Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Moments Social Networking Missed

Go back with me for a moment. Back to a time when something special or shocking happened in sports and you tried to call your boys. Yet, they were trying to call you too, and you both were getting a busy signal. A time when before you left school on Friday, you talked about the upcoming sporting events. Then on Monday, soon as you got to class the first thing you did was recap, and talk junk if your team won. Those were the days.

Now, thanks to social networking, those times are pretty much gone. Now, we are able to talk in real-time about events. We can talk junk before, during, and after without getting a busy signal. Its more convenient, however it also evokes some emotions that having time to think about a game would probably calm down. I could devote an entire blog to that. However, I want to focus on some moments from my youth that would have shut the social networks down. Moments that I got the busy signal, and couldn't wait to get back to school to talk about on Monday. Moments that Social Networks Missed. So without further adieu, come back with me...

Mike Tyson losing to Buster Douglas- This is one of the first moments in watching sports that I remember being absolutely silent after it happened. At this point EVERYBODY stopped what they were doing to watch Mike Tyson fight. At this point EVERYBODY who watched this fight was stuck with their mouth on the ground when it ended. It still trips me out to watch this to this day, and knowing that it was the beginning of the end of Mike Tyson makes it even more surreal.

Mike Tyson Biting Evander Holyfield- I could honestly devote a whole blog of these to Mike Tyson. This is another moment that when it happened, the whole room went silent. Only this time, everyone yelled, "YOOOO, HE BIT HIM!!!" One of the most shocking moments in the history of sports still. I could only imagine what would have happened on Facebook and Twitter after this.


Michael Jordan over Byron Russell- Here's another cat, that I could devote an entire blog of these too. From the "Flu Game", to the countless buzzer beaters. However, this is the moment that would have definitely caused the social networks to go nuts. From the people yelling bout how great the shot was, to the people pointing out the pushoff, it would have been great to see the reaction.

Michigan State-Michigan 2001- Due to the amount of time I spend talking junk to UofM fans on Facebook, I had to post this one. This is a moment that is still whined...I mean argued about to this day by those people.  I would have LOVED for Facebook to have been around when this moment happened.

Well there are just a few moments for you to think back on. Moments that you probably got the busy signal trying to call your boys. Moments that you couldn't wait to get back to school on Monday to talk about. Moments that social networks missed.

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Think Like A Sports Fan

With Steve Harvey's movie Think Like A Man headed to theaters today, I figured I would dispense some relationship tips myself. Fellas, don't be alarmed, these tips won't be exposing any secrets, or throwing men under the bus. These tips are for women who are dealing with men who are into sports, but the women may not really be into them also. These tips are to help you ladies know what to listen for, and how to deal with men who love sports. 

Disclamer: The views expressed in this blog in no way reflect my current relationship. These tips come from things I've witnessed, and experienced in the past. Just throwing that out there for those who wanted to make that assumption.

Tip 1: Listen to what he's saying: Ladies, if you and your man are sitting at home watching TV on a Tuesday night, and he randomly says "I can't wait until that game on Saturday at 3:30", he's not saying that so you can schedule a family trip to IKEA. He's saying that because he doesn't want you to schedule anything from 3:30 until about 7. He's giving you a heads up early in the week, and that's more than fair. You all need to pay attention to that when he says this, he is trying to avoid the argument that will ensue when you want to go shopping at 3 on Saturday. 

Tip 2: Random Discussions can wait: Remember on Tuesday your man told you about the game he wanted to watch at 3:30 on Saturday. You are cool with that, but choose not to watch. This doesn't offer you a license to come at him with random discussion while the game is on. You chose not to watch, so please leave him be for those three hours. Here are a few topics to steer clear of: 1) vacations, 2) the lady you don't like at work, 3)changes you want to make around the house, 4)what you want to do to your hair, and 5) anything to do with your weight. These are all issues that will be there when the game is over. Please hold your thoughts on these until then.

Tip 3: Watch some games with him: Sports are the ultimate in "reality TV". You have great competition, drama, and unpredictable endings. In all honesty, it is better than any of the reality shows that dude finds himself taking one for the team, and watching with you. So ma'am, when your man asks you to watch the game with him, please do. It's not something that has to happen all the time, honestly he'll sometimes use it as his time with his boys or to be alone. On the times that he does ask though, please don't have an eye-rolling, teeth-sucking attack. Just snuggle up with him, and watch the game. You'll enjoy it, and may find yourself getting hooked too. 

 Tip 4: Be judicious with your questions: So, you took my advice, and decided to watch the game with him. You're not really sure though about what is happening on the game though. Most of us guys are cool with you asking questions. It lets us know you're actually paying attention, and we appreciate that. However, don't ask 50,000 in one game. Ya'll know good and well when he watches Basketball Wives with you and asks one question you have that eye-rolling, teeth-sucking attack mentioned in the last tip. He feels the same way after about the 20th question in the first quarter. So, pick your spots to ask. Wait until a commercial, halftime, after the game or save some for the next game you watch with him. Just don't ask 50,000 in one game. 

Tip 5: Don't Talk about how "fine" you think a player is: You and your man watching the game together, and you see someone that tickles your fancy. KEEP THAT TO YOURSELF!! Your man is snuggled up with you to watch the game, and doesn't really care that you think a player is "fine". You can save that conversation for your friends the next day, but don't blurt that out every time you see a player on TV that you think looks good. 

So, there you have it. Just a few tips to help you ladies who are dealing with men that love sports. Hopefully these will be a great help to you and your relationship. Thank you for reading, and govern yourselves accordingly. 

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr., and I approve this message. 






Monday, April 9, 2012

My Favorite Spartan

On March 22, 2007 Tubby Smith resigned from the head coach position at Kentucky to take over the same position at Minnesota. On the surface, that seems like it has nothing to do with this blog, however had that not happened I wouldn't even be writing this.

Draymond Green, a talented forward out of Saginaw committed to Kentucky because he wanted to play for Tubby Smith. Once Tubby left, he reopened his recruitment, and eventually chose Michigan State. He went on to have a career that will go down as one of the best in MSU basketball history. In the process, he also became my favorite Spartan.

He was the quintessential glue guy his freshman, sophomore year. He rebounded, took charges, and showed glimpses of great playmaking ability. During his junior year, he stepped into a larger role. He became only the third Spartan ever to record a triple double against Penn State when he had 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. He pulled off another triple double in the NCAA Tournament loss to UCLA. That was just the seventh recorded triple double in NCAA history and a prelude to what would be a special senior year.

Green took a team that lost two players to transfers, and had a starter retire prior to the season to a piece of the B1G regular season championship, the B1G conference tournament championship, and a number 1 seed. He had monster games throughout the season, including dropping 34 against Gonzaga in Spokane. He also had another triple-double in the first round of the NCAA tournament. That triple-double put him with Magic Johnson, and Oscar Robertson as the only players to have multiple triple-doubles in the NCAA tournament. That is an epic club to be a part of.

He was named first team All-American by multiple publications. He was only the fourth Spartan to achieve that honor. He also was awarded the National Association of Basketball Coaches player of the year. That is the only player of the year award to not go to Kentucky's Anthony Davis.

I have been a Spartan fan from the womb, and I haven't enjoyed watching a player more than Draymond. He played the game "the right way", and steadily improved throughout his career. In an era where cats leave after one good year, it was refreshing to see a guy stay for all four years, improve, and grow into a college superstar. I honestly feel that he can be a role player in the NBA for years, and maybe even more if he lands in the right situation.

So, thank you Tubby Smith. Had you not left Kentucky, Draymond Green would not have became a Spartan. All of the stats and facts stated above wouldn't have happened, and he wouldn't have became my favorite Spartan of all-time. Here's to you, and to it not taking another 20 years for a player similar to come through here. Go Green!!!


I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.