Jump!

So we were actually in a situation the other day when we were at a Sun game and there were so many jump balls that they actually had to play the traditional jump ball songs more than once, and possibly in one case three times. For the record, these traditional songs are (in order of appearance):

"Jump Around" - House of Pain
"Jump" - Van Halen
"Jump" - Kriss Kross

As a regular consumer, I think they could stand to mix it up a little more, for those situations where -- since the WNBA does not have an alternate possession rule -- we are bored out of our minds because the referees can't call fouls when they should. Here are some songs I would recommend that the Sun, and possibly the league, consider adding to the rotation:

1. "The Joint is Really Jumping Down at Carnegie Hall" - Judy Garland - Sure, this is probably one of Judy's least well known songs, and it includes the lyrics:

The philharmonic was so dignified
But now they're groovy and starting to ride,
Handel and Haydn are facing the wall
'cause The Joint Is Really Jumpin' down in Carnegie Hall.

I think the New York Liberty, in particular, could benefit, seeing as Carnegie Hall is just up the street. Who wouldn't be entertained by the thought of executing some classical composers? I wonder what they would request for their last meals? It's a nice change-of-pace song for that fourth jump ball.

2. "Jump" - The Pointer Sisters - Why not go retro? In the case of this group, you could probably actually book them to come sing the song live when that crucial fifth jump ball happens. Just for variety.

3. "Jumper" - Third Eye Blind - Sure, it's a little depressing, but sometimes you just want to put the past away. Especially when you've reached the point of the sixth jump ball.

Sports and the National Anthem

I am a firm believer of the idea that sports and the national anthem should have nothing to do with each other outside of an Olympic medal ceremony. According to this article, the national anthem wasn't even a common component of sporting events until the run up to World War II required more patriotic fervor from the general populace. When I was in junior high, I began substituting "Zeus" or other monosyllabic names into the Pledge of Allegiance, because it made me very uncomfortable to be forced to give my support to a god that, frankly, I didn't believe in. It has also been my custom for several years now to remain seated when the national anthem is played at sporting events. I simply do not believe that sports and politics--like church and state--should be mixed, and I refuse to endorse that mixture with my actions. What does my national anthem have to do with the shameless commercialism of a typical professional basketball game? Apparently, everything.

Today when we sat quietly during the national anthem at the Connecticut Sun game, we were asked if there was anything wrong with our legs, called disrespectful, and questioned vehemently as to the validity of our actions. We are also apparently young, stupid, and required by our American citizenship to honor the flag whenever it is presented. We had a reasonable discussion with an adjacent seatmate about our reasons for sitting--which also include not blindly endorsing a country that has, is, and will be engaged in torturing and killing people for profit--but the group of women in front of us became progressively more insulting, refusing to leave us alone and repeatedly explaining that our freedom as Americans meant that we had to stand up for the national anthem, that their fathers and other relatives had served so we could be so selfish, etc.

This was very disturbing for a variety of reasons, but because I'm me, what is most upsetting is that it ruined my basketball game, and I'm afraid it's going to ruin the rest of the season. As a season ticket holder, I'm afraid that I'm going to be spending the rest of the season in the same space as hateful, angry people who will not agree to disagree. It is hard to believe that people who are apparently so passionate about American nationalism are unable to accept that one of the founding principles of this country is (in my understanding, my grasp of history is a little fuzzy) the ability to dissent peacefully. I understand that people have reasons for standing during the national anthem, for joining the military, and for putting flag bumper stickers on their cars. Fine. They can do all those things. But--don't tell me what to do. I'm just here to cheer for my women's basketball team.

Maybe the Sun will come out today . . .?

We are going to see a game tonight and hope it won't be as depressing as the last three. They have managed to lose 8 of their last 10, but by those small, demoralizing margins. However, they did beat Indiana last week and they are facing them again tonight, so fingers crossed.

Finally

The CT Sun finally pulled out a win last night, ending their franchise-longest losing streak at five games and making my waning faith perk up a bit. Not that I'm a fair-weather fan, but the dismal home record and the inability to win close games was becoming somewhat wearing. Luckily the Red Sox continue to impress, despite slipping a bit in June, and the Yankees (even though they mounted a spirited comeback and will doubtless continue to creep closer) look more human than they did a week ago after being swept by the Rockies.

I never did wrap up the NBA season, so here are my thoughts re: the surprising (to some sports media heads) Jazz season. If they can quit bickering and get a good few rookies through the draft, as they have done in several recent years, they may actually have a chance to contend for the title next year.

I just saw the Boston Bruins revised uni designs on Uni Watch, and they're pretty awesome. When I heard that the NHL was going to redesign their uniforms--perhaps in an attempt to redesign league-wide attendance to reach a higher number?--I was, naturally, petrified. Especially after the WNBA debacle earlier this year. I haven't forgiven you yet, Adidas!

In other sporting news, I was reminded while listening to Only A Game this morning that the professional women's soccer league will soon be reborn. I have to confess that I am looking forward to the women's world cup and the possibility of going to a few matches in New England, after all the fun we had attending the last World Cup at Foxboro. I wonder if any of the games will be on Gol TV?

Tip and Wag

I envision this like Stephen Colbert's Tip of the Hat, Wag of the Finger.

Tip of My Hat:

Utah Jazz, for not folding under pressure like they (sometimes) are wont to do. Bring on the Golden State Warriors! (Maybe I'm just a pessimist, but I find them rather intimidating after they destroyed Dallas).

Connecticut Sun, for starting off the pre-season with a win and making me glad that I'm a women's basketball fan. That stretch of time between the NCAA championships and now was a painful month, but I made it through!

Wag of My Finger:

New York Yankees! Why are you paying Roger Clemens $6.5 million a month to pitch for you? You would have been fine! Not that I'm a Yankees fan--I'd like to emphatically deny that right here and now. However, this move is so ridiculous and over the top (in the beginning of May, people!) that it makes me hope even more that Clemens pitches like crap and gives up five home runs a game and breaks his ankle on June 5th and they'll be right back where they were!

On the opposite note, way to go Red Sox for actually taking two of three from the Twins in the dreaded Metrodome. It could have been a sweep with the way Santana was pitching yesterday, but I think they'll take it and run all the way to the other indoor arena where they always get beaten: The Rogers Centre.