General Sports Talk

Is she rounding into shape or just washed up?

Quote: SOOPOO

Quote: AutomaticMonkey

Quote: billryan

An unusual sequence in yesterday's Yankees game. It's the last time they meet this season, and the series was tied 6-6. The game winner will hold any possible playoff tiebreakers between the two teams.
With the Yankees up 7-1 in the 7th, Jazz Chisum is on first, and Boston didn't hold him on, so he stole second. The Boston announcers call it a bush-league play and complain that he doesn't know how to play the game. Jazz takes off and steals third on the very next pitch. One Boston announcer is apoplectic and saying the Sawx should bean Austin Wells to make up for Jazz's play. -Boston's pitcher grooves a fastball, and Austin hits a home run. Boston's announcers are not happy, as the next Yankee also hits a home run. The wheels fall off, and the Yankees go on to win 16-1, and the Sox announcers insist Jazz doesn't understand how to play the game. Jazz, uncharacteristically, had nothing to say after the game, but calling for a player to hurt another shouldn't go unpunished. When your team loses the biggest game of the season by 15 runs, blaming an opponent seems pretty weak. The Yankees widened the gap between the teams by winning three of the four games.

This year's schedule is just plain strange. The Yankees had eight days off in August, including two in the middle of a home stand, but had to fly to California and play today without a travel day.
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A 7-1 lead is not enough to apply the blowout rules, especially now that a blowout where you can use a position player to pitch has been codified by MLB.

As far as calling for a beanball- that is never the call of anyone but the guy who is going to get knocked onto the back of his head if the batter charges the mound, which is the pitcher. They don't do that much for things like that anymore anyway. That's mostly reserved as retaliation for hit batsmen, dangerous slides and similar things that can cause injury.
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Agree. Just a day or so ago a team lost with a 6 run lead in the 9th inning. I absolutely want my team trying to add runs when up by 6. It’s a Neanderthal radio announcer commenting. Just ignore him.

In response to a question from a reporter about a game in which Jimmy Johnson had been accused of running up the score, Johnson said,”if you don’t like it then play better. “

Football is about to kick off its pre-bowl season, but as many as 400 roster spots are stuck in the court system. There are multiple lawsuits over eligibility still to be settled, and the SEC is seemingly disintegrating. The SEC Athletic Directors voted to sanction LSU 16-0, while SEC coaches are trying to sign their own former NFL players. After the NCAA adopted new rules for incoming players, hundreds of formerly ineligible players are appealing for another year. It appears at least some of them will play this weekend as schools get temporary court orders.

Quote: billryan

Football is about to kick off its pre-bowl season, but as many as 400 roster spots are stuck in the court system. There are multiple lawsuits over eligibility still to be settled, and the SEC is seemingly disintegrating. The SEC Athletic Directors voted to sanction LSU 16-0, while SEC coaches are trying to sign their own former NFL players. After the NCAA adopted new rules for incoming players, hundreds of formerly ineligible players are appealing for another year. It appears at least some of them will play this weekend as schools get temporary court orders.
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I would like to see the college football playoffs board of managers to make a ruling on this. They are independent of the NCAA and should come out and say that any team that plays a player that was on an NFL squad is prohibited from playing in the playoff. It would be much harder for a team or player to fight this since it is not an NCAA sanctioned group. A team like LSU that is capable and hoping to make the playoff would have to decide if it would be worth it to play a former NFL player and possibly be excluded from the playoff.

Quote: DRich

Quote: billryan

Football is about to kick off its pre-bowl season, but as many as 400 roster spots are stuck in the court system. There are multiple lawsuits over eligibility still to be settled, and the SEC is seemingly disintegrating. The SEC Athletic Directors voted to sanction LSU 16-0, while SEC coaches are trying to sign their own former NFL players. After the NCAA adopted new rules for incoming players, hundreds of formerly ineligible players are appealing for another year. It appears at least some of them will play this weekend as schools get temporary court orders.
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I would like to see the college football playoffs board of managers to make a ruling on this. They are independent of the NCAA and should come out and say that any team that plays a player that was on an NFL squad is prohibited from playing in the playoff. It would be much harder for a team or player to fight this since it is not an NCAA sanctioned group. A team like LSU that is capable and hoping to make the playoff would have to decide if it would be worth it to play a former NFL player and possibly be excluded from the playoff.
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The SEC already tried this with a much better claim to having authority - they would take enormous financial penalties against schools and their head coaches -and they got bitch-slapped by a court which put a temporary injunction on them. Apparently, Greg Sankey isn't in complete charge on his plantation.

And the SEC university presidents didn't vote 16-0 to prohibit the players in question. They voted 15-0-1 with the LSU president abstaining.

The NBA just stripped the Clippers of five First Round picks and fined the owner $30 million dollars over the Leonard scandal. I didn't see that coming.

Quote: billryan

The NBA just stripped the Clippers of five First Round picks and fined the owner $30 million dollars over the Leonard scandal. I didn't see that coming.
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In my opinion, still too light of a penalty. This may be the worst case of premeditated cheating that we have seen in team sports by ownership.

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wow - really crazy stuff - what is this world coming to - ? - idk -


"A recent combat sports event featured a match between a self-proclaimed neo-Nazi and a Jewish fighter, which concluded with antisemitic slurs and Nazi salutes inside an Orlando arena.

Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, during a Duel Arena kickboxing and MMA event on August 29, 2026.

The bout was headlined by Paul “Gypsy Crusader” Miller—an avowed white supremacist and convicted felon—and Ben “King” Azoulay, who is Jewish.

The Outcome: Miller defeated Azoulay by a split decision.

The Aftermath: Following the final bell, Miller performed Nazi salutes from the ring and used the arena microphone to direct an antisemitic slur at Azoulay.

The Crowd Reaction: A spectator in the stands unfurled a flag bearing a swastika while others performed Nazi salutes, prompting several minor brawls to break out in the audience before venue security intervened and ejected the individual with the flag

While this incident occurred at a Duel Arena combat sports event rather than the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), tensions involving white supremacy and antisemitism have previously intersected with the broader MMA and UFC sphere.

Israeli UFC fighter Natan Levy previously sparred with an online troll and white supremacist supporter in a recorded match after exchanging challenges on social media.

Additionally, individual UFC fighters have faced public and organizational backlash for separate online or post-fight remarks referencing Nazi figures"


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/P-0B3MHTZZI

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Quote: lilredrooster

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wow - really crazy stuff - what is this world coming to - ? - idk -


"A recent combat sports event featured a match between a self-proclaimed neo-Nazi and a Jewish fighter, which concluded with antisemitic slurs and Nazi salutes inside an Orlando arena.

Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, during a Duel Arena kickboxing and MMA event on August 29, 2026.

The bout was headlined by Paul “Gypsy Crusader” Miller—an avowed white supremacist and convicted felon—and Ben “King” Azoulay, who is Jewish.

The Outcome: Miller defeated Azoulay by a split decision.

The Aftermath: Following the final bell, Miller performed Nazi salutes from the ring and used the arena microphone to direct an antisemitic slur at Azoulay.

The Crowd Reaction: A spectator in the stands unfurled a flag bearing a swastika while others performed Nazi salutes, prompting several minor brawls to break out in the audience before venue security intervened and ejected the individual with the flag

While this incident occurred at a Duel Arena combat sports event rather than the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), tensions involving white supremacy and antisemitism have previously intersected with the broader MMA and UFC sphere.

Israeli UFC fighter Natan Levy previously sparred with an online troll and white supremacist supporter in a recorded match after exchanging challenges on social media.

Additionally, individual UFC fighters have faced public and organizational backlash for separate online or post-fight remarks referencing Nazi figures"


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/P-0B3MHTZZI

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link to original post

Sounds like a first amendment right to me.

Quote: DRich

Quote: billryan

The NBA just stripped the Clippers of five First Round picks and fined the owner $30 million dollars over the Leonard scandal. I didn't see that coming.
link to original post

In my opinion, still too light of a penalty. This may be the worst case of premeditated cheating that we have seen in team sports by ownership.
link to original post

The NBA used to have a rule that you couldn't trade consecutive 1st Rd picks because of how important they are to a franchise's development. The Clippers fans are completely screwed while the owner pays out 30 million from his 150 billion. It's a speeding ticket for him, but the death penalty for the LA fans. The NBA forced Sterling to sell because he was a bigot. It seems they can easily force this turd out for cheating. Leonard was a willing participant in this sham and gets fined $700,000? I'd think a year-long suspension is in order. Smoke a joint, and you get a 60-day suspension that costs a player millions. Willingly participate in a scandal that destroys your team's future and get fined a couple of weeks' salary.

Quote: lilredrooster

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wow - really crazy stuff - what is this world coming to - ? - idk -


"A recent combat sports event featured a match between a self-proclaimed neo-Nazi and a Jewish fighter, which concluded with antisemitic slurs and Nazi salutes inside an Orlando arena.

Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, during a Duel Arena kickboxing and MMA event on August 29, 2026.

The bout was headlined by Paul “Gypsy Crusader” Miller—an avowed white supremacist and convicted felon—and Ben “King” Azoulay, who is Jewish.

The Outcome: Miller defeated Azoulay by a split decision.

The Aftermath: Following the final bell, Miller performed Nazi salutes from the ring and used the arena microphone to direct an antisemitic slur at Azoulay.

The Crowd Reaction: A spectator in the stands unfurled a flag bearing a swastika while others performed Nazi salutes, prompting several minor brawls to break out in the audience before venue security intervened and ejected the individual with the flag

While this incident occurred at a Duel Arena combat sports event rather than the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), tensions involving white supremacy and antisemitism have previously intersected with the broader MMA and UFC sphere.

Israeli UFC fighter Natan Levy previously sparred with an online troll and white supremacist supporter in a recorded match after exchanging challenges on social media.

Additionally, individual UFC fighters have faced public and organizational backlash for separate online or post-fight remarks referencing Nazi figures"


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/P-0B3MHTZZI

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That guy calls himself a White supremacist? He needs a mirror.

Seriously, that looks like a worked event. That guy does not have the face, the hair, or the look of somebody who was just in a real MMA fight. And being people who act like that make a lot of stupid friends and hysterical enemies, be alert for suspicious betting patterns.

Here's a scenario: you're a MMA fighter, not a very good one and you're not going to be winning any championships. Your career is worth maybe low-6 figures. So you style yourself as a Nazi like a professional wrestling heel, get name recognition, develop a loyal following among foolish young males who love both sports betting and outrageousness, wait for a fight in which there is both heavy action and you're the heavy favorite, and...?

We have 11 college football games tonight to choose to watch. The only game with less than a 10 point spread is Colorado vs Georgia Tech (-6.5). I will probably watch the Rutgers/UMass game and the Colorado/GTech game.

Quote: DRich

Sounds like a first amendment right to me.

there has to be some limits to first amendment rights
let's say you really hated people from Canada for whatever reason
do you have a right to get up in a public place with a microphone and say that everybody from Canada is a horrible person and everyone should thinking about killing some Canadians ?

I don't think so

.

Quote: DRich

Quote: lilredrooster

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wow - really crazy stuff - what is this world coming to - ? - idk -


"A recent combat sports event featured a match between a self-proclaimed neo-Nazi and a Jewish fighter, which concluded with antisemitic slurs and Nazi salutes inside an Orlando arena.

Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, during a Duel Arena kickboxing and MMA event on August 29, 2026.

The bout was headlined by Paul “Gypsy Crusader” Miller—an avowed white supremacist and convicted felon—and Ben “King” Azoulay, who is Jewish.

The Outcome: Miller defeated Azoulay by a split decision.

The Aftermath: Following the final bell, Miller performed Nazi salutes from the ring and used the arena microphone to direct an antisemitic slur at Azoulay.

The Crowd Reaction: A spectator in the stands unfurled a flag bearing a swastika while others performed Nazi salutes, prompting several minor brawls to break out in the audience before venue security intervened and ejected the individual with the flag

While this incident occurred at a Duel Arena combat sports event rather than the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), tensions involving white supremacy and antisemitism have previously intersected with the broader MMA and UFC sphere.

Israeli UFC fighter Natan Levy previously sparred with an online troll and white supremacist supporter in a recorded match after exchanging challenges on social media.

Additionally, individual UFC fighters have faced public and organizational backlash for separate online or post-fight remarks referencing Nazi figures"


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/P-0B3MHTZZI

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link to original post

Sounds like a first amendment right to me.


If you don't want neo-nazis in your organization, don't hire them. A person has a First Amendment right to be an ahole. That doesn't mean you have to give him a mic and a venue to spew his garbage.
I was interviewing a few people to work security in my club and thought I had the perfect candidate. After I had just about offered him the job, he stood up and walked out. Only then did I see he had a small SS tattoo on the base of his skull. I kept interviewing.
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Quote: lilredrooster

Quote: DRich

Sounds like a first amendment right to me.

there has to be some limits to first amendment rights
let's say you really hated people from Canada for whatever reason
do you have a right to get up in a public place with a microphone and say that everybody from Canada is a horrible person and everyone should thinking about killing some Canadians ?

I don't think so

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link to original post

I think you should absolutely have the right to get up and say that all Canadians are horrible people.

On Saturday we have an interesting college football game.

The Tigers travel from Death Valley to play the Tigers in Death Valley. Tigers are favored by 10.5

Quote: DRich

Quote: lilredrooster

Quote: DRich

Sounds like a first amendment right to me.

there has to be some limits to first amendment rights
let's say you really hated people from Canada for whatever reason
do you have a right to get up in a public place with a microphone and say that everybody from Canada is a horrible person and everyone should thinking about killing some Canadians ?

I don't think so

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link to original post

I think you should absolutely have the right to get up and say that all Canadians are horrible people.
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but you didn't say that you have the right to get up and say that people should go out and kill Canadians

you conveniently ignored that part of my op

is getting out in public with a microphone and advocating killing some group of people one of your sacred rights too ?

.

Quote: lilredrooster

Quote: DRich

Quote: lilredrooster

Quote: DRich

Sounds like a first amendment right to me.

there has to be some limits to first amendment rights
let's say you really hated people from Canada for whatever reason
do you have a right to get up in a public place with a microphone and say that everybody from Canada is a horrible person and everyone should thinking about killing some Canadians ?

I don't think so

.
link to original post

I think you should absolutely have the right to get up and say that all Canadians are horrible people.
link to original post

but you didn't say that you have the right to get up and say that people should go out and kill Canadians

you conveniently ignored that part of my op

is getting out in public with a microphone and advocating killing some group of people one of your sacred rights too ?

.
link to original post

"I hate those idiotic Canadians want them all to die!" Protected free speech, at least in the US.

"I hate those idiotic Canadians and I'm going to kill them all!" NOT protected free speech, at least in the US

Quote: billryan

The NBA just stripped the Clippers of five First Round picks and fined the owner $30 million dollars over the Leonard scandal. I didn't see that coming.
link to original post

I'm okay with the penalty against the Clippers and Balmer. They should've fined Leanard the max allowed under the CBA and suspended him for at least half a season.

Quote: GenoDRPh

Quote: lilredrooster

Quote: DRich

Quote: lilredrooster

Quote: DRich

Sounds like a first amendment right to me.

there has to be some limits to first amendment rights
let's say you really hated people from Canada for whatever reason
do you have a right to get up in a public place with a microphone and say that everybody from Canada is a horrible person and everyone should thinking about killing some Canadians ?

I don't think so

.
link to original post

I think you should absolutely have the right to get up and say that all Canadians are horrible people.
link to original post

but you didn't say that you have the right to get up and say that people should go out and kill Canadians

you conveniently ignored that part of my op

is getting out in public with a microphone and advocating killing some group of people one of your sacred rights too ?

.
link to original post

"I hate those idiotic Canadians want them all to die!" Protected free speech, at least in the US.

"I hate those idiotic Canadians and I'm going to kill them all!" NOT protected free speech, at least in the US
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if you're in a big city and you call a group of people a very bad word (you can guess what I'm referring to) and some of those people then assault you and push you to the ground and you break your leg -
I doubt that the powers that be in many big cities will be interested in charging those who assaulted you with a crime
so, in theory you had the right to free speech
but in reality you didn't

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Fighting words are not protected speech. Where that line is crossed depends on many things.
As with many rights, the time, place, and manner can make the difference.
Police can arrest you for speech that isn't protected, although prosecutors rarely pursue the charges. Police will often cite the person for disorderly conduct, which is much easier to prosecute.

Quote: GenoDRPh

Quote: lilredrooster

Quote: DRich

Quote: lilredrooster

Quote: DRich

Sounds like a first amendment right to me.

there has to be some limits to first amendment rights
let's say you really hated people from Canada for whatever reason
do you have a right to get up in a public place with a microphone and say that everybody from Canada is a horrible person and everyone should thinking about killing some Canadians ?

I don't think so

.
link to original post

I think you should absolutely have the right to get up and say that all Canadians are horrible people.
link to original post

but you didn't say that you have the right to get up and say that people should go out and kill Canadians

you conveniently ignored that part of my op

is getting out in public with a microphone and advocating killing some group of people one of your sacred rights too ?

.
link to original post

"I hate those idiotic Canadians want them all to die!" Protected free speech, at least in the US.

"I hate those idiotic Canadians and I'm going to kill them all!" NOT protected free speech, at least in the US
link to original post

The usual test depends on who you are, your relationship with whom you are speaking, and whether or not you expect your words to induce action. Not just suggest or advocate for bad acts.

Classic example: I tell a troop of US soldiers "Kill the Canadians!" But I'm just a monkey, nobody takes me seriously, and they will tell me to get lost so I haven't committed a crime. If I was a US military officer wearing my rank that statement becomes an order that they might well follow, and it is a crime. Same for telling someone in the Mafia to whack someone. They don't listen to monkeys either, but lots of Mafiosi have gone to prison for something they told someone underneath them in the organization to do.

Threats are another example, they induce fear and a defensive response and often a law enforcement response. But it has to be a credible threat and one that a reasonable person would expect you to be willing and able to carry out, not just an expression of anger.

In the case of the fighter throwing a Roman that's a political statement that has additional protections. We've never banned a domestic political party or a political ideology in the US and we shouldn't start. He can say "Support the National Socialists!" and be fully within his legal rights, and it's up to his promotion to discipline him, especially for doing that in the ring during a match. As I recall even professional wrestlers didn't fully cross that line, and the heels that used a German persona were using WWI rather than WWII imagery.

Most jurisdictions have some sort of statute for inciting a riot or disorderly conduct. Standing on a sidewalk chanting," Kill the pigs" while holding a poster is free speech. Screaming " kill the pigs" while swinging a club isn't.

Quote: GenoDRPh

Quote: billryan

The NBA just stripped the Clippers of five First Round picks and fined the owner $30 million dollars over the Leonard scandal. I didn't see that coming.
link to original post

I'm okay with the penalty against the Clippers and Balmer. They should've fined Leanard the max allowed under the CBA and suspended him for at least half a season.
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I believe the NBA and Leonard came to an agreed upon settlement. This settlement prevents it going to arbitration and may force Leonard to testify against the Clippers and Balmer if it goes to court. If true, probably a good strategic move by the NBA. Don't be surprised if more comes out on this story and the punishment increases. I believe the current wording is a minimum of 5 first round draft picks and a minimum $30 million fine.

Quote: lilredrooster

Quote: GenoDRPh

Quote: lilredrooster

Quote: DRich

Quote: lilredrooster

Quote: DRich

Sounds like a first amendment right to me.

there has to be some limits to first amendment rights
let's say you really hated people from Canada for whatever reason
do you have a right to get up in a public place with a microphone and say that everybody from Canada is a horrible person and everyone should thinking about killing some Canadians ?

I don't think so

.
link to original post

I think you should absolutely have the right to get up and say that all Canadians are horrible people.
link to original post

but you didn't say that you have the right to get up and say that people should go out and kill Canadians

you conveniently ignored that part of my op

is getting out in public with a microphone and advocating killing some group of people one of your sacred rights too ?

.
link to original post

"I hate those idiotic Canadians want them all to die!" Protected free speech, at least in the US.

"I hate those idiotic Canadians and I'm going to kill them all!" NOT protected free speech, at least in the US
link to original post

if you're in a big city and you call a group of people a very bad word (you can guess what I'm referring to) and some of those people then assault you and push you to the ground and you break your leg -
I doubt that the powers that be in many big cities will be interested in charging those who assaulted you with a crime
so, in theory you had the right to free speech
but in reality you didn't

.
link to original post

You are absolutely wrong on that account. The person absolutely had the right to free speech. If a court chooses not to prosecute that in no way inhibits someone's right to free speech. It does probably mean the legal system may need some work.

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from U.S. Courts (linked)


"Limits on Free Speech

Unprotected categories: The U.S. Courts note that certain types of expression receive no protection, such as true threats, incitement to imminent lawless action, defamation (libel and slander), and fraud "


The U.S. Courts Website is the official online portal for the federal judiciary of the United States.


https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/about-educational-outreach/activity-resources/what-does-free-speech-mean

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Quote: billryan

Quote: DRich

Quote: billryan

The NBA just stripped the Clippers of five First Round picks and fined the owner $30 million dollars over the Leonard scandal. I didn't see that coming.
link to original post

In my opinion, still too light of a penalty. This may be the worst case of premeditated cheating that we have seen in team sports by ownership.
link to original post

The NBA used to have a rule that you couldn't trade consecutive 1st Rd picks because of how important they are to a franchise's development. The Clippers fans are completely screwed while the owner pays out 30 million from his 150 billion. It's a speeding ticket for him, but the death penalty for the LA fans. The NBA forced Sterling to sell because he was a bigot. It seems they can easily force this turd out for cheating. Leonard was a willing participant in this sham and gets fined $700,000? I'd think a year-long suspension is in order. Smoke a joint, and you get a 60-day suspension that costs a player millions. Willingly participate in a scandal that destroys your team's future and get fined a couple of weeks' salary.
link to original post

I suppose you also believe that billionaires should serve longer prison terms for crimes than poor people? $30 million is an enormous fine. Should the players on the Houston Astros who cheated also be fined $30 million each? Kawhi Leonard was only fined $700K.

Leonard's agent (and Uncle), Dennis Robertson, is alleged to have openly asked teams for "part ownership of the team, a private plane that would be available at all times, a house and — last but certainly not least — a guaranteed amount of off-court endorsement money that they could expect if Leonard played for their team," per a 2019 report by The Athletic. Those requests were allegedly made of both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Toronto Raptors during the time Leonard was a free agent, per The Athletic.

Months after Leonard agreed to a three-year, $104 million deal with the Clippers, the NBA revealed it had investigated and found no evidence the team granted illegal benefits to Leonard during his free agency.

In the wake of the new investigation — which the NBA launched in September — Steve Ballmer and the Clippers continued to deny any and all allegations of wrongdoing. While speaking at a Sports Business Journal event later that month, Ballmer said he was "quite confident" the Clippers "abided by the rules." He welcomed an investigation, saying it would "get the facts out there." The Clipper's latest statement says

"There is nothing unusual about team sponsors doing endorsement deals with players on the same team. Neither Steve Ballmer nor the Clippers organization had any oversight of Kawhi's independent endorsement agreement with Aspiration. To say otherwise is flat-out wrong."

So I think this issue has a ways to play out. Adam Silver is neither Mother Teresa nor Albert Einstein so let's see where this issue lands.