The Draft

First of all, nothing pisses me off more than the NFL draft. so much build up for two days...just like the whole season. so much build up for one game a week. but anyways, it has made me think...why is the draft so big? There have been tons of articles comparing Russel to Quinn or Lynch to Peterson. But how does one know who is better? We briefly talked in class about tools of a player versus his or her athleticism. Which would you choose?

As well, I find it interesting how in basketball and football, the drafted players can make suich a huge impact right away. While in baseball, its a draft to hone and train players even further. For example, Kevin Durant "is the best player in college right now" and will make an immediate impact on his team. And yet, Jeff Samardzija is getting paid 10 million to not even play pro ball at the moment. Should one that isn't playing at the highest level be paid that much? It just doesn't seem fair.

We Were Kings

Basically...Muhammed Ali is a badass.

I found it funny that McMahon said he is, not by her opinion solely, but is the greatest athelete of our time. I found it funny because even though I could easily argue and disagree with her, i agreed. There are plenty of athletes that are technically "better" than him, but as We Were Kings said generations from now, people will still know the story of Muhammed Ali. He made such an impact that it is impossible to ignore.

I wrote about him for my high school application essay. I said that I found him to be a hero of mine. Can he truly be my hero if there was no interaction? I find him admirable and I am amazed by him.

So my question is: Is Ali the greatest? Can one athlete be considered the greatest over all others even in other sports?

Ali's answer would probably be Yes.

Sport is a game

After this weeks reading, it occured to me: Sport really is just a game. Ok, that sounds stupid and obvious but how often do people forget it? It seems that most people criticize one that claims sport is just a game if he or she is an athlete. But it is ok for a spectator to claim it is just a game. For an athlete, sport must be life, but for a fan sport must be a game. How often do we laugh at those RedSoxNation fans who commit everything they have to a game? And yet, we respect them for their loyalty. What makes the game of sport so different from all other games that is ok for a man to be belligerent and wild for 1-3 hours a week of his life?

I love sports: watching and playing them. But, when it comes down to it, sport is just a game. Why can't i get as dedicated or committed to playing tag or the other mimicry games of childhood? Is there less sense of competition (probably as we get older) but what makes the sports of baseball, basketball and football so enriching and mesmerizing that they don't appear to be games?

Art vs. Sport

First of all, I think it is ridiculous to compare the two (art and sport). I admit that I am probably the first to call a play beautiful or watch a certain player for beauty or the way he or she plays the game. However, I use it just as an expression. In no way do i believe you can compare sport and art as the same thing. It just doesn't make sense. If that is the case, shouldn't we do the same for almost every expression? "Serious as a heart attack!" do we really mean the event that just took place is similar to a heart attack? I don't think so...unless the event is a heart attack or something of the sort.

But in any such case, calling a play or watching a sport for its beauty is not art. It is entertaining and it simply comes down to appreciation. I appreciate sport for when it is played right, because when it is played right, it is beautiful. Other people appreciate art for its aesthetics, style, etc. because when those come together in the right form, it is beautiful. So maybe they are similar?

I could, and we have, argued about this for the past 2 class sessions, and it gets no where. The main point is that it comes down to matter of opinion and personal enjoyment. So why bother arguing when those that want to go to the Field Museum instead of watching the Superbowl do so? Just let them go. they'll miss a good game