International Buy Nothing Day

[J@3]

I dont. Can you imagine some isreali team trying to score on the pistons? or trying to contian duncan, ginobili, finely etc.

Judging by that, I think you've seen as much foreign basketball recently as I've seen NBA basketball... and that's not much ... er, or Asian baseball. If I were an Asian baseball expert I'd shut you down, but I'm not so I'll leave it.

They call the finals the world series becuase its the best teams in the world competing.

Still doesn't make it a global competition.

[Riot]

They call the finals the world series becuase its the best teams in the world competing.

Still doesn't make it a global competition.

Actually, it does.

[Dean]

no it doesnt....how is it a world competition if only america and canada compete?

[Riot]

The teams are represented in America and Canada, but the actual players that compete are the best players from around the globe. Just because the teams are in America and Canada doesn't mean it's just Americans and Canadians that take place in them. It's the best of the best.

[J@3]

They call the finals the world series becuase its the best teams in the world competing.

Still doesn't make it a global competition.

Actually, it does.

Yeah, because America and Canada are the only countries in the World

Before anyone (probably Matthew) comes back with the argument that not every country in the World competes in REAL World Championships for whatever sport... there is a bit of a difference between 50 nations competing, and 2. Not that the MLB is full of Canadian teams, how many are there? 2? 3?

Re: What you just posted...

That's interesting, because despite having the best players in the World the Hanshin Tigers from Japan beat the Yankees (11-7) and drew with the Devil Rays (7-7) in exhibition matches. So much for the irrelevant foreign competitions then.

[Matthew]

Judging by that, I think you've seen as much foreign basketball recently as I've seen NBA basketball... and that's not much .

Ive seen more foreign basketball than you give me credit for. in 98 and 99, they showed a fair bit of the euro league on espn. Ive also seen what nbl teams have done to asian teams, and considering no nbl player has ever done anything significant in the nba, i can only assume what an nba team would do to them.

Still doesn't make it a global competition.

Then why dont you openly criticise the world cup challenge? If the best players in the world are playing in MLB, and the two best teams are playing in the final, how can that not be the world championship? Just becuase america dominates the sport doesnt mean its not global.

Before anyone (probably Matthew) comes back with the argument that not every country in the World competes in REAL World Championships for whatever sport... there is a bit of a difference between 50 nations competing, and 2. Not that the MLB is full of Canadian teams, how many are there? 2? 3?

In the examples i used was there any that had 50 countries? I dont think so. How many different countries are there of people in the nba and mlb? compare that to the amount of countries people are involved in the world lub championship in rugby league. Now can you actually answer me why you criticise the ones in america and not that event?

That's interesting, because despite having the best players in the World the Hanshin Tigers from Japan beat the Yankees (11-7) and drew with the Devil Rays (7-7) in exhibition matches. So much for the irrelevant foreign competitions then.

From memory, they were exhibition matches just before the start of the MLB season in 2004. I doubt all the yankees and devil ray players were gearing up for the chance to play the.. hanshin tigers days before the start of their regular seasons.

[Riot]

Yeah, and the Atlanta Hawks also won a game. One game doesn't mean anything.

I'd like to see a foreign team try to play 162 games in an MLB regular season and see if they could make the postseason.

There is no doubt that the best players in baseball, football and basketball (hell even hockey) come to America to play. Why? Because in America you get millions and millions and you play against the best. That's just how it is.

But really, is it that big of a deal? It's called the fucking World Champions because they want to.

[J@3]

Matthew I'm not entirely sure what point you're trying to make ...

Ive seen more foreign basketball than you give me credit for. in 98 and 99, they showed a fair bit of the euro league on espn. Ive also seen what nbl teams have done to asian teams, and considering no nbl player has ever done anything significant in the nba, i can only assume what an nba team would do to them.

The NBL? I was refering to the top teams in Europe. The NBL doesn't even deserve recognition as a major competition. European, hell Global basketball has changed alot since 98 and 99. You just have to look at the fact that since then European/South American teams have won major international tournaments, or the fact that there are like 10 times more European players in the NBA now then there was back then.

Now can you actually answer me why you criticise the ones in america and not that event?

Here's an idea, why don't you actually ask me first to answer your question, I will critise any sport from any league from any country if they call their champions the "World" champions. I brought up the MLB because it was the first that came to mind. I pay little to no attention to the World Club Challenge. It wasn't a case of singling out the US deliberately, although they seem to do it more than anyone else.

From memory, they were exhibition matches just before the start of the MLB season in 2004. I doubt all the yankees and devil ray players were gearing up for the chance to play the.. hanshin tigers days before the start of their regular seasons.

Yeah, because none of them wanted to win or anything? Probably didn't have their morning steroid dose.

There is no doubt that the best players in baseball, football and basketball (hell even hockey) come to America to play. Why? Because in America you get millions and millions and you play against the best. That's just how it is.

Football? Does anyone outside of America even play it? NFL Europe is full of well.. Americans.

But really, is it that big of a deal? It's called the fucking World Champions because they want to.

I'm not the one making a big deal out of it... a two line comments brings all of the Team America fan boys running out to defend the nation. It's ridiculous. If I had said "I wish the Scottish wouldn't call their Gaelic football team the World Champions" neither of you would've said anything.

[Matthew]

The NBL? I was refering to the top teams in Europe. The NBL doesn't even deserve recognition as a major competition.

Thats my point. The NBL isnt a major competition yet they still beat asian teams regularly.

European, hell Global basketball has changed alot since 98 and 99. You just have to look at the fact that since then European/South American teams have won major international tournaments, or the fact that there are like 10 times more European players in the NBA now then there was back then.

Exactly my point.

Here's an idea, why don't you actually ask me first Crazy to answer your question,

Ah but I did ("Why is a game of rugby league between the two champions from the super league and nrl called the world club championship?"). You responded by going back to how wrong it is for MLB to have it called the world series.

I pay little to no attention to the World Club Challenge.

How much attention do you pay to baseball?

Yeah, because none of them wanted to win or anything?

Think about it, its just before a 162 game season and you've just gone through training camp for 2 months. Would you risk your season ahead for an exhibition game?

I'm not the one making a big deal out of it... a two line comments brings all of the Team America fan boys running out to defend the nation. It's ridiculous. If I had said "I wish the Scottish wouldn't call their Gaelic football team the World Champions" neither of you would've said anything.

Its got nothing to do with america... and i hate baseball. I just think its pointless to criticise only one countries methods of sports marketing when there are plenty that do the same thing.

[J@3]

Its got nothing to do with america... and i hate baseball. I just think its pointless to criticise only one countries methods of sports marketing when there are plenty that do the same thing.

Fair enough, well as I said before regardless of which country it is I think it's wrong. Come to think of it, probably moreso in Gaelic football than the MLB...

[Laxation]

I think there's some basketball teams in Europe who'd give alot of NBA teams a run for their money.

I dont. Can you imagine some isreali team

he said SOME european team, not every single team
i agree with the 'world series' and 'world champs' being stupid. reguardless of how many international players are in the league, or teams or whatever, its not a world championship unless countries from around the world are playing.
just my view on that stuff anyway, and i understand where you're coming from riot, but i just dont agree. as for matthew and jae, i think you two starting argueing the same point...

as for 'buy nothing day', its stupid and hippy and gay and fuck it.

[Matthew]

Its funny, i must have made 30 points, and you choose to quote half of one of my lesser points. I cant say I'm suprised.

I used the isreali team as an example becuase they a dynasty in europe from what ive read going. So I used their best as an example. I know its not easy for you to understand, but im sure if you only quote half of my points, you will be able to come up with the conclusion you need.

i agree with the 'world series' and 'world champs' being stupid. reguardless of how many international players are in the league, or teams or whatever, its not a world championship unless countries from around the world are playing.

I wonder if you'd feel the same way if Detroit won game 7 last season. "NOOO THEY BE THA WORLD CHAMPS!! BAK 2 BAK!!".

But it would be good if you actually backed up your "opinions" with some reasons as to why you think somthing is stupid..

[Andrew]

I don't really have a problem with US professional sports leagues using terms like "world champions" and "world series", though the terms by definition would suggest larger scale global competition with teams representing nations or several teams from several nations competing against one another. Furthermore, the NBA is a national league so its champion isn't an international champion, which as I said is what the term "world champions" would suggest.

The notion of international players being a justification for the terms isn't accurate in my opinion, since those terms have been in use since before pro sports leagues in the US featured as many foreign born players as they do today. However, it is a widely accepted notion that those sports leagues are the best in the world - a belief that I hold as well - thus their champions could be considered the best in the world.

So I'd agree that "world champions" and "world series" refer more to a belief, an ideal than a more literal definition or common application of those terms; not so much the belief that other countries don't matter or North America is the world but rather that those leagues are the cream of the crop so too are their champions, which may be an arrogant and boastful point of view but how many of us don't believe in some way our home country is the best nation to hail from or the world's greatest this or that? But if you're looking at the literal definition or common application of those terms then they don't really fit.

[Matt]

You can argue for the "world champs" by saying it's the best comp in the world, and argue against, given that there is no actual competition (like Champions League or something) to determine the best team.

Personally i don't care...it's marketing who cares.

On sports though....do you guys think the World Cup (soccer) should have the best teams or be globally represented. What i mean is, should we have the 32 best teams in the world or have teams from every continent. Some teams (Saudi Arabia) don't even belong in the competition given their shitty play and better teams (from Europe) lose out.

[Laxation]

Its funny, i must have made 30 points, and you choose to quote half of one of my lesser points. I cant say I'm suprised.

I used the isreali team as an example becuase they a dynasty in europe from what ive read going. So I used their best as an example. I know its not easy for you to understand, but im sure if you only quote half of my points, you will be able to come up with the conclusion you need.

that was just one point that i was thinking when reading your posts, next time i reply to your posts ill be sure to recognise it all

i agree with the 'world series' and 'world champs' being stupid. reguardless of how many international players are in the league, or teams or whatever, its not a world championship unless countries from around the world are playing.

I wonder if you'd feel the same way if Detroit won game 7 last season. "NOOO THEY BE THA WORLD CHAMPS!! BAK 2 BAK!!".

wtf makes you think i would be like that? its just fucking retarded... in my mind, your are the world champs if you beat the world. not 29 other teams from america (and canada...)
and even before i knew pistons were a basketball team, i thought it was stupid how they called it the world series and etc.

But it would be good if you actually backed up your "opinions" with some reasons as to why you think somthing is stupid..

i did...

its not a world championship unless countries from around the world are playing.