The 10 most disrespected entities in sports today

[Alpha]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story...=shanoff/050208

 

10. Boston College hoops

Because if New England sports fans don't have something to gripe "Disrespect!" about, I'm not sure they'd be able to exist. In this case, it's deserved. Certainly, an unbeaten team that took umpteen weeks to crack the Top 25 (let alone the Top 5) counts (no matter how ugly they are in doing it).

 

Category of Disrespect: Legitimate Gripe.

 

Solution: A Final Four to match the likely NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed would be nice, but I'm not sure the rest of the country could handle the Boston area sports-fan glee O.D.

 

9. Billy Beane

The anti-Moneyball backlash was as intense as the original (glowingly positive) phenomenon. He's doing the same things as three years ago, yet for some reason, now it's junk. (And protege/Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta? Don't even go there. Dissing him is like LA media policy.)

 

Category of Disrespect: Commonly Perceived (Beane); Legitimate Gripe (DePo)

 

Solution: An A's-Dodgers World Series would silence the critics (and set an all-time postseason record for walks).

 

8. Kobe Bryant/Vince Carter

Here's a classic example of a disconnect between the media and the fans. The former rip these two guys mercilessly; the latter, to the former's frustration, continues to put them among the leading All-Star Game vote-getters.

 

Category of Disrespect: Commonly Perceived

 

Solution: Do they make "Extreme Makeovers" for image repair?

 

7. Barry Bonds

It's the "Asterisk Rationale." Despite best-ever numbers, some grumpy critics insist on insinuating that he's a cheater or that his stats should be qualified with some type of caveat. Classic Dis! (Doesn't help that he's not media-friendly.)

 

Category of Disrespect: Commonly Perceived

 

Solution: Unfortunately, there will ALWAYS be people who will label him a cheater. He may retain the best "Dis" claim of all.

 

6. Phil Jackson

Didn't you know? He can't win without having the best players of the era on his roster. MJ and Pip... Shaq and Kobe... Hey, who couldn't win titles with those players?

 

Category of Disrespect: Commonly Perceived

 

Solution: Take the Knicks job and, simply, nudge that awful franchise to.500. Would be the coaching job of the year.

 

5. Big East Football

Half-dozen teams tie for least impressive BCS conference title in history, in the season after big boys Miami and Va Tech bolt (with BC out the door next). Pitt demolished in Fiesta Bowl.

 

Category of Disrespect: (Nah, they deserve it.)

 

Solution: League newcomer Louisville going unbeaten in 2005 and winning the national title.

 

4. Bill Belichick

Call it "Parcells Syndrome." Now people are saying that it was all Belichick's assistants, and he'll flail without them, just like Parcells did after Belichick left him.

 

Category of Disrespect: Totally Manufactured

 

Solution: What: Win another Super Bowl, without Weis and Crennel?

 

3. Seattle SuperSonics

Despite entering the NBA season expected to stink, then leading the NBA's Northwest (topping highly touted Minnesota, Denver and Utah), most critics pronounce Seattle will fold like a tent in the playoffs.

 

Category of Disrespect: Commonly Perceived

 

Solution: Knock off a perceived "legitimate" team (say, one that plays decent defense) and get to the Western Conference Finals.

 

2. Curtis Martin

Unlike Red Sox Nation, C-Mart's problem is that you'll never hear him whining about it. Or maybe his problem is that he doesn't inspire a legion of fans to whine ENOUGH about it.

 

Category of Disrespect: Legitimate Gripe

 

Solution: Break Emmitt Smith's all-time NFL career rushing record.

 

1. New England Patriots

Hey, who let them sneak back in here? Was that you, New England Sports Fans??? What's wrong with you?!

 

Category of Disrespect: Totally Manufactured

 

Solution: Apparently, nothing can truly fix the inferiority complex. (No disrespect intended.)

 

Also receiving votes

Terrell Owens, Ashlee Simpson, George Steinbrenner, Hilary Swank, Carmelo Anthony, Women's college hoops, Marvin Harrison, The NHL.

 

I'd have to agree the most with Kobe Bryant, I've become fed up with him with his new Lakers.

Forget the playoffs, they completely ruined the team.

[NeuronMaster]

I notice that Ron Artest isn't on that list..he'd probably sucker punch the guy that put him on it..haha

[Chaotica]

I know noone on that list except Bryant and Ashlee Simpson!

[Agozer]

It my humble opinion that Ashlee Simpson is a damn waste of skin.

 

It's kinda ironic that many entries are about batketball.

[Inky]

that whole post was like reading stove top stuffing ingredients in another language.

[Gryph]

that whole post was like reading stove top stuffing ingredients in another language.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, I didn't understand anything besides some of the names.

[Wizard]

The NHL Lockout

 

Makes me sad.