Best of FOTB – Volume 1

In First Off The Bench’s first year, we managed to unleash about 50 articles into the wild. We’re proud of the effort our writers (mostly Matt) put in to keeping the site active, and we’ve enjoyed making a connection with some random sports fans across the globe. Here are our picks for the “essential” articles from Year 1 of FOTB, sorted by author.

Year 1 of FOTB – Top 5 News Events From a Historical Perspective

Wow, time flies. While I regret not being able to contribute more regularly to FOTB while I chase my dreams in grad school, Matt and the rest of the boys have done a good job at ensuring that this place doesn’t completely go to hell. Kudos to my more regular contributing colleagues on that front.

I would love to say that my absence can partially be attributed to my ongoing protest against Stern for failing to acquiesce to demands of having an NBA franchise back in Vancouver (although, a juicy NBA/NHL combo in Seattle with a hedge-fund owner is just starting to gain rumor momentum that might satisfy my northwest basketball needs), but in reality I won’t be my regular active self until this first year of school mercifully runs its course.

However, it wouldn’t be right to let the day pass without at least acknowledging some of the awesome events that happened in our first year that I felt have some sort of long-term historical significance. And yes, I’m refusing to acknowledge the NBA lockout, because it never happened.

Presenting David’s Top 5 Most Influential Real-Life Moments in Year 1 of FOTB:

Full Report Card on Vancouver’s Suitability as an NBA Relocation Option

 

If NBA commissioner David Stern’s recent interview on Bill Simmons’ BS Report is any indication, the NBA has been doing a little exploration of the Pacific Northwest, and they’re seriously considering cheating on one of their uglier franchises to get a little rainy action with a pretty Canadian city.

Mr. Sunshine and the Upcoming NBA All-Star Game

Big relief this week.  My first attempt at an article did not get me fired from this voluntary position, and that means that I get to talk about a couple topics that are of much more interest to me than the Super Bowl.

To start off, I want to say how much I’m looking forward to Mr. Sunshine debuting on Wednesday night at 9:30PM ET on ABC.  (Attention ABC and all other media sources: I am always open to shameless, disgusting sponsorship inserts for very little monetary compensation.  Think about it…the 100 glazed eyeballs viewing this are probably more than FlashForward ever had.)

The premise of the show is that Matthew Perry plays a middle-aged manager of a mediocre sports arena in San Diego.  I know for many of you this idea probably sounds boring or unmemorable, but I’m telling you it could be the breakout series of the year if this idea is handled properly.

Loveable Losers. The Oilers, Cavs, Clippers and Many More

Every year, in all the four main professional sports in North America, there is one team who is leaps and bounds… behind everyone else. The teams from the last two years are as follows: Hockey – Edmonton Oilers(27-47-8), New Jersey Devils so far(16-30-3). Basketball – New Jersey Nets(12-70), Cleveland Cavaliers so far(8-39). Football – St Louis Rams(1-15), Carolina Panthers(2-16) (the worst of the worst came in 2008 when the Detroit Lions went 0-16). Baseball – Washington Nationals(59-103), Pittsburgh Pirates(57-105).

Being an avid Edmonton Oilers fan it pains me to be writing this article. As things sit right now, the Oilers aren’t the worst team in the league