you had stretches of absolute brilliance from guys like Del Potro, Wawrinka, Thiem. And a bunch of dudes who had super high ceilings on any given night to seriously threaten the big 3 like Tsonga, Verdasco, Cilic, Nishikori, Soderling, etc.

On the current tour freaking Zverev is somehow #3 in the world, it's comical. 38 year old grandpa Djokovic is out here skipping non-grand slam tournaments, basically rolling off the couch for the grand slams and still casually smoking dudes and making QFs/SFs like it's nothing. Tsitsipas and Medvedev are washed. Ruud might be approaching that soon. Shapo and FAA showing a bit of life here but they're still not near what we thought they could be 2-3 years ago. Rune doesn't have it. Fonseca is like 2 years away. Fritz, Musetti, De Minaur, Khachanov, Paul, etc are all good but low ceiling players.

Draper and Shelton look like they could be elite, slam winning talents and threaten Sincaraz in the future but Draper is made of glass and Shelton just got hurt at the worst possible time as well and still has some things to clean up in his game. Praying 2026 is the year they become the Murray/Wawrinka/Delpo to Sincaraz

He was on his way out when the big three era started, but maybe throw in Roddick too. Only one 1 major, but had the ridiculous 5 set loss to Federer at Wimbledon.

I feel like the men’s 3-10 outside of Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic are Pegulas. They can consistently can get to the later rounds but fold hard against the top players. And then there are people I can’t really take seriously like Taylor Fritz. Medvedev, and Holger Rune (and his mom). Feels like lots of kids who are still kids into their 20s and won’t step up.

Post #698 » by **MickeyDavis** » Wed Sep 3, 2025 11:50 am

ReasonablySober wrote:

Read on Twitter

He's been teasing this for a few weeks now. Probably not a coincidence that he just signed up to be apart of the NYT and Athletic podcast network. People who know say it's going immediately be the biggest story in sports, overtaking week one of the NFL.

Have no idea what it could be, but some of the people working on it are a former NBA insider and another former sports team president in baseball.

It was posted this morning in the ATL thread.

BUCKnation · Post #699 » by **BUCKnation** » Wed Sep 3, 2025 2:40 pm

Was going to hype up Fritz a bit after Wimbleton and the previous US Open finish but then he gets ousted by the geezer :lol:

Mags FTW · Post #700 » by **Mags FTW** » Wed Sep 3, 2025 2:40 pm

ReginaldDwight wrote:
Mags FTW wrote:First time in the Dells in over 20 years. Good to see it's still trashy as ever.

Yeah its not a bad time though if you haven't been in a long time. I stayed at a really nice hotel right near the river that was far enough away from the main drag that it was quiet and a nice time. Did the upper dells and devils lake with someone whod never been so it was cool seeing it through fresh eyes.

We stayed at Chula Vista for 2 nights and never left the property until checkout. For what we paid, the rooms were not that great. On the way out of town we ate burgers at Monk's and walked Broadway. It was like I never left.