June 30, 2016

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle:

A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.

posted by huddle to general at 07:00 AM - 15 comments

The latest episode of Malcolm Gladwell's podcast is about why so few basketball players shoot free throws underhanded. Pretty good.

posted by Etrigan at 10:07 AM on June 30, 2016

After hitting himself in the face with a foul ball, and then later being hit by a foul ball while sitting in the dugout, St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz is taking no chances while sitting in the dugout for this game.

posted by grum@work at 10:43 AM on June 30, 2016

A plan is afoot to have the Copa winner play the Euro winner.

posted by rcade at 11:53 AM on June 30, 2016

They have been talking about not allowing stopping and starting on penalty kick run-ups at Euro, yet I have just watched each of the first four Portuguese kick takers stop one step into their run up. What gives??

posted by bender at 05:43 PM on June 30, 2016

Make that all five.

posted by bender at 05:44 PM on June 30, 2016

A plan is afoot to have the Copa winner play the Euro winner.

Why doesn't each team just send 7 or 8 guys plus one or two keepers to Ascension Island and they can go straight to a penalty shootout at the airfield and fly out shortly afterward.

posted by beaverboard at 06:19 PM on June 30, 2016

Isn't that what the Confederations Cup is supposed to be about?

(Australia -Champions of Asia!)

posted by owlhouse at 06:37 PM on June 30, 2016

New Nike women's tennis dress: "It's basically a glorified shirt." I can't believe any women would agree to wear that while playing at Wimbledon.

posted by bender at 07:38 PM on June 30, 2016

Manziel suspended four games for substance abuse.

posted by beaverboard at 07:40 PM on June 30, 2016

Apparently, the Giants are planning to have Madison Bumgarner in the lineup tonight at Oakland. That's fun!

posted by bender at 09:13 PM on June 30, 2016

Portugal become the first team to reach the semi-finals of the Euros without winning any of their games.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 10:15 PM on June 30, 2016

Bouchard likes that Nike nightie, but you can tell other players are hating it. Ana Konjuh played Aga Radwanska in it today, put on a jacket and took it off several times and was adjusting herself between points more than a baseball player.

I'm amazed any player who dislikes it wears it anyway. Don't they have the choice to wear something else, or are they stuck with onerous contracts?

posted by rcade at 12:27 AM on July 01, 2016

Don't they have the choice to wear something else, or are they stuck with onerous contracts?

For some of the players, if they aren't winning any tournaments, then the Nike money might be what gets them through the year. If they don't wear the branded stuff, they don't get paid.

posted by grum@work at 08:12 AM on July 01, 2016

There are gonna be some people for whom that Marilyn Monroe sorority sundress is just the thing. They may sell a few - if they haven't already.

Need to do it in various colors. SEC fanatics will want this. It's got game day written all over it. Wonder if it's spill resistant.

posted by beaverboard at 10:51 AM on July 01, 2016

The latest episode of Malcolm Gladwell's podcast is about why so few basketball players shoot free throws underhanded. Pretty good.

Some great old school video with Red Auerbach with Rick Barry and Jamaal Wilkes showing the difference between their styles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU88dxJKTHI

posted by jeremias at 12:00 PM on July 01, 2016

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