theman19 47 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp__vGs3fa8 Now i know what you're thinking,...okay that's pretty lame but work with me here I've had a lot of debates with my friends recently about why the NHL isn't popular in the sports media blah blah blah. But i turned this on last night and even though i HATE the NBA and basketball as a sport period, this entertained me. I found the character and atmosphere of this event, interesting and fun. Compare this, to that debacle of an event at the all star game where half the players, including the best stick handler in the world, had no idea what was going on (if you have to ask, go cheer for the blues). It just goes to show you how terrible the NHL is run, how awfully our product of hockey is put on. Could you imagine the back lash if during the all star game AO pulls off his caps Jersey and reveals a super man crest? It just seems like the league won't let the players be players. I'm having difficulty conveying my point, and i hope someone out there gets what i'm saying,.... but i guess it boils down to, the NHL is lacking characters. Entertaing and interesting Characters. Not Terrel Owens, or Shawn Avery type guys, i mean, just guys who make memories. Who stand out Where is this in todays NHL How about this?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdAxMEw59-c&NR=1 This? Or how about a few years back in 02, when Chelly got the star of the game against the nucks and hammed it up to the crowd as they booed him. We don't have characters in our game anymore, we don't have guys with personality at all, they're either retired or about to be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 I definitely agree, although I won't agree that the nhl isn't trying to do something about it. We had the shootout challenge in the allstar games this year, and the whole point of it wasn't necessarily to score a goal; it was to make the attempt as beautiful and show-boaty as possible. Unfortunately, most players didn't get exactly what was being asked, or they were too timid about performing in such a way. Anyway, players like Ovechkin stood up to the challenge and brought a little personality to the shootout, and those are the players that the nhl is trying to market. We could just use more of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vangvace 12 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 Agreed. It seems like the league has transformed into less fun and more work. Kinda like that one guy that takes a great place to work and destroys it. Off ice some players have great personalities but on ice it can be like watching somebody else play an NHL2K8 with the robotic personalities. Most of the characters in the league now are the new breed of enforcers (like McGrattan) IMO. Man I miss Domi. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theman19 47 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 I definitely agree, although I won't agree that the nhl isn't trying to do something about it. We had the shootout challenge in the allstar games this year, and the whole point of it wasn't necessarily to score a goal; it was to make the attempt as beautiful and show-boaty as possible. Unfortunately, most players didn't get exactly what was being asked, or they were too timid about performing in such a way. Anyway, players like Ovechkin stood up to the challenge and brought a little personality to the shootout, and those are the players that the nhl is trying to market. We could just use more of them. that's exactly my point, that shootout challenge thingy was a joke. The players who we've seen do incredible things with the puck had no idea what to do, making AO step up and try something at least. It was just poorly run talent wise, just like the league as a whole. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irishtemper14+25 11 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 i agree, the league will fine anyone and that totally takes away from anyone to be themselves in the game Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skacore 2 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 agreed.. anyone who shows character in their game nowadays is bitched about and hated.. controversy is good for the game Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aeothe Kaear 0 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 Once Dom retires there won't be any more wacky goalies, either. All butterfly sameness. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 That vid was amazing hahaha - brilliant! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheWestWing 71 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 Sorry but as usual, you're all wrong. I didn't watch the clip but I surmise its the slamdunk or something. These guys have probably been doing that since they were kids on the playground. And probaly have been working on their 'choreography' of such since then. I may be wrong but I don't think Dats 'practices' most of his moves - I like to think that they're instinctal to him. Why ask players to do something thats foreign to them by asking them to be 'xtra fancy' or summin - just have a shootout and leave it at that. If you want a game that has clowns that seem to pride the individualist over teams, then basketball is your game. But stop trying to make hockey into another sport. Teams are making money - some more than others. Fans showup for winning teams just like in any sport. Hockey is a sport that rewards teamwork and skill probaly more than any other sport (and I also have no problems with ties, but again I'm an elitist). Perhaps its a generational thing as I'm older than Cheli (but younger than Scotty). I find the sport quite entertaining. Watched PHX- LA last night and its a treat watching a team starting to gel like PHX. They played with passion (and some grit too) like a team starting to figure each other out - not unlike us in the early 90s. Gretz is figuring out how to coach also. But then again, I like to watch sunsets and take long walks on the beach so as always, your mileage may vary. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Statts 4 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 brilliant! Hank could wear a zorro mask, Osgood could wear a wizards hat and the pain train... get that man a conductors hat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
imisssergei 0 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 I think you are on the right track, but looking in the wrong direction. The NHL has PLENTY of characters left. They just don't market them. Instead the NHL is whoring out Crosby. Watching a Crosby interview makes watching paint dry seem like a night out on the town. But Ovechkin, he loves the spotlight, and he is one goofy mofo. Great interviews, very charismatic, and he says some of the most random things. Get AO in a bigger spot light. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lou_Siffer 1 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 We could also use a commentator like Barkley, listening to him was better than the dunks! "Or you could save your money and not call cause its over..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 We could also use a commentator like Barkley, listening to him was better than the dunks! "Or you could save your money and not call cause its over..." I love Chuck! Listening to him last night was hilarious, he rambles more then Bob Cole, but when he rambles, he talks about the strangest things. Plus, when he's talking about basketball, he really makes it funny. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theman19 47 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 Sorry but as usual, you're all wrong. I didn't watch the clip but I surmise its the slamdunk or something. These guys have probably been doing that since they were kids on the playground. And probaly have been working on their 'choreography' of such since then. I may be wrong but I don't think Dats 'practices' most of his moves - I like to think that they're instinctal to him. Why ask players to do something thats foreign to them by asking them to be 'xtra fancy' or summin - just have a shootout and leave it at that. If you want a game that has clowns that seem to pride the individualist over teams, then basketball is your game. But stop trying to make hockey into another sport. Teams are making money - some more than others. Fans showup for winning teams just like in any sport. Hockey is a sport that rewards teamwork and skill probaly more than any other sport (and I also have no problems with ties, but again I'm an elitist). Perhaps its a generational thing as I'm older than Cheli (but younger than Scotty). I find the sport quite entertaining. Watched PHX- LA last night and its a treat watching a team starting to gel like PHX. They played with passion (and some grit too) like a team starting to figure each other out - not unlike us in the early 90s. Gretz is figuring out how to coach also. But then again, I like to watch sunsets and take long walks on the beach so as always, your mileage may vary. Not my point at all and as someone who's older than chelly don't you miss some of the older character's? It has nothing to do with being a cocky snot. It's about raising the bar and getting people outside of people like us who've watched this sport for 15+ years to see things like a great game between PHX and LA. Sometimes the condescending tone on this board kills me. Basketball is not my sport, Hockey is my sport and i've been extremely faithful to it since i was very very young. No i don't want Dats to put on a super man cape, but i do want the NHL to allow their players to have a little personality without fear of a 25K fine. Remember those old ESPN commericals? Where's that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lou_Siffer 1 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 I love Chuck! Listening to him last night was hilarious, he rambles more then Bob Cole, but when he rambles, he talks about the strangest things. Plus, when he's talking about basketball, he really makes it funny. His humor is really blunt too, thats what i love the most. I mean, what were the sponsors or whatever thinking hearing Barkley telling people not to call cause it didnt matter! Says exactly what you were thinking...he's hilarious.I remember once he was on Letterman and it was really some funny s***. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jwo 7 Report post Posted February 18, 2008 Every Basketball analyst in the media wants the All-Star game gone and thinks it's dumb. I can thank my dad for me knowing this since he has ESPN on the TV all the time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auxlepli 17 Report post Posted February 18, 2008 I think you are on the right track, but looking in the wrong direction. The NHL has PLENTY of characters left. They just don't market them. Instead the NHL is whoring out Crosby. Watching a Crosby interview makes watching paint dry seem like a night out on the town. But Ovechkin, he loves the spotlight, and he is one goofy mofo. Great interviews, very charismatic, and he says some of the most random things. Get AO in a bigger spot light. Yep. I agree, though I haven't seen much of AO except the commercials, where I'm sure his personality is reigned in somewhat. I think Avery is great. Some others off the top of my head .... Hull, but he's retired. Kovalchuk, he pointed at Crosby , goto about the 2:15 mark. Roenick Chelios All can be outspoken on and off the ice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
