OT - Most annoying: Crosby or Putin?

Submitted by Kalamazoo Blue on

Crosby vaulted into the "most annoying" lead yesterday afternoon for reasons well-documented on this board.

Then only hours later Putin catches up to him. During the closing ceremonies they played the Russian national anthem (because they host the next winter olympics). The NBC announcer explained that the Russians resurrected the old Soviet anthem about 10 years ago at the urging of Putin. I've never liked Putin, but now he's really starting to annoy me.

Next November I fully expect to see both these guys in the front row of the 'shoe dressed head to toe in scarlet and grey alongside the big, bald stooge with the buckeye necklace. I hope all three are crying their eyes out.

MGoExtracredit to anyone who can photoshop that image.

Monday morning rant over.

Sgt. Wolverine

March 1st, 2010 at 12:48 PM ^

I get your frustration (I have my own linguistic frustrations), but as there is no central authority to oversee the English language, it's futile to fight its evolution through popular usage. If the people want Photoshop to be a verb, then it's going to be a verb.

Blue in Yarmouth

March 1st, 2010 at 8:50 AM ^

I am wondering where all the Crosby hate is coming from? I mean, I know he just scored the winning goal in OT against your team and he beat this blogs favorite team in the cup finals last year, but honestly, other than being one of the two best hockey players on the planet what has he done to bring out such anger?

I ask because I know him personally and have always found him to be a nice young man who carries himself well both on and off the ice. He played hockey against my youngest brother growing up both in midget aaa and in the QMJHL. I have had numerous opportunities to speak with him and find him to be a very good person.

I guess I just wonder how sports fans make things so personal. I am not a fan of many of the players on the USA hockey team but I wouldn't say they are douches or insinuate they are homosexuals (nttawwt). I simply am not of fan of theirs and leave it at that. I would just like to know why you make it so personal? Or maybe you know him personally too and have just had different experiences with him than I have.

StephenRKass

March 1st, 2010 at 9:03 AM ^

Of course, I understand that Red Wings fans would not be a fan of Crosby. And we're all bummed that Crosby made the game-winning shot for Canada. But is he a jerk? There are players who are so annoying, you would not want them on your team. Is Crosby in that category? Would Wings fans not want Crosby to play in Detroit? Has he done goon kind of stuff (like the MSU players last year?) Is he always rude to fans and media? In baseball, which I follow more, there are always some "good guys" who play well, but then there are great players who are royal jerks, prima donnas, etc. I just don't know hockey well enough to know much about Crosby and his character.

Steve in PA

March 1st, 2010 at 9:32 AM ^

Crosby has helped to resurrect the Pens (who I loathe) and in the process saving my tax dollars that the governor was nice enough to give Pittsburgh to save the Pens from moving a few years back. If the Pens fail, I can be assured of a tax increase.

Clarence Beeks

March 1st, 2010 at 9:42 AM ^

To be fair, your governor (who is from Philadelphia) could have had the new arena for free (i.e. no effect on your taxes), but he decided to pull his weight and give the slots license for Pittsburgh to his friend (who provided nothing for the city) instead of the group that, as part of their proposal, offered to build the new arena as part of their complex.

Steve in PA

March 1st, 2010 at 9:56 AM ^

Don't get me started...

[Begin Rant]

One of the people appointed to oversee the whole slots mess is a former commissioner in my county, Alan Cwalina. He and a fellow commish literally cooked the books for a decade mortgaging county property to fill wholes in the budget created by crony deals. When things started to fall apart they both resigned.

One took a job with the state and the other took a director position at the bank that held the mortgages on the county property. Property taxes in the county went up 50% the following year to fill the hole.

I got involved with county government when I was a LL President and wanted to sign a lease for a field complex owned by the county, but abandoned. Those commissioners had gotten a state grant for the purchase of the complex from private ownership, posted signs with their names and never used it. It wasn't even being mowed! Then Cwalina got another stage grant for sewage improvements and gave a contract to his cousin for 3 porta-jons in a complex that wasn't being used (or mowed for several years).

[End Rant]

Six Zero

March 1st, 2010 at 10:53 AM ^

Our governor does what is best for the governor. And what is best for the governor is to fill his pockets and stroke his own ego. I won't attempt to present myself as a student of politics, because I'm not, but I've never seen a politician less interested in his own people. His entire office has been about fulfilling the back door deals that got him there in the first place, and if Hillary would've gotten the nomination he'd have dropped the Keystone state in a heartbeat to move onto the federal scene.

He's more interested in talking about the Eagles on Comcast than the general interest and welfare of Pennsylvanians. And he cares even less about those on his own state payroll. Can't wait til he's gone.

JeffB

March 1st, 2010 at 9:59 PM ^

Yes, but he also got votes for "If you could change lives with another player, who could it be?" and "Which player would make the president/prime minister?"

Yes, he has whined a bit (there's also a difference between complaining the most and whining "non stop"), but if you look, it has gotten a lot less since his rookie year. He has also improved those areas of the game where he was weaker (face-offs, PK, more shots this year).

Wahlberg

March 1st, 2010 at 3:04 PM ^

Full disclosure: I am a big wings fan. However, I've hated Crosby even before the heart breaking '09 cup finals.

During the '08 finals I noticed that he, never, stops, whining! Every push, every no call, any time he thinks he deserves a penalty he gets this absolute look of incredulity such that he seems to be saying "how dare you not call that for me? don't you know who I am?"

In short, I hate him because he displays an aura of entitlement. He comes off like he deserves the cup, the mvp, the gold medal, and all the accolades just because he is Sidney Crosby.

I would have been gracious to Canada had anyone other than Crosby scored that game winner. I want nothing but bad things for Crosby and the fact that he scored the game winner is what's bothering me most about the loss.

Blue in Yarmouth

March 1st, 2010 at 3:17 PM ^

I am not trying to be an ass, but have you played hockey or watched a game live before? I ask because this thing you are describing as your reason for hating Crosby is in no way limited to him.

First, he is the captain of his team, and as such is one of the three players who can actually talk to the officials, it is part of his job.

Second, there are rules in hockey. If you watch Crosby play, you will notice that on virtually every play he gets help, hooked or otherwise interferred with. All players, when subject to this treatment, tell the ref about it.

This isn't only in hockey either. Teams key on the oppositions best player in every sport. When they go beyond the rules of the game to do it, those players inform the referee about it so they will catch it the next time.

My point is mainly that he isn't doing anything that most of the best players in the NHL don't do, so to make it the reason you "hate" someone is a little silly IME. Unless of course you hate all of those other players who do the exact same thing.

Wahlberg

March 1st, 2010 at 4:33 PM ^

Look man I get it. Obstruction and interference happen a lot in hockey. The refs are notorious for being inconsistent in regards to calling it. Brett Hull made a 2nd profession out of lambasting the NHL in the media for it.

But does that mean you have to whine about it like a baby? Did Steve Yzerman cry when people went after his knee in the '02 playoffs? No, he just ducked and let Chris Pronger tear his acl like an idiot.

I recognize Crosby is an amazing hockey player. But I don't like his attitude and the way he comes off on the ice. It's annoying. Couple that with the Tebow x 100 love he gets from the media and it's damn near unbearable. The NBC crew pretty much openly roots for the Pens in the playoffs and it's the reason why I listen to games with the mute button on.

Clarence Beeks

March 1st, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^

"The NBC crew pretty much openly roots for the Pens in the playoffs and it's the reason why I listen to games with the mute button on."

This is one of the funnier comments I've ever seen (not meaning to be a jerk, but it's just funny and you'll see why). It's all in the eye of the beholder, I suppose. Pens fans HATE when games are on NBC and Versus because their three-man broadcast crew consists of two former coaches who were fired by the organization who go out of their way at every opportunity to criticize the Penguins. In fact, I know a lot of them who will only watch the NBC and Versus games on mute with the DVR synced up to the radio broadcast because it gets so bad. So, again not meaning to be a jerk, but it's just kind of funny to hear someone say that the broadcasters on NBC and Versus are biased in the Penguins favor. It's very interesting to see how two different groups can listen to the same broadcasters and think that they are simultaneously biased against both of them in favor of the other.

Wahlberg

March 1st, 2010 at 6:31 PM ^

Fair enough, I'm speaking from the perspective of a wings fan. It seemed pretty obvious to me at least that during the '08 and '09 finals, the announcers clearly wanted the pens to win. But, I suppose it is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe they hate the wings more? who knows.

JeffB

March 1st, 2010 at 10:04 PM ^

I second Clarence. As much as certain members of the media in Pittsburgh love Edzo, most of the fans I know can't stand listening to him or Doc calling a Pens game. A lot of fans were royally pissed that the local announcers couldn't do the finals games on TV, because they can't stand the national TV broadcasters, and will sync up the TV and the radio to try to get the local broadcast (especially with Mike Lange) instead of dealing with the no nothing national teams.

Kind of like the Red Wings fans having to deal with national broadcasters instead of Mickey Redmond and Dave Strader back in the day (and not having access to CBC).

Blue in Yarmouth

March 2nd, 2010 at 7:47 AM ^

nor do I dislike Tebow. I have no opinion of the guy whatsoever. As I have stated already, I don't get involved in this "hatred" of players. Personally, I find it hard to imagine how people can get so emotionally involved with sports that they would describe their feelings toward a person they have never actually met and don't know on a personal level as "hate". I think you can not be a fan of a player without "hating" them.

hokiewolf

March 1st, 2010 at 8:56 AM ^

I find him annoying because of his on-ice whining. Although he's toned it down some since his initial tantrums upon entering the league, he's still in the refs' ears every time someone gets close to him.

The other thing that annoys me really isn't his fault, but that makes it no less irritating. He's been annointed as the savior of hockey--a Canadian version of Jesus--and the press and NHL front offices spend a lot of time on their knees in front of him.

Bettman fixed the NHL finals last year to give the Golden Boy a better chance to win. Moving up game one two full days at the last second made no sense for TV ratings, but it certainly ensured that the Wings would have no time to rest and heal.

Blue in Yarmouth

March 1st, 2010 at 9:13 AM ^

I can see how people think he comes off like that. I also think, however, that you see many of the top players (especially team captians, which he is) in the refs ear a lot.

If you watch him play you will notice that players will often clutch, grab, hook and take cheap shots at him all game long. If he didn't call attention to it the refs would likely miss even more of the calls than they already do.

As one of the best players in the world he has to expect to be targetted game in and game out, but he shouldn't be held to standards that other players aren't expected to adhere to. In most pro sports the games best players are treated like babies, while in hockey at least, they are expected to be able to tolerate and play through what the average player isn't.

I am not a fan of Pittsburg but have watched many of their games and if I was Crosby, I would be whining to the refs a lot as well. He gets held in one form or another virtually every time he gets the puck.

Wahlberg

March 1st, 2010 at 3:09 PM ^

Look I respect the fact that you're backing up someone you know personally, and you're doing it the right way. But, do you really think he needs to whine to the refs for them to notice him? He's been the anointed "hockey Jesus" since he came into the league.

And if you want to talk about normal standards, I think Crosby gets the benefits of the doubt on calls more than most anyone in the NHL (no I don't have stats to back this up, it's too subjective and it's my opinion based on watching his games)

Blue in Yarmouth

March 1st, 2010 at 3:32 PM ^

it is very subjective and too difficult to determine. I guess I would have to say that in most cases I feel the penalties that are called are legit, whether he whined to get them or not.

Biggest problem was the rule changes of a few years ago which made everything a possible holding or obstruction call. Well, i guess it isn't so much a problem as the intent was to make it cut and dry. Put your hands or stick on a player and it is a penalty. The problem is it happens on every play so refs still use their descretion when making the calls.

To close, I wish that no player whined to refs ever and he coupld definitely do it less.

Clarence Beeks

March 1st, 2010 at 4:02 PM ^

To go along with something you said in one of your other posts, I would argue that they don't call enough penalties on what's done to Crosby. If they called all of the legitimate penalties that are committed against him that are called against other players there would be A LOT more penalties called.

Blue in Yarmouth

March 1st, 2010 at 9:20 AM ^

I would wager that I know about as much about you as you do about Crosby. If I ran around saying your a douche, would you appreciate something of substacne to back that up? Why do you think he is a douche is my question?

JeffB

March 1st, 2010 at 10:07 PM ^

If I remember correctly, Game 1 was moved because of the NBC/Versus wanting to have the potential Game 7 on a Friday night (which would have been better than Sunday night in the summer, actually) - as much as I hate Bettman, I don't think you can blame him for that one as much the TV "partners."

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

March 1st, 2010 at 9:08 AM ^

Crosby: Wins hockey games.

Putin: Invades, occupies, and recognizes as independent small enclaves of a country four-tenths of a percent the size of his.

Wonder who annoys me more.

Six Zero

March 1st, 2010 at 9:26 AM ^

I'm also in the Don't Get It crowd, but I respect everyone else's take. It's hard to give up on opinions generated when your team is involved. I'm sure Chris Spielman's a pretty good guy and it's terrible what he and his family went through, but at the end of the day I still can't let go of the fact that he's a Buckeye.

For the record, I was really expecting something flukey to give USA the win yesterday. A defensive breakdown or something, probably (hopefully?) at the hands of Pronger or Neidermayer. Like Rafalski hitting Patrick Kane with a double line pass to get behind the D and end the whole thing with a goal for the ages.

StephenRKass

March 1st, 2010 at 9:43 AM ^

With a toy, it's a good reminder that at the end of the day, we're just fans of a game. I love following Michigan, and spend way too much time here at Mgoblog. However, sometimes I need to let it go. Now, when my 8 year old boy crabs that the world is ending because his twin sister destroyed some Lego creation of his, it will remind me of your icon, and also remind me that while I love the game, the world isn't ending when Michigan loses (or has several crummy years.)

d.

March 1st, 2010 at 9:45 AM ^

I am of the "Hate Crosby" camp. I told my friend's I'm more upset that he was the one that scored to beat us, than that we lost (also on that list would have been Iginla and Niedermayer, too, fwiw).

Here are some reasons for my hatred as well as (I think) other's hatred as well:

Why did we dislike Tebow? It wasn't because he was a bad PERSON but because ESPN was all over his nuts 24-7. Crosby is the same way with NBC and Versus (although, IMO, they were better during the Olympics). They vault him as the savior of the game of hockey. Ugh.

He is a very good hockey player, but there are, in my estimation, much better players in the NHL. I don't even think he's the best player on the Pens (Malkin, Fleury). Again, this is my opinion, so feel free to disparage me all you want for that (Brodeur, Malkin, Lindstrom, Ovechkin, IMO are all better hockey players).

Seconded on the whiny bitch point. He's a skill player that didn't like to get hit. That has gotten better though, I must say.

My last point, is simply me being a homer. The captain of the team that beat the Wings for the cup, I have to hate him. It's the same reason why, I imagine, so many people around here hated Vince Young or Matt Leinart. He did absolutely NOTHING in the cup finals last year (and very little in the playoff's overall, if I remember right). He is the captain least deserving of a Stanley Cup. Period.

My 2 cents.

[edit] I NEVER actually thought that the ref's in that building would let us have the Gold. (however, usually, the home building does get the calls in the NHL, so I don't know why I was surprised). Regardless, I loved the grit and hustle of team USA and Miller was on it the whole tourney. I can't wait for 2014!

JeepinBen

March 1st, 2010 at 10:00 AM ^

Same Boat, Crosby gets hated for the same reasons as Tebow... overexposure/hype.

As someone in my office said this morning "Not only was it bad that we lost, but now throughout every game on NBC and during the playoffs I have to sit through 15,000 highlights of Crosby winning the Stanley Cup and the gold medal"

At least no one has said that 10 minutes with Crosby will change your life...

JeepinBen

March 1st, 2010 at 2:29 PM ^

As a native of Chicago and a big Blackhawks fan (please, no neg-banging, The Wings have dominated us and hockey for so long) I have to point out it's Kane.

Glad hockey is relevant in Chicago again... it was great to see Rafalski and Kane playing well together... let's hope they both play as well come May

Blue in Yarmouth

March 1st, 2010 at 10:02 AM ^

I guess I just don't understand how people "Hate" people they don't know. If I don't enjoy watching a player I would simply say I am not a fan of his. I wouldn't say I hate him. I wouldn't call him names or things of that nature (unlessit is in the midst of a deep seeded rivalry like in the case of OSU, I totally get the hatred there).

Even though it doesn't have much to do with my original point and I don't want to get in the practice of defending Crosby I will address a couple things you said:

First, when speaking about the best players in the world you can't really compare different positions. For better or worse, the "best player in the world" tag will always go to a forward and he will be compared agaianst other forwards. Short of Bobby Orr, I don't think any other defencemen has ever carried that title.

When considering my previous point, I will say that as aplayer of the sport for over 30 years I disagree with your opinion completely. There can only be twoplayers in this debate for people who know the game of hockey, and most of the disagree. The two players are obvious and they are Crosby and Ovechkin.

The others you listed (2 goalies, a defensement and Malkin), well as I said the other positions aren't comparable and Malkin is definitely not in the same class. He is an offensive talent to be sure, but his game is not nearly as complete as the other two.

In fact, Ovechkins isn't as complete as Crosbys either. You will never see Ovechkin play on the penalty kill. He just doesn't have the defensive skill. Crosby plays in all situations and does so at a very high level.

Ovechkin hits harder and is likely more of a pure goal scorer than Crosby, but Ovechkin doesn't make players around him better the way guys like Crosby does and Gretzky used to.

For these reasons I think Crosby is the better of the two. For other reason some thing Ovechkin is the better of the two. The one thing all hockey experts and fans who really know the sport agree on is that there is only two people in that debate, period.