Neo

Public schools, baby!

I’ve done some research. It’s thorough and exhaustive. I have several conclusions: 1). No person who’s never played even one game of professional sports has ever played even one game of professional sports. There are no exceptions. 2). Every player drafted into a professional sport is evaluated before they are drafted in order to assess their ability to play the professional sport. The assessments include likelihoods and comparisons. There is ONE exception. In 1974, the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres drafted, from the Tokyo Katanas, ... 3). The evaluation is done by professionals and amateurs. Amateurs consider it fun. For instance, whole internet communities have arisen to discuss players before they’re drafted, games before they’re played, rules before they’re enacted, renovations before they’re made, tickets before they’re printed, .... ok, you get the point. 4). Like any assessment of talent in sports, anywhere, anytime, there is no guarantee the pre-professional assessment will predict professional performance. Pointing this out is a non sequitur and a truism that misses the point. The assessment acknowledges the truism and is made no less meaningful, important, or fun by it. 5). Dahlin excites me like no other.

I’m having fun, this morning ..... The Roman Colosseum was built, approximately, during the years 70 A.D. to 80 A.D. Just twenty years later, Juvenal wrote ... “… Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses.” A twenty year span in a 1,300 year empire. Almost smack dab in the middle. Tipping points and sharks jumping .... cue Santayana.

Bread and circuses, the hallmarks of decrepit societies and their governments. The opioids of public policy. The “you shall do for us” government becoming the “we will provide to you” government. I digress. I’m happy to debate public subsidies of arenas if it’s done honestly. I’d start with: There is an oligarchy that has something I want. It can only exist as an oligarchy. That’s its value. Crushing the oligarchy may feel good. Pyrrhic victories do, for a moment. Am I willing to spend money on the oligarchy’s terms for its product? Viewing the expenditure as an investment, or as a job creator, is a smokescreen. Envying and demonizing the oligarchist is a waste of time and emotional capital. Are The Bills worth $500 million to 1.1 million people? I’ve grudgingly supported previous public participation in stadiums. I’ve known the negotiation was not between equals. I’m aware a few benefit disproportionately. As a result, I’m Buffalo, and not Birmingham. Worth it?

Fascinating stuff in the industry. I’d love to see a thread frequented or moderated by J Wawrow talking about what’s going on and how the talent is adapting. I grew up with by-lines and deadlines. I read, now, about clicks, followers and paywalls. My interest is the human aspect. My industry is changing so fast. The number one skill I tell young people to hone is adaptability. Being good at something today may be considerably less valuable tomorrow. I wish them well. I feel their pain.

Reason 3,352 I never played in the NHL ... I’m un-nicknamable...

Kathryn Tappen saying “Jonesy” ... hockey’s old school cool.

You’re right ....

Interesting call coming up in an elimination game. Anyone think that’s not five and a game?

Bingo!

Rob Ray ... my favorite Lemiuex moment.

If you’re guilty, I am, too.

Hockey ... I’d almost forgotten.

I do love me some Ovie ...

Let’s go Bolts!* * because my true blue heartfelt forever team, the Buffalo Sabres, who I shall never abandon, besmirch, regardless of my zip code, isn’t playing. I mentioned it earlier. This is a town that’s learned hockey and come to love the Bolts. It’s not a Buffalo knowledge crowd. It’s not a three deep off the street expert crowd. It is, however, in love with its team. The games are loud and the arena’s fun.

Boy, this, word for word ... we are of the same vintage ... EXCEPT I am adding Hasek, the rest of the hockey world be damned. Regarding Crosby and “generational”, I have the following thoughts. If he’s not, I can’t tell you why. True’s PPG stat opened my eyes. He’s captained Cup teams. However, I’m not sure he’s even the greatest player of his generation, let alone all time generational. Ovechkin hasn’t been mentioned other than in your post (unless I missed it). If Crosby is generational, isn’t Ovechkin? Do Cups put Crosby over the top?

Two “good ones”!

NO snip for brevity! Without joining the conversation around PA’s stance, I have to say that this is a wonderfully constructed post! I will add logos to the oft demonstrated ethos and pathos in your persuasion tool bag. I nominate this entry for the Aristotelian Rhetoric award for May, 2018.

I agree. I think “Yeahhhh!!!! We’re going to win the cup!” was asking for it! “Put ‘em up!”

I’ve lived in Tampa Bay for over twenty years. The city’s had Super Bowl wins and Stanley Cup wins. They were awesome. They were fun. They weren’t my victories, however. I’m still waiting for mine. My view, though, is mine. It’s not unanimous for ex-pats. For years, I’d have debates with natives and ex-pats about the “appropriateness” of adopting the local teams as my own. I understand their point of view. I tried to make them understand mine. No minds were changes. The closest I came was when talking to a Gator, or Seminole, or Hurricane. “Would you cheer for the Sooners if you moved to Oklahoma City?” “Hell, no!” That said, I know Lightning fans who grew up in Detroit, Toronto, and New York. I know one who grew up in Buffalo, poor misguided bastard. I understand that. I think there are many nooks and crannies, here. If the success of the Jets, Knights or Leafs makes you happy, then I’m happy for you. Post away. Outside views make conversations richer, I believe. Especially when they aggravate! Remember, though ... keep your hands up and your feet moving!

True! Especially in a more press friendly era.

Ask him. His vexation level is not relevant to the veracity of the allegation. I’ll manufacture a few possible reasons for his lack of “sufficient” response. Perhaps Bobby Hull doesn’t give a rat’s butt what a Moscow newspaper writes. Perhaps he relies on you and me to consider the source and consider the evidence. Perhaps Bobby Hull expects people to look at accusations critically. In short, perhaps he’s reasonable. I am thinking of Shakespeare ... “Methinks thou doth protest too much”. Would you accuse Hull of OVER protesting if he’d hired a PR firm and taken out billboards? You’re reading into his psyche and motive. Fun stuff, perhaps, but not the stern stuff necessary to paint someone as a NAZI sympathizer.

Welcome to SabreSpace. The learned (other than me) see Xs and Os most clearly. I get a glimpse, from time to time! I understand the deficiencies you reference relate to the mis-match of talent and system. Housley’s up tempo defense requires skilled puck handlers, speed and offensive anticipation. When you attack, you’re vulnerable to same. You’d better attack successfully. I believe asking more pedestrian defensemen, in terms of skill and speed, to attack exposed our team to counterattack without ever fulfilling the promise of initial attack! There are systems that better fit the less speedy or less skilled. Too many words .... Can I say “thank you for your service” or am I drawing a conclusion erroneously?

I believe he was a deplorable person. I heard this decades ago. I’m old. I don’t know if he’s still a deplorable person, or not. This would be intersting to me when opining on how he should be treated, today. And, before someone puts words into my post (“so, you’re saying ....”), what he’s alleged to have done is equal parts dispicable, sad, brutal and hurtful. Maybe I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, but I’ve known good people who were bad for a long time. I need to learn more before applying judgment. As to nfreeman’s question, I offer the following. Allegations made by Russian newspapers appropriately line the bottom of birdcages. There is no threshold of outrage and effort I need for him to meet in his denials. It’s allegations that “should” be proved, not denials. I think that’s how it works. I’m skeptical that a Moscow newspaper uncovered what would be an outrageous viewpoint that teammates, fans, and thousand of interviewers over decades failed to uncover. If there’s other evidence, let me know. I won’t judge the veracity of the slander by the intensity of the response.

I have to say “no”. Born in Canada.