In a testing-the-water kind of way, does anybody here actually give a shit about that sport?
Recently I keep seeing comparisons between situations in other sports and that of the NBA; for example, the La Liga chairman who says the Premiership is rapidly becoming the NBA of football. Does he mean the PL players are consistently using Maradona hand-of-God tactics or what?

I been to see a few matches in NY it's ok as a one off but don't see what all the fuss is about but I think that about any American sport. Everyone of them goes on forever and then there is a bit of excitement and they all woop and jump up then the other team gets the ball and does the same then repeat about a million times till someone wins.

NHL is better. Real man's game...

Used to like playing it as a kid but only ever watched a match when I was in the states about 20 years ago and that was just as it was a playoff final thingy as it seemed to be on every screen in any bars you went into.

I agree with Mr Compo. It's also a high scoring game to keep people with low attention spans happy. ie there'e points scored every 30 seconds or so. I played it at school a bit and we were crap, bottom of the league cannon fodder. Then in the cup we got a handicap (60 point head start) against the league champions. Who by the way were all 6 foot plus (we weren't) Farmers son's from Weardale way, with hands like shovels. You know the type, pick up breeze blocks like they were Lego bricks. I lasted less than 5 mins (5 personal fouls, blooming frustration) and was classed as our best player. We got beat 80 odd to 70 odd. So I suppose the handicapper sort of got it right. Anyway why did I get my 5 personal fouls? According to the ref Body checking isn't allowed in a non contact sport! BTW one body check was great got him just as he was off balance about to throw a basket, or whatever its called, went straight into the wall. Thats the player not the ball! I don't condone foul play in sport. Not a Man's game.

On the other hand I don't mind watching Baseball. Never been to a game but have watched a few on ESPN. I know it's Posh Rounders but their is some skill to the Pitching.

The game where one team scores then it's the other teams turn to score and so it goes on till it ends at 97-96. Tedious.

I thought I might have been missing out on some subtle strategic interest. I'm reassured.

Played quite a bit at School and enjoyed it but never found it interesting to watch, Snowy sums it up perfectly.

As a spectator sport it's just ahead of table tennis and behind croquet. It's that bad.

Unwatchable sport for me. Just dont see the enjoyment in it.

Mind you, I have a long list of sports that I just cant watch.

Basketball
Baseball
Squash
Badminton
Anything with horses
Snooker
Tennis
Darts
Anthing classed a sport that has points for artistic impression, or whatever other non sport related points get added.

But I can watch hours of:

Football
Rugby Union
Rugby league
Cricket
Golf
Swimming
Athletics

And then theres other things I just dont get

Formula One. Whats the point?

And things I hate:

Boxing.

I think that just about covers the world of sport.

You can't watch snooker or darts but enjoy golf? What's the difference?

Is that a serious question?

I only ask as you are someone well known for his greater intellect.......usually.

Unless they start putting bunkers and water hazards around snooker tables, or dart boards, I doubt you will ever get a sporting finish like at the Masters last week.

I think to highlight why I find those sports so boring, someone gets a 147 break, and it still only counts as one frame. And so they play another 20 odd frames of the same stuff.

The only sports I enjoy watching are Football, Rugby, Boxing and Athletics.

I don't mind a bit of Tennis, UFC, Cricket and Golf occasionally.

The rest wouldn't interest me, especially American Football and F1.

I'd say Golf Darts and Snooker are very similar sports, they all rely in technical repetition and they are all largely played in the head. You can get exactly the type of finish you got in the Masters last week in both were a player goes to pieces and the results swings on its head.

I'd watch if I got the opportunity any top level sport and find it interesting I reckon, apart from any type of motor racing.

I'd say that golf couldnt be more different to pub games like darts and snooker.

Snooker would be more inetersting if the players had to use 14 different sized cues mind.

Or maybe darts players had to through from various different positions and distances.

Unless you are getting golf mixed up with your local putting green?

Regarding the original post I very much agree with those who find Basketball a difficult watch. I always wonder what constitutes a good defensive display in the sport. Is there some sort of "par" score with scores either side of this being deemed to be good or poor defensive displays?

Football is the great leveller... or it was

Sadly in this country most sports are based on a social/ class standing which is why we'll never really be as good as we could be, as we merely pick the best of those cosy inbred social groups.
Footy was the sport every kid could aspire to, no chance of getting the the boot because your face didn't fit, footy clubs were fly enough not to let clannish resentment cost them success.
Sadly the Premiership came along, brought in loads of average imports and.... ah well.

I love snooker but it's the only sport where if the other bloke is having a blinder you can't do a dam thing about it and have to sit on your arse and watch. Apart from if your Graham Dott and you just bore your opponent into killing himself.

So by your logic Mr Colonel, if a Golfer hits a hole in one then the game should be over, he/she/wins and the rest go home! Why play the other 17 holes? Then if no-one hits a hole in one play 18 holes a day of the same stuff for 4 days!!! Til someone wins!

Thats so true. Unless of course you play golf like me.

Wait a minute, you're saying there's actually ...

The thing that always gets me is the "FISE" championships that they hold in Montpellier every year. FISE stands for "Federation Internationale de Sports Extremes".

Skiing down Everest is extreme.
So is swimming the Atlantic.
So is a pulling-a-steam-locomotive-with-your-teeth race.

Skateboarding, roller skating, and BMX biking, however, are Not. Fucking. Extreme.

Have you not played Tony Hawks?