paul253

With all the ridiculous contracts being thrown out there people sometimes forget about much $20 million actually is. That's more than most people will make in 4 lifetimes, working for decades each lifetime. I sure hope he doesn't bomb or have a career ending injury.

To me it's just stupid coming up with these obscure proposals then there are, in my opinion, two changes that can speed up the game five times as much as these proposals. 1) A relief pitcher has to face a minimum of two hitters. How many times do we see pitching change after pitching change after pitching change when these managers are trying to play the odds the best. The manager makes a change.....it takes 2-3 minutes for the pitcher to get to the mound.......then he takes another 3-4 minutes warming up.....then he pitches to one batter......then the manager comes out and huddles up and makes another change.....and a new pitcher takes 2-3 getting to the mound......then another 3-4 minutes warming up......then faces his batter......then the manager comes out and on and on. I wouldn't say it's frequent but late in some of these games you have one full inning that'll take 45 minutes to complete. 2) The batter has to stay in the batters box between pitches and the pitcher does not have to wait until the hitter is ready before he pitches. None of this take a pitch then step out then look at the third base coach then take a practice swing then fix your socks then fix your batting gloves then take another practice swing. We are taking 20-30 seconds between each pitch with some of these guys. I think just enforcing these two rules could easily shave 15-20 minutes off a game. Unlike the 45 seconds not making a pitching throw intentional walks would save

Wisconsin and Minnesota are both 8-2 in conference and I don't think you can say the schedules are that big a deal. Really the only difference is Minnesota plays Michigan St one series and Wisconsin plays Penn St. I'd be surprised if Wisconsin wins the conference just becuase if how bad they've been lately but it certainly wouldn't shock me. They are 4-2 so far against Michigan Minnesota and Ohio St so those are certainly winnable games, especially since 4 of the 6 are at home. Either way though what an improvement Yeah but that was mostly to build a new arena. If a team already has an arena that can add hockey the cost wouldn't be nearly as much. I think Nebraska just built a nice shiny new basketball arena that has the ability to make ice so there was some speculation they were thinking of adding hockey but I think that speculation has died down a bit. I think conference expansion is inevitable again with the soon to happen demise of the Big 12. If or when that happens I wouldn't be surprised to see the Big Ten add two more teams and I think UConn would be a serious contender. They would shore up the East Coast, probably more so than Rutgers did. They also add traditionally strong basketball programs and although their football team is weak, as Rutgers showed that's not an automatic disqualifier like it would be for the SEC. Plus obviously they have a men's hockey program so with Notre Dame that'd make 8, a much more stable number than 6 for a conference.

Wisconsin has a very legit shot at winning the Big Ten. How amazing would that be after the past two seasons? Speaking of the Big Ten. I know Notre Dame is joining the conference next year. Any word on any other actual Big Ten schools getting teams any time soon? I can't imagine they stared this conference with the idea of only having six schools involved.

Ah the ole Bank One Badger Hockey Showdown. I went to that fairly often with my brother. That's how a became I fan actually. I was (and still am) fascinated with all the chants the students do, especially the Sieve chant after each goal. I really hope Milwaukee can get the Frozen Four back in town once the new arena is complete. I went to the 2006 National Championship game where UW beat BC. What an experience.

Former Badger coach Jeff Sauer has died. Only 73.

It's funny the different perspectives we have. I know lots of sports fans too and hardly anyone of them care about the NBA. One of my friends who is into sports said he wouldn't watch the Bucks even if the game was in his driveway. I've heard a lot of people say they wish they could trade the Bucks for an NHL team. I personally think an NHL team would outdraw the Bucks here but I doubt we ever find out.

Oh my god. I'm trying to move on. I really am. But you're hijackjng my argument. I've never claimed there are constant "all out brawls" in basketball. I said everyone gets involved, which they do. Have you ever once seen two players get into a fight while everyone else stands around watching? I also think you're embellishing these "all out ten on ten brawls" in hockey. Yes it happens and yes it happens more then it does in basketball, mostly becuase like you say the league doesn't care to stop it. But I don't think it's as common to see all ten players actually physically fighting as you do. You'll see a lot of pushing and shoving and players holding other player back.....just like what you see what basketball players get physical with each other. Now can we please move on?

Alright for the sake of the thread I'll move on. I'll let you look up NBA fights on YouTube on your own time. And you're right I misspoke. Fighting in the NHL isn't "allowed". The players are given penalties, usually five minutes and sometimes a game ejection. But its more accepted. And it's more organized. The ten on ten picture you paint is rare but if that is what you want to draw attention to then I'll say that pretty much NBA fight involves all ten players, and usually coaches and bench players too, getting involved.

Trwi7 you seem like someone who goes to a lot of Admirals games. Have you been to any at the Panther Arena this year? If so what is your recommendation for buying tickets? I usually bought tickets from scalpers when they played at the BC. Do the scalpers still make it down there? I looked at the Admirals website and they just redirect you to Ticketmaster and their ridiculous ticket fees. My other option is to go down to the ticket office and buy tickets in person but I wasn't sure if the ticket office is open right up til game time.

Half of the first round of the NBA draft would be 18 year olds if they were allowed to be. And all of those guys receive gusranteed contracts. If a hockey player is in the NHL at 18 then they are a phenomenal young prospect....an Eichel....a Matthews....a McDavid. Not so much in the NBA where these guys are drafted mainly on potential and many of them sit on the bench as rookies. So again I ask. Is it even possible to complain about NBA players without you going directly to their race? Can I say anything bad about them without you making it a race thing? And you're right. It doe bother me how pro athletes spend their money. I have no problem admitting it. I think most of them are absolute morons and a lot of it goes back to the immaturity I was referring to because a lot of them don't know any better. However I recognize that it's their money and they can spend it how they want. But that doesn't mean I have to sit here and like it when I see them dressed in ridiculous clothes with literally millions of dollars of jewelry hanging off their necks. Or when they talk like uneducated little middle schoolers. I just don't understand why you continue to act as though I'm only bothered by their race. Trust me. When a white athlete does this it bothers me just as much. Regarding fighting. Google NHL fights and then google NBA fights and tell me which ones are more out of control. NHL fighting is basically allowed by the rules which is why they do it so much more often. But you very very rarely see benches empty and coaches getting involved. You see that with almost every NBA fight. Make this a race thing if you want but it's just true. Now....back to hockey.

Considering how similar the episode 7 plot was to the episode 1 plot it will be interesting to see how much they veer from the plots of ESB and ROTJ in the next two movies. My guess is there will be one major shift, either the good guy going bad or the bad guy going good (since it's Disney my guess is maybe Kylo turns good to help kill Snoke). I see Luke dying the same way Yoda did (peacefully as Rey finishes her training) and Rey running a new Jedi order. On a side note, Mace was one of my favorite characters in the entire Star Wars universe. I think a spinoff about his rise to the Jedi Council would be a good idea.

Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. Sounds rather ominous. I have to admit when they added the sequels I was hoping a new Jedi Order would have been part of it like in the expanded universe books. Anyway, guesses as to what direction this new title leads us?

I'm not complaining about "flashy black athletes". I am comparing my perception of the NHL players and the NBA players. That's all. I find t telling that of all the stuff I listed you choose to focus only the race of the most of the players, which I'll remind you you are the only one who brought up. Is it even possible to say something bad about NBA players without it being blamed on race? And why is it assumed that it's only NBA players that bother me? I'm bothered by some of the stuff the NFL players too. And guess what. I thought some of things Carlos Gomez did when he hit home runs was obnoxious too. They are called "professional" athletes for a reason. If you want to celebrate that's one thing. But some athletes take it way too far. That's what bothers us crabby old white guys. Not the skin color of those who do it. I'll just add this because I think this makes a difference. The NBA is really the only sport where you can play in the highest level league almost immediately after High School. The only thing preventing high schoolers from declaring for the NBA is the stupid one year rule. In other sports you almost always have to go to college for multiple years (football hockey and baseball) or juniors (hockey) or the minors (baseball and hockey). I think this makes a difference in terms of maturity. I think riding the bus around in the minors going from small town to small town making minor league money, or going to college for three years, helps them mature as a person. Most NBA picks are either freshmen or sophomore (only seven of thirty first round picks last year played more than two years in college, seven the year before that, and seven the year before that). So when you go straight from living at home to being the big man on campus for a year later to being a multimillionaire the year after that there are going to be some maturity issues.

NBA players in general. Im not going to pull up an all time roster and liist off which players I think show off the bling and which players don't. I have had dealings with some players at work too, which is where I get sone of this from. It's just an opinion. Maybe NHL players do it too and I just don't know about it becuase we don't have NHL players here in Wisconsin very often. But don't try to deny that these young 18-21 year old millionaire NBA players like to show off their money. I wouldn't say nobody cares. I think a lot of people get annoyed by the extreme celebrations every time a player scores a touchdown or, you know, tackles someone. The Packers are mostly exempt from this here because Wisconsinites treat them as gods. But they also have open practices and ride kids bikes back to the lockeroom and stuff like that. That helps us peons relate to them. Plus I don't think Jabari Parker exclaiming that "all of our tax dollars goes to them (the police) just to kill us" and seeing video of Larry Sanders starting a bar fight helps my perception much. Because if the physicality and how the game is played. You have to work much harder to play hockey then you do basketball. NBA players sit out games to "rest" while NHL players get their teeth knocked out and come out next period. They fight but can mostly control themselves and follow the unwritten rules whereas when NBA players fight all hell breaks lose. NHL players go out of their way to represent their county in tje olymlics and other national tournaments whereas with the NBA most of the best players skip out becuase they don't want to jeopardize their next contract. And you've even had people suggest we should pay them to represent their country. And finally look at celebrities who line up to go to NBA games and sit courtside. Again maybe it's just because I don't follow the NHL much but I don't see that as often in hockey. Look agree with me or don't. I don't care. But don't suggest this is somehow about race. The Bucks front office is been fine. Giannis and Parker were incredible picks and Maker could end up being a steal. They extended Middleton. They hired a quality coach. The team is just either still too young or underperforming. But you kind of proved my point in your response. The only way we can get a quality player is if we draft them or are consistently winning. Milwaukee isn't a destination city. Lebron isn't coming here. Neither is Curry. Or Durant. Or even Anthony. Regardless of how much we win we will never be a destination city like NY or LA or Miami or Chicago. Becuase NBA players do not like Milwaukee. Yes we can extend guys we drafted, although IIRC correctly there are financials incentives for them to resign as opposed to leave. Not saying it's the only reason they resign but it shouldn't be ignored. And finally, the Bucks haven't been THAT bad lately. They have made the playoffs a few times recently and are definitely in contention again this year. Maybe it's their stadium. Who knows. But I just don't see the level of interest here that I do with the Brewers. And nobody can argue the Brewers have been consistent winners. Anyway, what I came on here to say. Nice to see the Badger hockey team winning some games again. They've had some absolutely dreadful seasons lately.

Um. What? Take it down a notch would you. Hockey is a much more blue collar sport than basketball. You don't see a bunch of pretty boys flashing their fancy clothes and cars and jewelry in hockey like you do in basketball. And Milwaukee is definitely a blue collar city, wouldn't you agree? Additionally look at the cities where NBA players want to play. LA. Chicago. NY. South Beach.....er Miami. How many players actually want to play in Milwaukee? I've heard players complain about how boring Milwaukee is. I think hockey players would be more comfortable in cities like Milwaukee than NBA players because hockey is much more popular in cold weather cities then it is in warm weather cities. Plus as I said even with this enormous PR campaign and young and up and coming team and new arena......even with all that attendance at Bucks games sucks. Back when Marquette had decent teams not that long ago they were drawing almost as many fans as the Bucks. It's just my opinion but I think people in Milwaukee would be more interested in the NHL than the NBA, and no not becuase we're all racists. Regarding Admirals attendance. For the leagues they've been in they generally draw pretty well. They drew really well when they were an independant team. And they've survived this long as a minor league team which really says something. There would be a lot of competition for the dollars but I think they'd immediately jump to the top of the list.

If the Bucks can make it in Milwaukee then most certainly an NHL team would. The Bucks have started this huge PR campaign here and even with that and a young up and coming team and a new arena coming they are still in the bottom 6 in league attendance. I think interest in the NHL would be much higher. The fact that the Admirals are still around is a testament to that. You also have Badger hockey which has always drawn well. I realize it's not Milwaukee but it shows the level of interest in hockey in this state. I think people in Wisconsin can relate to hockey players a lot easier than they can relate to basketball players.

Milwaukee will never get a team. I agree with that. And I've heard that argument made before, which to me is the most absurd argument that can be made. Since when is Milwaukee a "Chicago market"? The NBA has teams in both cities. MLB has teams in both cities (two in Chicago less). Hell even the American Hockey League has teams in both cities. Are the Blackhawks really that terrified about losing little ole Milwaukee? Not to mention I live in Milwaukee and from I've seen there is next to no interest in the Blackhawks. It's not like they are advertising here or playing exhibition games here or actively trying to recruit fans. Milwaukee could not care less about the Blackhawks. Milwaukee just doesn't have anyone with enough interest and enough money to bring a team here. It doesn't have to be an expansion team. I've heard several teams are struggling in their current cities. But Milwaukee itself just doesn't have the people with the money. The Brewers owner came from LA (right?) The Bucks owners from NY. The guy who originally owned the Predators was from Racine I believe but he opted to go for a team in Nashville over Milwaukee. It's sad but I just don't see it ever happening. We're stuck with the Bucks.

I decided to go with directv now and my results are mixed. For the most part it's alright. Definitely saves me a lot of money. But for the last four nights I've been having all sorts of problems with buffering. It's so bad that it makes it almost unwatchable. In fact I'm actually watching the CFB national championship game on the WatchESPN app because it's the only way I can watch it without it constantly stopping to buffer. It's really, really obnoxious and something that if they don't fix soon will cause me to drop it. I realize it's new and I've read that that they have more customers than they expected but this is a deal breaker. I paid up for three months to get the free Apple TV so that's how long I'm giving them.

It's always bothered me that Milwaukee didn't get an NHL team. They were close in the 90s but Petit pulled his offer. I heard it was because of the way the expansion draft was set up and they didn't think they'd be competitive. What a shame. There is this huge effort now to make the Bucks popular with this new arena coming......I just don't see it. People barely talk about the Bucks here. I think an NHL team would be much more successful. I realize it's never going to happen. Cities like Tampa, Miami, and Phoenix for some reason get teams yet Milwaukee can't. Oh well. The admirals are still a fun and relatively cheap alternative and I follow the Badgers as best as I can. I'm hoping when the new arena is finished they can get another Frozen Four here. Maybe even a Big Ten hockey tournament.

I was almost late for work because I didn't want to miss the shootout. Nothing better than Canada-USA hockey in my opinion.

Just on a side note it's situations like this (similar to the situation with Davis/Santana and Overbay/Fielder) that get me so irritated that MLB refuses to address the DH/no DH issue. In my opinion Brauns contract wouldn't be nearly as bad if we were in the AL and could use him as a full time DH. The fact that we have to throw him out in the field despite his age and injury history while AL teams could take a similar player and let him sit him on the bench but still get 5 at bats a game is crap. I'm sick of this built in roster building advantage that AL teams have because they have the DH. I don't care if they go all DH or no DH. Just pick something and make it uniform throughout the entire league. This isn't 1962 anymore where the only time AL teams play NL teams is in the World Series.

All street parking is free since it's a Saturday but a lot of it is only two hour parking. Just make sure you don't leave anything (anything!) of value in your car as there are a lot of car break ins downtown.

Something about this proposal seems off to me. The Yankees aren't giving up nearly enough.

Im guessing this is the problem but unfortunately my dish is too high up and I don't have access to it as I don't have a ladder tall enough to reach up there.