What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

[DrJones]

Re: What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

Probably the NFL like others have said, but the NHL is a lot different since the inception of the trap, th game is way overcoached now and we are seeing less and less of players who play a specific type of game now. Now all the players coming into the league, skate fairly well, have good speed, know the angles, know the systems,it's very robotic.

Also they implemented that trapezoid behind the nets because some goalies played the puck too well and were able to stymie offensive opportunities all the time.

The NHL today is certainly far better than it was 5-10 years ago. There are a lot more smaller, quicker, offensively skilled players in the league now than during the Dead Puck Era. Many of the Eastern teams (plus Edmonton in the West) are fun to watch. As much as I love the NHL of the 70's and 80's, it's never coming back. It's shocking how much hooking and holding went uncalled back then -- it didn't really affect offensive numbers because, as you say, 95% of players had no idea how to play defence properly and goalies relied strictly on reflexes rather than technique.

[DrJones]

Re: What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

I would say the NBA.

Lack of hand checking and physically play in the NBA is stupid and boring.

I dunno. You don't really want to see a return to 79-76 Heat/Knicks games, do you?

[mgoblue]

Re: What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

The NHL today is certainly far better than it was 5-10 years ago. There are a lot more smaller, quicker, offensively skilled players in the league now than during the Dead Puck Era. Many of the Eastern teams (plus Edmonton in the West) are fun to watch. As much as I love the NHL of the 70's and 80's, it's never coming back. It's shocking how much hooking and holding went uncalled back then -- it didn't really affect offensive numbers because, as you say, 95% of players had no idea how to play defence properly and goalies relied strictly on reflexes rather than technique.

Yeah, the players are smarter, stronger, and use more techniques now compared to the 60's-80's. It's just evolving.

Major League Baseball has changed a ton with the advent of the reliever and closer, pitchers used to go quite a bit more innings in the past.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

I dunno. You don't really want to see a return to 79-76 Heat/Knicks games, do you?

Not really...but I hate seeing the Nuggets-like teams that can win 50 games and play no defense.

[bkrich83]

Re: What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

Football and it's not even close.

[MizzouBravesFan]

Re: What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

Boxing.

Just tired of the politics and BS attached to the sport.

[TarHeelMan]

Re: What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

I'm surprised there's been no mention of NASCAR. Even though it's been in the name of growth, traditional tracks like Darlington (down to 1 race) and North Wilkesboro have been scrapped for larger (read: $$$) venues in areas like California and Chicago. I remember a few years ago there being talk of a track being built in the NY Metropolitan area, probably in Jersey somewhere.

[SPTO]

Re: What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

Boxing.

Just tired of the politics and BS attached to the sport.

I hate to tell you this but Boxing has ALWAYS been this way. In fact, it was probably even more corrupt in its heyday then it is now.

[av7]

Re: What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

Going off the path a little from the main sports we see, motocross has strayed alot from it's roots. Going back it was about racing and having a good time on the weekend, now the field is made up of 16-18 primadonna's. Supercross gained the sales AMA wanted for a cash cow, but at the same time it's so cheesy that no rider has a personality

[rudyjuly2]

Re: What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

Football. The invention of the forward pass, changing offensive rules, new formations like the shotgun, spread, 3-4 defense, etc. have all drastically changed the sport. Even 25 years ago you didn't see situational subs, formations or strategies like you do today in either college or the NFL. Sacks weren't even an official stat until 1982.

[MassNole]

Re: What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

Please read this and tell me how anyone could question lacrosse is not the most obvious answer.

http://www.e-lacrosse.com/laxhist3.htm

[superjames1992]

Re: What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

I'm surprised there's been no mention of NASCAR. Even though it's been in the name of growth, traditional tracks like Darlington (down to 1 race) and North Wilkesboro have been scrapped for larger (read: $$$) venues in areas like California and Chicago. I remember a few years ago there being talk of a track being built in the NY Metropolitan area, probably in Jersey somewhere.

That's a good point. It has went from a Southeastern sport to a nationwide sport. That's too bad too since I wish they still had tracks like Rockingham, North Wilkesboro, and Bowman Gray (of course, I live within about two hours of each, LOL). I also wish Darlington had two races still. I miss the good 'ole historical tracks, not the cupcake Charlotte-clones (as I call them, such as Michigan, Kansas, Chicagoland, ect).

[bkrich83]

Re: What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

Please read this and tell me how anyone could question lacrosse is not the most obvious answer.

http://www.e-lacrosse.com/laxhist3.htm

I think the OP meant sports that people actually care about.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

What is Lacrosse? some kind of move on NBA Street?

[gta95]

Re: What sport do you think has gotten the furthest away from its roots?

Baseball. So many specialist pitchers and limiting the IPs of young guys is a far cry from the early 1900s. As well as the DH and the overall makeup of the players and rules of the game