Why New Media Changed Sports

New Media has been a new developing way to advance the coverage of
sports. New Media has been a essential to the growth of sports. It has
created great advancements in interactions between players and fans
along a increase speed and volume.
The introduction of the Internet has the created the ability for
unlimited volume, the ability to write as much as you want to get your
point across. Furthermore you are able to document all articles and
proof as well as the addition of links and videos. The ability also
gave the opportunity for average citizens to write and post their
thoughts for everyone to see and read. This power increased views of
situations and the power of speech. It has increased jobs and
opportunity for many people. The major ability to write as much as you
want when ever you want. The term “blog” was created. “Bloggers” began
to create jobs and work for high quality companies like ESPN, CBC, TSN
etc.
The addition of interactivity and interaction with people became the
main factor why New Media has increased so rapidly. The coverage of
sports changed entirely because of the ability to interact with
athletes, coaches, and organizations. Because of Facebook, Twitter,
Forums, and comment sections fans are able to interact with athletes
one-on-one. This ski-rocketed the coverage of teams. With the ability
to “follow” players like: Shaquille O'Neal, Paul Bissonette, Chad
Ochocinco and listen to their every move and thoughts, be able to
contact them directly. Fans increased, coverage increased and exposure
increased. Sports exploded – coverage of players were all over the
news, TV series' like “24/7 Penguins Capitals” appeared. Talk between
players became a new worthy. “Tweet”s like LeBron James saying “Crazy.
Karma is a b****.. Gets you every time. Its not good to wish bad on
anybody. God sees everything!”. Twitter and other social networking
sites created stories, and increased the coverage of sports.
With the ability to write and post instantly reporters and media
people has the grueling task of posting or reporting first. Story
breaking has become more than ever a competition. Speed has increase
the coverage of sports. New Media presented the ability for a
competition between media coverage trying to get the stories out as
fast a possible.
Without New Media sports wouldn't have grown as much as it has done
in the last decade, its increased fan base and coverage of games
athletes and information.

An All-Star Dilemma

All-Star Games in the world of sports are confusing. On one hand you have the best of the world in one spot at one time to display their talents. On the other hand it makes a mockery of the sport and players. With the NHL All-Star Weekend over, the NFL Pro-Bowl finished and the NBA All-Star festivities upcoming its time to discuss why they don't work.

The term “All-Star” is slowing becoming less and less meaningful. When rules are in place that all teams must have representatives or certain players. All-star games should involve “All-Stars”, the best players from the respected sport. A prime example was at this years NHL All-Star Game, Phil Kessel of the Toronto Maple Leafs was chosen to represent Toronto. Two problems with this; one Kessel isn't currently the best player in Toronto, second of all Toronto shouldn't even have a representative, the Maple Leafs don't have a star player that dominates every night. All-Star games need be fixed. It needs to involve the best of the best no matter who what where or when, no questions asked. Players shouldn't be able to back out of the event, it should be a mandatory.

The Game itself is one issue entirely but another issue is the whole festivities or challenges. Some can really make a mockery of their specific sport. Once again look at hockey, the Fastest Skater going backwards? or the most accurate passer? Those are two skills that don't need to be displayed. In the NBA the D-League All-star game and Slam Dunk contest? It seems professional leagues are just creating events to full time for fans when really it backfires. People don't show up to watch stupid events like that. Just play the game.

The All-Star games are fun for the players but don't really accomplish anything in terms of demonstrating the true skill of the sports. Players take it easy and try to have fun with it - but thats the problem. The All-Star game has to be meaningful. The MLB does it the best; the winner gets home field advantage in the World Series. Make the All-Star Games worth something. Make it worth a huge bonus or a trophy, something that blows the players away. I want to see a Roy Halladay throw a 105 mph fast ball trying to strike out a Albert Pujols who is trying to smash the ball 550 ft. I want to see a Sidney Crosby deke out a Tim Thomas for his 6^th goal in the game. I want to see fighting and anger. To make the All-Star Game truely be successful make it impossible to miss, make worth everything and make it mandatory.

Wilson Slowing down the Rebuild

Ron Wilson the coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs should be fired because he is delaying the development of young players and slowing down the rebuild taking place in Toronto. The Leafs must fire Wilson and bring in coach that plays the young players, and gives a positive outlook rather than bashing his players. Players who are going to be the future of the franchise should have a better opportunity. Players like James Riemer and Keith Aulie should be given more playing time than long time net minder Jean Sebastian Giguere and defenceman Mike Komisarek. Both young prospects have better stats this season then their veteran competition. Prospect need to given the chance to grow and be pushed. Ron Wilson doesn't give rookies a chance to play because of his stubborn attitude.

The Toronto Maple Leaf do have the youngest roster in the NHL but that does not mean they have prospects and a good future. Those who follow hockey will immediately say that Brian Burke's fault (The Maple Leafs General Manager) for not bringing in strong prospects. That is incorrect, Kids only become better when their have a proper teacher. Its not how much potential and player has it's how much potential can be brought out by the teacher or in this case the coach.

The Leafs need a positive outlook in the club house, a reassuring coach someone who is all about development, someone that in willing forget about the now and look to the future. Coaches like Joe Sacco with the Colorado Avalanche and Dan Bylsma in Pittsburgh are just a few good examples. These coaches never worried about winning they just focused on developing their prospects and winning came later. They worked on get as much out of the young players as possible, pushing them to their limits. Wilson is not a positive coach that focuses on growing his players, Wilson is too focused on making the playoffs.

Ron Wilson should be fired he has spent to much time in Toronto, he has lost his way with the organization, he does not relate well with his young players , He needs to moved out.

Reimer Ready

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer has impressed since being called up from the AHL on December 20th. In five games with the big club Reimer has a record of 3-1 with a .942 save percentage and a 1.90 goals against average. Reimer has strengthened Toronto’s goaltending after Jean Sebastian Giguere went down with injury. Reimer is ready to be a NHL goaltender. When Reimer reaches a level of competitiveness he maintains his skill level. This year Reimer was in 25 games for the Toronto Marlies Reimer was 14-8 with a 2.25 GAA and a .925 SV%. Last Year Riemer split time with the AHL and ECHL staying above a .900 SV% and around 2.60 GAA. The Winnipeg Manitoba native has a big frame and proper size to cover the net.

Since being scouted and drafted in 2006 Reimer has been known for his butterfly style and filling the net well. A hard worker that plays a controlled game and cuts down angles. Playing the percentages is common in Leaf land, both J.S Giguere and Jonas Gustavsson model the same style. Reimer is in tough playing against a highly touted prospect in Gustavsson and a Stanley Cup Champion (Giguere), however his stats in both the AHL and NHL speak for themselves.

It’s essential for Reimer to stay with the Leafs this year. His stats put him ahead of both goaltenders. It seems the Leafs score for Reimer more than any other goaltender as well 29 goals for in 13 periods (2 goals a period) is more goals for than any other goaltender in that same amount of time. When a goalie is hot and your team scores for him the goaltender has less pressure upon the goaltender. Also why wouldn’t you have your best statistical goaltender in the net.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in 12th in the Eastern conference, being 11 points out of a playoff spot puts no pressure on the young goaltender to perform well. A growing year for the Leafs means a perfect growing year for Reimer. Reimer can show up everyday and not worry about Leaf fans a media putting unnecessary pressure to perform at impossible standards. Reimer can quietly go about his business - working hard and reaching higher levels of skill.

The Buds also have a goaltending coach by the name of Francois Allaire working for them. Allaire famous for teaching his students proper butterfly style and playing percentages. Allaire is essential for Reimer’s development, he can teach Reimer the special “tricks of the trade” that he would no receive if he were to play in the AHL. At 23 years of age Reimer is young and impressionable making it the perfect time for a proper role model to fine tune his game.

Reimer is young and NHL ready, it’s time to develop him

Seen Stamkos Campaign Part II

“Seen Stamkos?” was the famous advertising campaign introduced during the 2008 NHL Entry draft in Tampa Bay, Florida to promote young superstar Steven Stamkos we he was drafted to the NHL. Two years, five months, and 10 days since the campaigns ended. Stamkos has become the most dominant goal scorer in the NHL. In only 185 games Stamkos has tallied 95 goals and 180 points. A year after tying Sidney Crosby ofr the league lead with 51 goals, Stamkos leads the NHL again in this season. He has a three goal lead over Sidney Crosby and Alexander Semin who tied at second with 18. 21 goals in 25 games has been unheard of in the National Hockey League lately; not a single player in the modern era has scored that many goals that fast.

Steven Stamkos has brought his game to a whole new level, which is why he will be the next player to score 50 goals in 50 games. The young-gun has the skill, work ethic, surrounding talent, and determination to break the long 18 year drought. The last player to score 50 goals in 50 games was Brett Hull who did it in the 1991-1992 season.

In the past three years only two players have scored more than Stamkos’ 95 - Ovechkin with 116 goals and Crosby with 102. Fact is, Crosby and Ovechkin have played three more seasons than Stamkos. They are more experienced, have had more time to develop, more time to create chemistry, and learn the NHL game. Every year both Crosby and Ovechkin saw their goal totals increase - expect the same from the young Lightning sniper.

Steven Stamkos has never scored this many goals this early in the season and neither Crosby nor Ovechkin. Just last year it took him 36 games to score 21 goals, the year before 77 games. Stamkos is becoming more efficient and a faster scorer than anyone else in the league. No player in the “Post Lock-Out” era has scored this fast.

Both skill and determination is needed to accomplish a feat like this. Stamkos brings both. In the past offseason, the sophomore spent his days training with the Gary Roberts, a former player who is known for his legendary training regiments. Stamkos added 10 pounds of muscle to his 6’1” frame to bulk up. Strength is one thing, but for someone to score 50 goals in 50 games that player must be on a mission.

Wayne Gretzky, scored 50 goals in 50 games three times in his career, including 50 in 39 games during his rookie season when he was 18. Gretzky even mentioned that Stamkos “has that drive. He’s never satisfied. Some have it and some don’t. To me, it’s evident he has the inner drive”. The NHL’s all-time top scorer believes that this young gun has the offensive talent to become one of the best goal scores seen in several years. Gretzky feels that Stamkos has the drive that no other goal scorer in the league has.

Stamkos also has the surrounding talent to pull of the feat. With veteran Martin St.Louis one side and gritty forward Steve Downie on other, Stamkos has the proper help to play his game. Even if one of those two wingers fall to injury Tampa has enough depth to find someone that can play with Stamkos. He even plays the point on the power-play and has free rain in the offensive zone.

Stamkos has all the tools to accomplish the rare feat with his; Determination, surrounding talent, work ethic and skill its just a matter of time before he scores 50 in 50.

A Rebuild is not the same as a Repair

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost again last night seeing their record fall to 8-11-4. The fans were obviously not happy with coach Ron Wilson, expressing their feelings in a “Fire Wilson” chant during the game. Is it really Wilson’s fault, he has to work with what is given to him. It’s not like a coach can be given a AHL team and make them win against NHL Allstars. The talent on Toronto is mediocre at best and it’s not Wilson whom fans should be turning on it’s General Manager Brian Burke.

Burke constantly preached patience and his philosophy of bringing in truculence, belligerence, and testosterone, but it hasn’t worked. It’s just past the two year mark of Burke’s tenure in Toronto and he hasn’t rebuilt the team, just repaired it. It’s true almost all of the players on the team are players he brought in, however for a team that is in a “unofficial” rebuilding stage the future is not looking too promising. Two first round draft picks have been traded away to bring in Phil Kessel, a struggling scorer that isn’t a backbone of any franchise let alone Toronto. Constant rumored Tomas Kaberle trades have fell through because Burke stated he didn’t want draft picks in return. If you’re a struggling team it’s constantly shown that the best move is to build through the draft. Collect draft picks and experience growing pains. Prime examples over the past 10 years; Chicago, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Anaheim, Carolina, Tampa Bay (all teams who won the Stanley cup recently too). Many other teams like Vancouver, St.Louis, and Edmonton are on their way as well.

It’s time for Burke to stop kidding himself and trade for some draft picks. Fully commit to the rebuild and not another repair. GM’s have tried to repair Toronto for 50 years. Swallow your pride Burke, admit your mistakes and start from scratch.

It's that time of year again.....

December 1st marks the official countdown (well according to me) to the most exciting sporting event in Canada besides the Winter Olympics, The IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. The tournament is incomparable to any other sporting event watched in Canada. Every year it beats out the Stanley Cup Final and Grey Cup in Canada as the most watched program, why? the tradition, excitement, and rivalry can’t be beat.

The Tradition; every year we see new young prospects come up and become super stars, receiving their 10 seconds of fame until the NHL draft. We see young 17, 18, and 19 year kids become heroes to the World.

Tradition can also be mixed into Rivalry. Year after year, Canada vs Russia rivalry creates such unity in Canada and has become essential part of the tournament. Even if that isn’t enough Canada vs. USA is also present. Rivalry has become such a important part of the tournament - it has become built around it; everyone waits for the new years eve game against the US and the finals are usually against Russia. The tournament is just so powerful with such strong hockey power-horses.

Excitement; not much to say - except remember these everlasting moments.

2005-2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcbXL4cCDwc

2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piXP-wZmzc4

2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ8iHM30rSE

2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSDYg7HUTCM

World Juniors are just in a league of their own.