No More Mister Nice Guy

It has come to my attention that the sports world has lost all sense of entertainment, and is instead focused on a single product. Winning. Before it is asked, this will not be a commentary on the recent ramblings of a potentially insane star, despite the fact that he is winning. It's not as though I am above the idea of memes or the phenomenon of viral media, but there's a point where I draw the line at what is a humorous deviation from the norm and what is a planned attempt at attention grabbing.

Follow this link for the video, as it has no longer become available on YouTube.

When something like this is created, I want you to look me in the eye and tell me it isn't staged.


Regardless of all of that, I said this wouldn't be a commentary on Charlie Sheen. It is instead a discussion on the idea that sports in general have siphoned the entertainment from the game, to the point of win or get out. Professional sports aren't the only culprits to this claim, as many collegiate level teams are imbued with the idea of "what have you done for me lately?"

Recent names to be fired or "resign" are:
Steve Roberts - Arkansas State (34-47)
Stan Parrish - Ball State (6-19)
Dan Hawkins - Colorado (19-39)
Bill Lynch - Indiana (6-26)
Doug Martin - Kent State (28-53)
Rickey Bustle - Louisiana-Lafayette (41-65)
Ralph Friedgen - Maryland (75-50)*
Randy Shannon - Miami (28-22)*
Rich Rodriguez - Michigan (15-22)
Tim Brewster - Minnesota (15-30)
Todd Dodge - North Texas (6-37)
Dave Wannstedt - Pittsburgh (42-31)*

* - Indicates expectation versus performance

There's a trend here, even in collegiate sports. The NFL saw to oust five head coaches, and the NBA has already cut ties with Jim O'Brien of the Indiana Pacers. What's the point to all of this? After all, it's not exactly a new mentality. The point is that these behaviors are easier to focus on when there's a lack of entertainment.

It's an era of control for all major sports. Rule changes and regulations prohibit celebration almost entirely in the NFL. No more will we have this wondrous sack celebration. Without a yellow handkerchief that is.

It isn't just the officials and the bigwigs that determine the level of fun to be had in sports. Fault lies with avid and casual fans as well. If I were to say to you, "There's this dude on your team that's bad-ass! He isn't really intense enough though. He needs to play with more of a cutthroat attitude." Isn't that a little contradictory? This exact conversation has been tossed around about a particular player. A player that those contributing to this blog all find amazing.

In fact, the article in this SI is indicative of this argument.

"But to spend a day with Howard -- hell, to spend 10 minutes with him -- is to realize that despite his imposing stature and freakish athleticism, he may be among the least badass big men in NBA history. For starters, he has this unfortunate habit of smiling all the time, even when he's dunking on someone. Clearly, this violates one of the cardinal rules of intimidating big men, namely Thou Shalt Posture and Grimace Upon Vanquishing Thy Foes. This means you have three choices: flexing concrete biceps (like Alonzo Mourning), grasping your crotch with authority (à la Shawn Kemp) or letting loose a banshee scream (see Kevin Garnett). Smiling, however, is not an option."

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/chris_ballard/04/16/dwight.howard/index.html#ixzz1GbBGEQ00

Why can't one of the more entertaining, fun-loving, and dominating players in the game remain as such? Why must he change his mentality to fit that of the intense player? Characters aren't welcome in sports anymore. Every moment of Chad Ochocinco's career is scrutinized to determine whether it is worth a fine. Dwight Howard can't smile while he runs up the court, it doesn't show toughness or leadership. The first entry under Game is, "1. an amusement or pastime." We don't play games anymore. We work in sports. Again, it's not necessarily a new idea, but it's something that is more common than ever.

Basketball is bringing in young players with the penchant for theatrics. It will be upsetting if Blake Griffin begins dunking purely to instill fear. What if John Wall never does the Dougie, and instead pisses and moans if anyone showboats? What a league it would be.

Besides, one of the more entertaining films on sports is Major League. A story about a bunch of fun characters who band together and do something promising. It's only until Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn becomes businesslike in Major League 2 that the team and film start suffering. Suddenly this became about Charlie Sheen again...Son of a bitch, Charlie Sheen.

-La Maison "Mateo"