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