Category: Sports

NBA Adding Instant Replay, Sponsored Jerseys

The NBA Board of Governors has agreed to increase the use of instant replay and allow sponsorships on team jerseys. The former is just common sense; if you have the tech to get calls right then it should be used (see tennis, for example). The latter is a polarizing issue. Many people love that uniforms in major American sports are free of advertising (aside from the garment manufacturer). It seems traditional and pure. Capitalists have long wondered why American sports have ignored this lucrative revenue stream while several football teams in Europe took in millions from sponsors. According to ESPN, NBA team jerseys will be allowed to have small advertising patches starting in the 2013-2014 season.

As a sports fan, I don’t like the move. I love the (mostly) unsullied uniforms in (most) American sports. My big fear is that the NBA’s move towards sponsored uniforms will pave the way for future New York Yankees players looking like NASCAR drivers. I honestly have this nightmare.

As a gamer, I can’t wait for an NBA team that’s sponsored by a videogame publisher. I loved the Manchester City kits that were sponsored by Eidos and the Arsenal kits with the Dreamcast logo. If an NBA team had a Square-Enix patch on its jerseys then I would be forced to become a fan of that franchise.

What do you think of NBA jerseys getting sponsorship patches? Hot or not? Please use the comments system to match up your favorite videogame company with an appropriate NBA team.

Source

Watch Kyrie Irving as Uncle Drew

My friend Brad tweeted this awesome video of Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving starring as old “Uncle Drew” in a viral video for Pepsi Max. It’s a cute and clever spot that should help Irving reach a new level of marketability. More importantly, it’s just fun to watch! Some of the dunks and ball handling are totally bad-ass. Check it out and let me know what you think (please).

Coffee Talk #451: Your Favorite Super Bowl XLVI Commercials

Hundreds of millions of Super Bowl advertising dollars have come and gone. A few of you mentioned being underwhelmed with Super Bowl XLVI’s commercials and I mostly agree with that sentiment. Having said that, there were several spots that…

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, M.I.A.’s middle finger, The Undertaker vs. Triple H WrestleMania rematch, or Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. being a weight cheat, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Hundreds of millions of Super Bowl advertising dollars have come and gone. A few of you mentioned being underwhelmed with Super Bowl XLVI’s commercials and I mostly agree with that sentiment. Having said that, there were several spots that caught my eye. Here are my 10 favorite Super Bowl XLVI commercials. After you’ve gobbled them up, please let me know which ads were your favorite.

1) The Avengers Teaser — Earth’s mightiest heroes (and also Hawkeye)! Scarlett Johansson in her remarkably tight Black Widow costume! I’m totally geeked out for this movie.

2) MetLife — Any commercial that brings together Voltron, Charlie Brown, Marvin the Martian, Mr. Magoo, etc. is pure win.

3) Kia — I will absolutely buy that men dream about Adriana Lima and dozens of other women in bikinis. I think it’s hilarious that Kia thinks men dream about old bands (Motley Crue) and old MMA fighters (Chuck Lidell).

4) Audi — Making fun of vampires is always a good thing.

5) Chevy Silverado — This was a cute and clever spot. Combining Barry Manilow, a post-apocalyptic world, and Twinkies is borderline genius.

6) Teleflora — More Adriana Lima! This time she shows off her body and her sexy Brazilian
accent.

7) Volkswagen — I’m a geek. This commercial features the Mos Eisley cantina. Of course I loved it!

8) G.I. Joe: Retaliation Teaser — The action looks slick and I’m a homer for movies starring The Rock.

9) Time Warner Cable — I’m really unhappy with my Time Warner Cable television and Internet service, but I have to give the company props for this commercial with Rick Gervais.

10) Fiat 500 Abarth — Sexy Italian woman dropping frothed milk on her breasts? Yes, you have my attention Fiat.

Coffee Talk #446: The Most Dominant Athlete Ever

It was difficult watching the Australian Open semifinal between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. I had no faith in Federer winning the match. He was never the strongest player on the tour, nor did he ever have the biggest serve, the most…

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, disappointing ramen, creme brulee, or paying homage to Juan Epstein, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

It was difficult watching the Australian Open semifinal between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. I had no faith in Federer winning the match. He was never the strongest player on the tour, nor did he ever have the biggest serve, the most powerful ground strokes, or the most stinging volleys. His beautiful game is based on outstanding movement and precision ball striking. At age 30, he has lost half a step and his reaction time is a wee bit slower. Amazingly, he’s still good enough to go deep in any major tournament. I just don’t think he’s good enough to win another grand slam (without some fantastic luck and a friendly draw).

Roger Federer is the most dominant athlete I’ve ever seen. He terrorized the tour from 2004 to 2007, winning 11 of the 16 grand slam tournaments in that time period. He spent 285 consecutive weeks as the number-one ranked player in the world. He reached the semifinals or better in 23 grand slam tournaments in a row. He appeared in 18 of 19 grand slam finals from the 2005 Wimbledon Championships through the 2010 Australian Open. He’s had some rough moments over the last few years, particularly on clay and against Nadal, but I don’t think I’ll see an athlete like that again in my lifetime. He’s been playing at the highest level of the sport since 2003 and for four years he was virtually unstoppable.

Of course, that’s just my opinion. Who would you say is the most dominant athlete you’ve ever seen?

Coffee Talk #444: Your (Initial) Super Bowl XLVI Prediction

The teams for Super Bowl XLVI are set! It’s that classic East Coast battle of the New England Patriots taking on the New York (Football) Giants. While the AFC and NFC Championship games are still fresh on your minds, I wanted to hear your initial picks for the Super Bowl. Who are you picking? What’s your spread? Who’s…

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the Red Sox pursuit of Roy Oswalt, watching Moneyball over and over again, or wishing you were on an airplane, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

The teams for Super Bowl XLVI are set! It’s that classic East Coast battle of the New England Patriots taking on the New York (Football) Giants. While the AFC and NFC Championship games are still fresh on your minds, I wanted to hear your initial picks for the Super Bowl. Who are you picking? What’s your spread? Who’s going to have a break-out game? Who’s going to choke?

Of course this topic will be revisited in early February, but I wanted to get your gut feelings after yesterday’s games. So have at it (please)!

NFL Playoff Fallout Monday!

Here’s some space to talk about last weekend’s NFL playoff games…and what exciting games they were! Being in NY for a Giants playoff win is always interesting. It’s never hard to find a NY bar full of rowdy and passionate sports fans. Good times. San Francisco, my other “home”, surprised loads of fans too. Did you predict that those two teams would be meeting in the conference championship?

Oh yeah, there were other playoff games too. Ha! Kindly share your thoughts on the games and predict the conference championships in the comments section.

Your Reaction to Tim Tebow’s Touchdown to Demaryius Thomas

I caught a few of your reactions on Tim Tebow’s touchdown to Demaryius Thomas on Google+ Messenger last night. Now that you’ve had some time to think about it, I’d love to hear more of your thoughts. Initially, I thought it was a Twitter joke. Then I saw the replay. Wow. It was an amazing play, but what’s even more amazing is how much it added to Tebow being the most polarizing athlete in America today.

Sure, it’s only January but I’m certain that this will go down as one of the biggest “Holy sh*t!!!” moments in sports this year. Agree? Disagree? Give it a watch again (embedded below) and let me know (please)!

Kris Humphries: Homophobe, Idiot, or Both?

This video of Kris Humphries — the most disliked player in the NBA — has been circulating. Some people are using it to fuel their hatred, saying that it shows his homophobic behavior. Others are saying that he’s not really being homophobic; at best he’s being ignorant and at worst he’s being idiotic. Check it out and decide (please)!

I honestly don’t think that Humphries is homophobic. Knowing what I know about reality television, I’m going to guess that a lot of this was an angle “urged” by the show’s staff. At worst, his homophobia is passive, but I’m more inclined to think that it was manufactured by the show’s writers and producers. I definitely agree that he’s ignorant and idiotic.

What’s your take? Is Kris Humphries a homophobe, an idiot, or both?

Best of 2011 Wrap Up

In case you missed any of the “Best of 2011” stories, here are links to your fellow RPadholics’ picks for the best game, videogame graphics, videogame sound, movie, and gadget. While you’re here, feel free to leave any “Best of 2011” choices that weren’t covered last week. From your favorite comic book, Netflix rental, TV show, sports team, coffee, fast food, WWE Superstar, and more, use this post to get 2011 out of your system (please)!